Chapter 3
James was looking almost pathetic.
He was stressed for his date with Evan and he’d been changing his outfits for three hours straight now. Sirius, who was sitting on his bed and helping him, was drinking a soda and eating chips. He clearly enjoyed the show of James being an utter fool.
'You sure you’re not having feelings for this guy, James?' Sirius asked as James’ phone showed a new message and James looked at it, disappointed when it was a snapchat from Peter and not a text from Evan. 'I don’t have feelings for him. I don’t even know if it’s a date,' James said exasperated as Sirius laughed softly.
'It’s not a date?' he asked as James shook his head and pulled on a navy blue blazer. 'I don’t know! It happened so fast,' James said as he looked in the mirror and started to play with his hair in hopes of making it look a bit better. It only made his hair look worse.
'Okay, so it’s a maybe date. Did you text him?' Sirius asked as James shook his head. 'I’m waiting for him to text,' he answered as Sirius frowned. 'Why? You don’t even know where he lives James! You do have his number, right?' James nodded at Sirius and Sirius hastily grabbed his phone. 'What is it? I’m sending him a message,' he said as James sighed deeply and told him the number
James remembers numbers fairly easily. He always had. He didn’t know how or why but he just did. Sirius didn’t seem surprised that he knew the number by heart. 'What’s his name? Or should I call him loverboy? Wait no nevermind, I’m calling him loverboy whatever the fuck his name may be,' Sirius said, hastily typing away. James frowned and walked over to him, pulling the blazer and his shirt off and grabbing a light grey blouse from his bed, starting to button it up.
He grabbed for his phone, but Sirius moved out of his reach and started typing away. 'What are you sending to him? Mierda, Sirius! Give me my phone!' James yelled exasperated as Sirius grinned and sent a message.
To James’ horror, Evan was online almost immediately, so he couldn’t delete the message before Evan had read it anymore.
'What did you send? Sirius?' James said, grabbing his phone from Sirius and reading the message.
2.22 PM
Hi loverboy, how’re you doing?
2.23 PM
Waiting for you to show up. I fell asleep on the couch waiting for you.
2.23 PM
I don’t know where you live though, how’d you expect me to show up?
2.24 PM
You don’t? Wow. I honestly would’ve thought you’d stalk me to figure it out
2.25 PM
I’m not that kind of person, I promise
2.26 PM
🤨
2.26 PM
I promise! It was just a coincidence the two times I found you
2.28 PM
Sure it was James. Now get your ass over here
With that message he sent his address and James jumped up to grab his shoes. 'James!' Sirius yelled to him as he frowned and looked at Sirius. 'Yeah?' he asked as Sirius motioned towards his legs. 'Aren’t you forgetting your pants?' He raised one eyebrow as James turned red and started pulling trousers on.
'I know you're desperate to get him in your pants, but you do have to wear them you know?' Sirius said as he started snickering and James threw a pillow at his head. 'Shut up. I’m not desperate to get him in my pants. I just want to be friends with him!' James said indignantly as Sirius snorted. 'Obviously,' he muttered before James smacked the back of his head and walked out of his bedroom.
'Bye Jamie!' Sirius yelled after him as James stuck his middle finger up towards Sirius and walked out of eyesight.
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Evan had lost all the hope of James coming over today.
James didn’t text him at all. Evan had vacuumed the house, cleaned his room, showered and even picked flowers from the garden to put on the small table in the living room. He had picked out a nice outfit which was laid out on his bed while he was blow drying his hair from his shower.
He checked his phone almost immediately when it lit up.
It was from Regulus.
Of course it was.
1.13 PM
You’re still bitching about the kiss?
Come on, you’re going to ignore me now?
What? You’ll ignore us when you go back to school too?
Asshole.
1.16 PM
Go back to sleep Regulus
1.16 PM
No
1.17 PM
It Looks like you're desperate for attention, Regulus. Go find Barty or something.
1.16 PM
I don’t want to talk with Barty
I want to have a normal conversation with you
1.17 PM
The weather’s great here.
1.17 PM
Stop being such a baby ffs
Evan ignored him after that.
An hour later Barty called him.
He’d been sleeping on the couch before he got woken up from his ringtone. His hair was ruined once again, but he’d given up on making it look good because the chances of James still coming were very slim. The only reason Evan picked up the phone was because he was so incredibly bored waiting on James.
'Yes?' Evan asked in a bored tone. 'What the fuck did I do Evan?' Barty’s voice was laced with sleep and desperation. He sounded incredibly stressed for someone who was on a cruise with his best friend. Or just in general. Maybe he was stressed.
'If you don’t know what you did I’m not telling you,' Evan said as Barty sighed deeply. ' Why not? Come on Ev, what happened? What did I do, please just tell me so I can apologise, ' Barty said as Evan rolled his eyes and threw his phone on the table beside the hand picked flowers. He put it on speaker. ' Who’re you talking to?' Regulus’ voice sounded from the phone. ' Ev,' Barty answered as Evan heard some shuffling and he was put on speaker.
' So, tell him Evan. What did he do wrong? It’s been going on for too long already now, hasn’t it?' Regulus said as Evan rolled his eyes. 'Both of you can honestly fuck yourselves. Why don’t you tell him Regulus?' Evan asked as Regulus sighed deeply over the phone. You could almost hear his eye roll. Almost. ' Because I’m not the one getting salty over one kiss two friends shared with each other,' Regulus gritted out as Evan rolled his eyes again. ' What kiss again? Who did I kiss? Was it that girl who’s a year younger than us? Or the boy we met yesterday in the teen part of the cruise?' Barty asked Regulus, confused. The microphone was muted by his hand presumably, but Evan could still hear them.
He felt his heart drop in his chest as barty started rattling on and on about people he’s kissed which weren’t him.
' Barty, maybe you should use your brain. Evan has nothing to do with your former hookups,' Regulus said as Barty fell quiet and Evan debated hanging up.
'You. He’s mad because I kissed you. Why? We’re just friends, I was helping you get over James!' Barty said indignantly as Evan picked his phone up. 'Yeah because you definitely didn’t have a huge crush on Regulus when we were younger. Still probably. Maybe if you kiss him again Regulus can put his sad, broken heart aside and use you like he used James,' Evan said as Regulus laughed humourlessly.
' Oh please! We both know that is not what happened with James!' Regulus said as Evan rolled his eyes. A new message showed up on his phone. 'Oh, look who it is. I have to hang up. James is here for our date,' Evan said, a smirk growing on his face as he hung up, Regulus and Barty both yelling ' WHAT? '
2.22 PM
Hi loverboy, how’re you doing?
2.23 PM
Waiting for you to show up. I fell asleep on the couch waiting for you.
2.23 PM
I don’t know where you live though, how’d you expect me to show up?
2.24 PM
You don’t? Wow. I honestly would’ve thought you’d stalk me to figure it out
2.25 PM
I’m not that kind of person, I promise
2.26 PM
🤨
2.26 PM
I promise! It was just a coincidence the two times I found you
2.28 PM
Sure it was James. Now get your ass over here
Evan sent his address over and hit himself with his book. That’s why James didn’t come by sooner. He had never given him his address.
He hurriedly started making his way back to his bathroom, putting on some happy songs to wake him up a bit. The first song playing was ‘Everybody talks’ which Evan knew by heart from the amount of drunk singing and dancing he and Barty did to it.
When his bell rang a little over twenty minutes later, he panicked and ran into the hallway to open the door for James.
'Hi,' Evan said, smiling softly and wincing a bit because his music was still on. James didn’t seem to mind though. He smiled at Evan who moved aside to let him in a bit awkwardly. 'I love this song,' James muttered as he walked into the living room and Evan hurried to put the volume down. ‘Golden hour’ was playing right now. Evan loved the song, it made him think of happy moments in his life.
'I do too,' Evan said as James looked around and he stepped towards the open kitchen attached to the living room. 'You want something to eat or drink, James?' he asked, grabbing a glass of ice tea for himself. 'Yeah, sure. Give me whatever you’re drinking, it’s fine,' James said, smiling at him. He looked really good today, Evan must give him that.
As Evan poured a glass for James and handed it to him, he looked at James interested. 'So what are we doing?' he asked as he leaned against the couch James was sitting on, looking at him. 'What?' James looked at him dumbstruck. He put his glass down and looked at Evan confused, his eyes big and innocent.
'Well obviously you’re taking me on a date so I’d expect you to plan something to do on the date,' Evan said, grinning as James frowned. 'So it is a date? As in a… date, date?' James asked, confused. Evan nodded, a slight grin on his face which contrasted the unsureness in his eyes.
'Oh…' James said, looking away. His eyes fell on the fireplace to the left side of the living room. It was off right now, obviously because it was hot enough outside.
'You didn’t… want to go on a date with me?' Evan asked. His eyes weren’t the only unsureness now. Though he was still trying to grin, his voice was unsteady and his face fell. 'No, no I do. I just wasn’t sure if it really was a date because you said it so suddenly and I don’t even know you and it’s a bit fast and confusing, but that’s making it really fun and-' 'James, it’s okay. I get it,' Evan interrupted him as he smiled gently at James who was looking slightly frazzled. His gaze was darting around the room.
When James’ eyes met Evan’s again, he also smiled softly and nodded. 'Okay. Good. A date.' James’ smile grew. 'Wait, a date. I have nothing planned! I didn’t know I was supposed to plan something!' James said as he looked at Evan who raised his eyebrows.
'That’s not a great start to a date, James. Forgetting to actually plan the date,' Evan said as he pushed himself off of the couch and walked around it, sitting down beside James.
'That’s.. Uh…' James muttered, trying to hide his embarrassed blush. Evan raised his eyebrows. 'That’s uh.. What?' he asked playfully, a small grin on his face. James’ eyes avoided Evan’s. 'Sorry…' James trailed off. He looked at Evan who was grinning and frowned.
'It’s okay James. I get it. We could make cocktails and watch a movie if you want to?' Evan asked as James frowned. 'Aren’t you too young to drink?' James asked as Evan gave him a look. 'Aren’t you?'
'Well I’m seventeen, so yes,' he muttered as Evan snorted. 'Would you believe me if I told you I’m eighteen?' Evan asked as James frowned. 'I mean I guess? You’re saying it like you aren’t though,' James said as Evan snorted again. 'I’m fifteen James,' he said as James’ eyes widened and his mouth fell open, shocked.
'No you’re not. You’re not fifteen. Fifteen?' James said in disbelief as Evan stared at him, unblinking. 'You’re lying. That’s… Oh my god. You’re really fifteen?' James asked him as Evan nodded. 'Well.. Uh… When do you turn sixteen?' James asked, still frowning and shocked.
'In a week or so. Six days,' Evan said as James sighed in relief and Evan frowned, though not meaningly. He was still smiling softly. 'What? Is it such a relief that I’m almost sixteen?' Evan asked him. He nodded in response. 'Why?' Evan asked him as James shrugged. 'Just a smaller age gap,' he said.
Evan nodded softly and stood up, walking over to the kitchen. 'So, cocktails?' Evan said as James also stood up and followed him to the kitchen. 'How do you even get your hands on alcohol if you’re fifteen?' James asked him while Evan grabbed two glasses and shrugged. 'I have my ways, James. Now, do you want a cocktail or not?' he asked as James nodded. 'Yeah sure, make me something good,' James said. Evan turned around to face him.
'Are you implying that I don’t know how to make good cocktails?' he asked James. 'I don’t know. Do you?'
'Of course I do James,' Evan said as if it made sense. It made sense to him at least. 'But you’re fifteen?' James asked warily.
'So? I’ve made more cocktails in my life than you’ve drunk I’m sure,' Evan said while he started mixing something together which created an orange like drink. 'How’s that? Maybe I’m an alcoholic, you don’t know that.' James crossed his arms while Evan mixed a red drink in the orange and looked at him. 'I do. You’re not an alcoholic.' Evan’s eyes were stern, no hint of humour in them.
'No I’m not, but what if I was?' James said as Evan sighed. 'Look James, I’ve been making cocktails ever since I was nine for my father and his rich rich friends because he was too lazy to hire a maid. I know what does and doesn’t taste good and I know what makes pretty cocktails. So here, taste this,' he said, giving James the orange and red drink which looked like small, red flames were bursting out from the top of the glass.
James took the glass a bit unsure and took a sip while Evan started working on a green and yellow drink. 'Oh.. Wow, this is actually so good Evan,' James said, frowning slightly and looking at Evan who was busy making another drink, not looking at him.
'I know. I said it would be good, why didn’t you just believe me?' he asked as he looked at James, pouring an acid green like mix on top of a light yellow one. They stayed separated from each other, which made for an interesting look. 'I don’t know. Trust issues probably,' he muttered as he took the drink Evan handed him, giving the orange one back to Evan who took a sip and hummed softly.
'I forgot something…' he muttered, frowning. 'It’s good though. Tastes like a sunrise,' James said as Evan gave him an unimpressed look. 'What movie do you want to watch James?' Evan asked as James shrugged. 'Anything’s fine for me,' he muttered as Evan distantly heard the intro to ‘somebody to love’ from Queen start.
'Uh…' James muttered as Evan cleaned everything up and walked over to the couch, sitting down and clicking the tv on. James walked over to the couch and leaned against it, looking at the tv. 'Oh Disney! You were watching Tangled? I love Tangled, it’s really sweet,' James said as Evan hurriedly clicked it away and shook his head. 'I wasn’t watching Tangled,' Evan muttered while James frowned. 'My best friend likes to watch it. He watches on my account sometimes,' Evan lied as he tried to hide his embarrassed blush. That was true though. Tangled was one of Regulus’ favourite movies. Evan last watched it with him at school, but they didn’t get to finish it because Barty came barging in and he would make fun of them endlessly if he knew they watched movies like ‘Tangled’.
'Oh, okay. And you don’t like it?' James asked as Evan frowned. 'Do you like it?' Evan asked, to which James snickered. 'I won’t make fun of you for liking Tangled if that’s what you’re afraid of Evan,' James said to him. His eyes were genuine and he smiled at Evan. 'But besides that I do like it, yeah. I think it’s a really cute movie with great music,' James said as Evan nodded softly. 'I like it too.'
'What else do you like to watch?' James asked as Evan shrugged. 'Fantasy, musical or romance. I don’t really watch much tv though,' he said while James nodded. 'You have good taste Evan,' he said while Evan picked out a movie and James looked at the screen.
'Aladdin?' James asked, a playful smile on his face. 'Mhm. The liveaction one. It’s good. I like the music,' Evan said as James nodded. 'Play it, by all means,' he said while Evan started the movie and pulled his legs up to his chest, sitting down more comfortably on the couch.
As the movie started playing and James and Evan watched in contempt silence, Evan couldn’t help but glance over at James every so often. He could see what Regulus sees in James. He’s cute. The way his hair falls like he just stepped out of bed, though it fits him perfectly. The way his glasses sit crooked, or the way his brown eyes seem to light up when the sunlight catches them. Besides his good looks, he was very kind and enthusiastic. His presence was comforting and James was awfully good at making people smile.
Somewhere halfway through Evan got bored and he stood up, grabbing James’ glass. 'Do you want something else?' he asked as James looked at him and nodded softly. 'Yes please. Can’t say no when the drinks you make are so good, now, can I?' James asked him as Evan snorted and walked into the kitchen.
'Do I need to pause the movie?' James asked as Evan shook his head. 'Nah, I’ve seen it before,' Evan answered while he started making the drinks. He checked his phone for any messages and found it blown up once again.
2.24 PM ~ Reggie babyy
Evan I sure hope you were fucking joking
Evan.
Don’t ignore me
2.27 PM ~ Bart (mr. Grandpa)
Don’t ignore us Ev
2.30 PM ~ Reggie babyy
Rosier, pick up the phone
2.33 PM ~ Bart (mr. Grandpa)
Evan, come on
2.42 PM ~ Bart (mr. Grandpa)
Still ignoring us?
2.46 PM ~ Reggie babyy
Ffs Evan
2.53 PM ~ Bart (mr. Grandpa)
Pick up your fucking phone Evan
3.02 PM ~ Reggie babyy
You’re such a baby. Why are you ignoring us again?
3.14 PM ~ You
What? Can’t have it that I’m having a date now?
3.15 PM ~ Reggie babyy
A date with James fucking Potter.
3.16 PM ~ You
Yeah, he’s really nice to me
3.17 PM ~ Bart (mr. Grandpa)
Is that the only thing you look for in your boyfriends? That’s awfully naive
3.17 PM ~ Reggie babyy
→ Yeah, he’s really nice to me
Oh please Evan. James is nice to everyone
'Hey, are you okay over there Ev? Do I need to help you?' James asked, turning around to face Evan. Evan clicked his phone off and smiled at James. 'Nah, I’m good thank you,' Evan muttered, still looking at his phone while mixing the cocktails.
Regulus called him again, Evan clicked him away.
3.22 PM ~ Reggie babyy
Evan pick up the phone
3.23 PM ~ You
No
Stop calling me when it’s, what? 9,30 for you guys?
Do you know how incredibly rude it is to call someone else while you’re on a date?
3.24 PM ~ Reggie babyy
You’re at home though, so I can’t see how you’re currently on a date with James
3.24 PM ~ You
You’re stalking me now? Wow Reg
3.25 PM ~ Bart (mr. Grandpa)
He’s not stalking you
3.26 PM ~ You
Sounds like he is to me.
Regulus called him again.
Evan put his phone upside down while bringing James his cocktail and taking a big gulp from his own. 'Are you okay Ev? I mean your phone is blowing up with texts,' James said, motioning towards his phone which was still laying on the kitchen counter. 'Yeah, it’s okay James. My friends are just being dickheads, that’s all.' Evan sat down beside James again, pulling his legs up. 'Oh.. May I ask why?' James asked as Evan raised his eyebrow. 'No, you may not,' he said while trying to focus on the movie again, but finding it very hard because his phone was vibrating again.
'I think someone’s calling you,' James said as Evan rolled his eyes. 'I don’t care, James. They can call me all they want,' he said while sighing deeply.
James gave him a slightly worried look before nodding softly at him. 'Okay…' he muttered while shuffling around on the couch a bit to get more comfortable.
When the movie was over and they’d watched two other movies, Evan had made five cocktails for himself and three for James. It was around dinner time now. James and Evan had barely paid attention to the last movie they watched, because they had been busy talking about everything and nothing at all.
Evan found James was an easy person to talk to. He had his opinions, reasons to back it up, but he never judged someone on their opinions.
Evan stood up a bit wobbly and walked over to the kitchen counter, leaning on it to stabilise himself. 'Were you staying for dinner?' Evan asked, pulling out some things from the cupboard. It looked like he was going to make himself soup.
'If you want me to,' James said, smiling as Evan smiled back. He felt so smiley all of a sudden. Evan didn’t really understand why. While Evan started walking around in the kitchen, he put on some music. He was busy cutting up some vegetables to put in the soup and stirring the bouillon when he turned around and almost bumped into James who was standing behind him, watching him make the soup.
'Oh, sorry. I just thought.. Maybe I could help?' he said, smiling a bit awkwardly. Evan shrugged. 'You don’t need to help, I can do it on my own,' he said nonchalantly, putting the vegetables in the soup and stirring it with a big spoon.
'Even when you’re drunk?' James asked in disbelief as Evan turned around and stepped closer to him. His gaze was sharp, but there was no real edge to it. 'I’m not drunk,' he said, turning back around to stir the soup again. 'Okay, so you’re very tipsy.'
'I’m not!'
'You are!'
'I’m not!'
'Evan you can’t even walk straight anymore,' James said, his lips turned upwards in a smile and his eyes amused. 'I can, fuck you,' he said, pointing the spoon at James who put his hands up in surrender. 'Show me then huh. Walk in a straight line and I’ll leave you to it. If you can’t do it, you’ll sit down and let me make the soup,' James proposed, sticking out his hand. 'Deal,' Evan said as he shook James’ hand and spun around to put on another song.
'We need good walking music, obviously,' Evan said while putting on ‘Rumour has it’ from Adele. James grinned and nodded as Evan straightened his back, put his chin up and started walking. He honestly tried really hard to walk in a straight line, but he found it was incredibly hard when he tried to focus on it.
James started laughing as Evan turned around again and sighed deeply, rolling his eyes. 'Okay so maybe I’m a little drunk,' he muttered, grabbing a bar stool from the other end of the kitchen counter and sitting down.
He held his head up with his hands and stared at James who smiled at him and grabbed the spoon, stirring the soup.
'What kind of soup is it?' he asked. 'Chicken soup. But there’s no chicken to be found in my refrigerator so it’s chickenless chicken soup,' Evan said, blinking at James who frowned and started laughing again. Evan couldn’t help but laugh along. 'Chickenless chicken soup? Wow,' James said, still laughing softly as he grabbed premade meatballs and stared at them. 'Those aren’t from the grocery store. I made them myself, but sealed them off because I didn’t feel like making soup when I made them. I think I made them yesterday. Or the day before,' Evan muttered, frowning.
When he thought about it, he really couldn’t remember when he made them. It was all a bit blurry for him. 'They smell fine, so I’ll just use them, okay?' James asked as Evan nodded and stared at him while he carefully put the meatballs in the soup. Within five minutes of sitting down though, Evan was tired of it. He stood up and walked over towards James who was busy with the soup. When he turned around to face Evan, he smiled at him and Evan smiled back.
They were closer now than they were earlier. It felt like the awkwardness had slowly faded away between them.
'You’re really pretty you know, James,' Evan said, turning around again and humming along to the song while he walked over to grab his phone from the counter. 'What?' James asked, seemingly shocked. When Evan turned around to look at him he was blushing and looking away, smiling brightly.
'You’re really pretty too, Evan,' James muttered, his eyes finding Evan’s. Evan’s chest did a weird spin and he felt like he could throw up any second. He didn’t hate the feeling though. He actually rather liked it.
Oh.
He liked it.
Did that mean he liked James?
Oh.
Oh.
Oh no.
Reg was going to kill Evan.