Chapter 2
Today is the day. Today is the day James is moving out of his apartment he has been living in for four years. He’s scared, but relieved. Happy, but anxious.
He opens the door and there she stands, Lily, with her puffy red eyes that matches her red hair. It’s obvious that she has been crying.
“Hey” it comes out softer than he means. He wants to act harsh, but that’s just not him. So, he decides to hug her instead. She gives in immediately and they hug for what feels like half an hour.
“Uhm” Remus’ heavy voice sounds behind him. Shit.
“Oh yeah sorry Lils, but I can’t do this again” James stubbles backwards.
Lily looks as if she got betrayed, what isn’t true, but James has been doing such a good job of trying to forget her, this is working against it.
“What do you want Lily?” Remus sighs. Remus and Lily used to be best friends, but since Remus and his ex broke up, they haven’t been the same. It was as if the friendship broke apart because Remus was depressed. James thought it was getting better, but he and Lily breaking up works against them, again.
“Sorry I just wanted to check up on him. Thank you for taking him in” she says.
“He’s a grown man Lily, please let him go” Remus almost pleads. He never does that.
Lily just huffs and walks out without saying goodbye.
“Well, that will be awkward when we go to hers today” James tries to humor it, but Remus just looks sad. Remus has all the odds against him now with their breakup, how is James too selfish to see that.
“I’m sorry Remus. I don’t want to be between the two of you” James looks at his best friend.
“It’s ok James, we haven’t been the same for over three years. It’s just hard to talk like this to her” he sighs and sits down.
“I’m still sorry, I’ll take a quick run outside and let’s start moving after, ok?” James tries to smile at him, but nothing’s working.
“Yeah, go borrow something from mine. Can’t be sure how old it is though, but it will fit”.
-
“Let’s go to the pub tonight” it wasn’t a question, more like a statement. When Remus does this, there’s no room for discussions. James just grumps as response. He’s not sure if he’s ready for that.
“Ok James, but it’s good to go out of the house and the comfort space. You love people and we invite our friends! It will be fun!” Remus convinces James, he knows Remus dislikes crowdy spaces, so he really is doing it for him. He can appreciate that.
“Alright lets first take my stuff from Lily’s place and let’s decide after that” James tells Remus.
‘There is no discussion James, it wasn’t even a question” his best friend winks at him. James truly loves the idiot.
They take the minivan from Peter to move all the stuff. It’s not a lot but it’s a twenty-minute drive, so their goal is to only drive twice. Peter also offers to help, but Remus tells him that if he joins tonight, it’s forgiven.
James rings the bell while he has his own key, he just doesn’t want to disturb Lily’s privacy.
A blond-haired woman opens the door “hey”. It’s casual, but who is she?
“Hey?”
“Oh sorry, I’m Pandora, you’re James, right?” James nods. He heard that name before.
“Uhm yes, sorry, I told Lily I would come by today to get my stuff” Pandora nods and lets him in.
“Why don’t you use the key you dumbass” Lily chuckles. So, nothing really changed except for their sexual relationship. A weight is lifted from James’ shoulders and his heart stops beathing that fast. He can deal with this. Their sex life didn’t even exist the past two years.
‘Didn’t wanna invade your privacy” James smiles back.
“You really don’t change, even if someone hurts you” damn that was fast.
“Harsh, how dare you use my loving heart against me” James laughs, because he means it as a joke. Of course.
“Sorry, sorry!”
“Anyways this is Pandora, we can help if you guys want to” wow Remus really gave her some sense.
“Would be nice” Remus smiles softly. “I have seen you before Pandora, do I know you?” Remus asks.
“I don’t know anyone with your name, so I guess not” she smiles.
“Yeah, it’s quite an extraordinary name, I believe”.
After that they all start packing. Sometimes James and Lily discuss who gets what, but James doesn’t need a lot. They will get a bed tomorrow at IKEA and for the rest James will be fine.
After two hours of work the van is full and they made it for only one drive.
“Would you guys like something to drink before you leave” Lily asks.
Remus looks at James, and James nods. They know what the other one means without any communication.
“Well, if you would like you can join us tonight in the Three Broomsticks?” Remus offers.
“Just the four of us?” Lily asks.
“No, I invited Dorcas and Peter. Dorcas brings her girlfriend, Marlene”.
Lily looks at James “if you’re ok with that James, otherwise I will pass”.
James nods in agreement. “Pandora, would you like to join too?” James doesn’t know the deal between them, but he would like to have a good first impression. And she truly seems nice.
“Well, I said I would go to the Black brothers” Pandora discusses with Lily.
“Is it ok if two of Pandoras friends come too?” Lily asks the boys.
Remus and James agree with the idea, “always love to meet new people” James says. “Not the same, but I will make it” Remus laughs. They all laugh.