Everywhere
James knew his place, the time, and the customers. It was their standard place on the market. He and his family and now Sirius, but he practically was family would sell their coffee and sweets.
His mom made the best cookies and cakes, while his dad would buy the best coffee beans. “It's about the flavour” he would always say.
Only Sirius and James have been standing by the stand for a while now. His parents said they were old enough to do it by themselves. It was true, James (and Sirius) were both 20 now, but he still hated that his parents weren’t there as if the customers wouldn’t have the same smiles as them.
He and Sirius were putting up the stand early in the morning and as usual, Sirius was complaining the whole time.
“Why do we have to wake up so early, like can’t they put the market up in the late afternoon?” While he was carrying the cups. James just rolled his eyes, and although he did agree with Sirius it was early. Plus the clouds were gray, so that probably meant that it was going to rain the whole day.
All the stands were building up, like the music podium and the vegetable stand. They always had a bit of competition with the bakery, who also had a stand, but James always believed that they were jealous, because his mom made the better sweets.
The coffee machine was set up, so the first thing he did was make a cup for him and Sirius. They needed it or else they would either fall asleep or Sirius would steal all the cookies and neither was an ideal option.
It started getting a bit busy, but the rain made it unbearable and almost no one came.
“Prongsie I’m going to get us some food by the Mexican stand!” Sirius said and before James could stop him he walked away. It wasn’t that busy anyway, so it wasn’t like James needed Sirius's help and he was starving indeed.
James sat back in his chair when a red-haired girl walked up to their stand. James didn’t know what to do he had never seen such a gorgeous girl in his life. She had thousands of freckles on her face and auburn/red hair. She had a warm coat with a green scarf.
Manners James keep your manners, was all he could think of. When she stood in front of the stand he immediately stood up. His hand went through his hair and he could curse himself. He was acting so stupid.
“Hai-hai what can I do for you?” Their eyes met and James could have fallen on the spot. She had shining emerald eyes that looked straight into him. A small smile escaped from her lips and James tried not to stare too hard at it.
“Can I have a wamr chocolate milk?” She said. Her voice was soft, but hard enough to her. She sounded unsure. “Well, we wouldn’t be a good COFFEE shop if we hadn’t had chocolate milk?” He bit his lip what a stupid sentence to say. He tried to fix it by saying: “Anything else?” She looked at the sweets. “Well, these cookies look very good. Which one do you recommend?” As her eyes met him again.
“Well I love all of them, but my favorite is the red velvet. My mom makes them herself and my dad buys the coffee beans to make sure the taste is perfect.” She smirked at that and James grin grew wide. “Then I’ll have one red velvet cookie!” “Good, suits your hair.” James closed his eyes thinking she would slap him, but she frowned her eyebrows. “Had too much coffee when you where a kid or are you just this energetic always?” That’s weird James never had a girl talk back at him. Sure they slapped him or pushed him, but never a rude comment looking so sweetly. That’s suprised him the most she didn’t seem to mean it in a mean way.
She laughed and it warmed his heart. He probably looked very red right now. Too bad for him the chocolate and the warm milk was ready. “Here you go, red.” Yes, he did it he made her smile again. “Thank you, caffeine boy.” She laughed again. “Well we have to work on a better nickname then that!” He laughed with her now. “You’re assuming I’m coming back?” She looked him deep in the eyes and if James wasn’t as red as a tomato he sure was now. “Well I sure hope so!” She gave him one last smile and walked away.
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The whole week James thought about her. Her hair, her freckles, her smile, just her everything. James didn’t tell Sirius, because he knew he would get a whole lecture of liking a girl who he didn’t even knew the name from.
In someway Sirius would be right, but that didn’t stop James from thinking about her.
Saturday came quickly, but very slow if you ask James. He was excited and up at 6 am, which wasn’t ideal for Sirius.
James put on his best outfit, showered, and tried to comb his hair, which still was impossible. “Looking good Prongsie and that at 6 in the morning.” Sirius groaned the last bit. James felt good hoping he really could see her again.
As usual, they set up their stand and waited. It didn’t take long, because the sun was shining and the temperature was warm. A lot of customers walked around the market, there was fun jazz music in the background and people liked to talk.
James was very talkative to everyone because he didn’t know when she came. SHE.
“So Prongs! That girl was totally flirting with you!” Sirius laughed. James didn’t even notice he was too busy with his girl. He wasn’t the type to get hyped up this quickly, but for some reason, he was only thinking about her.
The day went away too quickly and a lot of markets were already packing up. “Come on we have to get going!” Sirius said. James wanted to stay. He needed to see her even if it meant staying there forever. “No please Sirius a little bit longer!” He pledged. Sirius frowned and looked at him. “Are we waiting for someone?” Sirius laughed. James didn’t know really what to answer and when he turned around she was there.
His eyes grew wide. She was looking gorgeous in a light green dress with a small coat and her hair up, eyes shining into his again. “Red..” He said breathlessly. She put that soft smile on again. “Caffeine boy!” James' smile grew wide. “Sorry, I had a lot on my mind and then I wanted a cookie, so I had to go to the place where they sell the best cookies right.” Her eyes scanned the cookies again. “Well, this is the best place to go!” He grinned down at her now.
“Well, well have we met before or did you appear from a dream?” Sirius said, taking James out of his mind. Shit! Sirius was there of course. He stepped for James and Lily looked up at him. James could see her scanning him. “No uhm your lovely friend here helped me last time.” She was blushing a bit. “Ahh that explains why James was rushing and a bit to excited this morning.” James' cheeks grew red again. Seriously Sirius? “James? Cute name.” She said as her nose went a bit up. James couldn’t speak and Sirius noticed. “What’s your name? We wouldn’t wanna be calling you red forever?” Thank Sirius for communicating and making jokes. “Lily, like the flower!” Looking excitedly. Her eyes went from Sirius to James again. “Well, what a lovely name! I’m Sirius by the way!” They shocked their hands and Lily wanted to shake James' hand, but James stood frozen, so Sirius had to tick him on the shoulders. After James shook her hand his hand went to his hair.
“Well I’m so sorry Lily, but we have to go or else James is glued to the ground forever. Hopefully, we will see you next week!” Sirius said as he packed up. “That would be nice!” She took her cookie and walked away. Sirius turned to James. “Care to explain?” He said looking judgingly at his friend while laughing. “Prongs in love!” James still couldn’t say anything.