Chapter 7
James has become obsessed with texting the handsome stranger. For the past two weeks, they have been messaging each other every day. Sometimes they would flirt and other times they would just talk about their days. What James loves the most is that they could talk about the most boring things ever, and he would be totally captivated by the handsome stranger.
James is exhausted; they've stayed up till 3 am texting, then he's up again at the crack of dawn, barely getting three hours of sleep a night. He's been exercising a lot more too. Ever since Handsome Stranger called him "handsome", James has had this overwhelming urge to stay handsome. And he's achieving his goals by keeping fit. Although he knows that Handsome Stranger probably does not care about his body too much – probably – he can't help but feel that he needs to be as fit and healthy as possible to deserve his love. Or anyone's love. He has got to be perfect to deserve love. Which is why he's been skipping out on meals recently. Not all of them. It started out with dinner, as he was so preoccupied with texting the stranger that he often forgot to eat. Then he skipped breakfast. What's the point in eating so much after he has just worked out in the early morning? That was his justification to himself. And to Sirius, who has also noticed his change in appetite. Now it was lunch time, but despite his stomach growling and pleading with him to fuel it, James could not bring himself to eat anything. Melanie Martinez said it best: "no one will love you if you're unattractive".
"Earth to James," Remus says, waving his hand in front of James face.
"Bugger off," he replied, swatting Remus' hand away from his face. "Sorry, what were you saying?" James asked.
"What are we doing for Sirius' birthday?"
James didn't even know Halloween had passed until Remus asked him this morning what they were doing for Sirius' birthday. Shit, that's in 2 days. After a quick, half-hearted discussion, they agree that renting out the VIP section at the club is the best course of action. He has to assure Remus multiple times that James can afford it.
"My parents are rich, and they love Sirius like their own. They are more than happy to pay for him to have fun on his birthday."
***
Later in the day, in their dorm, Sirius said, "I want to invite Regulus."
"What?" James asks.
"I want to invite Regulus to whatever we're doing on my birthday. I know you guys are planning something, you're not exactly subtle."
"Are you sure that's what you want?"
"It is. I want to get to know the person my little brother has grown up to be."
"Then one more person is coming. That's great; the more the merrier," exclaims James. “Padfoot?”
“Mm.”
“Can I invite someone?”
“Who?”
“Just someone I’ve been talking to,” James answers bashfully. God, he never got flustered, what was going on?
“How long have you two been talking for?”
“A few weeks maybe, but I've liked him for a while now.”
“My best friend is in love and didn’t bother to tell me!”
“Stop overreacting, I’m not in love,” James laughs, then mumbles, “It’s just a little crush.”
“So, you’re finally over Evans then?” Sirius inquires, “You have been obsessed with her for years!”
“I guess I am.”
James isn't sure he really liked Lily, not in the last two years or so at least. He loves their friendship. He has come to terms with that’s all it’s going to be. Just friends. And that’s enough for him. But, growing up, he also liked that she seemed to be the only person that didn’t love the James Potter.It’s stupid, James thinks to himself. Maybe he doesn’t like the handsome stranger either, maybe he just likes the game. Is he even capable of love?
Buzz.
James checks his phone to see a message from Handsome Stranger.
There is so much work for history. I had some trouble keeping up with the workload during my A Levels; why did I think getting a bachelor’s in it was a good idea?
J: Because you are smart and talented and can do whatever you want.
J: It’s my best friend’s birthday in a few days and we are having a party. Would it be weird if I invited you? I know you 2 don’t know each other yet
Do you think it would be weird inviting me?
J: No
Then neither do I.
J: Great, meet us at Club Deluxe at 7 pm?
See you there, mon amour.
See you there. James is going to see the handsome stranger for the first time since he gave him his number. Fuck, he’s got to make sure he looks good. He has to look perfect. James has to look handsome.