Early Birds (Irritable)
Early Birds
Lily scrunched up her nose, she had no desire to be here, but she had signed up months ago.
Back then, her company’s offer to their employees to pick any course they liked for their personal growth had seemed a great idea. Now, standing on a pavement, waiting for the last of her colleagues (all at least 25 years her senior) to arrive to the bird-watching outing, at five am in the godforsaken morning, (seriously even the bloody birds were likely sensible enough to still be tucked away in their warm nests), Lily wasn’t happy about it.
A man her age, his hair in a ‘I was still asleep just three minutes ago’-look, but the rest of his face all energy and eagerness, was beaming at them. Not that anyone else of their group paid him much attention, Lily noted at least four out of five of her co-workers who could barely keep their eyes open. She hid a yawn with her hand. Why had she not seen the ridiculous early starting time, she thought irritable.
And who was the guy? She’d never seen him at work before, and their company wasn’t exactly overflowing with good looking men. She would have noticed him if he had been present at their end of year drinks.
As if he heard her thoughts, he turned and looked straight at her, a smile of the winning variety on his lips. Goodness, she would not notice if an Eagle Owl were to land on her shoulder, with him looking at her like that.
“Ah, thank goodness, you haven’t left without me. I’m sorry for being late, have I missed anything?” Lily blinked and shook her head to the last arrival. Mrs Pomfrey was a sweet older lady, who would always fuss about Lily, scolding her when she worked late and saying she should have more fun.
The unknown man was making the rounds and Lily was surprised to see he had something to say to everyone.
When he stood before Lily and Mrs Pomfrey, the latter stuck her hand out enthusiastically and smiled widely at the man, and then at Lily, “Well, it’s a great pleasure to finally meet Lily’s boyfriend. What’s your name again, young man?”
The man’s smile didn’t falter, "Goodmorning ladies, I’m your guide this morning. My name is James Potter.”
Lily’s brows flew up and she spluttered,“Erm, he’s not…I don't have a boyfriend.”
Mrs Pomfrey didn't seem at all phased by her error and just patted Lily on the back and left to chat to her good friend Mrs Sprout, dressed in a camouflage outfit for the morning.
Lily looked down, feeling her traitorous cheeks flush. He didn't move on, which she was rather hoping for, but when his feet stayed in the same spot she looked up, and up and up to find his eyes. A crooked pair of glasses hid them from first view, but she could see they were a lovely hazel, and his gaze upon her was warm and soft. His eyes crinkled at the corners, which disarmed her entirely. Just before it got weird, them just standing there and smiling at one another he smiled and said “Lucky for me, the day is still young.”