Zack's POVMy fingers tightened over the ticket in my hand, my eyes tracing the time written in big bold numbers, my brain calculating how much time I have left, wondering if there is one place I can stop by before leaving for good.My gaze flickered from the piece of paper to my uncle, "Your mother also agreed to this," He said, the muscle of his jaw worked as his eyes drifted away, as if he couldn't stand to be here now, looking at me, talking to me."Your bad grades, the drugs, and everything that happened was enough for the school to kick you out," He clarified, and I understood, our Ivy league school won't accept someone like me trashing its reputation, "You'll stay with your aunt in Texas, your papers are already transferred to a school there," He added, totally unbothered, "I am not sure if you will be able to graduate this year, and you already know that you lost the football scholarship for university, so whatever you're gonna do, it's all up to you from now on."The way he t
Two months later...Lilly's POVHappy.I've been happy. So very happy, that it feels surreal at times.It makes me wonder how can one person only make me feel so much at once.The sweetness, the gentleness, the excitement, and the thrill...it's all very overwhelming.I don't want it to end. Can it never end?I took Sally's advice and lived each day, one at a time, not ruining it with thoughts of what will happen tomorrow. At the moment, I really don't care about tomorrow, as long as today, he's by my side and I am by his.Chase has gotten better, much better lately. The doctor says it's a matter of days before he can be discharged for good. They're only keeping him in now to make sure his condition is stabilized.The side effects stopped almost a couple of weeks ago. Still, he went through a lot of pain and it ruined me seeing him face it all. I thought I am not strong enough to stick by him through all the bad, but I did.I kept my promise and stayed. It wasn't even physically possib
Lilly's POVConner washed up, and Sally angrily slumped over the couch, inspecting her lip.The lyrics of the song dad had in the car kept running up my mind, and I involuntarily found myself mumbling them lowly, "Ocean blue eyes looking in mine, I feel like I might sink and drown and-"Chase's weirded-out look had me shutting up. I sighed and shook my head, "It's all dad's fault." A small smile crept up my lips as I looked into his eyes, "Actually, it could be our song, feels fitting."He smiled back and pulled me to his side, he pressed a gentle kiss to the side of my head and I sighed in relief. Aylin can't destroy this, she can't.When Conner came back, he shot Sally a hard glare to which she returned, still holding her broken lip. When he looked back at us, he rolled his eyes, "Can you two not be lovey-dovey all the time?"I pretended to think about it then shook my head, "I don't think we can," I said and pressed a small kiss over Chase's cheek.Conner mumbled something, probabl
Lilly's POV"I told you guys, you didn't have to come here today," Chase told his parents, who dropped by unexpectedly, way to ruin my alone time with Chase, "Conner is staying tonight."Auntie Katherine nodded and sadly mumbled, "I know, but I've missed you," Her eyebrows pulled closer, "Also, I think there is something wrong with your dad."Uncle Ashton looked at her, confused at how she talked about him when he's right there by her side.She gave him a side glance and looked back at Chase, "Yesterday, he made me dinner for example, can you believe that? And in the morning, he made me breakfast again," She said, pretending to whisper to Chase, "I mean he hadn't done that in forever, I think he's not okay."I chuckled at how serious her tone is, she turned to Ashton and her eyes suspiciously narrowed at him, "What are you planning?" She asked, "What do you want from me?"He couldn't help but smile at her expression, with his arm around her shoulder, he pulled her closer, "Well, I jus
Lilly's POVThe feeling pressing up against my heart is cold, so cold. Like concrete drying in my chest.It wraps me in. It invades the part of me that was scared all along.It's unexpected - top of the world one minute and cut down the next.I still feel myself in a haze, drinking in the feedback of the news, my mind in a swirling loop between the past, the present, and what's about to change in the very near future.His parents left after, because today was supposed to be ours. I wanted it to be ours, to make him happy, to celebrate his birthday, and show him that he could still have everything he once had before the drug.Now I realized, he didn't need my little surprises.They weigh nothing in front of this. He is going to have what he wants the most so soon.He is happy. That's the important thing.I kicked everything away and took his hand in mine, dragging him with me and out of the room, determined to keep this day going as planned. Whatever the problem is, it can be dealt wit
MondayChase's POVI gathered my books and notebooks into one box, fitting them all in, and placed them beside my already packed bag before I stood straight and took a quick glance around me, at the room that kept me captive for the past two and a half months.It was supposed to feel like a prison. But it didn't.The people in my life didn't let it be.Inside these four walls, Conner helped me with my lessons every day, making sure I graduate on time. Between these walls, my mother brought me food and insisted I eat it all before she went on telling me about her day. My father stayed right here by my side, discussing my future as a pilot even though nothing was sure yet, with countless nights sleeping on that very uncomfortable couch, even though I begged him not to. He never left me alone.In this room, there was Alex, Cara, Max, and Sally, they all stood by my side. They all visited, they all cared, they all tried to bring a smile to my face. They were all part of the hope that kept
Lilly's POVMy gaze flickered from the road to dad beside me. Conner's words ringing in my ears non-stop.You don't have time.He's been in love with you since I met him.You love him too.My eyes went to the backseat to see Max's airpods plugged into his ears, his eyes on his phone, totally oblivious to us."Dad," I started, breaking the silence and needing to say something, needing to talk or I will explode with theheavinessof my thoughts.
Lilly's POVHe walked me down the stairs and into our backyard. He stopped right by the loungers positioned by the pool. My gaze went from them and to him, I smiled, I had to smile, "I kissed you right here, that very first time."He nodded, "You took me way off guard that day, I gotta admit that," He said, his eyes lingered over the spot where it all started and I still could read nothing of his expression, "I always learned to expect the unexpected from you," He looked back at me, "You're relentless, you're wild at times," He smiled, finally giving me his beautiful smile, "And you're so very dangerous, Lilly."His eyes caressed my face and he added, "You have the courage to lose yourself in the things you truly want and I really love that about you," He added and my heartbeat accelerated."I am the total opposite of you," I said, yet somehow, I feel like we're one and the same. I am the rush in his calmness, and he's the calm in my storm. The perfect puzzle.He nodded, "That's so tr
The hardness of his voice and his touch had my wide eyes drifting from my hand that I couldn't move then back to his face, "Christian, you are scaring me," I said, my voice low as I tried to break my arm free of his grip."You're scared?" He scoffed, "You have no idea what real fear feels like, Lilly," The look of pure disgust in his eyes had me gulping down, "Fear is opening the door to see your father's body there, killed in the most inhuman way," My stomach churned at the thought and he added, his voice and rage increasing with each word, "Fear is waking up after one hell of an explosion and not being able to move, for five hours, I couldn't move a muscle as I watched all of my friends there die because your fucking family thought that killing one man was worth burning up the whole damn asylum!"Asylum...explosion...the newspaper I just saw."My family?" I asked, weakly, nothing making sense, nothing.He nodded, "Yes, Lilly, your family," He said, "You see, it took everything in my
The second I opened the door for her, she shot out, "What did he do?" She asked and anger reflected off her eyes, already expecting that he did something.I ushered her to get inside and we sat down as I explained what happened and what he said at the end before he stormed out."Okay, I am gonna tell you something, Lilly," Sally started, her tone very serious, "Something that shows how everything about the way he dealt with this is very wrong."I nodded and she swallowed down hard, preparing herself before she said, "Conner and I kind of had a thing going on," She confessed and I wasn't surprised, "I know, it was kind of obvious, you guys were talking every day."She shook her head, "It's not like that, the summer before he left to uni, one time we were alone and one thing led to another and well," She gave me a knowing look, "We slept together."My eyes grew wide a bit, "Why didn't you tell me?" I asked."Chase had just left and you were not okay, and also Conner and I decided to not
One year later...Lilly's POVI am panicking.So very much panicking.I am in trouble. Big stupid trouble.Fuck.How could I be so damn stupid?My pulse took off a sprint as I stared down at the birth control pack, to see three pills are still left. I am supposed to have finished them all by today, twenty-eight days passed, twenty-eight pills, but no, three are left, which means...Fuck, how did I forget to take it three days in a row?Three freaking days!Jesus, Lilly, how could you be so stupid?I didn't even notice it when it happened.I pulled my phone and with my hand shaking, I checked the calendar, my mind calculating and trying to remember when this must've happened. It had to be about ten days ago, I had my exams and my graduation project presentation, I was so stressed. I usually take the pill first thing in the morning, considering I wasn't sleeping well during that time, I probably just forgot to take them.I am supposed to get my period in the following days, but what if I
****************One month later...Chase's POV"You think your dad will accept to be my reference?" Conner asked for the umpteenth time, "I mean I know that he loves me a lot," He added proudly, "You know that he once told me I am like the son he never had."I lowered my shades and turned around, giving him the most unimpressed look. He just rolled his eyes, "Anyways, I really need his reference, this company I am applying for is really big news, if I get accepted, I would do anything you want," The security pressed the card, allowing us to walk inside and I gave him a thank-you nod, "I might even kiss you from happiness."I winced at his words, "No, thank you."He narrowed his eyes at me before we walked into the elevator, "Uh, do you know that..." Conner cleared his throat, "That Lilly is here in LA for the summer?"I looked at him and nodded, "Yeah, my mother mentioned it the other day."His eyebrows pulled closer, as if expecting a bigger reaction, "Do you plan on seeing her?"I
************Lilly' POVHis words had me snapping and I walked out of my hiding, unable to take it anymore.My words had him leaving Christian and turning around, his eyes wide as they fell on me, "Lilly, what the hell are you doing here?" He snapped.I ignored his question and walked forward, "You want to tell the department about him, okay do it, but be sure that I will go and say it's me," I said, "If you're gonna drag his reputation down, you will be dragging mine along with it."I shook my head, "I am not gonna let you do that," I said, "Because, it's my life, whether I am gonna be with him or not, it's my decision and you can't...you just can't keep controlling my life forever!""Lilly, you are driving me insane, what you are doing is wrong, so do-""No, it is not wrong!"Anger and hurt clouded my chest at the way he's dealing with this, "Christian loves me and I love him as well, there is nothing wrong with that!"Dad looked taken aback, so did Christian and that's when I realiz
Lilly's POV"Dad, why did you do that!" I snapped as I rushed forward toward Christian, unable to comprehend what just happened.I expected his anger, but not his violence toward this.Christian whipped the blood from the side of his mouth before his eyes fell back on my dad, the muscles of his jaw worked, "I get how this looks like," He said, taking a step forward toward dad and I pulled at his sleeves as not to get close again, "But I am serious about everything that concerns your daughter."Dad's anger seemed to only multiply, "Serious you say?" He grated out in mockery and pointed at the door, "Get the fuck out of here and stay the hell away from her, or else your jaw isn't the only thing I will be breaking."I felt Christian is about to talk again and defend his intentions, but I pulled at his arm, stopping him, or else dad really won't stop, "Christian, just go," I urged and when his eye fell on me, I silently begged him to leave.I swallowed hard and nodded, silently telling hi
Monday"I should head out now," I said as I took the last sip of my martini and placed it down."Oh come on, it's your birthday, stay a bit late," Sally whined, and I only shook my head in return. I checked the time and calculated the time difference between us and LA, "I should head back home, I've got a pretty important call to make.""It's Mr. boyfriend, isn't it?" Sally asked, purposely not mentioning his name in front of our other friends, "I mean you were with him all over the past week," She scoffed, very annoyed, "You already celebrated together, today is supposed to be only ours!"Since I've already celebrated my birthday with Christian, tonight I agreed to Sally's proposition to go out and have some fun, with some of our other girl-friends from class, who also brought their boyfriends. I also asked Noah to join us, so we were not a very little group at the moment.I shook my head, gathering my things into my purse, "It's not Christian," I hissed at her, so no one else would
*****************After Christian took his shower, we went to bed, and almost immediately he fell asleep. He's been working really hard all over the past week, he was pulling on late hours at night to finish working on his project, even tomorrow which is Sunday, he will go to the university, to finish up a few things before his big presentation on Monday comes.So, the moment he placed his head on the pillow, he was a gone case.Me, on the other hand, I couldn't sleep at all. I kept thinking back to today's little incident, something just felt off, but for the love of me, I can't figure it out.Minutes and minutes later and a low groan vibrated from my chest, annoyed at my tired body that won't just rest and sleep.My back was to Christian, pressed right up against his chest and his arm was under me. I smiled again when I stared at his tattoo and finally understood the word written, but still on the inside of his arm and around the word laid different patterns, intertwined together an
Six months later...Lilly's POVI was close. So close.Wind whipped through around me, hot and hard, the sun blazing down from over-head. I increased my grip on the throttle, ticking it back a little more as I eased into the endpoint of the trackway. The engine warbled deep as I set a cautious but still a fast pace.An unstoppable smile crawled up my lips as I took a turn and halted the bike to a stop where everyone else was waiting for us. Adrenaline still pumped into my veins as I climbed off and took the helmet from over my head.I leaned against the bike and crossed my arms over my chest as I waited for Louis, who a minute later arrived with his bike. My eyebrow raised when he went off and shot me a hard glare, "This didn't just happen!""You mean me beating you?" I questioned proudly, "Oh yeah, I think it did."He looked around in frustration, "How in the hell-?" He rushed a hand over his face, "I can't believe this."Christian chuckled, pretty much impressed as he walked closer