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
Alex's POVMax's shocked eyes stayed focused ahead, he didn't blink, he didn't move; a green storm raged in his gaze as he tried to think, to understand. He froze in the spot, and his chest heaved as he drank in the feedback of this new information.His fingers over my arm twitched, they shook under the impact of everything happening. My chest tightened and I could imagine how he must be feeling, so lost and uncertain. I hated this and everything about it. How wasn't I able to keep this part of our life tucked away from him?Nikolas left, he stayed far away, just so this won't happen. Just so no one would ever connect the dots and figure out which blood was surging through Max's veins. True, it wasn't my blood, but he was still mine. Mine to take care of, mine to protect, mine to help...help him get through this without it leaving a scar.I placed my other hand over his, it felt so cold now, shaking, and I squeezed, bringing him back to me as I called his name, "Max," I mumbled and his
Alex's POVI rubbed an anxious hand over my jaw as I watched him sleep. I know he is okay now, he is getting better but for some reason, I can't shake this worry still. I kept my eyes over his chest, watching it rise and fall, rhythmically.With every breath he took, I released one from my lungs.He went back to sleep right after, too exhausted to keep awake and I forced Cara to take Lilly and go home. I could stay with him tonight. I could watch over him as he sleeps, I can make sure he is fine.Also, I can't be the one left with Lilly all alone. I don't know what to say to her, how to react to all of this just yet. I need time to sort through that maze of thoughts.Max tossed around relentlessly, he moved his head from one side to another before I saw his eyes glide open. I straightened myself into my seat and when he tried to sit down, I got to my feet and immediately to his side, "Is there anything you need?" I asked, my tone urgent, scared he is in pain or something.His eyes fli
Next day...Cara's POVI tightened my hold over his hand, my eyes focused on his face, a small smile over my lips as I watched him sleep and waited for him to wake up. I could finally see him, I could feel him. He is finally okay.I brushed the few strands of his hair away from his forehead and inched closer, pressing a small kiss over his temple. I couldn't wait for him to wake up, for those beautiful eyes of his to look back at me. I couldn't wait for him to talk to me, tell me he is not mad at me anymore that I lied, that I hid the truth.I wanted my little boy back, the one they didn't hurt, the one not holding the weight of the truth over his shoulders. I didn't want that broken look clouding his eyes. I wanted to talk to him, to explain, to make him understand just what he meant to me.Lines creased his forehead and a low groan vibrated from his throat before his eyelids slowly glided open, he blinked tiredly before he closed them again. My heart knocked it up when he opened the
Chase's POVI slammed the door shut behind me with a loud thud, the type of anger surging through my veins felt so pointless and misplaced.Why would I be angry, anyway?I rushed a hand over my face and tried to get my rage back in check. God, I am such a fool, yesterday, just yesterday I told her, assured her that we don't stand any chance and I meant it. I think I did, but here I am, feeling the urgent need to break something, to break someone due to the news I just heard.Miscarriage.Pregnant, she was pregnant. With his child."Chase?" Aylin's voice had me looking up, her eyes clashed with mine and she smiled almost instantly, "Hey," She said, coming up to my side, before she tiptoed, her arms went around my neck and she sweetly pecked my lips, "God, I missed you so much," She said with a pout.Pregnant.She was pregnant."How is Max?" She asked, fidgeting with the collar of my shirt."He is fine," I mumbled.Was she that serious with him?Was it a mistake?What the hell was it?I
Lilly's POVI blinked my eyes open and winced, the bright white light from above hit my eyes and I pressed them shut again. I lifted my hand and rubbed over my temples; my head, and every nerve in my body aching with tiredness and exhaustion.I felt a hand tighten over mine and I snapped my eyes open again, my head turned to the side and my eyes fell on mom, sitting beside me, on the bed's edge.A small somber smile lifted her lips and her other hand came to my face and tucked my hair behind my ear, "Hey," She said, her voice low.Lines etched between my eyebrows and I looked around, where am I? What happe-Oh no.No.I pulled my upper body up and my gaze flickered back to her, "Mom," I mumbled, my voice breaking almost immediately.She brushed her fingers over my cheek, "How are you feeling?" She asked, looking at me with so much tenderness my heart broke. Her soft voice triggered the tears back, I tried to suppress them in, trying to grasp for control but my emotions betrayed me and
Alex's POVRelief mellowed part of the concern that had clouded my senses all over the past week.I was suffocating under the waves of everything that happened since Lilly stepped into the house and called me a killer; since Max looked at me and told me I am not his dad; since that dreadful incident that almost took him away from me. But now, as the doctor talked, explained how Max is finally okay, how the surgery was successful and the danger on his health is gone; I allowed myself to breathe.But, it didn't last for too long.The second I took the first breath in, one second only and urgent fingers grabbed into my arm, so very tight, as if clinging to life itself.The air I sucked caught into my throat and I whipped my head to the owner of those little soft fingers. My eyes widened when Lilly's balance faltered, her eyes rolled to the back of her head and my arms shot forward, "Lilly!" Her name flew out of my lips in pure terror, it scratched over my throat and fisted over my heart,
Next day...I promised myself that yesterday was the last day I will ever shed a tear. Last day to be weak and vulnerable. Exposed and bare.Last day to let it all out.But as I laid down now, after the operation, waiting for my recovery, with my cheek pressed up against the pillow, my eyes looking through the window, at the blue sky, at the free birds, and at what's alive.I couldn't hold back the one lone tear the silently escaped my eye.That's all. One single tear.I felt a tender hand reach for mine, I turned around, my eyes falling on the nurse, who smiled at me so warmly, "You can leave now, if you want."I nodded, and pulled myself up."Do you feel any pain?" She asked, concerned.I do. But, it's all on the inside.She helped me get up, she even helped me change the gown and wear my clothes. She took pity on me the moment I said I came alone. No one waiting me outside that door, just me, facing and correcting my mistakes on my own.And I took her help, seeking comfort from a s
There is something seriously wrong with my health. So very wrong. Especially in the last two days. It's no longer just signs of being pregnant. I have a feeling it's more.The cramps tightening my stomach can't be normal. They're so painful, ever so slowly ripping at my insides. I couldn't sleep all night, not just worried about Max, like every day, but this immense pain couldn't let me close my eyes for even a mere second.This morning, I found a few blood droplets, and the sight of them had my panic rising to a whole new level. I was so scared, terrified even of what I read when I searched the internet for the signs, so the first thing I did when I got to the hospital was take a blood test and book an appointment with a gynecologist, just right before dad talked to me and got to know almost everything about Christian.Almost everything...He doesn't know about this child that's probably inside of me. I can only imagine his reaction. If he wanted to kill Christian with such a passion
Lilly's POV"What do you mean you didn't find him?"The words and the furiousness that followed them had me snapping my head toward dad's direction as he talked through the phone. My heart seized and panic rushed through my chest as I understood who he must be talking about."Roman, don't make me lose my mind now," He snapped and got to his feet, he rushed a hand over his face, "I don't care...I told you...Roman, I am so gonna kill you," He threatened frustrated as he listened to whatever uncle Roman must've said. He cursed something under his breath, "He is just a fucking professor, where would he hide, huh?"Oh my god...what did I do again?He listened to whatever Roman was saying and his gaze drifted and fell on me, his gaze cautious and calculating, and I couldn't miss the flicker of blame in them, like he knows it's all my fault. I did this again. I gave him the chance to escape; I could swear dad felt it.He rubbed a hand over the back of his neck, and his gaze flickered away fr