I jumped from the heart as the sound of its throbbing echoed in my world as it became a blur of sounds and colors. His eyes met mine, and suddenly, time stood still. I felt all: the excitement, the fear, and the impossible pull. It was as if the universe conspired for us to meet again, a cruel jest that left me breathless and aching.I quickly looked away. My legs began pushing me into a run. I hurried back to my apartment, even if my steps were quick and steady. Each step resembled trudge through water with agony from that brief encounter. All this was running in my mind like a broken tape- his face, his eyes, the way he looked at me. Was it surprise or something deeper-tension?I shut my door behind, so heavily so that the sound echoed within the still space. I leaned against it, my breath now racing, catching short gasps as I pressed a hand to my chest, trying to calm the frantic pounding of my heart. What was I supposed to do? Ignore it? Unless it happened? The kiss changed everyt
(Lily's POV)Innocent rays of morning sun lit through my window, like an accusation, into the secrets I had kept hidden within. My mind kept straying towards Victor and the kiss we shared later on, later with a meeting planned. My heart raced heavily, anticipation creating this heavy weight in my chest. I dressed carefully in a way that I had not bothered what I looked like in days; I chose clothes that felt like armor against the vulnerability I knew I'd face today-simple blouse, jeans that fit me just right, and boots that kept every other step grounded, though my heart was running nowhere near that speed.Breakfast matters very little; I could not even appreciate flavor in my tight-stomach condition. Every step to campus counted down toward seeing him again, having the conversation we both knew they needed to have but dreaded. Campus was alive with students, but to me, it was set up for the drama about to come.The topic of Victor's lesson was existentialism, the subject that mirro
(Lily's POV)Going out of Victor's office was like entering another world, with that kiss still burning on my lips and now a secret that marked me. The campus was deathly silent and this served as the complete contrast to the storm that raged within me. Each step back to my apartment dragged like heavy chains around my ankles because of what we had done.Now, the solitude of my room would usually be comforting, but right now, it felt like a cage. I changed to try to wash off the day, but Victor's touch remained, a whisper on my skin. I sat before my desk, staring at the blur of books in front of me as my mind went over the kiss, his breath in my neck, the danger of us being too close.A buzz tore through the silence when my phone went off. Sophie sent a message, and to me, it was like being thrown a rope. Hey, come over? José and Davies are here, we're just hanging out.The last thing I wanted was to spend this with friends to whom I had to confess this horrible truth. But it somehow
(Lily's POV)The morning sun felt like a spotlight on my secrets, filtering through the blinds to expose the turmoil beneath my skin. Every heartbeat was a drumroll leading to the moment I'd see Victor again, a mix of thrill and terror churning in my stomach. I dressed with an almost ritualistic care, as if my clothes could somehow protect me from the reality of what we'd done.In class, his voice sounded like a song that would be sung just for me; each philosophical point reminded me of our borrowed kiss. Our eyes met just for a second, but that was enough to send my pulse swinging out of control. Was it us he was thinking about, of the danger we thrust ourselves into?The lecture didn't hold my attention; rather, I entertained myself creating mental scenes about a world where our relationship was not something to be hidden. But then the waves would crash back, guilt, fear, and ill-desired come flooding back.As the class came to an end, I stayed behind. My heart seemed to pound agai
(Lily’s POV)The library was very quiet, and the only visible sounds were the hum of hushed conversations from a distance. I sat at a table my head resting on it, hands placed on my notebooks, my whole self coupled with my anger and frustration. My fingers tightened around that damn note, crumpling the edges as I stared at the floor, finding fortress in the space onlu.I've been trying to find a meaning to the note,the backing, the sender, it's all a question with no answer. I kept racking my brain, though there was something about it that felt hauntingly familiar. The feel of the paper, the way ink bled a little around the edges-it felt like something. I kept thinking and thinking.Then, in a rush, it came.Last week, Sophie and I had flipped through this little crummy souvenir guidebook in the student store, laughing at how ridiculously over-the-top dramatic it was. Its pages had had that same rough feel."Wait..was she really the one?" It came as a shock.A crawling sensation went
(Lily's POV)The morning after finding out about Sophie felt lighter, as if the burden I didn't even realize was weighing heavy had been placed on the shelf. The sun which filtered in from my window felt a degree warmer, crisper the morning air. And with that minute salve on the wound within my mind still fluttered.I did all the usual things, but nothing felt quite right-it was like I was living in two worlds at once. One of me sat through lectures and took notes and went through the motions of a normal day. The other part? Well, that was consumed with one thought: Victor.I wasn't expecting to see him today, other than the usual classroom setting, but knowing he was going to be there made my heart race in a way I couldn't control.By the time I got to the lecture hall, my stomach was twisted in knots. Not from nerves—at least, that's what I told myself—but from the anticipation of seeing him again. I slid into my usual seat, forcing myself to focus as I set up my notebook.The room
(Lily's POV)I stood outside his door, my heart pounding against my ribs, I don't know why it is, but it is.The evening air was crisp, carrying the scent of rain that had yet to fall.I glanced at my reflection in the dark window beside the door, smoothing a hand over my blouse as if it would steady the whirlwind inside me. "It's just dinner. Just a night to enjoy each other's company," I said to myself.Still, as I reached out to ring the bell, anticipation curled in my stomach.The door opened almost instantly, as if he'd been waiting.Here he is, Handsome Victor.He stood there, his face soft, warm. "Glad you're finally here" he said, his tone an invitation.I let you a quick, soft smile as the tension in my shoulders loosened.He stepped aside, and I went in, immediately enveloped by the inviting smell of something rich and savored. The air wasn't only warm because of the temperature but because of the silent atmosphere he had managed to create, it's impressive, cute of him.It
(Lily's POV)Neither of us broke the kiss as it deepened, driving me crazy already.His lips molded against mine, moving slow at first to savor the taste, the heat, and the mere want simmering between us. The way his hands tightened at my waist, pulling me closer, and I went willingly, pressing against the hard lines of his body. It all makes me need it now more than ever.A small moan escaped me, and that was all it took.His restraint cracked.His grasp became tighter, his mouth more insistent, and he consumed me with the deliberateness of slow movements. His tongue danced along my lower lip, slid inside, and deepened the kiss, until my knees buckled.His fingers dug into my hips, possessive, guiding me against him until I could feel the solid warmth of his body pressing into mine. My head spun, my breath coming in short desperate gasps between each kiss, but I didn't want to stop.Couldn't stop.His hands wandered up my sides, teasing the edge of my blouse, fingertips grazing my sk
(Lily's POV)Neither of us broke the kiss as it deepened, driving me crazy already.His lips molded against mine, moving slow at first to savor the taste, the heat, and the mere want simmering between us. The way his hands tightened at my waist, pulling me closer, and I went willingly, pressing against the hard lines of his body. It all makes me need it now more than ever.A small moan escaped me, and that was all it took.His restraint cracked.His grasp became tighter, his mouth more insistent, and he consumed me with the deliberateness of slow movements. His tongue danced along my lower lip, slid inside, and deepened the kiss, until my knees buckled.His fingers dug into my hips, possessive, guiding me against him until I could feel the solid warmth of his body pressing into mine. My head spun, my breath coming in short desperate gasps between each kiss, but I didn't want to stop.Couldn't stop.His hands wandered up my sides, teasing the edge of my blouse, fingertips grazing my sk
(Lily's POV)I stood outside his door, my heart pounding against my ribs, I don't know why it is, but it is.The evening air was crisp, carrying the scent of rain that had yet to fall.I glanced at my reflection in the dark window beside the door, smoothing a hand over my blouse as if it would steady the whirlwind inside me. "It's just dinner. Just a night to enjoy each other's company," I said to myself.Still, as I reached out to ring the bell, anticipation curled in my stomach.The door opened almost instantly, as if he'd been waiting.Here he is, Handsome Victor.He stood there, his face soft, warm. "Glad you're finally here" he said, his tone an invitation.I let you a quick, soft smile as the tension in my shoulders loosened.He stepped aside, and I went in, immediately enveloped by the inviting smell of something rich and savored. The air wasn't only warm because of the temperature but because of the silent atmosphere he had managed to create, it's impressive, cute of him.It
(Lily's POV)The morning after finding out about Sophie felt lighter, as if the burden I didn't even realize was weighing heavy had been placed on the shelf. The sun which filtered in from my window felt a degree warmer, crisper the morning air. And with that minute salve on the wound within my mind still fluttered.I did all the usual things, but nothing felt quite right-it was like I was living in two worlds at once. One of me sat through lectures and took notes and went through the motions of a normal day. The other part? Well, that was consumed with one thought: Victor.I wasn't expecting to see him today, other than the usual classroom setting, but knowing he was going to be there made my heart race in a way I couldn't control.By the time I got to the lecture hall, my stomach was twisted in knots. Not from nerves—at least, that's what I told myself—but from the anticipation of seeing him again. I slid into my usual seat, forcing myself to focus as I set up my notebook.The room
(Lily’s POV)The library was very quiet, and the only visible sounds were the hum of hushed conversations from a distance. I sat at a table my head resting on it, hands placed on my notebooks, my whole self coupled with my anger and frustration. My fingers tightened around that damn note, crumpling the edges as I stared at the floor, finding fortress in the space onlu.I've been trying to find a meaning to the note,the backing, the sender, it's all a question with no answer. I kept racking my brain, though there was something about it that felt hauntingly familiar. The feel of the paper, the way ink bled a little around the edges-it felt like something. I kept thinking and thinking.Then, in a rush, it came.Last week, Sophie and I had flipped through this little crummy souvenir guidebook in the student store, laughing at how ridiculously over-the-top dramatic it was. Its pages had had that same rough feel."Wait..was she really the one?" It came as a shock.A crawling sensation went
(Lily's POV)The morning sun felt like a spotlight on my secrets, filtering through the blinds to expose the turmoil beneath my skin. Every heartbeat was a drumroll leading to the moment I'd see Victor again, a mix of thrill and terror churning in my stomach. I dressed with an almost ritualistic care, as if my clothes could somehow protect me from the reality of what we'd done.In class, his voice sounded like a song that would be sung just for me; each philosophical point reminded me of our borrowed kiss. Our eyes met just for a second, but that was enough to send my pulse swinging out of control. Was it us he was thinking about, of the danger we thrust ourselves into?The lecture didn't hold my attention; rather, I entertained myself creating mental scenes about a world where our relationship was not something to be hidden. But then the waves would crash back, guilt, fear, and ill-desired come flooding back.As the class came to an end, I stayed behind. My heart seemed to pound agai
(Lily's POV)Going out of Victor's office was like entering another world, with that kiss still burning on my lips and now a secret that marked me. The campus was deathly silent and this served as the complete contrast to the storm that raged within me. Each step back to my apartment dragged like heavy chains around my ankles because of what we had done.Now, the solitude of my room would usually be comforting, but right now, it felt like a cage. I changed to try to wash off the day, but Victor's touch remained, a whisper on my skin. I sat before my desk, staring at the blur of books in front of me as my mind went over the kiss, his breath in my neck, the danger of us being too close.A buzz tore through the silence when my phone went off. Sophie sent a message, and to me, it was like being thrown a rope. Hey, come over? José and Davies are here, we're just hanging out.The last thing I wanted was to spend this with friends to whom I had to confess this horrible truth. But it somehow
(Lily's POV)Innocent rays of morning sun lit through my window, like an accusation, into the secrets I had kept hidden within. My mind kept straying towards Victor and the kiss we shared later on, later with a meeting planned. My heart raced heavily, anticipation creating this heavy weight in my chest. I dressed carefully in a way that I had not bothered what I looked like in days; I chose clothes that felt like armor against the vulnerability I knew I'd face today-simple blouse, jeans that fit me just right, and boots that kept every other step grounded, though my heart was running nowhere near that speed.Breakfast matters very little; I could not even appreciate flavor in my tight-stomach condition. Every step to campus counted down toward seeing him again, having the conversation we both knew they needed to have but dreaded. Campus was alive with students, but to me, it was set up for the drama about to come.The topic of Victor's lesson was existentialism, the subject that mirro
I jumped from the heart as the sound of its throbbing echoed in my world as it became a blur of sounds and colors. His eyes met mine, and suddenly, time stood still. I felt all: the excitement, the fear, and the impossible pull. It was as if the universe conspired for us to meet again, a cruel jest that left me breathless and aching.I quickly looked away. My legs began pushing me into a run. I hurried back to my apartment, even if my steps were quick and steady. Each step resembled trudge through water with agony from that brief encounter. All this was running in my mind like a broken tape- his face, his eyes, the way he looked at me. Was it surprise or something deeper-tension?I shut my door behind, so heavily so that the sound echoed within the still space. I leaned against it, my breath now racing, catching short gasps as I pressed a hand to my chest, trying to calm the frantic pounding of my heart. What was I supposed to do? Ignore it? Unless it happened? The kiss changed everyt
(Lily's POV)Answering the letters of the campus was loud as ever: shuffling feet of hurried students trying to make it to class, muffled sounds of friends gossiping and sometimes far-off shouting and cheering from a sports field. But every one of those sounds became an echo of my paranoia growing. All laughter seemed too knowing, all glances seemed a bit too long, and every whisper carried some hint of my secret-the secret kept inside me to torment me with a thousand fires.Victor.I felt my body tremble even at the thought of his name. It lay thumping within me, my heart, and it hasn't stopped since the very moment that changed almost everything. I passed through all that crowd filled with students, feeling like some spotlights were trained on me wherever I went, looking all around me for any telltale signs that someone knew. Did they notice how I looked at him? Probably even how he looked at me?By the time I'd reached the library, my nerves had gone absolutely. From the comforting