Tears streamed down his face as he nodded, though he didn't feel convinced. "I don't deserve your kindness, Lily. After everything I've done..." Lily's eyes welled up with tears. "I'm not doing this for you, Zared. I'm doing this because it's the right thing to do. Because I don't want to see you throw your life away. You've made mistakes, but that doesn't mean everything is over. You have to believe that."She stood up, pulling him gently to his feet."Now, let's get you home. You need rest, and you need to start thinking about how you're going to move forward."As they walked away from the bridge, the weight of their shared past hung heavy between them. Zared's steps were unsteady, but he felt a glimmer of hope for the first time in a long while. He didn't know what the future held, but he knew he had to try. Lily's heart ached as she guided him. She wished things could have been different, that he hadn't caused so much pain. But she also knew that she couldn't let him back in
As she reached out, their hands brushed against each other. The unexpected contact sent a jolt through her, and she instinctively pulled back, causing the hot coffee to spill all over Aaron. Aaron jumped up, more out of surprise than pain, while Lily's eyes widened in horror. "Oh my God, I'm so sorry!" she exclaimed, her voice trembling. Her heart started to race, and she felt a familiar, suffocating panic beginning to rise. Images from her past flashed before her eyes. She remembered a similar incident with Zared, one that had ended in a shouting match and left her feeling small and terrified. The fear of a similar reaction from Aaron gripped her, and she began to hyperventilate. Aaron saw the panic in her eyes and immediately tried to reassure her. "It's okay, Lily, it's just coffee," he said softly, reaching out to touch her arm. But as his hand made contact, she recoiled, stumbling backward, her breath coming in short, ragged gasps. "No, no, no," she whispered, shaking
She was determined to do everything in her power to support Lily. She knew it wouldn't be easy, but she was ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead. She knew how hard it was for Lily to go through such things when it was so hard for her to watch her go through those, with a sigh she closed her eyes, deciding no matter how disturbing or hard it would be for her, she’d always be by her side through thick and thin.And Lily, though still haunted by her past, found comfort in the fact that she wasn't alone. She had a support system that cared for her deeply, she appreciated that while things might not be perfect for her right now, they were better than enough for her to go through. There was a time when she used to go through tougher situations all alone, without having anyone by her side, but now that she’s learned to handle things on her own, god had sent people for her, who care for her, to be by her side. She wished she had found them when she needed someone the most, when everyt
“I know, I know and I feel really really ashamed of this fact, but,I-I want to be with Lily okay, I support her, I am with her and I’ll always be with her, I’ll not let go even if Zared offers me a gazillion pounds.I revealed myself and left him the moment I got to know about what he did with Lily.” “That’s good.” “That’s it then? That was how you know Lily and this was how I know her.” “Yeah, I guess.” “You guess?” “I mean yeah.” “Is there anything you’re leaving out ?” “What? No, why are you being so weird?” “Because,Aaron.” She shrugged at him. “What?” “You stayed with Lily, in your dad’s house, I mean-” “Nothing happened, Clara.” Clara raised her brows as she stared at Aaron knowingly. “I’m being honest, nothing happened between us, I had just got her away from a rapist, she was raped, I wouldn't take advantage of her weakness.” “Oh…” Aaron nodded looking at his coffee. “She doesn't deserve Zared.” Clara said, looking into the distance. “Oh she de
“Glad.” Aaron said.”I never saw you at the campus.” “I haven't been able to attend for a few days.” “Oh, that’s fine.” “I’m gonna go from next week, I hope I haven't missed much.” “I can collect and provide you with the notes, if you want?” “That’d be great, thank you so much, you know anyone in my department?” “Oh, I know everyone in every department.” “Very social.” “I am, actually, I used to go up to everyone and make them my friend when I first joined, so that I never feel lonely on campus, if my best buddy doesn't come, I have plenty of people to pass my time with.” “That’s a good idea.” Lily laughed. “Do you have any friends there?” “Quite a few, but I don't know anyone very personally, just buddies.” “You hang out alone at the university then?” “Yeah, most of the time.” “We can hang out together, you know? I’m bored of my old friends anyways, I would love to keep you company.” “Sounds great, we can do that. But, just so you know, I hang out alone by choice." She
“Zared, what do you want?” Lily interrupted, her patience wearing thin. “I’ve told you, I need space. I’m trying to move on and focus on my life.” “I know, but I can’t stop thinking about what happened. I want to make things right, can we meet, please?” he pleaded. Lily’s grip tightened on the phone. “You can’t just keep calling me and expect everything to be okay. You’ve done enough damage. I don’t have the time or energy to deal with this right now.” There was a pause on the other end of the line. “I’m sorry, Lily. I didn’t mean to upset you. I just—” “Goodbye, Zared,” Lily said, cutting him off. She hung up the phone, feeling a mix of anger and sadness. She took a deep breath, trying to calm herself. The call had shaken her, bringing back memories she was desperately trying to bury. She stared at her textbooks, but the motivation to study had evaporated. Her thoughts were a storm of emotions, frustration, anger, sorrow. She wanted to move on, to focus on her future, but Z
"I’m always here, Lily." Just then, Clara came from behind Aaron. “And if he’s not, I am. What is going on here ?” She asked, looking at both of them with curious eyes. “I am here though, and nothing, we were just chatting and I was letting her know that we were here for her anytime she needed us.” "Oh, great, do you want some tea? I've just put the kettle on." Lily managed a small smile. "Sure, Clara. That sounds nice." Aaron gave her shoulder a reassuring squeeze before they both headed to the kitchen. As they sat down with Clara, the warmth of friendship and support surrounded Lily, giving her the strength she needed to face whatever came next. After tea, Lily decided to try to study again. Aaron was in his room and so was Clara. The night passed as each of them lay with their worries under their pillows. The next morning, Zared woke up to his dog jumping on his chest to wake him up. He smiled and wiped his face as he recalled the events of the previous day. He had called
Meanwhile Zared, who caught sight of her couldn't just sit there with the information of her being at the same place as him. Maybe it’s a sign? He asked himself, feeling the excitement and hope within him, he couldn't contain them anymore, he had to get up and approach her, he couldn't just sit there and do nothing. He waited for her to be seated with her coffee and as soon as she did, he didn't miss a beat to go up to her. “Riley.” He called her as he stood in front of her. Clara lifted her head up to look at him. “What do you want? And I’m Clara.” She demanded rudely. “Right, I’m sorry.” He apologized nervously “Clara, can we talk ?” “What for ? I don't go around talking to r*pists just so you know.” “Clara, please, may I ?” He asked, pointing at the seat in front of her. She nodded at him, sighing. “I’ll get to the point and not waste your time,look ...Clara....I know you hate me but...I'm not the same person anymore...trust me,I'm not lying." "What.do.you.
“I know what I did was wrong.” He said, “I don’t expect you to forgive me, but I just…I need you to know that I didn’t mean to hurt you. I was just-” “Obsessed,” Clara interjected, her eyes narrowing as she stared at him. “You’re obsessed, Aaron. With Lily. And it’s unhealthy.” Aaron opened his mouth to protest, but Clara didn’t give him a chance. “Do you even realize what you’ve done? Do you understand how far you’ve gone? You pulled a gun on me, Aaron! All because I suggested that Lily give Zared another chance. What is wrong with you?” Her words cut deep, and Aaron felt a lump form in his throat. “I wasn’t thinking clearly,” he tried to explain, but even to his own ears, it sounded like a weak excuse. “No, you weren’t,” Clara snapped. “Because all you can think about is Lily. You’re so obsessed with protecting her, with keeping her safe, that you’ve lost sight of everything else. And it’s not just unhealthy, Aaron. It’s dangerous.” Aaron felt a cold chill run d
Aaron’s voice was cracking as he realized the gravity of his actions. “I didn’t mean to…” Clara’s eyes were filled with tears as she took a cautious step back. She could see the conflict in Aaron’s eyes, the regret starting to take hold, but the fear she felt was overwhelming. “I can see what you meant to do” she repeated, her voice barely a whisper. Aaron’s hand trembled as he lowered the gun. The weight of what he had just done pressed down on him like a physical burden. He had crossed a line he never thought he would cross, and now he had to live with the consequences. For a moment, the two of them just stood there in silence, the air thick with tension and unspoken words. Then, without another word, Clara turned and fled the room, leaving Aaron standing there alone, the gun still in his hand, his mind reeling from what had just happened. Upstairs, Lily sat on her bed, completely unaware of the confrontation that had just taken place downstairs. She assumed Aaron and Clara
“Clara, it’s not that simple,” Lily finally said, her voice barely above a whisper. She looked down at her hands, trying to keep her emotions in check. “A lot has happened. I don’t know if I can just forgive and forget like that. I don't understand-why would you say that?” “I’m not asking you to forget,” Clara said softly. “But maybe… maybe you could give him a chance to show you that he’s changed. That he’s truly sorry, look I’m not trying to get you back with him, but just give him a chance to entirely explain himself, so you can decide for yourself?” “But, you were so against him, you didn't even want to see his face, what happened?” “I met him recently,” Clara continued after a pause “he was miserable, Lily, I know it sounds ridiculous and I tried to tell him how he was a monster and didn't deserve to be with you but-but the pain in his eyes explained it all, look, I don't know if you would ever get back with him or not but I just want you to know that he’s truly sorry.” Li
By the end of the second day, Lily had had enough. She was tired of the silent treatment, tired of the way Aaron was pretending like nothing had happened while simultaneously avoiding her like the plague. She knew she had been harsh during their argument, but she also knew that ignoring each other wasn’t going to solve anything. That evening, as she sat in her room, staring blankly at her notes, she made a decision. She wasn’t going to let this continue. She wasn’t going to let Aaron shut her out any longer. If he wasn’t going to talk to her, then she was going to make him listen. Without another thought, she stood up, marched out of her room, and headed straight for Aaron’s. She knocked on the door, and when there was no answer, she knocked again, louder this time. “Aaron, I know you’re in there,” she called out, her voice firm. “We need to talk.” There was a long pause, and for a moment, Lily thought he might not open the door. But then she heard footsteps, and a moment later, t
“Lily, aren’t you ready yet?” Clara asked, a hint of concern in her voice. “Aaron already left.” Lily’s heart skipped a beat. “He did?” she asked, surprised. “When?” “A little while ago,” Clara said, leaning against the doorframe. “I thought you two were going to walk to the university together?” Lily felt a pang of something she couldn’t quite identify, disappointment, perhaps. She had assumed that, despite everything, they would still go to the exam together and everything would be back to normal today. “I guess not,” she muttered, pulling herself out of bed and quickly getting dressed. Clara watched her with a knowing look. “You two need to talk,” she said softly. Lily didn’t respond, but Clara’s words echoed in her mind as she hurried through her morning routine. She couldn’t deny the truth in what Clara had said. Things between her and Aaron had been strained ever since that awkward moment, and if they didn’t address it soon, it would only get worse. But for now, ther
Clara turned around to look at her and sighed as she heard what Lily said and sat beside her on the bed with her hand on top of her’s. Lily let out a breath she hadn’t realized she was holding. She closed her eyes, trying to calm the storm of emotions swirling inside her. But it was no use. The more she tried to push it down, the more it bubbled to the surface, threatening to overwhelm her. “You know you can tell me anything, right?” “I know, but- it's just, weird, I guess” “It’s okay if you don’t want to share it, but, just so you know, I won’t ever judge you.” Lily pressed her lips together and looked at Clara. “Thank you. I-nothing actually happened, but it was going to.” ‘and..is it bad that it was going to happen?’ “Yes,yes, of course, it shouldn’t happen, never, and thanks to you it didn’t, but, it just makes me feel weird.”Lily looked down at her hands. “It’s okay to feel that way, but, why do you think it shouldn’t happen, like ever?” Clara asked curiously.
And why did it feel like he had just dodged a bullet?Aaron’s face kept flashing in her mind, the way he had looked at her, the way he had leaned in so close... What had he been thinking? What had she been thinking? She didn’t even know anymore. All she knew was that she couldn’t stop replaying that moment in her head, couldn’t stop feeling the way her heart had skipped a beat when he had leaned in.But there was one thing she knew for sure, she wasn't ready for whatever this was-she wasn't ready for any more drama, there was nothing going on between them and it will stay like that, she thought to herself.But those feelings quickly gave way to anger, anger at herself for letting it happen, and anger at Aaron for putting her in that position. What had he been trying to prove? That he could just kiss her whenever he felt like it? That she was just there for him to do with as he pleased? Was this his motive all along ? Was this why he kept helping her? Making her feel safe and comfortab
Lily didn't move forward but she didn't move backwards either. As he was about to touch her lips with his, a voice came in from behind, the door clicked. “I-I’m so sorry, I-I didn't mean to-you know what, I’m gonna go, I am so sorry, bye!” Aaron and Lily sat stunned as Clara left, closing the door again leaving both of them alone once again. Lily turned around looking back at the books while Aaron did the same. Aaron’s heart was pounding as he and Lily sat there, the weight of the almost-kiss pressing down on them both. The silence between them was thick, a palpable tension that neither seemed to know how to break. The once cozy room now felt stifling, and the air was charged with unspoken words. Lily kept her eyes fixed on the books in front of her, pretending to be engrossed in their contents, but her mind was racing. Aaron, on the other hand, couldn't shake the feeling of his heart hammering against his chest, the taste of regret already forming on his tongue. He had come so
Meanwhile Zared, who caught sight of her couldn't just sit there with the information of her being at the same place as him. Maybe it’s a sign? He asked himself, feeling the excitement and hope within him, he couldn't contain them anymore, he had to get up and approach her, he couldn't just sit there and do nothing. He waited for her to be seated with her coffee and as soon as she did, he didn't miss a beat to go up to her. “Riley.” He called her as he stood in front of her. Clara lifted her head up to look at him. “What do you want? And I’m Clara.” She demanded rudely. “Right, I’m sorry.” He apologized nervously “Clara, can we talk ?” “What for ? I don't go around talking to r*pists just so you know.” “Clara, please, may I ?” He asked, pointing at the seat in front of her. She nodded at him, sighing. “I’ll get to the point and not waste your time,look ...Clara....I know you hate me but...I'm not the same person anymore...trust me,I'm not lying." "What.do.you.