“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.
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
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
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.