The first rays of morning filtered into the room, casting faint streaks of light across the walls. Lilly stirred, her mind clouded and heavy as she blinked against the harsh brightness. She recognized the couch she was lying on—not hers, not Mia's. A familiar scent lingered, grounding her as she pieced together fragments of the previous night.
Ryle. The bar. Eliss.
Her heart sank as the memories flooded back, sharp and disorienting. She shifted, sitting up slowly as her eyes adjusted to her surroundings. Eliss's apartment. It was quiet, save for the distant hum of the city outside the window. A blanket had been draped over her at some point, its soft weight a stark contrast to the turmoil inside her.
Her gaze wandered, finding a note on the coffee table:
"Stay put. I'll be back soon."
She let out a shaky breath, her fingers tracing the handwriting absently. How had it come to this? She felt exposed, her vulnerability laid bare for someone who, until recently, had been a distant figure in her life.
The sound of the door opening startled her, and she turned to see Eliss stepping inside, a bag of takeout in one hand, his jacket slung over his arm. His eyes met hers briefly, and for a moment, something unreadable flickered in his expression.
"You're awake," he said, his tone even, though his voice carried a trace of relief.
Lilly nodded, unsure of what to say. She folded the blanket over her lap, her hands twisting the edges nervously.
"I brought breakfast," Eliss continued, setting the bag on the table and pulling out a couple of containers. He kept his movements measured, as if wary of breaking the fragile silence between them.
"I—thank you," Lilly said quietly, her voice still hoarse from sleep and the lingering effects of the alcohol.
Eliss sat down in the armchair across from her, his posture relaxed but his eyes sharp, watching her closely. "How are you feeling?"
"Like I got hit by a truck," Lilly admitted, attempting a weak smile. She fiddled with the hem of her sweater, avoiding his gaze. "I'm sorry for causing so much trouble. I didn't mean for—"
"You don't have to apologize," Eliss cut her off gently but firmly. "What happened last night wasn't your fault."
His words settled over her like a blanket, warm but heavy. She wasn't used to hearing that—wasn't used to someone stepping in, standing up for her without expecting anything in return.
"I shouldn't have let it get that far," she said, her voice trembling slightly. "I knew Ryle was… I just didn't think—"
Eliss leaned forward, his elbows resting on his knees. "Don't blame yourself for his actions," he said, his voice steady. "He was the one out of line, not you. You trusted the wrong person. It happens."
The sincerity in his tone made her chest tighten. She wasn't sure why, but the way he spoke to her—calm, without judgment—felt like a lifeline she didn't know she needed.
They sat in silence for a moment, the air between them charged but not uncomfortable.
"Why did you come for me?" Lilly asked finally, her voice barely above a whisper.
Eliss hesitated, his jaw tightening as he chose his words. "Because I couldn't just stand by and do nothing," he said simply. "You deserved better than that."
The weight of his words hung in the air, and Lilly found herself looking at him, really looking at him, for the first time. There was a softness in his eyes, a vulnerability that made her chest ache.
"Thank you," she said, her voice cracking slightly. "For everything."
Eliss nodded, leaning back in his chair. "You don't need to thank me."
They fell into another silence, this one less heavy, more reflective. Lilly stared at the takeout containers on the table, her stomach twisting—not from hunger but from the overwhelming emotions bubbling beneath the surface.
"I should go," she said eventually, standing up on unsteady legs. "Mia will be worried about me."
Eliss stood too, watching her carefully. "I'll drive you," he offered.
"You don't have to—"
"I want to," he interrupted, his tone leaving no room for argument.
Lilly hesitated, then nodded. She didn't have the energy to argue, and truthfully, the thought of facing the morning alone felt too daunting.
As they stepped out into the crisp morning air, Lilly glanced at Eliss, his profile sharp against the pale blue sky. There was so much she wanted to say, so many questions she wanted to ask, but the words remained lodged in her throat.
For now, it was enough to know that he was there.
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The following day at lunch, the cafeteria was its usual bustling self—students chattering, trays clinking, and the faint scent of pizza mingling with fries. Lilly sat at a table, quietly unwrapping her sandwich, her mind replaying the events of that fateful night over and over again. The weight of it all still hung heavy on her, and no amount of noise could drown out the memory.
Mia appeared suddenly, plopping down across from her, her tray of food clattering onto the table. Her face, usually bright and carefree, was tinged with guilt.
"Lilly," Mia started, her voice unusually soft.
Lilly glanced up, her expression wary. She wasn't angry—she couldn't be—but a part of her had felt the absence of her best friend when she'd needed her most.
Mia leaned forward, her elbows on the table, and said, "I heard what happened. I should've been there. I'm so sorry."
Lilly sighed, her shoulders sagging as she set her sandwich down. "Mia, it's okay. You were with Tom. You didn't know."
"But I should have," Mia pressed, her eyes filling with regret. "I should've been keeping an eye on you like I always do. Instead, I was off having a great time while you... you could've been hurt, Lilly."
The earnestness in Mia's voice made Lilly's throat tighten. She reached across the table, placing her hand on Mia's. "You couldn't have known, Mia. Don't blame yourself for something that wasn't your fault."
Mia shook her head, her lips pressing into a thin line. "No, Lilly. That's not good enough. From now on, I'm not leaving you alone like that again. I don't care what's happening with Tom or anyone else. You're my best friend, and I'm supposed to have your back."
Lilly gave her a small, appreciative smile. "I know you care, Mia. And I appreciate it. But I'm okay, really. Eliss was there, and he... he made sure nothing happened."
Mia's eyes widened slightly at the mention of Eliss, her brows lifting in curiosity. "Eliss? He was the one who helped you?"
Lilly nodded, her cheeks flushing slightly as she recalled how he had carried her out of the bar, how protective and angry he'd been. "Yeah. He showed up just in time."
Mia leaned back in her seat, a knowing smile tugging at her lips. "You know, I've never seen him act like this around anyone else. Eliss isn't exactly the 'rescue' type."
Lilly rolled her eyes, trying to deflect. "Don't start, Mia."
"What?" Mia teased, her grin returning full force. "I'm just saying, maybe there's more to Mr. Brooding-and-Mysterious than you think."
Lilly shook her head, laughing softly despite herself. "He was just being a decent person. That's all."
Mia leaned closer, her eyes sparkling with mischief now. "Sure, keep telling yourself that. But I know one thing for sure—I'm keeping an eye on you, and maybe on him too."
They both laughed, the tension between them finally breaking. For the first time in days, Lilly felt like the weight on her chest had lightened, even if only a little. Whatever came next, she knew Mia would be there for her, no matter what.
_____________________________
Lilly was gathering her books, preparing to head to the library, her mind set on escaping the distractions of the bustling campus. The noise of chattering students faded into the background as she made her way down the hallway, clutching her belongings tightly. She welcomed the quiet she was about to find in the library, a solace for her restless thoughts.
But just as she rounded the corner, a firm grip wrapped around her arm, pulling her into a nearby classroom. The suddenness of it left her breathless, her heart racing as the door shut behind her with a soft click.
"Hey! What—" she started, spinning around, only to find herself face-to-face with Eliss.
His piercing eyes bore into hers, a mixture of frustration and something deeper flickering within them. He let go of her arm but stood close, too close, his presence overwhelming in the dim light of the empty classroom.
"Do you even realize what you're doing to me?" he said, his voice low and rough, almost a whisper but filled with intensity.
Lilly blinked, her heart hammering in her chest. "What are you talking about?"
Eliss ran a hand through his hair, his frustration evident. "You. Ever since that night... ever since you, I can't think straight."
His words struck her like a bolt of electricity. She took a step back, only to find herself against the teacher's desk, her pulse quickening as he closed the distance between them.
"Eliss..." she murmured, her voice barely audible, unsure of how to respond, unsure of what he was about to say or do.
He placed his hands on either side of the desk, caging her in, his face inches from hers. His eyes searched hers, looking for something—anything—that could explain the storm brewing inside him.
"I've tried to stay away," he admitted, his voice softer now but still charged with emotion. "I thought I could ignore this, push it aside. But I can't, Lilly. Every time I see you, every time you smile, or even when you're just sitting there quietly... I'm drawn to you."
Her breath hitched, and she could feel the heat radiating off him, the raw intensity of his emotions pulling her in like a tide.
"Eliss, I—"
"I don't want to scare you," he interrupted, his voice breaking slightly as he leaned closer, his forehead almost touching hers. "But I can't stop myself from moving toward you. It's like... like you're the only thing that makes sense anymore."
His confession hung in the air, heavy and electrifying. Lilly felt her defenses crumbling, the walls she had carefully built around her heart cracking under the weight of his words.
"Eliss..." she whispered, her voice trembling.
His hand reached up, hesitating for a moment before brushing a stray strand of hair from her face. The touch sent a shiver down her spine, and she felt her resolve slipping further.
"Tell me to stop," he said, his voice barely above a whisper, his eyes locked on hers. "If you don't feel the same, just say the word, and I'll walk away."
But she couldn't. The words refused to come, and instead, she found herself leaning into him, her heart beating wildly in her chest.
In that moment, the world outside the classroom ceased to exist. It was just them—two people caught in a whirlwind of emotions, drawn together by something they couldn't quite name but couldn't deny either.
"Eliss," she finally said, her voice steady despite the chaos in her mind. "I don't want you to stop."
His breath hitched, and for a moment, he simply looked at her, as if trying to make sure he'd heard her correctly. Then, slowly, carefully, he closed the remaining distance between them. His hand cupped her cheek, and his lips brushed hers, soft and tentative at first, as if afraid she might pull away.
But she didn't.
Instead, she leaned into him, letting the barriers fall completely, letting herself be swept away by the moment. It wasn't just a kiss—it was the breaking of chains, the surrender to something they'd both been fighting for too long.
When they finally pulled apart, both of them breathless, Eliss rested his forehead against hers, his hand still cradling her face.
"This is dangerous," he said softly, a hint of a smile tugging at his lips.
Lilly let out a soft laugh, her hands gripping the edges of the desk to steady herself. "And yet here we are."
He nodded, his thumb brushing her cheek as his expression grew serious again. "I don't know where this will lead, but I can't stay away from you anymore. I just... can't."
Neither could she, and in that unspoken agreement, the distance that had once kept them apart vanished completely.
Lilly pulled back suddenly, her breathing ragged. She placed her hands on his chest, pushing him back slightly. "Eliss, stop."
He frowned, his lips parted as he looked at her with confusion and frustration. "What's wrong?"
Her voice trembled as she whispered, "What about Rebecca?"
The name hung in the air like a heavy weight, crashing down on them both.
Eliss stepped back, his expression shifting from longing to guilt. He raked a hand through his hair, breaking eye contact. "It's not what you think, Lilly. Rebecca and I... it's not real. It's just an arrangement, something our parents decided."
Lilly's heart ached at his words, but her anger flared hotter. "Does Rebecca know that? Does she think it's not real? Or does she believe you're committed to her?"
He opened his mouth to answer, but the hesitation in his eyes gave him away. He didn't need to say anything; the truth was written all over his face.
"She doesn't know," Lilly said, her voice cracking.
Eliss sighed, stepping toward her again, but she backed away, shaking her head. "Lilly, I didn't choose this. You have to believe me. I don't want to be with Rebecca. I..."
"Don't," she interrupted, her voice firm even as tears threatened to spill. "Don't say anything you can't take back."
For a moment, they just stared at each other, the silence between them deafening.
"I need to go," Lilly finally said, her voice barely above a whisper. She turned and grabbed her bag, her hands shaking.
"Lilly, wait," Eliss called, his voice filled with desperation.
But she didn't stop. She walked out of the classroom, leaving him standing there, his hands clenched into fists at his sides, his heart pounding with everything he couldn't say.