Following a memorized route, I easily snuck into the abandoned wing in the right part of the school. It's also the oldest part, so not very big.

The reason for the entry ban is its unsafe condition. They established it 30 years ago after an accident where the ceiling fell, nearly crippling several students. Supposedly it's easy to repair, but the reputation is already damaged and no one wants to deal with it.

I climbed to the third floor, where the music room is located. Anticipating some extra sleep, I carelessly opened the classroom door. But even though I arrived two hours early, I was still late.

I'm taken aback—a girl with headphones sits on a front row desk, swinging her legs and staring at the ceiling. When the initial surprise fades, I quickly recognize her—it's Lily Lane. We share several classes.

The first time I saw her up close was at the beginning of the year when we were assigned to the same groups, but I'd heard about her before. Not at Jane's level, but she's also popular, which gets people talking.

We're not actually acquainted and haven't even talked once. Our only connection is my thoughts about catching her looking at me these past months. Though I couldn't tell if I was imagining it.

She didn't strike me as someone who would skip class, quite the opposite. She's the best in English class, and I heard from Sharon about her great achievements in sports and club activities. So seeing her here is especially strange.

No, she probably has nothing to do with the note, this is just a weird coincidence. There's still a long time until the appointed time, anyone could be sitting here until then, I thought.

I decide to wait in another classroom and am already turning to leave, when suddenly:

"Wow, didn't expect you so early. What are you skipping?" she started friendly.

This can't be happening.

I look at her suspiciously. Lily has already taken off her headphones and has a charming smile on her face. Of all the details, I'm drawn to the large bandage on one of her knees. She must have hurt herself during practice.

"Math and PE, then we'll see," I reply pleasantly.

"Oh, I hate those too. I'm skip history, it's boring and overloaded with useless crap that's absolutely unnecessary in life. By the way, I heard you have some conflict with the PE teacher. Is that why you skip it?"

I was surprised the local elite knew about that.

"Yes. He kept me after class, I got a bit heated over another stupid jab of his and hit him in the eye with a ball. Now I try to avoid running into him. Nothing extraordinary really."

"Haha, so that's where his black eye came from. Hope that old bastard felt the pain good?"

"He sure yelled at me with feeling."

"That moron always pairs me with his dumb, unwashed nephew. Probably hopes we'll somehow get close and I'll happily give myself to him," Lily smirked.

"You could follow my example, might get him to back off."

Lily bursts out laughing and gestures for me to sit beside her on the desk. This increases my wariness.

She doesn't cause any revulsion, but... Why the hell does she need me anyway?

Wanting to figure this out, I drop my backpack and settle next to her. As soon as I sit, Lily grabs my arm and rests her head on my shoulder.

"Don't mind if I do this? Tired of sitting straight, want to relax a little."

"Fine until my arm starts going numb."

How did she know I hang out here? Why did she come so early? And why isn't she saying why she called me?

"Do you sit here often?" Lily resumed the dialogue.

"All the time since I went to high school. But I've never noticed you here before," I said gently.

"Unfortunately, I only learned about the possibility of sneaking into this wonderful place two weeks ago. Since then I come here to skip some classes and get a break from dealing with my crowd."

I smiled.

"I thought you popular folks passionately loved each other."

"That's just for show to maintain status. In reality everyone hates everyone and is ready to kill. And don't lump me in with those idiots, I only hang out with them for fun and benefit. Plus it's nice knowing you're the only smart one among a sea of single-cell organisms."

"Don't quite get those kinds of interests, but okay."

"What are yours?" Lily asked suddenly serious.

The question throws me off, no one's asked about this in a long time.

"Ah... I don't think you'd find them interesting."

A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

"What makes you think that? Tell me, I'm genuinely curious."

This gets stranger by the minute.

It's unclear why Lily steered the conversation toward interrogation. I don't like talking about such topics with outsiders... but in this case, seems there's no moving forward without an answer.

"Besides home hobbies, I like going to the shooting range and movies," I say calmly.

"Woow! You can shoot?"

"Well enough, I'd say."

"That's so cool! I've been wanting to learn for a couple of years, but I know absolutely nothing about firearms and I'm embarrassed about how I'd look. Why did you think this wouldn't be interesting?"

"Well... Glad I was wrong!"

"Do you have your own gun at home?"

"There's a pistol, but it belongs to my sister."

"Ah, I see..." Lily suddenly backed off. "Movies are cool too, what genres do you like?"

"Mainly watch horror and thrillers, love intense emotions."

"Not a fan of creepy stuff, more into action movies. It's so thrilling when everyone's shooting at everyone!" Lily grabbed an imaginary machine gun and made several sounds, aiming at the wall.

"What about your interests? I was joking when I said that word," I decide to get her talking too.

"Mainly sports, but I also love board games. Outside school I do fencing, it's very exciting and trains agility and reflexes."

"Wow! Never would have guessed. You actually swing around a sword?"

"Heh, you're not the first to say that. My specialty is the foil, which is a thrusting weapon, but I'm skilled with others too. Trust me, I'm extremely good at it. Hey, we complement each other perfectly: you can shoot, and I can stab. Together we're unbeatable!" she laughed.

"Definitely, so probably no one would dare attack us knowing the threat."

"The world's full of crazy people capable of anything," the girl suddenly turned serious. "One of them just set his sights on your sister. By the way, I have to note how awesome she humiliated that brazen scum. I sincerely give her my respect."

"What? Even you know already?" I was amazed.

"Several friends texted to me, they were present for his 'marriage proposal.' Jane's cool and fearless, no one from school could have answered him like that. Though Zack will probably hate her now and want revenge."

"Nothing to worry about there. Jane is the last person I'd dare threaten. She'll bury anyone herself."

I thought I saw Lily shudder.

And the dialogue suddenly hit a dead end, with an awkward silence falling between us. Lily looks like she's about to say something but can't find the words.

Finally, I decide to take initiative:

"So do you want something from me?" I ask directly. "It's hard for me to imagine someone like you just wanted to chat with me. Why do you need this?"

She seemed to shake more, but forces herself to maintain a smile and confident attitude.

"S-so, here's what this is all about... That girl with chestnut hair you always arrive at school with... Are you dating?"

It takes a titanic effort to hide my wild shock. This is the last question I expected to hear. Damn it, should have kept talking about hobbies.

"Are you stalking me or something?" I narrowed my eyes.

"No-no-no! Just noticed the pattern since we're in the same groups. So what about it?"

Really don't believe her, but she obviously won't admit it.

"No, Sharon and I are childhood friends, she's like a sister to me. Why are you even interested?"

"Want to eliminate any misunderstandings."

She jumped off the desk and stood in front of me. Her eyes radiate iron determination but also a certain apprehension.

"John, let's go on a date?"

"Huh?!" this time I couldn't contain my shock.

If she'd asked this anywhere else, I'd take it as a joke or fulfilling someone else's wish in a lost bet. But we met on her prior initiative in a place where there physically can't be any witnesses. And she decided to skip classes for this.

The facts don't add up in my head and I don't understand how to react. Internally I admit she outplayed me.

I lower my gaze and only now notice the familiar bouquet of lilies. It was lying on the other side of her this whole time. Something unpleasant stings inside.

Hmm... Honestly, not very original.

"I think you'd better go on a date with whoever gave you these nice flowers," I turned it into a joke.

"Your friend is very sweet and kind, but I understood from our first conversation that he's too down-to-earth and boring. Not my type."

"So I who hit the PE teacher am your type? One conversation isn't much for drawing conclusions."

"It's enough for me," she cut off. "So what do you say? You can choose the place, I'm fine with movies or the shooting range."

I look at her carefully—now in Lily's actions and intonation I can read some kind of pre-prepared speech and manner of behavior. It seems like a cold calculation to achieve... something. This completely kills any understanding of the situation.

It also put me in an extremely awkward position. By rights, I should have already refused several times and left to avoid betraying Rob. However, the enormous interest in learning her goal prevents me from leaving so easily.

"Worried about what your friend will think? I didn't take you for the type to put others' feelings above your own," she said acidly.

Obviously trying to provoke an emotional response from me in a dirty way. Good attempt.

"Given all the input data, your sudden proposal looks suspicious and absurd. What are you trying to achieve? Make fun of me?"

"What, isn't it clear? I want to invite a guy I like on a date, like everyone does in this world. What do you find absurd?"

"You think I'll believe that out of all the guys in school you happened to like me? You understand that if we theoretically start dating, it would significantly shake your reputation since everyone considers me totally crazy?"

"Oh, immediately started putting yourself down, amusing. Would you really reject me for his worthless attempts to hit on me? How often do you drag yourself through the mud to spare his feelings? You know what that's called?" she giggled sarcastically.

Lily is throwing down a personal challenge. No, I can't ignore something like this.

Nothing serious will come of this obviously. I'll make up that I learned more information about Lily from someone and pass it to Rob through Sharon.

I jump off the desk and stand right in front of the girl. Our gazes meet, I feel her nervous breathing.

"Let's do it. Shooting range, pick any time that works."

"3. Meet at the Moon Park entrance, I want to walk with you before the shooting range. Give me your number to stay in touch," she purred contentedly, victory shining up in her eyes.

I really hope that during this so-called date it will become clear what she wants. Otherwise I'm just risking my friendship with Rob.

"Sorry, forgot my cell phone at home and don't know the number by heart."

"Haha, somehow I'm not surprised. Fine, I'm sure you won't deceive me. Promise you won't regret it!"

"Consider me waiting impatiently."

"That's why I like you. Most of the school dreams of going on a date with me and would squeal with delight if I invited them. But you see some secret plan in it that doesn't exist. I'm sure you haven't even imagined me naked yet."

"Is that all?" I said impassively.

"For now—yes. Thank you so much for not ignoring this."

Lily grabbed the bouquet and threw on her purse.

"I'll go back to class. Please just don't think I'm a nerd," she said with fake awkwardness.

"Don't worry, right now I'm only thinking about how badly I need sleep."

"Haha, thanks again! See you at the park."

Finally she waved, smiled brightly and left the classroom. I climbed back on the desk and stared into space.

The day has barely begun and is already unnaturally saturated with events. Though I'll think about that after sleep.