*It’s still Lily’s POV*
“Good afternoon dad!” Mason exclaims, his breath a bit heavy as he takes off his shoes at the doorstep and runs off to my dad. My dad chuckles, ruffling Mason’s hair with a soft smile on his face. I can’t believe he made me cycle so fast to catch up with him and is now acting like a puppy. It’s… so Mason.
“Good afternoon. You too young lady,” Dad says sweetly as he looks at me, and I smile at him, taking off my shoes and heading towards them. “By the way, what happened? Did someone pick a fight with you?”
I watch Mason’s eyes widen before we look at each other and laugh as we watch my dad move his hands in a panicked manner.
“I’m fine,” Mason says. “And anyway, can I help make lunch? Pretty please?”
“Of course. What would you like to make?”
They both walk up to my kitchen and I sit on my grey couch, my gaze moving around my living room. My parents had gone with a soho aesthetic since it had a cozy vibe and my mom wanted to decorate the house with some flowers which worked since the walls were colored cream and the floor wooden, and it definitely contemplated the house decor beautifully. I look at the wooden dining table that’s behind me to books about plants or recipes arranged nicely in a white small bookshelf facing the couch and to the big tv in front of me that is off. I smile to myself, feeling my eyes go heavy. Gosh am I glad to be home.
*Mason’s POV*
Dad and I bring out a well-made apple pie from the oven and place it on the light granite kitchen countertop. As I do so, I feel his gaze on me, turning to look at him confused.
“What happened to you?” he questions.
“…Hmm?”
“What happened to your face?” Dad asks, placing his hand on the counter. “Do you… wanna talk about it?”
I look away, clenching my fist. Is he… going to scold me? I mean… he can easily guess that I was in a fight and ended up getting hurt? He’s finally gonna hate me… right?
He ruffles my hair, causing my train of thoughts to come to a stop. I still don’t get it. I still don’t get why he does that instead of scolding me like everyone does. This family is strange.
“Do you want to vent your anger or something?”
“…Why don’t you just scold me?”
His honey eyes widen at my words for a second and he taps his foot against the floor in a rhythm, “Because you aren’t the one to start fights for no reason. The person must have gotten you angry or… did they say something about Lil?”
I blush, looking away and hugging myself. He laughs at my reaction, a smile forming on his face. “I guess you two resolved your issues. It was quite a couple's argument to be honest.”
Frowning, I wash my hands in the sink afterwards, my gaze moving to the kitchen’s white walls. “You say it like, in your words, ‘courting your daughter’.”
“…It’s obvious you like her, even if it’s a little bit. You should really confess though because before you know it, she might be taken,” Dad states, causing my eyebrows to furrow even more.
“…I heard dads are overprotective of their daughters dating. You don’t seem to.”
“You’re a son to me. I even remember when you were so scared of my wife and I when you were a kid. It was cute but at least you grew to notice how cool we are as parents. What I’m trying to say is that I trust you and Lil,” he answers. “But if you break my daughter’s heart, don’t even think of showing your face here ever again.”
I chuckle, my gaze moving to the ceiling. Suddenly, a memory comes to me, a time I used to think all adults were like my dad which was why I sometimes starved myself without them realising. Unfortunately, they found out when I sneaked to the fridge for food during my first night of staying over. Either way, they were the ones who raised my favorite person and it honestly feels like I have parent figures, and I get the privilege to hangout with my best friend.
“Don’t worry, I would hate myself if I did hurt any of you guys, especially Lily.” And I already hurt Lily which just makes me feel shit.
“...And you say you’re not courting her.”
“It sounds weird, okay? Courting? You could just say I love her or something,” I say, as we finish. But to be honest… it’s not a bad idea to confess to her before she’s taken.
He laughs before walking past me, “Anyway, I’ll be going to take a nap. Please wake me up when my wife is here.”
I nod and he heads to his room, shutting the door behind. I let out a sigh, running my finger through my hair. Should I… actually confess? But I have a knack for ruining things. Maybe she doesn’t even like me or thinks I’m too immature for her. I mean… I hope she loves me as much as I love her. Wait… now that I think about it, three people now know of my feelings for Lily. Gosh am I so good at hiding my feelings for her.
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I head to where Lily is and sit next to her, my gaze moving to her. Touching her face, I smile, realising that she fell asleep. She’s cute even when she sleeps. I carry her to her room which is a floor higher and gently place her on her white bed and cover her with her white blanket, my gaze landing on the pictures on her wall of us, not fighting the smile that grows on my face. When I first met her, I secretly wanted to be friends but due to father’s words, I didn’t approach her. I do find it funny that I’m now less shy than she is, or maybe she just acts more mature.
Noticing a familiar book on her desk, I walk over to it, sitting on her chair and reading. It’s a romantic song called ‘I’ve been waiting for you’ that we were making together, but by what she said at Lola’s Cakes, I guess I can say it’s our song. Unexpectedly, a song idea comes to mind and I scribble it down, a wide smile coming on my face. I wonder when we’ll be writing the song together again.
“What are you doing-”
“Aaah!” I yell, almost falling off the chair. When did she wake up? I didn’t even hear her get up.
“…What did you write in our book?” she asks, and I look up at her, my face burning red. She said it’s our book… I might just die from a heart attack.
I look into her honey eyes, shoving my hand in my pocket. “I was writing a song idea… if that’s okay with you?”
“...It’s fine,” Lily says. “But I kinda don’t get it.”
“Don’t get what?” I ask as she steps back.
“...How to write a romantic song. Like… I don’t get the idea of love and finding the right one for you. Maybe it’s because I’ve never experienced it?”
I look at her as she bites her nails, her thoughts elsewhere. I get where she’s coming from though. I’m the person she mostly hangs out with and besides me, she has no other friends and additionally, in her eyes, I’m just a friend and nothing more. Maybe there’s a 0.000001% chance she likes me?
“Lily,” I call out, and she looks at me, her gaze soft. “Love, in my understanding, is… something beautiful, unconditional, a feeling of strong and constant affection and dedication for someone. There are so many ways to explain love but… I’m sure you will understand it someday.”
She stares at me, seeming to observe me. Did I… do something wrong? All I did was tell her what love means since she looked serious and confused. Or does she think I’m smart for being able to explain it?
“I see…” she says, sitting on her bed and crossing her legs.
There’s an awkward silence after that, Lily’s strong gaze fixated on me. Why is she staring? Did I stain my face when eating my cookies and cream bar? Does she still not like me? Does she hate my mere existence? Should I just smile politely? Wait, that would be awkward. Should I look away from her? But then she’ll think I’m uncomfortable with her or even uncomfortable being here.
“Actually, how long have I been asleep for?” she asks, and I cross my arms, leaning back on the chair.
“Long enough for your dad and I to make Apple Pie.”
She replies with a nod and rests her head on her hand, silence following afterwards. “…Why will you be busy?”
“…What?”
“You told me this morning that you’ll be busy next week. Why though?”
I can’t help but smile and sit next to her, sitting with my hands bearing weight on the bed.
“I'm being forced to go back to the urban part of Anthon for a week by my father, but are you openly caring about me?” I tease, leaning towards her.
“Yeah. Why won’t I?”
I blush, smiling softly at her. Even after everything I said, she’s so sweet. It kind of makes me want to confess my feelings out loud and right now. Wait… why am I thinking of confessing all of a sudden? I clear my thoughts, tapping rhythmically on her bed.
“...I don’t know. You still hate me deep down,” I say instead. It’s not the right time.
“…I never hated you though.”
I frown and squint my eyes, moving closer to observe her face. She seems to be… telling the truth and I love that. I love when she’s honest, blunt and straightforward. She’s just… being Lily.
“What are you-”
“So, 9143?”
“…I don’t know what it means…”
“I know!” I exclaim, smiling brightly. Actually, why does this kind of feel like the right moment to confess? If I just say it quickly and hopefully don’t say anything stupid-
“...Now that I think about it, isn’t that the type of secret message you leave to your victims?”
“…Why did you have to make it sound like I’m a criminal or something?”
“…Anyway, you use that code a lot which means it’s something complicated. Maybe I’ll find out if I know what type of code it is.”
I smile softly, tapping her playfully on her nose. How can she be so cute, but it’s kind of sad I missed a chance to confess. Her gaze moves to my eyes then to somewhere on my face. Wait… did I actually stain my face while eating? If I did, then I really need to start digging my grave in an isolated place far away from human life. And of course, Lily will be the only one who’s allowed to visit me from time to time-
“...It’s dinner-”
Lily and I flinch and move away from each other, looking at the person leaning against Lily’s bedroom door. It’s Lily’s mom, her brown eyes moving from Lily to me.
“time… Was I… interrupting something?” she asks, crossing her arms.
“Nothing!” I blurt out before standing up on the bed. “We’ll head downstairs in a minute.”
Mom gives us a suspicious look before leaving and I let out a sigh of relief, my gaze moving to Lily. Wait… why did I act like we were caught doing inappropriate things? We weren’t even kissing! I flush red as I slap my cheeks, trying to stop weird thoughts from filling my mind.
“...Let’s head downstairs, shall we?” Lily says out of nowhere, standing up and stretching her hand towards.
After a second or two, I nod and take her hand as she leads me to the dining table. She… probably saw me blushing… didn’t she? Maybe I’m even blushing now. I chuckle to myself, feeling her warm hands holding mine. Since it’s come to this and in case she finds out sooner what 831 means, should I… give her a hint? Give her a hint that I can’t stop thinking about her? That I love her? Now that I think about it, maybe I should take Dad’s advice. If I don’t try now, what if I never get to in the future? Maybe… I’ll try to give her a hint. Yeah… I’ll try.
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Lily's Playlist
• Windy Day by Helios Relaxing Space
• Melancholy by Helios Relaxing Space
• Dandelions by Ruth B
• The Other Side by Hugh Jackman and Zac
Efron
• At My Worst by Pink Sweat$ feat. Kehlani
• N/A
Mason's Playlist
• The Other Side by Hugh Jackman and Zac
Efron
• At My Worst by Pink Sweat$ feat. Kehlani
• N/A