Chapter One Hundred and Seventy-One

Isaac, Elise and Grace were already assembled outside Lila's locker in silence, holding their various lunches. Lila placed her items in her locker and locked it before looking back at her friends. From Elise's expression, Lila could tell that she was anxious – just as Grace was. Isaac looked like he was forcing himself to be neutral, which reminded Lila of the day Asher told Isaac why he broke up with Holly.

'He's going to blow up,' Lila thought, pressing her lips together to prevent her from asking Isaac his thoughts.

As soon as Asher reappeared, Grace started leading the group out of the locker room and towards the Performing Arts area. She was wringing her hands, her lunchbox hanging limply from her wrist. Was she regretting this? She didn't seem excited for her friends to meet Ms Alexander, leading Lila to believe that her confession was definitely impulsive.

Each step seemed to go slower than the previous and it distinctly felt like everyone regretted this. Once they arrived at the square outside the auditorium, Lila squeezed Asher's hand and he looked down at her, his expression apprehensive.

Once they were in the office building, Isaac's body language shifted and he looked around with some mild interest. This made sense to Lila since she knew Isaac wouldn't have had much reason to enter it before now.

With a backwards glance at her friends, Grace knocked on the door with the plaque reading 'M. Alexander'. She waited a moment before opening the door, its creak signalling their arrival.

"Grace-"

Ms Alexander's chirpy greeting sounded cut off. Lila couldn't see Ms Alexander, given she was standing at the back of the group, but the pause indicated to Lila that Ms Alexander was having a moment to take in the scenario at hand.

"I see you've brought some friends," Ms Alexander said, her tone switching to a professional one. "To see me off?"

"Yes," Grace replied meekly.

"Come in, come in."

Grace, Elise and Isaac filed in first with Lila and Asher hesitantly trailing in from behind. Ms Alexander looked to be attempting to present herself as an ordinary teacher, the concentration behind her movements apparent on her face. However, when her eyes landed on Lila and Asher, her face drained of colour.

"Grace… have you done something?" Ms Alexander asked, her question slow – disbelieving, perhaps. Had Grace seriously not said anything to Ms Alexander? Was she just… dropping the bombshell that she'd let more people know about their relationship on Ms Alexander like this?

Lila couldn't help feeling sorry for Ms Alexander as the panic grew more apparent, Grace's non-answer seemingly being enough of one to make Ms Alexander stand, picking at her fingernails.

"Um… these are my friends," Grace said, her continued avoidance of Ms Alexander's question only increasing Ms Alexander's anxious behaviour. "Elise and Isaac."

"Hello," Elise said quietly, sticking close to Isaac.

"Hello," Isaac echoed, his voice hollow.

It was the most emotion Lila had seen from Ms Alexander. Clearly, Ms Alexander had been well-prepared and well-rehearsed for her meeting with Lila and Asher after camp. Now, though – she looked much younger than her age, the stress pulling her shoulders in, nervousness widening her eyes.

"Elise has been wanting to meet you since February."

Now Ms Alexander was the one wringing her hands. "F-February?"

"Yes."

Ms Alexander slowly took her seat behind her desk, placing her head in her hands.

Lila glanced at Asher, who looked rather surprised by Ms Alexander's reaction.

"I… I couldn't bear keeping it a secret, since you're leaving-"

"Gracie, no," Ms Alexander whimpered.

The nickname 'Gracie' made Lila's skin crawl and she clutched Asher's hand in reaction.

"What do you mean 'no', Mia?"

Ms Alexander looked up at Grace, her face twisted in agony. "Gracie, it's a secret for good reason-"

"But they're all my closest friends."

Ms Alexander took several deep breaths, the effort to compose herself seeming painful. "Gracie, the more people you tell, the more likely it is we'll be separated."

"But they wouldn't tell." Grace whipped around to face Isaac and Elise, both of whom took the opportunity to stare at various pieces of décor that weren't in Grace's direction. "Right?"

"It was a battle making sure Asher didn't tell anyone," Ms Alexander said, her voice small. "We were so close to being safe."

"I wouldn't be so sure," Asher interjected. Grace and Ms Alexander froze, though Isaac and Elise turned to stare at him instead of décor, eyes wide as saucers.

"B-But you said you wouldn't," Grace said with a quiver, "Lila, you'd heard that right? That Asher wouldn't?"

Asher gave her a scathing look in return. "I happen to make a concerted effort to keep my promises, Grace."

Evidently, he was still affected by his broken promise to call Lila as he'd said that with a bit too much force. He continued, "What I meant was that there's been rumours about Ms Alexander being too close with a student. Other kids have been noticing. Kids that you can't plead your case to since you don't know who they are and whether they'd point it out to another teacher."

He narrowed his eyes at Ms Alexander, whose eyes were now shining, her expression seeming as though she was one second away from a breakdown. "You've been careless. If this gets out and something happens, you couldn't even blame me or Grace's friends."

Isaac's eyes looked like they'd pop right out of his sockets. It seemed he wasn't expecting Asher to openly berate Ms Alexander and Grace like this.

Lila tightened her hold on Asher's hand, attempting to non-verbally request that he stop in case he'd push them too far. It wasn't beyond Ms Alexander to break up with Grace and destroy her heart, after all. He glanced down at Lila before pressing his lips together, his body language still disapproving but otherwise, he was silent.

Elise tapped the tips of her fingers together as the silence wore on. Ms Alexander kept her head low to her desk, frankly looking quite ill. Grace was hugging her torso, looking just as ill, and Isaac was moving his head to and from Asher and Ms Alexander. The group remained like this for quite some time before Ms Alexander took another deep breath.

"You're right, Asher. I have been careless, and I can't control the actions of students that I don't know the identities of." She paused, leaning forward on her desk. "But I promise you, and everyone else in this room, that I love Grace and I don't want to do anything to hurt her."

Asher gave a derisive snort and Ms Alexander sighed.

"I know you don't believe that Asher, but it's the truth. It's my truth – our truth. I've never felt like this about anyone and I don't intend to let it fall apart. It's why I'm moving."

She turned her attention to Grace. "Gracie, I'm disappointed you told more people."

"B-But I… I want a normal relationship with you, Mia," Grace replied, her whole body trembling now. "I want… I want you to be friends with my friends-" Asher inhaled, though Lila squeezed his hand before he could snort again, "-a-and I want to be out in the open. I want everyone to know about our love. It's… painful. I like that it's just for me, but… but I also…"

Whatever Grace also felt, she didn't say for tears were now falling down her face, sobs the only sound coming from her lips. Ms Alexander was by Grace's side faster than Lila had ever anticipated from Ms Alexander – especially since the last time Grace cried, Ms Alexander had essentially ignored it. Was this actually what Ms Alexander was usually like with Grace? It didn't seem performative to Lila, but Ms Alexander was so different to how she was the last time Lila talked to her in her office. It was hard to tell which was the 'real' Ms Alexander from these wildly opposing snippets alone.

Ms Alexander cradled Grace's head against her, rubbing Grace's back in a moment of intimacy that churned Lila's insides.

"I'm sorry I can't give you a normal relationship, baby," Ms Alexander whispered. "I… I want all that too, but we can't have that. I told you that months ago."

Something about the fact that Ms Alexander also called Grace 'baby' when, in fact, Grace was essentially one in comparison to Ms Alexander, made Lila's churning insides churn even more. Perhaps she'd become butter by the end of this conversation.

Grace took a couple of heaving breaths before saying, "B-But it's done now. I told my friends, so…"

Ms Alexander closed her eyes, continuing to rub Grace's back. "I guess it's too late for me to complain."

Ms Alexander then looked at Isaac and Elise, her eyes round and pleading. "What would it take for you two to not say anything and let me quietly move to Mulberry Heights High?"

Grace sniffled, moving to see Isaac and Elise as well. Isaac and Elise exchanged a glance. From what Lila could see, Elise looked incredibly conflicted, Isaac mysterious.

"U-Uh… um, Grace, are you happy?" Elise tentatively asked, her eyebrows knitting together.

"More than I've ever been," Grace replied, her statement at odds with the remnants of her tears still on her face.

Elise looked at Isaac again before speaking. "Then… then, I don't see a reason to say anything. Since… Ms- your partner's going to a different school next term."

"Really?" Grace's tone was hopeful.

"Yeah," Elise said, looking down at her hands. "I mean… you've been saying how happy you've been, like, all year and… and I'm a bit of a romantic. Why would I ever want my best friend to be devastated?"

With that, Isaac sighed heavily, hanging his head, his defeat obvious.

"I've… gotta go with Lise on this one," he said quietly. "Even though… I don't like keeping secrets but…" he glanced at Asher. "This one's not so bad since my buddy already knows."

"D-Do you guys approve?" Grace asked, her eyes now gleaming with hope.

"Grace, I'd rather you not ask a question like that," Isaac replied mournfully. "I don't think you want my answer."

Grace deflated but turned her attention to Elise.

"Um… I… don't… know," Elise said, biting her lower lip. "It's… so sudden."

Grace looked at Lila and Asher before looking up at Ms Alexander, who fondly touched the top of Grace's head.

"Gracie, I also told you that people wouldn't approve, didn't I?" Ms Alexander said gently. "You don't need to seek their approval as long as you're happy, right?"

"… right."

Something about that was entirely not right, but Lila wasn't going to get into a fight over it. In fact, she wanted to leave as soon as possible. Her transition to butter was imminent.

"I would've liked a heads up, so I could… find some time to gather myself and talk properly with your friends, Gracie," Ms Alexander added. "Please don't tell anyone else, okay?"

Grace nodded. "Okay."

Would Lila pair well with white bread or wholemeal? Who'd have a good opinion on the matter? Gabriel, maybe?

"Is it okay if I speak to Grace alone?" Ms Alexander asked pleasantly, looking around the room, her relief palpable.

"Y-Yeah," Elise agreed, grabbing Isaac's hand. "Yup. Um, see you at Modern History, Grace."

Elise just about pushed Lila and Asher towards the door, surprising both of them into stumbling alongside her. Once they all tumbled out, the door swinging shut behind them, Elise stopped moving, her eyes swimming with tears.

"What the fuck?" she gasped. Isaac immediately pulled her into his arms, his face both bewildered and concerned.

"Let's… head to the library," Lila suggested, looking at Asher for agreement. He nodded, offering his arm, which she gladly took.

The four of them swiftly made their way to the library, finding a meeting room emptying just as they arrived. They plopped down into seats, Lila's feeling almost uncomfortably warm. Would that finish off the buttering process?

"Guys, you knew? For months?" Elise asked, her voice shaking much like the rest of her. Lila nodded.

"And you didn't explode?" Isaac questioned, placing his hands in his hair. "How the hell have you managed it? I feel like running to Mr Lockwood right now. Did you see-"

"We were there," Asher said tersely, placing his and Lila's lunchboxes on the table. "I don't want to be reminded."

"But… it felt like… she was some kinda vampire or something," Isaac said, shivering. "Lise, why did you promise not to say anything if you feel like how you look?"

Elise held her head in her hands. "She… she said she's in love, Isaac. She cried over this. What am I supposed to do about that?"

Isaac gave a low, slow exhale. "I… don't know."

"Besides, these two knew," Elise added, waving vaguely in Lila and Asher's direction. "They haven't said anything. Asher especially."

Isaac looked up at Asher. "Why haven't you really said anything? I know what you said in the office, but Grace was there. It looked like there was more to it."

Asher glanced at Lila, fear passing quickly through his eyes. He swallowed, looking back at Isaac.

"I… didn't want to upset Lila," he said, staring down at his lunchbox. "Grace is one of Lila's closest friends and… even though we think she's being groomed, I know Lila doesn't want Grace to hate her for reporting it. If anything happened to Grace's partner too, Grace would be devastated and that'd have ripple effects on our girls."

Isaac sucked in some air before blowing it out of his cheeks. "Mate, this is effed."

'Not blowing up as hard as I'd expected,' Lila observed, watching as Isaac violently ruffled his hair.

"So, this is why you both were so weird at camp with Grace?" Isaac eventually asked. "This whole…" he waggled his fingers in the air, evidently unable to articulate what he meant. "Gah! I feel like I've taken a bath in oil."

"Lila, how am I supposed to face Grace after this?" Elise asked, her tears coming back in full force. "She's a victim but… but it's clear that she won't listen. Asher probably said stuff like that to them before, right? That's why he was like that just now?"

"Like what?" Asher blinked.

"Ready to beat 'em down with words," Isaac explained. "You didn't notice?"

"Ah…" Asher sighed. "I can't help it when I'm faced with both of them. It's just… deplorable, really. And I don't blame Grace. Like Elise said, she's a victim – but she's so willing that trying to make her see reason doesn't work. I told her it was illegal and she insisted it wasn't 'cause she's over 16. But it is illegal for Ms Alexander to do this per her Education legislation. Also, if it wasn't illegal, then Ms Alexander wouldn't have any problems going public with it – but that's obviously flown over Grace's head."

Elise rested her face on the desk. "I hate this. It was hard enough keeping my secret relationship a secret, but now this?"

"I was just free," Isaac lamented. "It's a cruel world."

Lila suppressed the urge to snort. "It shouldn't be so bad once Ms Alexander leaves. I'm… kinda hoping they naturally drift apart and that Grace sees it for what it is."

You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.

Elise shifted her head to look at Lila. "That'd be good."

Lila gave a sigh of relief. "I'm glad you guys feel the same way I did."

"Lila, this is the shittiest thing that could've come out of us being honest about our relationship," Isaac bemoaned. "It's the worst car trade-in deal of all time."

"Car trade-in deal?" Lila asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Usually, you trade in your old ass hunk of junk to a dealership, then get a shiny new one," Isaac explained, tapping the table for emphasis. "At least, that's what my Dad does. Anyway! We traded in one secret, one that… I think is, y'know, a 'good' secret in this case for an illegal secret. That's a bad secret. Are we breaking the law? Accomplices? I'm too young to go to jail. What do they even eat there? Corn? Corn does a number on my tummy."

'Definitely never telling Isaac about all the stuff I get up to with Asher,' Lila thought as she exchanged a look with Asher. Asher's return look seemed to be a muted 'I told you so' kind of expression.

"In terms of how to face Grace again," Lila said slowly, "I just… try to separate Grace from her relationship. I mean, she's been our best friend for years, Elise. She's still Grace. She's been our group adviser since the beginning, she's been our cheerleader, and she's been so supportive over the years."

"I hate to break it to you, Lila, but that's probably why she got suckered into a relationship with a-" Isaac made a motion to throw up but powered on, "-teacher. Probably said stuff about how mature Grace is, how she's like an old soul, how caring she is – wise beyond her years or whatever. Made Grace feel important, special. Now she's trapped and she can't see it."

Lila leaned back in her chair. "I know. She's… kinda the perfect victim."

The silence following Lila's statement was drenched with anxiety. Lila fiddled with the zip of her lunchbox to give her hands something to do with this energy. Isaac looked at Elise, whose face was white and eyes were glassy.

"Lise, let's eat," he said kindly. She blinked, seeming as if she'd zoned back into reality.

"Huh? Oh. Right."

Lila and Asher opened their lunches too and the four ate in more silence. Once everyone had eaten, there wasn't much more time left to sit around in the meeting room.

Before they did leave though, Elise had one thing left to say.

"I'm gonna do what you said, Lila. Separate Grace from… this horrible thing that's happening to her. She says she's happy and… I'll trust her on that one. One thing's for sure though, I am never going to 'hang out' with Ms Alexander if I can help it."

"The feeling is mutual," Lila replied. "Never."

They walked back to the locker room, each of them attached to their respective partners, and all looking contemplative. Lila wasn't keen on the fact that Modern History was next, but… now that the meeting with Ms Alexander was long over, she was feeling better overall. Elise and Isaac felt pretty similar to her and Asher about the situation, which vindicated her at least. She'd almost thought that it wasn't as big of a deal, given Grace's attitude to it as the victim, but being reaffirmed that it was helped Lila tremendously.

The Modern History exam was on Thursday, so when Lila, Elise and Grace sat down together at the same table, not a single syllable was exchanged between them. Grace's face was puffy, as though she'd cried after they left, but Lila was in no head space to ask about it.

Asher and Isaac were both waiting for Lila and Elise once they were released and the couples parted ways without a word.

Eventually, as Asher and Lila approached her Bio lab, he said, "Now that that's over with, we can focus on other things."

Lila was almost too eager to talk about something that wasn't related to the Grace situation. "Yeah. Like what, though?"

"Like how impressive my goalie skills are."

Lila laughed, his statement taking her by surprise. She leaned her head on his shoulder, a smile on her face. "I know how impressive they are."

"But they get more impressive with each practice session."

"I don't doubt that."

"So, I'll be able to show you some real skill this afternoon," he grinned.

"I can't wait to give you all my attention," Lila replied with a flirtatious smile.

"Well, you can't just say that without a kiss," Asher said with a flirtatious smile of his own.

"I think I'll bank it," Lila said, tapping her chin. "Mr Johnson will be arriving at any minute."

Asher sighed. "Aw."

She laughed. "It won't be banked for long."

"Well, that's alright, then."

He watched her head into her Bio lab with a wave and she took her usual seat, her smile nothing short of giddy. Cecelia and Lucas had already arrived and looked up as she put her things down.

"That's certainly a smile," Cecelia grinned, adjusting her study things next to Lucas. Her eyes sparkled. "That's a smile that tells me something interesting."

"Interesting how?"

Cecelia's grin widened. "It tells me you and Asher did it."

Lila flushed. Cecelia squealed.

"Cee, you are so lucky Mr Johnson isn't here yet," Lucas sighed, glancing around. Lila also took a look and saw quite a few of their classmates openly staring in their direction.

"Sorry, sorry," Cecelia giggled, waving her hand. "That's so exciting."

"How'd you tell?" Lila asked genuinely. After her conversation with Asher about the adults in their lives knowing, she really wanted to know what it was that made her so obvious so she could hide it better.

"Kinda cheated," Cecelia smirked. "Asher's in my PC class and he has been beaming like there's no tomorrow. Like, legit. It's freaky."

"Freaky?"

"He usually only smiles when Isaac's cracking jokes, which is pretty often to be fair. But, nah, this kid has just been floating away during PC this week. Didn't even study, which is rare for him. I think 'cause PC's shorter than all our other classes, he decided to spend his time daydreaming. Sometimes he'd get really red, too."

Lila hid her face in her hands. "What about me?"

"You…" Cecelia paused. "You've just got this, like, glow about you. Like, you've got a permanent half-smile on your face that makes your full smile even brighter. Happiness is an understatement, girl. Plus, you looked like you were daydreaming, too."

So… did she need to look more sad?

"It's honestly such a nice thing to see," Cecelia said earnestly. "Makes me happy, too. Good on you. Welcome to the club-"

"I hope this is the studying club, Walters," Mr Johnson said as he swept past their table and placed his bag on the teacher's desk. "Not seeing much of that, though. Exam's this week, remember."

"Sorry, sir," Cecelia mumbled.

"Don't be sorry to me, I'm not taking this exam," he replied. He then clapped his hands, drawing the attention of everyone in the lab, before letting them know the exam details and telling them to study.

Lila took his instructions very seriously, though she could tell Cecelia wanted to talk some more about it. Aside from the fact that she didn't want to talk about having sex with Asher in the now deathly quiet of the lab, she really wanted to solidify her exam knowledge.

Once Mr Johnson finally dismissed them from class, Cecelia beamed at Lila.

"Once these exams are over, I wanna know everything."

"Cee, she might not be comfortable," Lucas frowned. "Plus, Asher might not be comfortable, either."

"Fine, everything you want to tell me. I'm not asking about, like, positions – but was it good? Awkward? Did you-"

"Alright, alright, that's enough," Lucas insisted, placing a hand over Cecelia's mouth. "Sorry, Lila. Seems she's overexcited."

Lila smiled. "All good."

"See you on Thursday," Lucas said, still covering Cecelia's mouth. He began to lead her out of the lab, Cecelia's significantly muffled goodbye making Lila snicker before saying goodbye in response.

"You seem to be in a good mood," Asher observed once Lila joined up with him.

"Of course," she replied, "I get to watch you practice so you can become a soccer champion."

He laughed. "I hope to get there, but don't be too disappointed if I don't."

"Disappointed in you? Never."

"Never?"

"Never. Well, within reason."

"Oh. What's one of those reasons?"

She gave him a coy look before pulling at his tie and forcing his ear down to her mouth. "If you forgot to get more condoms for this weekend."

He turned a bright red, coughing as he righted himself. He then pulled at his collar, loosening his tie slightly.

"Jesus, Lila, you're forward," he finally managed to utter, his face still red. "Your mood has definitely picked up since lunch."

"I'm just saying, I think you'll win," she said loftily, swinging his arm as they continued on towards the locker room. "Winning deserves a reward, right?"

His lips twitched into a smile. "That would be quite the reward. I'll have to work hard, then."

"Gotta work hard to get hard."

He choked for a second before managing to pull himself together. "Damn, Lila."

She grinned. "I hope you think about that one for a while."

"Definitely will."

----------------------------------------

Elise was already sitting on the stands when Lila and Asher arrived at Jacoval. Asher quickly pecked Lila on the cheek before jogging off to the changing room. She then climbed the steps to where Elise was and sat next to her.

"Y'know, I didn't think you'd be here," Lila said with a smile. "Excited to watch Isaac train?"

"Lila, you have no idea how much I've wanted to support Isaac this whole time," Elise replied frankly, stretching her feet out in front of her. "He supports me with a lot, like with my Mum and at Maccas, and I've just wanted to return the favour. I definitely would've if hockey didn't run at the same time and if Asher wasn't the goalie."

"That's sweet," Lila grinned. "You're such a sap."

"Lila, we're all saps. Let's just admit it and get over it," Elise chuckled. Then, she grew serious. "I guess Grace is a sap, too."

Lila sighed. "Yeah. Probably why she's in that relationship."

Elise rested her head in her right hand. "I know I've been wanting to meet Grace's partner since I knew she had one, but… I hated that."

"My meeting with her and Asher after camp wasn't anywhere close to that. Grace's partner was a lot more composed last time – even emotionless, despite the fact that Grace was crying."

"She cried then too? What about?"

"Well… her partner blindsided her with the move to Mulberry Heights High. She had no idea until that meeting and it was already set in stone by then."

Elise gave a low whistle. "That's kinda cold, don't you think? Surely she should've told Grace at least a little bit before then."

Lila shrugged. "I think she didn't so that Grace couldn't either talk her out of it or be so emotional that she felt guilty enough to rescind going to a different school. She said that she was moving schools to protect her relationship with Grace. That was kinda the only moment where I thought maybe she does have legit feelings for Grace."

"Oh, after that display, I think they are legit feelings. I just don't know whether they're what either of them think they are."

"True."

Lila cast her eyes back down to the grass and saw Asher and Isaac trying to make the other fall over as they skipped towards the stands.

"Ah, our lovable idiots have returned," Elise smirked.

Lila glanced at Elise. "Are you-"

Isaac stomped up the stairs, dramatically declaring his win, before giving Elise a kiss on the cheek.

"I hope you enjoy watching me train, Lise. I'll work very hard for you."

She giggled. "I hope you do. Otherwise, how else are you going to win Saturday's match?"

He lightly tapped her nose before his eyes met Lila's critical ones.

"Do I need to slap you two apart?" Lila asked as Asher wrapped his arm around her shoulders.

"… Sorry," Isaac mumbled. "Like I said, I was jealous… though, for sports, it's also 'cause Mr Kovac's a bit-"

"Fisher, Wagner, stop flirting," Mr Kovac barked, glaring at the two of them. "Get down here, now. We've got semi-finals to train for."

Asher relinquished his hold on Lila. "See you in a bit," he said. She smiled.

"See you in a bit."

Both Asher and Isaac speedwalked to where the other boys were warming up and Lila and Elise watched for a few minutes in silence. Then –

"You sounded like you had a question?" Elise asked.

"Ah, yeah. Are you in love with Isaac?"

Elise spluttered, her face red. "I-I mean, that's a random question."

Lila smirked. That was definitely a yes. "Just asked 'cause you called him a lovable idiot."

Elise twiddled her thumbs in her lap. "Yeah. I told him a few weeks ago. It kinda just… well we were…" she cleared her throat before continuing, "doing stuff after school and for some reason after it was over, I was crying."

"Did he hurt you?"

Elise shook her head. "I can't explain it. It's like… a whole bunch of emotions hit me all at once. He asked what was wrong and I said nothing – that I love him. He was pretty shocked that I'd said that but he kissed me and said he loves me too."

"Aw. Glad he said it back."

"Yeah. I was in such a state, I'm not sure what I would've done if he didn't. He said he'd been hoping for a… um… I dunno if better is the right word, but a scenario that felt more… romantic to say it. Like a date."

"I see."

"But all's well that ends well. Seems like we tend to do that." Elise side-eyed Lila before saying, "You said you love Asher in our conversation the other day. How'd you tell him?"

"He said it first. It was right after the first time, after we collected ourselves. He… said he'd been too scared to say it before and I laughed at him."

Elise gasped. "Rude."

"Hey, he laughed at me when I confessed."

Elise tilted her head, obviously weighing it up in her mind. "True. Carry on."

"A-Anyway, he looked kinda hurt by that, but I said that it felt like he better love me after what he did to me, especially since I love him too."

"That's cute," Elise smiled, elbowing Lila's side. "Kinda weird that banging brought on those moments, huh."

"I dunno if weird's the right word. I kinda think that, after doing it so much now, it's one of the ultimate expressions of love. I know you can do it with people you don't love and all that, but… I reckon it feels really special if you do."

"Probably. Not that I want to find out the difference," Elise replied, her eyes now on Isaac as he started up a cone drill. Lila looked over at where Asher was practising saves with Harrison near the goalie's net.

"Neither."

They watched the rest of the training session, talking here and there about exams and other things aside from Grace, Isaac and Asher. Once practise wrapped up, Lila and Elise both stretched and made their way down to the grass, meeting Asher and Isaac as they did so.

"Great work," Lila grinned at Asher. "I think you'll win."

"I hope so," Asher grinned back, winking at Lila. "I'd really like that reward."

"Ew, I don't think I want to know what kind of reward that is," Isaac interjected, wrinkling his nose.

"Shut up," Asher said, nudging him towards Elise. "Like you're any better."

"Eh, you caught me."

"I'm just gonna grab my stuff and then we can head off," Asher said, kissing Lila on the side of her head. "Won't be a tick."

She smiled as he jogged off with Isaac in tow.

"Elise, I'm really glad you get to fully experience all this," Lila said, turning to her. "It must've sucked, having to miss out on stuff like this."

"Definitely," Elise replied. "I… really sympathise with Grace, about wanting to be open with her relationship. It killed me, having to keep it in."

"I'm sure it would."

"And Grace has been doing it for this whole year, almost. No wonder she just went and told us without telling her partner. I was reaching my limit after, what, ten weeks? Eleven?"

"Yeah."

"Do… you think she'll just do that for the rest of her life? Keep it a secret?" Elise asked softly, her face downcast. "I don't know if I could keep a secret for my entire life. Especially not one like that."

"I don't know if I could either," Lila said uneasily. She'd have to, of course, but… at least she could tell her secrets to Asher.

"This is not what I hoped for Grace, you know," Elise continued. "She thinks she's in love but did you see how her partner was talking to her? I… want to rescue her but I'm guessing that's what the weird energy at camp was – your attempt didn't land."

Lila sighed, looping her arm with Elise's. They gradually shuffled along towards the changing rooms, stopping just short of the hallway. "Kinda. When we talked to her about it on the canoe, she said that she was happy and in love and that she didn't really care if it was illegal, basically. Said she never felt hurt with her and when I pointed out that she couldn't really go on double or triple dates with her friends and that she needed to sneak around, she said she liked that it's private and shut the conversation down." Lila hesitated before adding, "She's told her parents and they support it."

"No way," Elise whispered. "The Thomsons?"

Lila nodded. "She hasn't told them, uh, how she met her partner or, y'know, what she does for a living, but they've met. Grace reckons they like how mature and stable she is-"

"Yeah, 'cause she's in her twenties-" Elise's voice was on the verge of becoming a shriek and Lila patted her arm in an attempt to remind her of where they were.

"I know, I know. The fact that Grace's parents support it made me wonder if it really is okay, too. Another reason why I haven't said anything."

Elise gave a hollow laugh. "No wonder you didn't care that Isaac and I were keeping secrets from you. You were keeping the biggest secret imaginable."

Was that the 'biggest'? There were a few that seemed bigger – like the fact that Asher's Mum had disappeared for just over eight months now. Asher still hadn't told Isaac that one as far as Lila knew.

It was at that moment that a voice Lila hadn't been expecting intruded on their conversation.

"What did you do to your boyfriend, Lila?"

Lila spun around, finding Theo holding a bundle of cones. It looked like he'd helped with packing up and was on his way to drop them off in the storage room down the hallway Lila and Elise were guarding.

"What do you mean?" Lila asked, blinking at him. The sudden change in topic was giving her whiplash.

"He smiled at me," Theo replied incredulously. "I mean, before this year, he didn't really smile much at all but then this year all he did was glare at me. Today, though, he smiled. Feels like I should call Triple 0."

Then, he stopped talking, twirling his stack of cones in his hands, his eyes surveying Lila.

"Never mind. I know why. See you around."

"W-What does that mean?" Lila asked his retreating back. He turned around, a lazy grin on his face.

"If Livi was still around, she could hardly tease you two about being virgins, right? Been around the block enough times to figure out when someone looks like they've been dicked down." He looked at Elise, who shuddered. "You too. You Isaac's girl?"

Elise stopped shuddering, her expression nervous.

"Yeah, you are," he said with a nod. "Just so you know, the spot behind the pool is a bit more popular than you think."

Elise turned crimson, gaping as Theo continued on into the hallway, whistling.

"What the hell was that?" Elise asked, her voice a squeak, her face still flushed.

Lila smirked. "Behind the pool, hm? Looks like you've been caught."

Elise placed her face in her hands. "I'm gonna die. Do you think he actually saw us? Oh my God."

"Do you seriously go all-"

"Lila, I will legit die if we talk about this. Like, order me some funeral flowers if you're gonna keep talking."

Lila couldn't help her laughter. "It's not just kissing behind the pool, huh?"

Elise didn't respond, opting instead for another squeak.

Asher and Isaac emerged from the hallway not a moment later, both laden with not only their own bags but also their girlfriends', looking between Lila and Elise.

"You seem happy," Asher smiled at Lila. "What happened?"

"I'm dying," Elise said dramatically.

"That wouldn't make Lila happy," Asher replied, blinking. "Whoa, you're really red."

Lila smirked again, this time at Isaac. "Theo came by. Said that behind the pool is a bit more popular than you think."

"Tell my parents I love them," Isaac said instantly, turning to Asher, his face just as red as Elise's. "I'm gonna go missing, effective immediately."

Instead of looking playful, Asher tensed up. Isaac seemed to notice this, straightening up his posture.

"I'm not actually gonna go missing, dude," Isaac said, his tone concerned.

Asher's eyes met Lila's and she grabbed his hand.

"I know," Asher replied, his tone sombre. He interlocked his fingers with Lila's and squeezed tightly. "Just remembered how much studying I've got to do for exams this week."

"Ugh," Isaac responded, shaking his head. "Exams."

"I think Marlene's here," Asher said, looking down at Lila. He was still tense, so she simply nodded. Lila and Asher promptly said goodbye to Elise and Isaac, who seemed embarrassed once more, and headed up to the carpark without them.

Marlene was indeed waiting, so Lila slid into the back seat, clipping herself in with a "Hello, Marlene". Asher seemed contemplative, his hand still on the open front passenger door.

"Mr Wagner, if you'd like to sit in the back-"

He immediately opened the back passenger door and sat next to Lila. Lila thought she heard a stifled laugh from Marlene, but she hadn't moved to indicate such. Lila placed her hand in Asher's and he held it tightly after he buckled himself in.

The journey to Lila's was silent. Every so often, Lila would see Marlene's eyes in the reflection of the rearview mirror, as if she were checking on what was happening in the back. Not that there was much, but Lila had inched as close to Asher as she could, holding on to his entire arm now. Despite how warm he should've been after practise, he felt cold to the touch. She hoped he wasn't overthinking again, but knowing him, that'd be a bit too wishful.

Once Marlene smoothly rolled up Lila's driveway, Asher was out of the car like a flash, her belongings over his shoulder. Lila bid Marlene goodbye, closing the door with incredible reluctance. Asher's mood hadn't seemed to have improved over the course of the drive and she wished she could go home with him instead.

He wordlessly walked with her to her door and after she reached the doorstep, she turned to him, immediately placing her arms around his neck.

"Are you okay?" she murmured. He nodded.

"Okay is a great word for it, though." He sighed. "When Isaac said that, I… well, I remembered Mum, of course, but I also can't bear for anyone else to disappear – not you, not Isaac, not anyone in my life. I can't handle another. Even Liam, the dickhead." Lila snorted and he gave her a half-hearted smile.

"I'm serious, though," Asher said softly. "Especially when it comes to you. Don't disappear on me, yeah?"

"If I'm disappearing, it's with you," she replied, touching his cheek. "You don't need to worry about that, my love. We've got exams for the rest of the week and then we get to hang out again. Can't disappear with a to-do list like that."

He smiled again, this time with more of his usual brightness. "That's true."

"I love you."

He met her gaze before swallowing. She could tell he was fighting against his emotions – possibly even the desire to ask her to stay with him.

"I love you too, Lila."

They shared a goodbye kiss, one that displayed to Lila just how many emotions were brewing within Asher, before he gave her belongings back to her.

"I'll see you tomorrow," she said, forcing her voice to sound cheery.

"Yeah. See you tomorrow," he replied, brushing her cheeks with his fingertips. He remained there for a few moments longer, his eyes seemingly scanning her every detail, before smiling.

"Goodnight, my love," he said, bringing his hand to where his 'L' lay.

"Goodnight, my love," she repeated, pulling her 'A' out to rest on her uniform. "Get some sleep. You need it for exams. Otherwise, I'll have to rethink my reward for your win on the weekend."

"Please don't," he said, some of his normal playful energy returning. "I'll sleep."

"Promise?"

"Promise."

They shared one last smile. Then, he turned back towards Marlene's car and sat in the front passenger seat. She stayed on her doorstep, watching as Marlene drove away, for a few seconds before heading inside, double-checking she'd locked the front doors properly. She was still worried about Asher but exams were upon them. She'd just need to alleviate his fears on the weekend.