Chapter One Hundred and Seventy-Three

"Hey, Mum and Dad," Lila said tentatively into the living room, which was illuminated only by the TV show they were watching. From Lila's understanding, it was another long-form Filipino drama.

"Yes, Lila?" her Dad replied, seeming almost too eager to tear his eyes away from the TV.

"If… I wanted to stay over at Asher's again-"

This prompted a heavy sigh and the drama to be paused by her Mum.

"How's your exams going?" her Dad asked, giving a cautious glance to Lila's Mum, who looked incredibly unimpressed by this conversation.

"Very good, actually," Lila said with a light, nervous laugh. "I'm surprised by how they're well they're going."

The pause that followed almost made Lila want to turn around, head upstairs and forget about asking to stay over at Asher's.

"Anak, are you using protection?"

"Edith-"

"I didn't ask you, Rob."

This was the worst outcome Lila could think of, aside from a flat-out 'no'. Her hands twisted together, her heart racing as she tried to think about how to respond. She didn't want to admit that she was doing things that required 'protection' with Asher, but lying was a surefire way to be denied seeing Asher. But would a 'yes' also do that?

Lila pursed her lips, painfully aware that each second that passed was confirming it anyway.

"Y-Yes, Mum. Um, you already know I'm on the Pill and we use condoms, too."

This silence was even worse than the previous. Had she really needed to list them out?

"Ew."

Lila blinked, searching for the owner of the voice, since neither of her parents had spoken. It came from the bundle of clothes at the end of the couch – a bundle of clothes which actually clothed Daniel, now that Lila was looking properly.

Lila spun around. "Never mind. I'll just see him at school-"

"You can stay with him," her Mum called, forcing Lila to spin again. Her Mum's lips were puckered ever-so-slightly in a way that indicated she wasn't happy.

"I-It's okay," Lila replied awkwardly. "You… don't seem happy about it."

Lila's Mum shook her head. "Anak, I'm happy that you're happy. I'd rather you weren't doing those things, but what can I do besides trust you both? Just be careful. With your heart, too."

It sure sounded like her Mum didn't fully trust Asher in that respect. Lila reluctantly considered that her Mum might never trust him to not hurt her. She couldn't think of a way that he would, what with how he was with her, but she nodded all the same.

"Okay, Mum. I will."

"How long are you planning to be gone?"

"Um… for as long as you'll let me?"

With the way Lila's Mum wiped her face with her hands, Lila could tell that had been the wrong answer.

"You can go with him after school on Friday, but I expect you to be leaving his at a reasonable time on Sunday," her Mum said reluctantly.

"Thank you, Mum," Lila said genuinely. "Um, see you later. Goodnight, everyone."

Her Mum, Dad and Daniel also wished her goodnight before she stumbled up the stairs, her face burning. Why'd her Mum ask her that with Daniel sitting there?

She wasn't going to ask – she was way too embarrassed for that. So, after a quick text to Asher, letting him know that she was allowed to stay with him for the whole weekend, she started studying for tomorrow's exams.

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Like he had yesterday, Asher took her to her first exam – Maths. Just like English, Maths was separated by class which meant that Asher immediately dashed away after a peck and a 'good luck'. As she watched him go, she wondered if she should tell him that her Mum had confronted her about using protection but conceded that this would be a terrible idea, considering how he was about that kind of thing. Since Lila admitted in a roundabout way that she was indeed intimate with Asher, Daniel hadn't spoken a word to her, instead opting to turn his nose up at her when they passed each other this morning. She reckoned he'd be the same with Asher, which Asher surely wouldn't be pleased about. Perhaps it was better if he didn't know in that case.

She shook her head, heading inside her exam room, her thoughts now swirling with the formulas she needed for Maths.

It felt like it was over in an instant and Lila left the exam room somewhat dazed. It… went well, she thought – like the other exams she'd taken thus far. She tapped her pencil case against her leg, this alien feeling starting to cause her to spiral. Surely she'd missed something? Used the wrong formulas? But she'd tested and retested most of them – especially the tricky ones…

"Everything okay?"

Lila looked up and into Asher's concerned eyes. She smiled.

"Yeah. I just thought it's really weird, how well that went."

"I see," he replied, holding his arm out for her to take. "Let's hope that continues for the rest of the day, then."

"That sounds ominous."

"Sorry."

She laughed, squeezing his arm against her chest. "C'mon, I'm starving."

They arrived at the locker room not too long after, their usual routine firmly in place. As Lila locked her locker, she turned, her ears catching just the tail end of Isaac's complaint to Elise.

"… so I got 30b wrong? Godammit. Reckon I could build a time machine for that before my next exam?"

Elise giggled as the pair carried on to her locker. "How're you going to build a time machine if you can't even get 30b right?"

Elise… right – she hadn't talked about her Mum like she said she would yesterday. Lila surveyed them both as they continued their conversation.

"Fine, do you reckon you could dress up as me for my Advanced Maths exam this arvo?" Isaac asked, his tone cheeky.

"What, so you can definitely fail?"

"Well if you got 30b right, then Advanced Maths will be a breeze."

"I don't think that's how that works, silly."

Isaac grinned at Elise as she rummaged through her locker. "You're so right. I am silly. I don't think I should take any exams, I'm just gonna fail them anyway."

Elise sharply looked at Isaac, lightly tapping him on the head with the back of her spoon. "Don't be that silly. You wanna McWork forever?"

"Not if you leave, Lise."

Elise sighed. "What am I going to do with you?"

"Help me build that time machine."

Elise cracked a smile, which quickly descended into a belly laugh, Isaac joining in.

"Enjoying the spectacle?" Asher asked from beside Lila. She looked up at him and nodded, a smile on her face.

"Every time I see them now, I can't help but feel glad for the fact that they get to be like this," she replied, gesturing at Elise and Isaac, who were still laughing.

"Knuckleheads," he said fondly, folding his arms across his chest as he leaned against the locker beside Lila's.

They remained there in silence, watching as Elise and Isaac continued to joke around on their way towards the exit. Before they could pass Lila and Asher, however, Lila reached out a hand and quickly grabbed Elise's wrist. Elise yelped and Isaac immediately took Lila's hand off Elise before he blinked down at Lila.

"Oh. It's you," he said, taking his hand off Lila's wrist. "What're you grabbing Lise for?"

Asher pulled Lila closer to him as she explained, "I just realised she didn't tell us something yesterday."

"So you had to freak her out?"

"Isaac," Elise said lightly, placing a hand on his chest. "Chill. It's just Lila. We do this all the time. What didn't I tell you?"

"About your Mum."

"Oh." Elise looked up at Isaac who slipped his hand into hers. "Right. Well… it didn't feel like the right time yesterday, what with… what else we talked about."

"I see. But… I'm curious," Lila said quietly. "How is your Mum doing?"

"I guess I can tell Grace some other time," Elise murmured. "Unless she's-"

"Hey, guys," Grace said as she sailed past the four of them, her airy voice quite a contrast to the downturn in Elise's mood. "That Maths exam was a killer, huh?"

"Yeah, I hated that," Elise replied, turning to Grace as she continued to her locker. "Um, Grace?"

"Yeah?" Grace responded as she tossed her things into her locker.

"Are you available for morning tea?"

"Available for morning tea?" Grace slowly closed her locker door, puzzlement across her face. "That's one way to put it."

Elise shrugged. "Well, I just… thought you might not be."

Grace gave Elise a sad look. "I'd love to, but… my partner-"

"All good," Elise said swiftly. "See you later."

"Thanks," Grace smiled, locking her locker. She started speedwalking to the exit, calling behind her, "I'll make it up to you guys next term!"

They watched her leave in silence before Isaac sighed.

"I still can't wrap my head around it," he said, shaking his head.

"It gets easier with time," Asher replied. Then, he shook his head, too. "Can't believe I just said that."

"C'mon," Elise said gently, tugging on Isaac's arm. "Let's get moving to the library. It'll be packed before we know it."

They hurried along to the library, managing to snag the last available meeting room. Elise slid into the seat in front of Lila, chewing her bottom lip. Asher and Isaac took their seats next to their respective girlfriends. Everyone stared down at their food, an uncomfortable feeling of déjà vu weighing on Lila's mind. At the very least, though, they wouldn't be talking about Grace – or so Lila hoped.

Elise sighed, pushing aside the food she'd set in front of her.

"I said yesterday that Mum recently went downhill," Elise murmured, fiddling with her nails. "She… she's been in a lot of pain, but her Doctor had prescribed her some pain medication – um, what did I say?" She looked at Isaac for confirmation and he looked thoughtful.

"I think it was something called morfin?"

Lila stiffened. Did he mean morphine? She didn't dare look at Asher to see his reaction, instead taking great lengths to ensure she kept herself calm – neutral. Morphine was a standard painkiller in hospitals after all, and Elise's Mum's condition sounded awful enough to need it.

"That doesn't sound quite right," Elise frowned.

"Was it morphine?" Asher asked, his tone measured and serious.

"Yeah, that's it," Elise nodded, looking relieved that Asher had the answer. "Anyway, I'm not too sure when it happened but it was pretty soon after camp. Mum just broke down. She said that… well, she's needed so much for months now – more than what most places recommend. It's… why the money's been running out so fast. Half of the hospital visits… were just for more morphine. Each visit, she felt like she needed just a little bit more and she'd be able to get it with the right amount of money. But for some reason, they couldn't give her even a quarter of what she needed anymore."

Elise took a deep breath before continuing. "Dad had no idea. She only really told us because she had a complete meltdown over not having morphine to use. He went with her to try and see her general Doctor, one who helped her deal with general aches and pains so that she didn't need to see the specialist every time, but the one who prescribed her the drugs quit the hospital. Since she couldn't see him, her usual presiding specialist Doctor squeezed her in and…" Elise faltered, her voice shaky. "He's sent her to a, um, specialist for 'detoxification'. The program's… been hell for Mum, to put it lightly. It's kinda lucky that she's been off work on long-term sick leave so that she can dedicate her time to this. At least it's cheaper than buying all that medication all the time, but Mum's just in so much pain."

A tear escaped Elise's left eye which Isaac caught with his hand, wiping it away with a gentleness at odds with his usual goofiness.

"I know the morphine's not good for her, but surely this pain isn't either? The new meds she's taking help only a little – she keeps saying she wished she had the drugs so she could feel almost completely better. It's why she's not taking well to the program, either. I… I'm so worried, but it's also a relief that it's all come to light. I-It's so dangerous…" she trailed off, her eyes misty once more, though no tears fell.

Lila recalled Asher's warning – that opioids could get people killed – and reached out to hold Elise's hands, squeezing them.

"Elise… that's awful," she murmured. Elise's Mum was quite similar to Elise – always eager to talk and full of life – but now… it seemed like she wasn't like that at the moment. "I… I'm glad she's getting help for it now."

"Yeah," Elise replied with a flash of a smile. "I just hope she… that all this…"

And that was it – Elise burst into tears and Isaac immediately pulled her into his arms, his eyes on nothing else besides Elise.

Lila felt absolutely guilty for asking as Elise's sobs grew louder, almost reverberating throughout the small meeting room. She hadn't meant to upset Elise – should she not have asked?

What felt like minutes ticked by. Lila ordinarily would've come to hug Elise and comfort her that way, but it looked like Isaac was not about to budge.

"S-Sorry," Elise's voice quivered as she separated from Isaac's embrace, wiping away her tears.

"Don't be sorry," Lila said, shaking her head for emphasis. "I'd be at a total loss if this was happening to me. I wouldn't nearly be as strong as you, Elise."

"I… I don't feel strong," Elise admitted with a whimper. Isaac pulled her into his arms again as Lila grabbed her hands.

"Elise, you're absolutely strong," Lila said firmly, looking into Elise's watery eyes. "I mean, you've been working so hard for the better part of this year. You've taken care of your parents – yes, I mean your Dad, too. I'm sure your help has helped his stress levels. You've studied your ass off, despite everything, and you've still been our bright, bubbly friend, listened to all my woes, helped where you could, and you haven't been selfish even once. I mean, you suffered in silence when I bugged the hell out of you about dating Isaac."

"That… was because I was too weak to face the idea that you'd hate me," Elise mumbled, wiping a new tear from her face. "That's not strong."

"Sticking to your decision is strong, Elise," Lila replied. "Aside from that, you show up day after day, you're relied on at work and here, at school. It's… horrible, what's happening to your Mum, yet… you're still standing."

"O-Only because of Isaac-"

"Lise, that's definitely not true," Isaac said kindly, squeezing her shoulders. "You'd been dealing with this by yourself far before I showed up to McAnnoy you."

Another smile flashed on Elise's face. "I'm so glad you got into debt."

"Okay, damn," Isaac replied, his tone miffed. "That's a bit rude. Should I do it again?"

Elise chuckled – at first, it was quiet, subdued, but it grew into a hearty one in seconds. After it tapered off, she said, "Definitely not but… I meant… I'm glad that you started working with me. You keep me sane and have done for ages. Suggesting that you work with me was the best thing I've done all year."

"Aw, now you're the sap," Isaac said, his cheeks bright red. "When you put it like that, I'm glad I got into debt, too."

"Don't be too glad," Asher smirked, causing everyone to look at him. "You still owe me."

"Eh, I owe you my whole life at this point," Isaac replied, waving his hand dismissively. "What's a couple thousand dollars?"

"A lot, actually," Elise interjected, her mood brightening with this line of discussion. "I don't think making predictions is your thing."

"Okay, so I made a couple of bad bets-"

"A couple?" Asher and Elise asked in unison. They glanced at each other before laughing.

"Okay, maybe a few-"

"You should've just bet the opposite of your first instinct," Asher teased. "Maybe you'd be rich."

Isaac pouted. "Now you're being mean."

"What'd you even need the money for anyway?" Asher asked, ignoring Isaac's continued pout.

Isaac's pout turned into an exaggerated sigh. "I didn't need the money," he said matter-of-factly. "I didn't spend as much money as I thought I would in Bali and my parents let me keep it, so I decided to chuck a couple bucks into the betting pool. Had a couple wins and… found it fun."

"Fun?" Asher asked incredulously. "How's losing thousands of dollars fun?"

"I didn't lose that much straight away," Isaac frowned. "I made some money, actually."

"Is it making money if you lose more than you had?" Asher questioned.

Isaac's frown deepened. "Righto, just be a dick then."

Asher snorted in response.

Lila smirked as she surveyed a mournful-looking Isaac next to an amused-looking Elise. Elise's shift in mood was certainly welcome and Lila wasn't about to bring it back down, considering how much Elise's face was glowing now.

Lila exchanged a look with Asher and it seemed like an agreement to that effect was made. Elise was the type of person who hated to linger in feelings of hopelessness, after all.

'Besides… she's got Isaac now,' Lila thought as Isaac began advancing on Elise, menacingly shaking her sandwich bag in time to her giggles as he demanded she eat, lest her tummy get sore. 'He's a good listener and if anyone can make her happy again, it's him.'

Not that Lila wouldn't listen as Elise's close friend whenever there was something on her mind – especially something as serious as her Mum's health condition – but… well, there was just some tangible yet undefinable difference in emotional intimacy when Lila talked to Asher about things. A comfort that only he could bring since her love for him ran deep. Even if Elise didn't feel quite so strongly about Isaac, which Lila doubted considering how she looked at him, talking to a partner about something so grave definitely felt supportive in a way Lila would never be able to replicate with Elise.

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

The four friends ate their food, talking now about exams and whatever else came to mind, with each conversation less serious than the last.

Eventually, Elise, calming down from more giggles, said, "Isaac?"

"Yeah?"

"If I turned into a worm, would you still love me?"

He choked for a moment before clearing his throat. "What?"

"If I turned into a worm, would you still love me?"

Lila and Asher exchanged an amused glance. Isaac looked contemplative.

"Did I see you turn into said worm?"

Now Elise looked contemplative. "If I said no, what would you say?"

"I'd say that I'd fling you so fast and hard across the world, you wouldn't have time to open your tiny worm mouth to scream, but that'd be okay 'cause I'd be screaming enough for the both of us. Then, after that, I'd pass out whilst wondering where human-you went. So, I'd still love you, but I wouldn't think you were the worm that just attacked me."

Elise pouted. "Well, that's not the answer I was hoping for."

"The hell are you hoping for? That I'd have a worm fetish?" Isaac shuddered. "No way. They're so… wiggly."

"Newsflash, you're wiggly," Asher snorted. "You hardly sit still."

"Could you imagine if I was holding a worm? Elise or not, the wiggles would send me into the stratosphere."

Elise gave a dramatic sniff. "Alright, what if you saw me turn into the worm?"

"I'd scoop you up into a bag, make you a little worm home and put you on my desk. I'd also try and figure out why you turned into a worm and how to turn you back, but in the meantime, I'd give you updates about everyone and watch you wiggle around in safety, away from my wiggly hands – with love."

"… Marginally better," Elise said begrudgingly, leaning into Isaac. "You'd make my worm home nice, right?"

"Of course," he replied. "I'd have a slip'n'slide in there for all your wormy desires."

"Do worms desire slip'n'slides?" Asher asked.

"Who doesn't?" Isaac replied.

"Probably not worms," Lila interjected.

"Have you interviewed 'em?" Isaac retorted.

"Have you?" Asher's voice was verging on shrill. Elise giggled once more – the sound lighting up Isaac's green eyes.

"Oh, Elise, my non-wormy yet apparently imminently wormy girlfriend, would you, as a worm, enjoy a slip'n'slide?" Isaac asked, his tone one of a dramatic interviewer, his hand brandishing an imaginary microphone at her.

"As a worm?" Elise asked, her eyes sparkling with amusement.

"Of course."

"I think I'd rather you fling me across the world."

Now Isaac pouted. "Well, that's not the answer I was hoping for."

"The hell were you hoping for?" Elise snickered, her voice teasing. "That I'd have a slip'n'slide fetish as a worm?"

"Exactly!"

The group dissolved into laughter, the ridiculousness of these imaginary scenarios becoming too much for Lila to bear. Eventually, they settled down, Asher grinning as he rubbed his stomach.

"I didn't know it was possible for someone to match your energy like this," he said approvingly to Isaac. "Guess it's no surprise you guys started how you did."

Isaac frowned. "I feel like that's an insult, but I'm not sure."

"It's not, dumbass," Asher chuckled. "I'm saying I'm happy for you."

"Okay, well that one's an insult," Isaac responded, his cheeks lightly flushed. He looked rather pleased at Asher's words as he bashfully rubbed the back of his head.

Lila smirked. She hadn't forgotten Isaac's admission of admiration for Asher several months ago. It was no stretch of the imagination to presume that Asher saying something like that would make Isaac feel very happy.

"We should probably get packed up," Elise said, a smirk on her face, too. Had Isaac told her something similar?

Isaac sighed, hanging his head. "My offer to take my Advanced Maths exam still stands, Lise."

"That's not an offer! I don't get anything out of that!"

"You'd get a happy boyfriend?"

Elise's lips turned upwards into a mischievous grin. "I can think of other ways to make you happy that don't involve a half-baked disguise plan so you can escape your exam."

"Wow, look at the time, we should get going to our Language exams, huh," Asher declared loudly, standing up.

Lila followed suit, the implication behind Elise's words making her own mind wander to ways Lila could make Asher happy before she firmly shook her head. Japanese should be on her mind, not… that.

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Lila was able to focus just fine for her exam, leaving her feeling quite confident that her final Japanese exam tomorrow would go excellently.

She bounded over to Asher, who was dutifully standing just outside, and curled her arm around his.

"Seems like your exam went well," he chuckled.

"It did!" she grinned. "What about yours?"

"Sure did. Looks like Elise is here – let's go."

Elise smiled as she joined them both and they all embarked on their journey to the locker room, Elise once again not confident about her exam.

"I'm sure you'll be fine," Lila said comfortingly. "Besides, it's not like Isaac's built that time machine of his. Can't do anything about it now."

"I know, I know," Elise sighed.

"What're your holiday plans?" Lila asked, bumping Elise's hip with hers whilst still holding onto Asher. "Something to look forward to after this exam block is over, I hope?"

"Work," Elise sighed again. Then, she smiled. "Though, at least I get to work with Isaac."

"How romantic," Asher quipped. Before Elise could glare at Asher, Lila gasped in recognition, letting go of Asher's arm and skipping ahead, turning to face both Elise and Asher.

"You're so sly!" Lila announced, pointing dramatically at Elise.

"Huh?" Elise blinked, pointing at her chest. "Me? I mean… I guess I did hide my relationship for, like, ten weeks…"

"No, but yes, but no," Lila said, shaking her head. "You were talking about your flower press a while ago."

"Right…"

"And at that time, you said Isaac didn't like you so there was no way he'd get you flowers, especially since he's allergic too – but I bet you have your bouquet from Isaac pressed and somewhere in your room!" Lila finished her assertion with a sound of satisfaction.

Elise looked embarrassed. "Yeah… I do."

"You're such a sap!"

"I know."

"And what a bald-faced lie!"

"… I know." Elise's guilty expression quickly changed into one of understanding. "You're bringing this up 'cause you wanna borrow my flower press, right?"

"Nah," Lila replied, shaking her head. "I was just reminded 'cause Asher said 'how romantic'. You are such a romantic, Elise."

Elise raised her eyebrow at Asher. "I would've expected flowers to be coming out of her ears, Asher – to the point where Lila would have to borrow my flower press. Haven't you given her any since your one-month anniversary?"

Lila quickly masked her panic. She'd lied to Elise about getting flowers from Asher, since she didn't want to tell her about getting personalised lockpicks – which, coincidentally, were sitting just in her blazer's breast pocket. Asher's eyes met Lila's and he turned to Elise.

"I haven't, actually," he said.

Elise gave him a disappointed look. "I can't believe you got your ex flowers and have been lax with giving Lila flowers-"

"How do you know I gave my ex flowers?" Asher looked disturbed as he stopped in his tracks, waiting for Elise's answer. It was something that Asher had never told Lila, since he'd have no reason to, and it seemed like he was incredibly aware of this as his impatience grew.

"Oops," Elise whispered, placing her hands over her mouth.

"That's not an answer," Asher replied sharply. Lila stepped forward, taking Asher's hand in hers.

"Don't worry about it," Lila said, the memory of how long she'd stayed up to wait for Grace to give her intel on Asher's Valentine's Day date with Holly causing her cheeks to flush. "I'm starving-"

"Lila-"

"Isaac double booked for your Valentine's Day date," Elise said abruptly, forcing Asher into silence. "At first, he kinda asked Lila to go with him to see how your date would go with Holly but Lila turned him down real quick. Grace had been struggling to book something, though, and…" Elise's face suddenly turned white. "Hang on, do you remember what she said, Lila?"

Lila felt an icy rush shoot through her. She was confident that she knew exactly what Elise was referring to. "Yeah. 'Do you think it would be weird for a teenager to be there? Without parents?'"

"It stared us right in the face, way back then," Elise murmured, bringing her arms around her torso. "'A teenager' – not 'teenagers'. Oh my God."

"I never picked up on it," Lila said softly. "Maybe… if I had, since their relationship was so new-"

"Nope, not thinking about it anymore," Elise said firmly. "Neither should you. It's done. Anyway, back to the flowers. Grace had trouble finding a spot and Lila said so to Isaac, who switched the booking over to Grace. Grace let us know what happened – that you gave, or tried to give, your ex flowers and chocolates but she stormed out."

Asher rolled his eyes. "'Cause she thought I was cheating on her with Lila. Actually, she would've been pregnant then. Can't believe I had to beg her to believe me when she'd been cheating on me with so many other guys by that point." He looked over at Lila, tightening his hold on her hand. "Do you want flowers?"

Elise lightly hit him on the shoulder. "You don't just ask that. Just get 'em."

"But what if Lila doesn't want any?"

"Of course she does. Girls love flowers."

"I'm right here, you know," Lila frowned. "Asking is fine."

"So, what's the answer, then? Yes?" Elise asked keenly.

"I… haven't thought about it," Lila replied sheepishly.

"Just get her them," Elise said instantly, shaking her head. "She'll love them. She must've when you got them for her on your anniversary."

Asher glanced down at Lila once more and she returned his gaze, feeling warmth flood her cheeks. Would she like flowers? She'd… never been given any before.

He smiled. "Maybe you should lend Lila that flower press of yours, Elise."

"Done deal," Elise nodded, her satisfaction with this suggestion apparent.

"I-I mean, I don't need flowers," Lila said, looking between them both. "So I don't need a flower press, either-"

"No one ever needs flowers," Elise replied haughtily. "But they're so romantic, don't you think?"

"I-I guess…"

"Look, if you don't like them, tell Asher, but in my headcanon, he's giving you flowers all the time and you're delighted. Don't tell me otherwise, okay?"

Lila sighed. "Why, though?"

"Why? Did you forget that I shipped you two for ages? Of course I'd love to think that you guys are being all romantic all the time. Especially since you're a romantic, too."

Was she? Lila hadn't thought about that but… perhaps she was.

She looked up at Asher, his golden-brown gaze making her feel weak with its intensity, the search for her opinion on flowers driving up its usual magnetic nature.

No – scratch that, she definitely was.

"Oh, God, get a room," Elise giggled, pushing Lila closer to Asher. "C'mon, Isaac'll be waiting."

"Would you count behind the pool as a room?" Lila asked cheekily, the mischief knocking her senses back into place.

"Shut up."

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Now that Asher and Lila were finally alone again, sitting in one of the smallest meeting rooms inside the library, lunches ready to be pried open, there was much to talk about.

Except… Asher had brought his Advanced Maths notes. Her Bio exam was next, so she reluctantly decided against talking to Asher. With Isaac's strong reluctance to do Advanced Maths, even though it was demonstrated through jokes, Lila could tell that Asher needed to get serious for that one.

"Sorry," he murmured once lunch was half-over, his Tupperware long empty. "I need to go through my notes. Doing Advanced Maths after Maths can sometimes mix me up, but they never put them on different days." He gave a long, low sigh before closing his notebook and looking into her eyes.

"My love, would you actually like flowers?"

Her heart skipped a beat, her hands suddenly shaky. Why? It was an innocent question. Except… while she was perfectly happy and willing to ask for intimacy, requesting a gift of any kind felt more vulnerable somehow. Rude, perhaps.

"I-I… don't know. I've never been given flowers."

Asher inhaled sharply, hanging his head for just a moment. "Looks like I've been failing you as a boyfriend, then."

"I don't need-"

"I know you don't, but… I'd like you to take home some flowers as a reminder."

"Reminder?"

"Of… me, of course."

"I told you I'd never forget you."

"I know, I know. But flowers are nice to look at, too, right? I'd… be happy to decorate your room in them if you'd like me to. Plus…" he sighed, shaking his head. "I can't get behind the idea that I'd get them for my ex and not for you. You deserve them. She didn't. Yet I've done it backwards."

Asher's expression was incredibly guilty and she smiled, taking his hand in hers.

"I'm happy for you to take another first, my love," she said quietly. "Flowers do sound nice."

He looked genuinely relieved as he sat back, intertwining his fingers with hers.

"I hadn't realised how much I've been slacking in the gift department until Elise brought up flowers," he said, his tone tinged with regret. "Sorry."

"Asher, I don't need gifts."

"I know – but I… I'd like to show you that I love you with something tangible."

Lila touched the 'A' on her chest. "You have, though."

"Are you saying I shouldn't give you more?" His voice had an edge of sadness that Lila hastened to erase.

"No, no, not at all. Just saying that you shouldn't feel obligated to, or like you have to. If you want to… then I'll happily receive whatever you want to give me."

His bright smile and gleeful 'yes' made Lila feel as though she'd melt into a puddle. He was really sweet.

Asher's eyes then flickered to his notebook and he sighed again, his good mood vanishing in an instant.

"Sorry, my love, but I should get back to these notes."

Lila shook her head. "You're fine. As long as I get to look at you."

His cheeks flushed as he opened it, his mouth pressed together as though he was fighting back from saying something.

"What's up?" Lila said lightly, unwrapping her last lunch item – a chocolate cupcake. She raised it to her mouth but waited for his response before eating it.

"Just… liking the fact that you like looking at me," he murmured, his blush deepening in colour.

She smiled, lowering her cupcake. "I've told you before."

"I know but your eyes get all… sparkly when you say it."

"Sparkly?" Lila laughed in surprise. "Do they?"

He nodded, his eyes trained on his open notebook. "I know it's not a lie when you say it – but the fact that it's not still blows my mind."

She set her cupcake down entirely and made her way over to him, running her fingers through his hair. He looked up at her and she took the opportunity to kiss him, losing her breath as soon as their lips connected. Her stomach swooped as he stood, pulling her close.

"You're tempting me, my love," he whispered in her ear before bringing his lips lower, grazing her neck.

"Says you," she breathed, goosebumps responding instantaneously to his touch across her skin. "You've still got condoms in your blazer?"

His breath hitched, his hands drifting to her waist. "Of course."

She smiled. "Good to know."

His hold on her tightened, drawing his lips closer to her neck once again before he stopped.

"Fuck," he muttered, pulling back and instead bringing a hand to cup her face. "I'm gonna lose my head over here."

"I can give it back," she grinned, her hands drifting down his blazer.

He groaned, shaking his head. "You're killing me, Lila."

"That's the opposite of what I want," she replied, drinking in the lust in his eyes. He hesitated – a hesitation that told her that he was running through many opposing thoughts – before kissing her lips softly.

"I love you," he said gently, caressing her cheek. "You get more irresistible every day, but… this exam's going to be a bit of a bitch."

"It's okay," she said, stepping back from him. "I just wanted to try my luck."

"It was a coin toss," he said, his expression full of regret for this outcome. "You were right on Monday, though. We shouldn't – at least, not here."

She took his hand in hers for a moment before sitting back down in her seat.

"Like I said, it's okay," she said, picking up her cupcake. "I'm going over to yours tomorrow anyway."

He loosened his tie, lightly touching the edge of his notebook. "Yeah. I can't wait."

"You're gonna have to. Not for long, though."

"Not for long."

They exchanged a smile before Lila nodded, gesturing at his notebook.

"Go on. I'd love to see you get good marks on that one."

He met her gaze before looking down at his notebook. "I'll make sure to do well, then."

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

Lila looked around as she organised her desk for her Bio exam. Cecelia was definitely not in the room, considering the fact that every available spot was filled.

'Can't believe I never noticed,' Lila thought as she glanced at Lucas, who was mumbling to himself, his face showing that he was deeply concentrating. She briefly wondered how bad Cecelia's dyslexia was, but decided she wouldn't ask. That was a bit too intrusive.

So, she started going through what she could recall from her Bio study sessions in anticipation of her exam. It didn't take long for the exam papers to be passed around and she pushed any other thoughts out of her mind.

Once it was over, she stretched, a smile on her face. That went well.

"Lila, what'd you choose for 43?" Lucas asked, his expression desperate as he slipped his bag onto his shoulder.

"That was the first multiple choice one, yeah?"

"Yeah."

"B, I'm pretty sure."

"Damn," Lucas sighed, "I put D."

"D?" Lila looked at him incredulously. "That's completely wrong."

"I did that thing that I do where I pick the right answer first, overthink, then change my answer," he bemoaned as they exited the classroom. "I knew I should've kept it as B."

"Ah," Lila nodded sympathetically. "I normally do that, too but… I haven't felt the urge this term, actually. For any of my exams."

"Lucky. I should just ignore it next time," Lucas sighed again. "Anyway, I'm gonna find Cee. See you next week."

Lila waved goodbye, watching as Lucas dashed off in the direction of the library. Was that where the exams were held for students with extra needs?

Asher made his way next to Lila, taking her hand in his whilst looking in the same direction as she was.

"What's up?" he asked. She looked up at him and shook her head.

"Just thinking about the fact that I'm an idiot for not noticing that Cecelia hasn't taken any of our Bio exams in the same room as me."

"Ah," Asher laughed. "You're not an idiot. You were too busy focusing on the exams to notice."

"You say that, but Lucas and I were just talking about the exam just now. Surely I would've wanted to talk to Cecelia about them."

He shrugged. "Sometimes people just want to get the hell outta the exam room once it's done. Don't beat yourself up for not noticing, my love. C'mon, let's get you on that bus home so we can do it all again tomorrow."

"You sound like you're not keen," she said, falling into step with him towards the locker room.

"These back to back exams just wear me out. I'm pretty glad that my study block is tomorrow morning, though."

Lila sighed, swinging his arm gently. "Mine's after all the exams are over. What's the point in that?"

"The point is that you drew the short straw."

Lila wrinkled her nose. "That sucks."

He laughed. "It's just how it goes sometimes. They reserve the last exam block for all those clashing exams so be glad none of yours clashed."

"Which clashed for you?"

"Chem and Physics."

"That seems silly. Surely heaps of people take both?"

He shrugged. "Probably, but it seems like they weren't able to make everything fit smoothly."

Lila shivered. "I'd hate to be the person tasked to create all the exam timetables."

"I reckon they plug it into some AI software but it'd still be impossible with all the different classes this school offers."

"Probably," Lila conceded. There was a moment of silence before she asked, "How was Advanced Maths?"

"Not as bad as I'd been thinking. I could see Isaac losing his mind ahead of me, though."

"Sure that was Isaac and not Elise disguised as Isaac?"

Asher snorted. "Dead sure. I don't think she helped him with that time machine, either."

It was Lila's turn to snort. Then, she said in a thoughtful tone, "You know, I don't think I've ever thought of Isaac as especially 'smart', if that makes sense."

Asher pursed his lips. "He isn't dumb by any means. His biggest strengths do lie elsewhere, though. You can tell through his wisecracking."

Lila thought that Isaac's comments were mostly goofy, but sometimes there was a sharp wittiness behind them that could only come from intelligence. "I guess so."

"Plus, his perceptiveness is something else. I'd kinda thought he'd be a psychologist rather than an engineer."

"Huh," Lila uttered, tilting her head in contemplation. Clare was studying psychology, but Lila still didn't really know what psychologists did aside from talk to people about their problems.

"He's very capable to do both, of course," Asher added.

"Now that you've said it, I reckon so too," Lila replied.

Asher looked down at her with a small smile. "Sometimes, I get a bit insecure about the fact that Isaac's gunning for a career in engineering and I'm still floating, trying to get the best grades possible to live up to my parents' expectations and also to keep my options open."

"I don't think that's anything to be insecure about," Lila said earnestly. "I mean, I still don't know what I want to do."

"It really feels like I should know, though. Like, what am I working so hard for?"

"People stumble into careers all the time. I mean, look at Clare. She loves the hell out of her job but she only started 'cause things were going downhill at the time. I wouldn't say it was entirely a whim that she applied, but it kinda was. Then, there's Daniel and his business, too. That was just 'cause he saw an opportunity and now he's gotten really good at managing something like that, so I reckon he'll do something similar after he graduates." Lila paused, a brilliant idea in her mind. "Should I ask my Dad if you can intern with me over the summer holidays?"

A glimmer of interest passed through his eyes, despite his next words. "It's okay. He's doing you a favour. It'd be a bit rude to impose myself."

"I'll ask."

"No, don't worry about it. I mean, if he says no, it'll be really awkward when I see him again."

Lila paused. It'd be awkward anyway, considering her conversation with her parents last night. Should she tell him?

"What's with that expression?" Asher asked curiously.

She hesitated. "I-I'll ask. It'll be fine. If he says no, then he says no."

He shook his head. "Nah – I'll be fine. You can tell me how it goes and I'll see if I get inspired. Like I said, I don't want it to be awkward at yours."

Lila gave a nervous laugh. "Yeah."

He blinked at her, slowing his walk to a halt. "What's wrong?"

She sighed. Keeping things from Asher – well, she didn't want to do that anymore if she could help it. Especially if it was relevant to their relationship.

"Last night… when I asked if I could stay over at yours," Lila said tentatively, looking down at the path leading to the locker room, "um, it was in the living room with Mum and Dad and Daniel. I didn't see Daniel at the time and instead of saying yes or no, Mum asked… if we use protection."

"O-Oh."

She didn't want to look at his expression as she powered on. "Dad tried to, I guess, tell her off for asking but she stayed firm. So I thought about whether I should be honest or… pretend we're not doing that kind of thing. But the longer I thought about it, the more obvious it was that we are so I told her, y'know, that I'm on the Pill and we use condoms. Daniel said 'ew' and that was when I realised he was there so I tried to leave but Mum said I could stay with you."

"So… you're saying that it'll be awkward next time I'm over anyway," Asher said quietly. She couldn't help herself – she looked up at him. His face was anxious as he chewed his bottom lip. He turned his head to the sky, taking a deep breath before shaking his head.

"If… it's going to be awkward anyway and you want to, you can ask your Dad if he'd like to take me on as an intern as well," he finally said. "I can't deny that I'm interested to see what being an actual PI is like after all the stuff we've been up to."

"Okay," Lila replied. She cleared her throat and asked, "Um, are you… mad?"

"Mad?"

He didn't look mad in the slightest, but after what they'd talked about just the other day, she couldn't help but worry. She nodded.

"No, my love. I'm not mad. I can see how you were trapped into answering. I mean, if you lied, that'd be worse. I just… wasn't anticipating having to sit with the idea that your parents know anytime soon – especially before I saw them again after the long weekend."

"I've been told a couple times from a whole bunch of people at school that we're obvious."

He glanced at her. "At this point, I have to accept it, right? That people are catching on."

"I… guess."

A humourless smile lifted the corners of his mouth. "Kinda glad Mum isn't around in that case. Out of everyone… I think if she knew, I'd just immediately pass away."

"What about if your Dad knows?"

Asher shook his head. "I'd just pass out, rather than away. He gave me 'the talk', remember? Even though I don't want him to know, he's at least… acknowledged it as a possibility. Mum though? Nuh uh. Way too embarrassing. No way do I want her to know – I mean, she'll tease me forever about it."

Lila gave Asher a puzzled look. "Tease you? That's not what I was expecting."

Asher exhaled deeply. "I told you a while ago that she's lively, right? That my Dad was kinda… trying to emulate her on our Vanuatu trip since she wasn't there. She takes every moment she can to tease me. It's endearing in its own way, albeit a little annoying, but man I do not want her to embarrass me about this. I'll never hear the end of it. She'll probably buy a million condoms and shove them in every available space in my rumpus room." He shuddered. "The idea of using condoms my Mum bought me, even by accident, just- ahhh."

Lila had never seen Asher in such a state. He was gripping his hair, his face entirely red, his 'ahhh' more a whisper-scream than speech. She was well aware that he was mortified about the adults in their lives knowing – but not like this. Just what kind of woman was his Mum?

She lightly touched his arm. "Alright, alright. I won't ever say a word to your Mum about it."

He clasped her hands in his. "Thank you," he said breathlessly.

Of course, Lila wasn't convinced she'd ever have the opportunity to anyway. It was the 7th of September today, and she'd disappeared on the 28th of December last year. Tabitha… was likely long gone.

'No, no,' Lila thought as they continued on towards the locker room, the door just within reach. 'Remain optimistic. For Asher's sake. He still talks about her like she's alive.'

But… was being realistic kinder?

Asher pecked her on the cheek once they entered and headed off to his aisle, an air of embarrassment still surrounding his posture.

As Lila rummaged through her locker, packing her Modern History and Japanese materials for her study session tonight, she decided to give it a year. One calendar year from the day Tabitha went missing before she could start gently suggesting to Asher that she was dead. Lila had in the past mentioned it, and so had Asher, but it was quickly overrun by an optimistic perspective. Asher was smart – he'd probably come to terms with it by the time a year passed.

Hopefully.

He quickly met back up with her once more and they strolled towards the bus station. She considered bringing up what Elise had said about her Mum since there was something about it that niggled at her but since they were roaming around campus, she decided to park it for later.

Eventually, after some jokes and light conversation, they slowed their pace to a stop outside her bus stop. Lila took a moment to survey the teacher on hat duty and, once satisfied they weren't looking this way, stretched up on her toes to give Asher a tender kiss.

He smiled against her lips but parted shortly after.

"I love you," he said quietly.

"I love you too," she replied just as quietly. "Is there anything I need to bring for tomorrow?"

Asher shook his head, smiling again. "Just yourself. Maybe a board game or two."

"That's right," Lila grinned. "Hope you're ready to get thrashed at Jenga again."

"Me? Thrashed at Jenga? I recall thrashing you at Jenga."

"Nope. Seems like your memory's terrible."

They playfully continued to banter about who won Jenga overall until her bus arrived. They said their goodbyes and Lila stepped onto the bus, glad that she wouldn't be getting on it tomorrow afternoon.