Chapter 64
Lily
Lily and Gabriel walked side by side, the air crisp and fresh against their skin as they made their way up the narrow path that wound toward the cliff's edge. The quiet of the afternoon seemed to stretch around them, broken only by the occasional rustle of leaves in the breeze. Lily's sneakers crunched softly on the gravel as she followed Gabriel, her thoughts distracted by the beauty of the landscape unfolding before her.
As they crested the top of the path, the view took her breath away. The cliff dropped sharply below, offering a panoramic view of the beach far beneath them, where the waves crashed rhythmically against the rocks. The water was an endless stretch of turquoise, sparkling under the golden light of the setting sun. The horizon seemed to melt into the sky, creating a vast expanse of blue that stretched as far as the eye could see.
Lily stood for a moment, her eyes wide, taking in the magnificence of the view. She hadn't expected something like this to exist so close to campus.
"Wow," she breathed, stepping closer to the edge of the cliff to get a better look at the waves below. "This is... unbelievable."
Gabriel, standing beside her, watched her reaction with a soft smile. "I'm surprised you haven't seen Heaven's Gates yet," he said, his voice low but laced with a hint of amusement. "That's what they call this spot."
"Heaven's Gates?" Lily repeated, glancing at him with a raised eyebrow. "I can see why."
Gabriel chuckled, a quiet sound that seemed to blend with the natural beauty around them. "Yeah, it's pretty nice up here. People come for the view... and the peace." He sat down on a large, smooth rock nearby, patting the spot next to him. "Sit. You have to see it from here."
Lily hesitated for a moment, then followed him, sitting down next to him. She leaned back slightly, her gaze moving over the vast expanse of the ocean. The wind tugged at her hair, and the faint scent of saltwater filled the air.
After a moment of silence, Gabriel's voice broke through again. "My dad proposed to my mom here," he said quietly, his eyes focused on the horizon.
Lily turned her head to look at him, surprised by the unexpected tenderness in his voice. "Really?" she asked softly. "On this very spot?"
Gabriel nodded, his expression softening.
Lily peered at him before bursting into sudden laughter.
"Oh my god!" She pushed herself up from the rock. "Was that your move? Did you think you were going to bring me here, tell me about the special place where mom and dad got engaged and I would fall for you?"
Gabriel's eyes widened for a moment, then a slow grin spread across his face. He leaned back on his hands, his voice light but with that familiar playfulness. "Did it not work?"
Lily, still standing, crossed her arms, and shook her head. "You think I'm that easy?" she shot back.
"Not easy, no," Gabriel said, sitting up straighter and raising an eyebrow. "But you've got to admit, a beautiful view, a story about my parents, it's a pretty solid setup for romance."
Lily scoffed, hands on her hips. "What's next? You're going to serenade me with 'Your Song' by Elton John?"
Gabriel burst out laughing, shaking his head. "That might be a bit much. Maybe if we were on a boat." He paused, his eyes flickering with amusement. "But seriously, I'm not trying to flirt with you."
Lily raised an eyebrow, unconvinced.
"Sure you're not," she said, voice dripping with sarcasm.
"I'm serious," Gabriel said.
Lily pressed her lips into a thin line and waited with her hands on her hips. Gabriel stared at her before sighing dramatically and leaning back again.
"Okay, fine," he chuckled. "I did think about it. But here's the thingâ"
Lily arched her brow.
"I'm not going to make a move on you again, angel," Gabriel smiled. "You have a boyfriend now."
"You don't seem like the type of guy to let that stop you."
"Ouch," Gabriel scowled. "That's offensive."
"To who?"
"Hey, hey," Gabriel laughed. "I have morals."
"You showed up to my first date with Jake!"
"That was a date?" Gabriel mocked. "Who goes to the movie on a first date? How do you get to know one another?"
"What's your idea of a first date?" Lily questioned before pausing. "Don't tell me. I actually don't want to know."
"Stop being dramatic and sit down before the wind blows you away," Gabriel rolled his eyes. "You can relax. I'm not trying to make a move on your or flirt with you, although you make it incredibly easy to."
Lily narrowed her eyes. "You just said you're not trying to flirt with me, and then you follow it up with that. Do you even hear yourself?"
Gabriel leaned back on his hands, a smug grin tugging at his lips. "What can I say? It's a talent. With you, it's like second nature."
"Wow," Lily said dryly, shaking her head. "I'm flattered. Truly."
"Don't mention it," Gabriel replied with mock seriousness, then gestured to the rock beside him. "Now sit before you start blaming me for getting sand in your shoes or something."
"I'm wearing sneakers," Lily pointed out, but she sighed and sat down anyway, making sure to leave a deliberate gap between them.
Gabriel glanced at the space and smirked. "What's this? A safety zone? Afraid my 'natural charm' might pull you in?"
Lily gave him a flat look. "It's more of a buffer to stop me from accidentally pushing you off this cliff."
"You really know how to wound a guy."
She shrugged, unbothered. "Just being honest."
"Well, honesty suits you," Gabriel said lightly, his teasing tone softening. "Even if you do wield it like a weapon."
Lily raised an eyebrow, surprised by the shift. "Was that... a compliment?"
"Don't get used to it," Gabriel said quickly, but the corner of his mouth twitched upward. "Besides, you give as good as you get. I like that."
"You like getting roasted?" Lily asked, her tone skeptical.
"It keeps things interesting." Gabriel leaned back, gazing out at the horizon. "And if it makes you laugh, then I'll take it."
"See! Right there!" Lily pointed to Gabriel's face. "You're flirting again!"
Gabriel's eyebrows shot up, and he let out a short laugh. "That's not flirting! That's just me being... nice."
"Nice?" Lily repeated. "I've seen people be nice without flirting."
Gabriel held up his hands in mock surrender. "Okay, fine. Maybe it was a little flirty. But it's not on purposeâI told you, it just happens around you."
"You can't just 'accidentally' flirt, Gabriel," Lily shook her head. "That's not a thing."
"Sure it is," Gabriel said casually, leaning forward with his elbows resting on his knees. "It's like breathing. You don't think about it, you just do it."
Lily glared at him, but there was a faint smirk tugging at the corner of her mouth. "You are one hell of a guy, you know that?"
"Thanks," Gabriel smiled.
"No, seriously," Lily said. "I think you need professional help or something. You might have a personality disorder. Ever heard of schizophrenia? You know, Ted Bundy was charming too."
"Aw, you think I'm charming?" Gabriel grinned.
"Shut up," Lily rolled her eyes.
"Listen to your own advice and just enjoy the view," Gabriel laughed.
"You're lucky the view is nice, or I'd be gone by now."
Gabriel grinned, gesturing toward the ocean. "See? Even the universe wants you to stay here with me."
Lily rolled her eyes so hard she thought they might get stuck. "Wow, the universe? That's a bold claim, even for you."
"What can I say?" He shrugged with a cocky grin. "The universe and I have a great relationship."
"Right," Lily deadpanned. "That explains so much."
Gabriel leaned closer, lowering his voice with a conspiratorial tone. "If I'm being honest, though, I think the universe likes you better."
Lily froze for half a second, before quickly recovering and narrowing her eyes. "There it is again! Flirting!"
Gabriel threw his head back and laughed, the sound rich and unguarded. "Alright, alright. I'll stop. But hey, I wasn't lyingâit is fun with you."
Lily scooted farther away with a lock of disgust on her face. He actions only made Gabriel laugh harder as he hooked his finger around the belt loop of her shorts and pulled her closer before she fell off the boulder they sat on.
"You want another trip to the hospital?" Gabriel asked.
"No," Lily frowned.
"Then sit properly."
Lily muttered something under her breath but adjusted her position, sitting upright on the boulder with her legs tucked to the side. She cast Gabriel a sideways glance. "Don't tell me what to do."
"I earned the rights, sweetheart," Gabriel grinned, "Kinda saved you life, didn't I?"
Lily looked up to the skies, "God? Is this what you kept me alive for?"
Gabriel laughed quietly to himself once again. He shook his head as he stretched out his legs and pushed his hands into his pockets.
After a few seconds, the two of them turned their gazes to the horizon. The vast ocean stretched endlessly before them, the water shimmering under the golden rays of the setting sun. Seagulls wheeled overhead, their calls blending with the soothing crash of waves below. The wind carried a mix of salt and earth, ruffling their hair and clothes in gentle bursts.
For a while, neither spoke. Lily's arms wrapped around her knees as she let her thoughts drift, the horizon blurring into shades of amber and blue. Gabriel sat with his hands braced behind him, leaning back to soak in the view, his face softened by the glow of the fading sunlight.
"So..." Gabriel broke the silence as the sky began to change color, his voice quieter than usual. "How've you been?"
Lily blinked, pulled from her thoughts. She glanced at him, her brows furrowing slightly. "Since the last time you saw me? Which was when.....oh, yeah. Yesterday."
"I mean, are you okay?" Gabriel's eyes flicked to her, his expression uncharacteristically serious. "After, you know... the seizure. Did you tell your parents?"
"Why are you asking?" Lily sighed and placed her chin on her knees.
"Because I care," Gabriel said simply, shrugging as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. "You scared the crap out of me."
She glanced down at her hands, fidgeting with her shoe string. "It wasn't that big of a deal."
"Lily," Gabriel said firmly, his gaze unwavering. "It was a big deal. Don't brush it off like that."
"I'm fine," Lily let out a deep sigh and sat up. "I told my parents and they're on their way to come see me."
"That's good."
"Yeah," Lily nodded. She hesitated for a moment, tracing patterns on the boulder with her finger before finally speaking. "Thanks, by the way. For getting me to the hospital."
Gabriel tilted his head, a small, almost self-conscious smile tugging at his lips. "It wasn't a big deal."
"It was to me," Lily said, her voice quiet but earnest. "I appreciate it."
Gabriel shrugged, leaning back on his hands again. "You don't have to thank me, angel. Anyone would've done the same."
Lily smiled and looked over at the setting sun once more. The silence returned, and they let it stretch between them for a moment.
After a while, Gabriel spoke again, his tone lighter. "Lily?"
"Hm?"
"Do you think we can be friends?" Gabriel looked toward her.
Lily let out a short laugh, shaking her head. "That's not a good idea."
Gabriel frowned, his brows knitting together. "Why not? I'm not that bad."
"It's not that," Lily said quickly, meeting his gaze before glancing away. "It's just... it's weird. I mean, I used to have a crush on you."
Gabriel's expression shifted, mock surprise flashing across his face. "You had a crush on me?"
"Don't act so shocked," Lily rolled her eyes, her cheeks warming. "You're not exactly hard to like from afar....like before anyone speaks to you and finds out what a jerk you are."
Gabriel grinned, the cocky edge returning. "Well, I'm flattered."
"Don't be," she shot back, though her lips quirked into a reluctant smile. "It's ancient history."
"Still, I feel like I'm learning so much about you today," Gabriel teased, but his tone was softer, less mocking.
Lily ignored his comment, her smile fading. "And besides, your sister would hate it."
Gabriel rolled his eyes before his shoulders slumped slightly, and he looked back out at the horizon, the teasing glint in his eyes dimming.
"Yeah, you're right," he said after a moment, his voice quieter.
"It's nothing personal," Lily added, her tone softening. "I just think it's better this way."
Gabriel nodded.
"Fair enough," he said finally, his voice steady but lacking its usual spark. "I'm sure Jake won't like it either."
Lily didn't respond right away, her gaze fixed on the ocean as the sun dipped lower.
"Why do you want to be my friend, anyways?" She asked after a while.
Gabriel turned to her, his brows slightly furrowed as if he hadn't expected the question.
"Why not?" he countered, his tone light but carrying a thread of sincerity. "You're... interesting. And fun to talk to. Plus, I feel like there's more to you than you let people see."
Lily blinked, caught off guard by his answer. "More to me?" she repeated, her tone skeptical. "I'm pretty straightforward, Gabriel."
"Yeah, I don't know what I'm talking about," Gabriel laughed. "That line usually works on girls. Makes them feel like they're different from all the other ones."
"WOW," Lily laughed. "You are......I'm speechless."
Gabriel grinned, leaning back on his hands. "Girls eat that shit up."
"That's not very nice," Lily said, shaking her head. "You shouldn't play with people's emotions."
"It works sometimes," Gabriel admitted with a shameless shrug. "But you're tougher than most. Harder to impress."
"How so?" Lily glanced at him, raising an eyebrow.
"You've got this way of calling me out on my crap, but you're not mean about it. It's... refreshing." Gabriel said, his tone sincere now.
"Oh," Lily tucked her hair back and batted her lashes. "Stop. You mean I'm special and so different from all the other girls? You can be yourself around me and I make you laugh with how quirky and different I am?"
Gabriel stared at her in confusion, "Yeah....?"
"What a load of bull crap!" Lily hollered. "Don't ever say that to me or to any girl, Gabriel Ryes!"
"What do you mean?" Gabriel laughed.
"I mean that it's so cheesy and tacky," Lily shook her head. "You can walk into any lecture hall in school and find fifty other girls exactly like me, okay? I am the girl who will buy new water bottles just because its the one everyone is using. I will try the viral skincare hack and buy whatever they're selling me on an app."
Gabriel stared at her, stunned into silence for a moment, before a slow grin spread across his face. "So, you're saying you're basic?"
Lily narrowed her eyes at him, though a smile tugged at the corners of her mouth. "Yes, Gabriel, I'm basic. And guess what? So is every other girl you're trying to woo with that tired 'you're not like the others' line."
He threw his head back and laughed, the sound loud and unguarded. "I can't believe you just owned that."
"Why wouldn't I?" Lily challenged, her tone light but firm. "There's no shame in liking what I like. If I want to get pumpkin spice lattes and wear oversized sweaters in the fall, I will. And I'll post about it too."
Gabriel leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees as he regarded her with amused eyes. "You're really passionate about this, huh?"
"Damn right I am," she shot back. "Girls don't need to hear that they're different to feel special. We're all dealing with the same stuff, trying to figure things out. So, stop acting like pointing that out is some magical compliment."
Gabriel raised his hands in mock surrender, his grin widening. "Okay, okay. I get it. No more cheesy lines."
"Good," Lily said with a satisfied nod. "It's lazy and honestly pretty insulting."
He watched her for a moment, the smile softening on his face. "You really are fun to talk to, though."
Lily rolled her eyes but couldn't help the small smile that crept onto her lips. "You're impossible."
"And you're brutally honest," Gabriel quipped. "I think we're even."
Lily shook her head, letting out a quiet laugh. "You're lucky I'm in a forgiving mood."
_____________________
Wendy and Mason
The drive back from Jade and Tony's house was steeped in a heavy, contemplative silence, the kind that felt thick in the air. The soft hum of Mason's voice filled the gaps, a low melody as he sang along to the smooth rhythm of the music on the car speakers. The night stretched out endlessly, the headlights carving a narrow path through the darkness. Tall trees loomed on either side of the road, their silhouettes flickering across the windows like quiet, restless shadows.
Wendy sat in the passenger seat, her arms wrapped around herself as she gazed out into the void of the night. Her mind churned, tangled in thoughts that she couldn't quite untangle, and the quietness only made it worse.
Mason's finger nudged her cheek, pulling her from her thoughts. "A penny for your thoughts?" he teased, a mischievous glint in his eyes.
Wendy swatted his hand away, scowling.
"What's wrong? What's on your mind, buttercup?" Mason asked, his voice light, but there was a curiosity in his tone.
Wendy sighed deeply, her fingers gripping the edge of her seat. "Phil had a wife," she said quietly, her voice distant.
Mason raised an eyebrow. "Uh, yeah... Why?" His gaze flicked toward her briefly, his eyes still scanning the road.
Wendy shook her head slowly, her voice thick with a trace of sadness. "That's just... so sad. I mean, his poor wife. Her husband dies, and then she has to live with the knowledge that his heart is inside another man. And now, that man's off loving another woman, with her husband's heart. It's like... how do you even move on from that?"
Mason groaned, his hands tightening around the steering wheel as he glanced at her incredulously. "Goddamn it, Wendy! Why did you have to go there? Why can't you just see the love story?" His voice rose slightly in frustration.
Wendy's eyes flashed as she met his gaze, her voice sharp in reply. "Because it's not a love story!" She didn't flinch when she raised her voice to match his. "It's a tragedy. That's the reality. A heart that beats for someone else's wife. It's not some fairy taleâthat is the real story."
The words hung between them like a cloud, heavy and unyielding. Mason's jaw tightened, but he said nothing for a moment, the road ahead narrowing into an uncertain stretch of darkness.
"There was no neat ending, no polished, perfect bow to tie everything together," Wendy muttered.
Mason exhaled deeply, his hands loosening on the wheel. "Maybe... maybe it's both. Maybe it's tragic and beautiful at the same time."
Wendy just stared out the window, her heart still heavy, not quite ready to accept either part of that.
"Tony was completely a stalker," she said. "No doubt in my mind. Jade probably has Stockhome syndrome or something. I mean look at where they live. Do you think he brainwashed her and is keeping her hostage?"
"Ah, yes, because living in a beautiful place like that with sheeps would be so bad," Mason rolled his eyes. "Sheeps, Wendy. Sheep. They have sheeps!"
"Yes, yes, I get it," Wendy sighed and looked away. "God, how far are we from civilization? I'm starving."
"Should have ate those cookies," Mason muttered.
"I was scared she poisoned them."
Mason looked at her in utter disbelief. "Would you do something like that? Is that why you suspect others to be like that?"
Wendy shrugged nonchalantly, not offering much more in the way of explanation.
"You monster," Mason chuckled darkly, shaking his head as he pulled off at the next exit. "We'll find somewhere to eat."
They rolled down the exit, the lights of the town flickering in the distance. The sign for a diner came into view, and Mason couldn't help but let out a small sigh of relief.
"I think that's it up ahead," he said, pointing toward a modest little building on the corner of the street. It looked a little worn down, but it was open, and that was all that mattered at this hour.
As they pulled into the parking lot, the bright neon sign buzzed quietly, and the atmosphere of the diner felt warm, if not a little tired. It was already late, and the place seemed nearly deserted, save for a few scattered patrons lingering over their meals.
Mason parked the car, and they both made their way inside, greeted by the clink of the door as it swung open. The old man behind the counter barely glanced up from his newspaper. His thick glasses reflected the soft light as he squinted at them.
"We close in thirty minutes," he muttered gruffly, his eyes narrowing.
"We'll just have a quick bite," Mason said, his tone casual as he smiled at the man, but his gaze flicked briefly toward Wendy, who was practically holding her stomach in hunger.
The old man didn't seem convinced. "Kitchen's about to close," he grumbled, tapping his finger on the countertop impatiently.
Mason's mind raced, the quiet frustration of the evening settling into his chest. His eyes met Wendy's, and a thought formed in his mind. He smiled, a smooth lie already slipping off his tongue.
"Actually," Mason said, stepping closer to the counter, "My wife's pregnant. She really, really wants one of your cheeseburgers. She's been craving it all day. We drove four hours to get here."
Wendy shot him a look of utter disbelief, her brows furrowing at his sudden fabrication, but Mason didn't break his gaze from the old man.
The old man paused, eyes narrowing as if considering the truth of Mason's statement. Wendy's jaw tightened, but she kept quiet. She watched the old man's gaze travel to her hand on her belly.
"Well," the man muttered after a moment, reluctantly setting down his paper. "I suppose we can manage one more order. But no more than that."
Mason grinned, flashing a thumbs up. "Great, thanks so much. You're a lifesaver."
Wendy turned away, holding back the sarcasm that threatened to spill out. "You're unbelievable," she whispered under her breath.
"You should be grateful I saved us," Mason teased, leading her toward a booth in the back.
"I swear," Wendy whispered as she slipped into the booth, her stomach growling louder than she cared to admit. "I'm going to make you pay for that one."
Mason just grinned back, clearly unphased. "You'll thank me later."
Wendy opened her mouth to protest when the waitress, the old man's wife, suddenly appeared.
"What can I get for you two nesting birds?" She asked sweetly. "I heard there's a bun in the oven getting all nice and toasty."
"Yep!" Mason grinned. "My pride and joy right there. Can't wait to throw the football around and watch him play baseball."
"Oh, it's a boy?" The woman laughed. "God bless."
"Twins actually," Wendy suddenly jumped in. She reached across the table and took Mason's hands. "Just like their daddies."
The waitress paused, "Huh?"
"Oh, I used to be married to his twin brother," Wendy explained innocently. "Lord knows I tried my best but I couldn't tell them apart. I don't even know which one I spent my wedding night with."
Mason froze, his straw hovering in mid-air, as Wendy casually dropped the bombshell. He blinked a few times, trying to process what she had just said.
The waitress stood still, eyes wide and mouth agape as if she had just heard the most outlandish thing in the world. Her hand hovered over the notepad she hadn't yet pulled out, completely unsure how to respond.
"What...?" The word escaped her lips, a mix of confusion and disbelief.
Wendy leaned back in the booth and rubbed her belly.
"Oh, it was quite the mess, really," she continued, undeterred by the shock she'd already caused. "I mean, they look exactly the same. And when we were both living in that house, I'd always get them mixed up. I remember one night thinking I was talking to Mason, andâwell, let's just say I had no idea it wasn't him until the next morning."
Mason snorted, trying to stifle his laugh but failing miserably. He leaned in, playing along with the absurdity.
"Yeah, that's right. Twins run in the family. It was confusing for both of us, honestly. You wouldn't believe how much trouble we got into trying to convince people who was who," he said.
The waitress blinked, her mouth hanging open in disbelief. She quickly glanced at the two of them, her expression shifting from confusion to hesitation, unsure if she should laugh or be concerned. "You two... are pulling my leg, right?"
Wendy's face was a picture of innocence. "Oh, no, I swear. It was such a mess, I still don't remember which one of them I really married. You wanna see their pictures?"
Mason, still grinning from the playful banter, leaned forward and pulled his phone from his pocket. He slid it across the table toward the waitress, tapping on the screen to bring up a photo of him and Levi from their younger days. The picture was an old one, taken at a family barbecue where the two had worn matching shirts. It was hard to tell them apart, both sporting the same mischievous grin and identical green eyes.
The waitress eyed the photo, her brows knitting together as she squinted at the two men. Her lips parted in disbelief, and her hand paused mid-air as if unsure of what she was looking at.
"Oh, Lord," she muttered, more to herself than to anyone else. Her fingers hovered above the screen as she tried to make sense of the image. "You really do look alike."
Wendy leaned over, watching her with amusement. "See? I told you. It's a real mess."
The waitress hesitated, glancing back up at Mason and Wendy, her mind clearly grappling with the idea that they might be pulling some sort of prank, but the sincerity in their eyes made her pause.
"IâI can't... I don't know what to say," she stammered. "This is unbelievable. You two look like... like the same person."
"Yeah, it gets confusing for people," Mason nodded "Especially when they're trying to figure out which one is which. Levi's the one who's always getting the spotlight, but I'm the one with the more... uh, unique charm."
Wendy smirked, shaking her head. "See, even I can't tell them apart sometimes. Imagine waking up next to one of them and not knowing which twin it is. It's a whole thing."
"My god," The waitress stared at the photo again before looking at Mason, "And you...you slept with your twin's wife?"
Wendy, fully enjoying the chaos she was causing, nodded solemnly. "Exactly. You see?"
"And who's baby is that?" The lady asked.
"One from each twin," Wendy smiled. "Brother cousins."
The woman was speechless. She let her eyes bounce back and forth between the pair before quietly slipping out her notepad.
"Wh-what would you like to order?"
________________________________
Lily
Gabriel and Lily walked side by side as the evening air grew cooler, the sky now a deep shade of violet, stars beginning to pierce through the darkness. Gabriel's hands were stuffed in his pockets, his usual cocky grin replaced with a more relaxed expression as he glanced over at Lily, who seemed lost in thought.
As they approached her dorm, Lily could see Jake standing near the entrance, his posture rigid, arms crossed, and his brow furrowed in what appeared to be concernâor something closer to frustration. Gabriel noticed him too, his lips pressing into a thin line.
"Looks like your prince charming is waiting for you," Gabriel said with a teasing smirk.
Lily turned her head, her gaze meeting Jake's, and she felt an uneasy knot twist in her stomach. "I should probably get inside," she said, her voice quieter now. "Thanks for walking me back."
Gabriel didn't say anything, just nodded in acknowledgment before turning to leave. As he walked away, Lily felt a strange mixture of relief and regret.
She turned and approached Jake slowly, watching as his eyes darkened with an unreadable expression.
"Hi," Lily said, her smile cautious, but her voice betrayed the nervousness that was beginning to settle in her chest. "I didn't know you were coming by tonight."
Jake's response came quickly, his voice tight with frustration. "Seriously, Lily?" His words were sharp, cutting through the air. "You've been gone for hours. Where were you? Out with Gabriel?"
Lily's heart skipped a beat at the edge of anger in his tone. "Y-yeah," she replied, surprised by the harshness in his voice. "I texted you."
"You said you were going on a walk," Jake frowned.
"With Gabriel," Lily nodded, unsure of how to calm the rising tension in his posture. "I texted you," she repeated, trying to keep her voice steady.
Jake ran a hand through his hair, frustration evident in his every movement. "What kind of walk takes three hours? I've been waiting for you since class ended."
Lily sighed, stepping a little closer to him, trying to bridge the growing gap.
"I'm sorry," she said softly. "I didn't know you were coming tonight. And my phone... I had no service up by the cliff."
Jake's eyes narrowed, a mix of confusion and irritation clouding his expression. "What were you doing with him? You just got out of the hospital. Why are you hiking for three hours? Are you insane?"
Lily's stomach churned, the weight of his words hitting harder than she expected. She reached out, placing a calm hand on his arm in an attempt to steady him.
"Jake, please, relax," she said gently. "I wasn't hiking. We just sat by the cliff and talked. That's it."
Jake didn't seem to hear her. His voice rose in frustration. "You couldn't have waited until I finished class for your stupid walk?"
Lily's heart raced, but she forced herself to stay calm. "Why are you getting so angry?" she asked, her voice soft but firm.
"Because you're out with some guy for hours," Jake snapped, his voice rising. "And you didn't even answer any of my calls or texts."
Lily bit her lip, feeling the guilt settle in her chest. "I am so sorry," she said, her voice sincere, her hand still resting on his arm. "I didn't have service, and there was traffic on the way back. I am so sorry for worrying you."
Jake stared at her, his expression unreadable, the tension still thick in the air. He took a deep breath, but it didn't seem to do much to calm him.
"Is there something going on between you and Gabriel?" He asked.
"No, absolutely not," Lily denied immediately. "He just happened to come by to see how I was doing when I was leaving for my walk. He was worried about me wandering around on my own so he came with me."
Jake scoffed, "Convenient."
"Jake," Lily stepped closer with a deep frown on her face. "Do you not trust me?"
"Don't pull that shit," Jake rolled his eyes. "You would be losing your shit if I went off with some girl for three hours."
"Yes, I would be upset," Lily said, her voice softer now, filled with a sincerity that she hoped would break through his anger. "And I know you have every right to be upset. But I would also trust you when you told me that nothing is going on."
Jake's jaw clenched, his expression hardening further. "I don't believe you," he said, shaking his head, disbelief and hurt flashing across his face.
Lily's heart sank, the knot in her chest tightening. She didn't know what more she could say to ease his doubts, but she needed to try.
"I... I don't know what I can say right now to make you believe me," she confessed, her voice trembling slightly. "I'm very sorry for worrying you and upsetting you. And I hope you believe me when I say there's nothing going on between Gabriel and me."
She stepped closer, her eyes searching his, hoping for some flicker of understanding. The silence between them stretched on, thick with unspoken words.
"Jake..." Lily tried.
"I don't want to fight," Jake muttered, turning away slightly to grab his bag off the floor.
"We're fighting?" she asked gently, trying to shift the mood, to soften the moment. She reached out, taking his hand in hers, her touch light but sincere. "Baby... I'm sorry."
Jake's hand pulled away from hers almost immediately, and the sudden distance between them felt like a cold gust of wind. His eyes avoided hers, his face hardening again. "Good night, Lily," he muttered, his voice distant and tight.
Lily stood frozen for a moment, her hand still outstretched, but he was already walking away.
I know @Ninosaur is going to have a field day with Lily, her faaaaavvvorite character :P