Red Water Lily

Chapter 10

This was it, now everybody knew. No one could have missed her loud, high-pitched yelling. Lily looked down on the ground, waiting for all the yelling and cursing from the others who probably hated her now. But no one was yelling.

"I know." Was all she could hear, and the dark, harsh voice was Ryan's.

"You know?" Agnes asked surprised, followed by Lily quietly asking the same thing while glancing up at him through her eyelashes. His eyes was dark, his eyebrows furrowed.

"Yes I know, and I've known for a while. I'm deeply disappointed in you, Agnes. It's not up to you to decide who I get to spend time with, that is all up to me and no one else. You don't own me and your jealousy is messing you up. And that secret you just shared loud enough for everyone to hear wasn't yours to share. If it weren't for the fact that it's dangerous for you to walk home I'd make you leave immediately!" Ryan scolded Agnes before he looked up at the others and ordered them to get inside. Everyone looked confused and mumbled as they went inside.

"But Ryan, this isn't fair!" Agnes tried to defend herself. Ryan glared at her, and that was all it took to make her disappointingly walk inside in defeat. Lily was about to walk inside as well to pack her belongings and leave- which she was sure she would have to do, but she was stopped by Ryan.

"Not you, I think we need to talk."

"What is there to talk about Ryan? My secret is out now and the sooner I leave the better." She shrugged and sighed in exhaustion. Exhaustion over drama always hovering above her like a little red devil.

"Leave? Oh, no. Don't even think about leaving." He stepped closer to her and removed her beanie from her head, letting her wavy, crimson hair free. "Why don't you start by telling me your real name?"

"It's Lily."

The two of them stayed up all night talking. Lily told him who she was and why she had left her clan. Although she was careful not share any names or places, it felt as if it would become more real then, as if she was telling a story about someone else when she didn't have to mention any names of the people she knew. Or maybe, it was because that feeling deep inside her, the feeling that Ryan might know the people she ran away from.

"The sun will rise soon, we should get inside before the others wake up." Ryan said and looked at the sky before he stood up and offered his hand to Lily. She accepted it and was pulled up to her feet. Ryan looked at her and smiled, still holding her hand. She smiled back at him and glanced down at their entwined hands. She gently pulled her hand back and hid it behind her back and felt her cheeks flush. Ryan noticed what he had done and cleared his throat

"Ladies first." He said and let out an awkward chuckle.

It seemed like everyone was still sleeping when they entered the house, so they decided that they would prepare the breakfast while waiting. As they entered the kitchen they were met by Chad, who had his elbows on the kitchen island, his head resting in his hands.

"Ah, finally. I thought you'd never come inside; I almost fell asleep while waiting." He said and yawned. "Do you mind explaining what's going on?" They all looked at each other back and forth until Lily decided to break the silence.

"I'm sorry that I lied to all of you, I did it to protect myself, but I've realized that I don't need to protect myself from you. I wish I had realized that sooner." Chad raised an eyebrow and shook his head.

"I'm not talking about that, I knew you were a woman. I want to know why the hell you guys stayed outside all night."

"You knew as well?" Lily asked and looked at Ryan. "Did you tell him?"