When Two Sides Meet

Chapter 5 : Who is that?

A/N Swearing

Most times, when people laugh, it is out of joy. The others are normally when you are going crazy. Going crazy out of love, fear, and sadness. Sometimes, you can't control it. Sometimes, you were like Lillian. Running through the forest whilst your feelings are bubbling up and exploding. When you're not sure what to think or do, you can wander out of where you're supposed to be.

Lillian was crying so hard that she thought she might explode into a million little pieces. She was blinded by the tears rolling down her cheek,or sweat, she couldn't tell. Rain started to pour down on her head. A light drizzle. She hoped it didn't get worse because if it did, then the forest would be the first to flood. Everyone knew that. The forest was ancient and had not been touched or altered for the last 200 years. It was of limits because of the delicate eco system that lived in the forest, but what wasn't told was that there was an exit, a huge gap in the crumbling walls that surrounded the equally crumbling school.

It was at least 20 metres wide, with vines slithering all around the exit. A beautiful sight, the remains of a car park could be seen, probably an old one from the 17th century when carriages were the most common mode of transport for the rich community. A fallen gate was on the floor, like an injured patient.
" Cheryl! " Lillian whispered so quietly that not even someone standing next to her would hear. " Don't think about her now. Just try to be a normal teenager for once!" She snapped, scolding herself, not for her thoughts, but for wishing a knife was there. She screamed in pain and worry,
" Why did I do that? Just why would I do that? I am stupid. She did literally nothing wrong." As she sat down, she thought. just contemplating everything and putting it into perspective. As she sniffled and wiped her red eyes, a voice came from behind her.

" Pay a penny for your thoughts. Are you OK? "

Lillian scrambled back so she could try and see the face that was speaking to her and to try and get away. She scanned for the nearest object to sacrifice as a weapon of defence.
A stick. She reached towards it and grabbed it, getting from her knees and onto her feet all too quickly to comprehend.

" Who are you? Get away from me! Don't hurt me!" As she put the stick down and went back onto her knees, her voice broke as she quietly wept." Please, just please don't hurt me."

The figure didn't seem to move for about two minutes. They they slowly moved forward towards Lillian, approaching her as if she were a wild animal. " I'm not trying to hurt you. Do you need help?" A deep voice emerged from a young man, the same age as Lillian, a freshly shaven beard and hazelnut eyes coming out from the shadows of his cap.

Lillian assessed the mysterious figure standing next to her and composed herself, realising that she was safe." No, I'm fine, you can go now." Her eyes darted around her surroundings, expecting him to leave her and for her to never see this hansome boy again. But seeing that he wouldn't leave, she got annoyed.
" There is an exit there, and I would be happy if you just left me alone. If you hadn't noticed, I was having a bloody meltdown before you came along. So if you don't mind, just leave! " Tears filled her eyes, but she didn't cry. She kept her posture perfect and calmed her breathing down.
But the boy didn't seem to be listening. He pushed his curly brown hair out of his face and held out his hand to help Lillian up.
" Thank you." She replied in an unsure tone.
They both stood facing towards each other, exchanging looks.

"So..." They both said at the same time, but the boy continued, " My name is George, from the school next door, St Monica's grammar school, if you've heard of it. And you are?
" Lillian, from the school that you are currently illegally standing in. Pleasure to make your acquaintance. "
"Ooooh, you're a fancy one, aren't you." He mocked.
" Oh shut up, will you ? When I am very stressed, I tend to speak rather fast and without making any useless abbreviations and spending time on small talk, so if you will, please get out of my school. "
"OK, jeez, calm down. I'm not leaving until you're calmed down and back where you're supposed to be because I know that for a fact that this is out of bounds because of its 'delicate eco system' its absolute bullshit, by the way, its like any other woodland or park in England. They're all miserable, by the way. All of the ones i've been to, at least. I come here to think about things, but you're here now, so I guess that plan has gone straight out the window. Why are you here, Lillian? "
His voice was calm, and had no variation in tone, quite soothing, like a voice actor.
" I didn't know where I was running, I was blinded by the rain, I guess. " She questioned why she had actually come into the forest, but there was no answer.

Silence.

George sighed heavily and did that thing where you slap your thighs when you make a decision. "So, Lillian, I think it would be good for you if you came with me into town for the day. No one will notice after all the chaos that's going on in your school. Apparently, after some girl fainted after a speech about some legend, everyone started fighting against the teachers. They managed to link everything with anything."
" How do you know that?" Lillian asked, full of curiosity
" Dating a girl from year 11." He said it without any sign of emotion." So, are we going or not?"
They went off into town laughing, as if they had known each other for years.