And Then... They Fell

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

Lilly 

I ignored him when he called for me again and again never turning to face him, but David was persistent and I could here him following me the short trek back. It made me so mad that he was so persistent now but all those years ago he wasn't like this. He didn't come after me then, not when I really needed him. I was just mustering the courage to throw these words at him when I hear a small scream from who's voice could only be Charlie. 

Without thinking, I ran. I ran as fast as I could but David was faster and past me getting to David first. When I got there I saw Charlie cringing on a rock pointing at the ground. Asher was laughing and David was standing stoic as ever with a small grin on his face. When I came into site David came to me with a small grin on his face, "Stop! don't come any closer!" 

I didn't know what to make of the scene in front of me and everyone's contrasting expressions. I made eye contact with David and really looked at him. David did a lot of things but he would never mess with Charlies safety and even though I wished I didn't I still trusted him. So I came to a halt. 

"Wha-what happened?"

He visibly pulled back, taken aback that I would listen to him. He gained his composure quickly and the grin came back stronger and he started walking closer to me. I wait for a response but when he speaks in a teasing tone Charlie's yelling voice is louder than him. 

"You don't want to know Lil."

"THERE'S A SNAKE!" 

It takes less less than a second for my eyes to snap to the creature between me and Charlie and in the next second I am screaming and climbing on the rock nearest to me. I quickly realize my stupidity that the rock won't be able to protect me from the snake so I got from the rock to David and cling on to the side of his body trying to get as far away from the ground and the snake as possible. 

"Well I didn't think you would warm up to me this quickly." David teases me but I can't think about what he did right now because I am in a life or death situation and though I can feel his laughter I can not here it because the screaming is drowning it out. 

This is when I finally notice Clara coming from behind and making her way towards the creature and picking it up without any precautions at all. "My gosh you always become such a little sissy when you see these cute little guys."

"How dare you call them that! That is a vile creature and I can not believe you would touch it- aawww!!" I scream again and hide behind David when Clara pretends to throw it my way. 

"Don't you dare Clara!"

Clara is gut rolling at my reaction but after a few more seconds she finally takes pity on me and walks towards the woods to let the snake go. I make sure it is safe before realizing my position wrapped around David so closely. He has always smelled of rain and woods and I find myself taking an extra moment to relish in the scent before clearing my throat and making my way off him. 

"Just like old times I guess. Still so scared of a little gardener snake! You always had such a high regard for Charlie's safety but one small incident with a snake and you just don't seem to care about him anymore." David helps me down and is grinning ear to ear when he says this, and I almost don't reply because all I can focus on is the beautiful twinkle in his eye that always meant fun love. Then what he says registers and I become sad- not at what he said but about the truth of it. He gave upon Charlie after one small fight. He gave up on me. 

David 

I haven't felt fear like this in a long time and I run knowing I have to protect Charlie. I run past Lilly, getting there first and assess the situation as quickly as possible so I can neutralize the threat. My eyes go to Charlie and follow his line of site to a small little gardener snake. I cross my arms and let a little grin out- he's just like Lilly, they always have the cutest reactions. 

Just like that a remember that Lilly is behind me and just as she reaches us I move towards her and tell her not to come any closer but unable to keep my grin hidden trying to save her from her own fears. 

I don't know what I expected when I said that but I didn't expect her to listen to me. She always used to trust me but I always thought that was long gone by now. I felt warm when I realized what this might mean: if she still trusts me, then I might be able to come back. She might still love me. I realized right then that no matter what she said I would not leave them again. 

"Wha-what happened?"

I come back to the highly escalated situation when she says that and start to reassure here but Charlie and I weren't on the same page because he immediately yells out, "THERE'S A SNAKE!". 

I am barely able to stabilize myself enough for what happens next because the moment Lilly realizes that the rock she believed to her salvation was to close to the ground for her liking she launches herself at me. I can not stop laughing at her reaction, even if I've seen it so many times before. Even when she is screaming in my eardrums I can't help but keep laughing and loving how everything is playing out. 

I feel warm everywhere she touches and when Clara takes care of the snake she starts to get off me and though I am still laughing I wish there was another snake because I'm cold now without her and want her clinging to me again. 

"Just like old times I guess. Still so scared of a little gardener snake! You always had such a high regard for Charlie's safety but one small incident with a snake and you just don't seem to care about him anymore." I laugh some more at my joke but sober up quick when her eyes go from relief and hidden happiness to sadness and dread.

"Yeah one small incident and people don't seem to care about the things you thought mattered to them. I think you have a little room for understanding in that department." 

Lilly barely looks me in the eyes when she says this and turns around to hide her face from me. I reach my hand out to her elbow and when I make contact she turns and I see the tear in her eye. I don't know what to say or how to apologize but it doesn't matter because when I open my mouth so does another and I don't get my chance. It's too late.