Yours to Hold

8 - Andrew

That night, we talked for the longest time. Hell, I don't think I had ever talked so much. Lillith and I were just sitting in her room, on her bed, just chatting up a storm. We shared our likes, dislikes, favorite foods, etc. We were slowly starting to get to know each other a whole lot better than when we first met. Even over this short amount of time, I grew fond of the girl. It just proved that I wasn't the only one that went through hell and back. It was strange... We went from completely annoyed with one another, to being almost like friends.

But I wouldn't admit that just yet. I supposed that I was too stubborn for my own good. I was snapped out of my thoughts to see her snap her fingers in my face, causing me to jump slightly in startlement.

"Andrew, are you okay? You were spacing out..." She told me, looking a little bit worried.

I gave her a small smile, and ruffled the girl's hair. "I'm fine." I reassured.

She tilted her head to the side, but nodded in understanding. She then looked down with her face turning a soft shade of pink, causing me to quirk an eyebrow.

"What?" I asked, only for her to shake her head.

"It's funny... I haven't talked with someone like this since... never," She laughed. "It's a strange feeling, really. I never had friends so I honestly don't know what it's like."

This surprised me... She never had a friend in her life, she was basically saying. A smile creased my lips, a hand resting on the top of the girl's head.

"Heh... Same here." I said, unsure on how else to say it.

We just sat there in silence for a while, until she leaned against me, catching me off guard. Her eyes were closed, and she sighed as if in content. "I'm sorry, Andrew... I'm so sorry..." I heard her whisper, and I softened my gaze as I hesitantly wrapped an arm around her shoulder, stroking her hair gently. I was unsure on why she was apologizing, but I couldn't help but smile down at her.

"It's okay..." I responded, resting my chin on top of her head.

It seemed like hours while we just sat there, acknowledging each other's presense. I soon realized that Lillith had fallen asleep. Making sure on not to wake her, I lifted her off me and laid her down on the bed, patting her head gently before turning to walk out of the room. Closing the door behind me as gently as possible, I turned to see Officer Cain just smiling at me.

"In just a short amount of time, you two already are starting to form a bond." He chuckled, eyes soft.

A blush painted my cheeks as I turned away. "We're just trying to understand each other better... That's all." I said.

He smiled and placed a firm yet gentle hand on my shoulder. "You be good to her, you hear? She may not be my birth daughter... But I'm very protective of her as if she were my own." he said, patting my shoulder before turning to leave, leaving me standing there stunned.

"H-Hey! It's not like that!" I retorted, trying to keep my voice down from waking Lillith. I sighed and turned to the closed door behind me, a smile creasing my lips as I headed towards the guest room, exhausted.

-----

A week had passed and school went a whole lot smoother; no pissed off chicks going off on Lillith, which had me relieved because I refused to go through that again. I'm sure Lillith would agree with me. And only three more days until graduation, which had me a bit disappointed because I had just arrived at Lennox High School. Oh well, I thought. At least I get out of school with flying colors.

The school day just seemed to fly by as I waited for Lillith by the school entrance in the looby. I watched out the window as a black car pulled up in front of the school, blinking in curiosity. Coming out of the driver's side was a woman around her 30s, with dark hair pulled up in a tight bun and wearing some sort of business like uniform. Tilting my head, I kept a close eye on her as she entered the school, then turned to me with a questioning look in her eyes.

"Excuse me, but you go to this school right?" she asked me.

"Yes, ma'am." I replied, trying to stay as polite as possible.

"I'm looking for Lillith Cross... Is she around?" she asked me again.

"I'm right here." I heard the girl call out as she walked towards my direction, standing by my side. "Who's asking?"

The woman seemed to tear up as she turned her stern gaze into a soft, sad one.

"Lillith... This may be hard for you to believe.... But..." She began to speak, and I turned to Lillith who suddenly had a look of fear in her eyes.

"Who are you?" She demanded, and I could tell that she was afraid of the answer.

I turned to the woman, and was shocked at what she had to say.

"I'm your mother."