Make it Through the Chaos

Chapter 3-People You Know

Chapter 3-People You Know

Ben POV

            "I could get used to this," Lilly giggled as she flopped down on my bed and took in the room around her. It was small, basically what you would expect of a dorm room. But it was surprisingly inviting. The desk was covered in papers my laptop sat open to a Dark Jurassic page that had been long forgotten. "Glad you like it?" I chuckled as I looked down at her. She was so pretty. She still complained about being chubby but her curves had filled out and her body had become more toned. Her red hair had turned more brown over the years, now it was a beautiful auburn. But her eyes hadn't changed at all, they were still the piercing silver they had always been, they followed my every move as I walked over to the bed and flopped down next to her.

            I wrapped my arms around her, and she reached up and ran her hands through my hair. A sigh escaped my lips, I always missed this, being close to her, being able to hold her. I knew that both of us had very different lives right now, I had decided to go to college and Lilly had joined the DPW. We had talked about our relationship, about being apart so much, and realized that ultimately we love each other and that was enough. It helped that no matter what we were best friends. But that didn't mean, that I didn't hate being apart all the time.

"Hey, Ben?" Lilly mumbled moving her hand from my hair to my face. "Yeah?" I questioned looking down at her. "I," she hesitated, and I felt myself starting to panic a little bit. "I'm leaving DPW," she said finally, looking up at me. I felt a smile spread across my face a little bit. "Are you sure?" I questioned, I felt like it was almost too good to be true. "Yeah, I figured maybe I would finally give college life a try. You know, and that way I can be here all the time to annoy the shit out of you," she smiled, and I laughed. I couldn't help but lean down and kiss her softly, I felt her hands reach up and tug at my hair pulling me closer as she kissed me back. After a few minutes, we pulled apart both slightly out of breath. "I really missed this," she admitted. "Yeah, me too, talking on the phone, and video calls are great and all, but, I'm glad you're here. I'm glad we're together," I replied.

"Hey, Ben?" Lilly said after a moment, "Yes, Lilly?" I answered. "Promise me something," she said quietly, there was this look in her eyes, it reminded me of how she used to look at me, back when we were on the island. "Yes?" I questioned as I watched her fidget with the locket that hung around her neck. I had given it to her before I started college. It had been my way of telling her that no matter what happened, I would always be there for her. I would always be her best friend; she would always come first.

"Promise me, that no matter what happens, even if this doesn't work out. Promise me we will still stay friends like we have," she whispered, I looked at her for a moment. "I promise," I whispered back and she smiled up at me before pulling me into another kiss.

***

I stared out at the road tapping my finger on the steering wheel mindlessly. Sammy had gone to the back of the van to try and call Yaz again, I could tell she was really worried, and I was too. I let out a sigh as I fidgeted in my seat, I was trying to ignore the voices in my head reminding me of the fact that Lilly was sitting right next to me. I wanted to talk to her, I just didn't know how. It's funny how two people can be so close one day, and then it's like they're complete strangers the next day. I knew the silence between us was as much my fault as it was hers. After the funeral, when she left, things were different. We had broken up before, but we had stayed friends, everyone thought we were crazy, and they never understood how we were able to go from dating to friends, and back again. But the truth was, we had always been on the same page, she was still my best friend, and I loved her, and I knew that if I called her she would come. But after the funeral, I didn't know where we stood, even in our friendship. Not to mention the fact that I was extremely pissed about what she did. She broke up with me, at our friend's funeral! With no explanation!