Scandal & Scholarship

Chapter 14 (Ambrosia's POV)

"Keep this too." Lily tosses a pack of snacks into my suitcase, not even looking up from her own.

I catch it mid-air and sigh. "Lily, we're going to a landslide site, not a movie night. We don't need snacks."

She raises an eyebrow, her lips twitching with amusement. "And we don't need your smut-filled dark romance novels, but I don't see you tossing those out, do I?"

I try to suppress a smile but fail miserably. "Touché."

"Exactly. Snacks stay." She shrugs, zipping up her suitcase with a satisfying click.

I look over at her pile—organized chaos, but somehow it all makes sense in that Lily way. The silence between us stretches for a moment before I speak again. "By the way... thank you."

"For what?" She turns toward me, tilting her head in confusion.

"For switching from the ortho group to come volunteer with me. I know that's not what you signed up for. You could've stayed back and done what you love." My voice falters slightly, but I push through. "It means a lot, really."

Lily waves her hand dismissively but her expression softens. "Ambry, don't be ridiculous. I'll always be there for you. You're my person. And honestly, without you, I would've died of boredom in that ortho group. Imagine all those hours talking about bone structures." She fake shudders.

A small laugh escapes me, but then I meet her gaze again, this time more serious. "Still. I know you had your own thing going on. You didn't have to change everything just for me."

Lily's eyes soften, and she steps closer, placing a hand on my shoulder. "I did it because you needed me. You always act like you've got everything under control, but I know when you're struggling. This landslide project is big and top of that the helicopter thing that scares you. You're putting so much pressure on yourself, and I couldn't just watch you do it alone. Besides," she smirks, "who else is going to make sure you eat? Definitely not Alex. That guy probably thinks a balanced diet is three different types of coffee or vodkas."

I chuckle, though her words hit deeper than she probably realizes. She's right, in a way. I'd never admit it out loud, but this project is weighing on me. More than I'd expected.

"I know you've been stressed," she adds quietly, as if reading my mind. "But don't worry. We've got this. And if you crack under pressure, I'll be right there to pick up the pieces, even if it means force-feeding you snacks and reading your trashy novels aloud to keep you going."

I smile, feeling a lump form in my throat. "Lily... I don't know what I'd do without you."

She grins widely. "Probably starve and forget to sleep."

I laugh softly. "Yeah, probably."

There's a comfortable silence as we both sit on the edge of my bed, the weight of what's ahead sinking in. I glance at her and whisper, "I'm scared, Lil. I mean, I'm excited to help, but what if I mess up? What if it's too much?"

Lily squeezes my hand. "Then we mess up together. But you won't, Ambry. You're stronger than you think. You always have been."