Crossing hearts

Chapter 6

It was Friday night, and the air buzzed with excitement around campus as students discussed the upcoming party. Everyone was abuzz with questions about what to wear and how to dance, sharing laughter and ideas. Lily, while not typically a party girl, found herself swept up in the energy. She mingled, smiling and chatting with her classmates, determined to keep her mind off Zane and focus on Colin, who would be arriving the next day.

Thoughts of Colin filled her with warmth. They hadn't spent intimate time together in ages, and the anticipation of him staying the night ignited butterflies in her stomach. *It's just him that matters*, she reminded herself. Colin had always been sweet to her, understanding her like no one else. The fact that they were best friends meant he knew her inside and out.

As she walked back to her dorm, she pulled out her phone and sent Colin a text: *Hey, you down for tomorrow night?*

His reply was quick. *What do you have in mind?*

A playful smirk crossed her face as she typed back, *You. I want you tomorrow. All of you.*

She felt a rush of excitement as she hit send. Colin's response would surely be worth the wait, but for now, she set her phone down and let out a breath, her heart racing with anticipation. It felt good to focus on the thrill of being with him and the plans they would share.

But even as she prepared for the party, part of her mind wandered back to Zane. She had seen him earlier, leaning against a wall, a smirk playing on his lips as he watched her. It sent a shiver down her spine, a mix of intrigue and annoyance. *Why does he keep doing this?* she thought, trying to shake off the unsettling feeling he had stirred within her.

Molly's voice pulled her back to reality. "Earth to Lily," she teased, nudging her gently.

Lily smiled, forcing herself to focus. *No more distractions*, she vowed. Tonight was about Colin and the party, and she wouldn't let anyone, especially Zane, interfere with her plans.

She texted Colin one last time to confirm their plans for the night, excitement bubbling inside her as she looked forward to their time together. *He'll be there*, she thought, *and that's all that matters.*

As the night wore on, Lily's mind danced between thoughts of Colin and the uncertainty Zane had introduced into her life. She just hoped that when the party came, it would be Colin who held her attention, not the dangerous allure of the bad boy she couldn't quite forget.