Crossing hearts

Chapter 7

The day of the party had finally arrived, and excitement buzzed in the air as Lily stood before the mirror, trying to come to terms with her outfit. She wore a cute, fitted dress that hugged her curves, exposing a bit of cleavage. It was short and a little more revealing than she usually preferred, but as Molly and Harper insisted, she looked "hot"

"Girl, you need to own it! Colin is going to love it!" Molly exclaimed, adjusting Lily's hair and applying a bit of makeup, something Lily rarely did.

"It's for Colin," she repeated to herself, determined to push away her doubts. It's for Collins. Only for Collins.

Just as she finished getting ready, her phone buzzed with a call from Colin. "Hey, where are you?" she asked as she answered.

"I'm just outside your dorm," he replied.

"What? I'll be right there!" She hurriedly opened her door to find Colin waiting, looking dapper in a fitted shirt that accentuated his athletic build.

"Wow, you look incredible!" he said, his eyes lighting up as he pulled her into a warm hug.

"You look good yourself," Lily replied, smiling as they broke apart. She introduced him to Molly and Harper, who gushed over him.

"Oh my God, the boyfriend she keeps talking about!" Harper teased, and Lily felt a warm flush spread across her cheeks.

Together, they headed to the party, and when they arrived, the atmosphere was electric. The place was alive with music, laughter, and the clinking of red cups filled with booze. Lily felt a thrill of excitement as they moved through the crowd.

"Let's dance!" Molly shouted, pulling them toward the dance floor.

Lily and Colin began to sway to the music, their bodies moving in sync. It was a sweet, slow dance, filled with intimacy and laughter. As they twirled around, Lily couldn't help but feel that everything was right. I love Colin. He's the one for me, not someone like Zane, she thought, feeling secure in her feelings for him.

But just as they shared a hug, lost in their own world, Lily caught sight of Zane across the room. His gaze was locked onto her, an angry intensity in his eyes that sent a shiver down her spine.

"Oh, god," she muttered under her breath, wishing to avoid confrontation. She turned back to Colin, desperate to stay in the moment.

Feeling a rush of boldness, she leaned in close and whispered, "Kiss me."

Colin's eyes widened in surprise, a happy shock evident on his face. "You want me to kiss you here?"

"Yeah, here," she confirmed, heart racing with anticipation.

"My pleasure," he grinned, leaning in to press his lips against hers. The kiss was soft and sweet, and Lily felt her worries fade away, at least for the moment. She stole a glance back at Zane, who still watched, but this time, she didn't care.

As the song ended and they pulled apart, Lily felt a rush of exhilaration. "Do you want to leave and go back to my dorm?" she asked, excitement bubbling up.

"Yeah, I'd love that," Colin replied, and they quickly made their way back, hands intertwined.

Once inside her dorm, the atmosphere shifted. Lily and Collins shared a sweet kiss, the door clicking shut behind them. The warmth of his touch sent butterflies fluttering in her stomach.

As they moved toward the bed, Lily fumbled with the buttons of his shirt, feeling a rush of excitement. Collins gently helped her with her dress, sliding it down until she felt a rush of cool air against her skin.

They fell onto the bed, their kisses becoming more passionate. Their bodies were close, and for a moment, everything felt right.

But as they got lost in each other, a nagging thought crept into Lily's mind. Why was Zane still on her mind? The memory of his intense gaze lingered, even as she held Collins close.

All she had ever wanted was Collins, yet as the night unfolded, she couldn't shake the feeling that Zane's presence was casting a shadow over her heart.