Crossing hearts

Chapter 8

The weekend flew by in a whirlwind of joy and laughter, each moment filled with the warmth of Colin's embrace and the thrill of their shared kisses. Lily felt grateful; her mind was blissfully occupied, and thoughts of Zane faded into the background. Every laugh they shared, every sweet whisper, replayed in her mind like a favorite song on repeat. It felt good to be free, to forget about the shadows lurking in her thoughts.

But as Monday morning rolled around, reality came crashing back. She groaned at the thought of returning to classes, leaving the blissful memories of the weekend behind. With a quick breakfast and a hurried goodbye to Molly and Harper, she headed to her first class of the week.

Entering the classroom, she glanced around, searching for a familiar face. And then her heart sank. There, in the back row, sat Zane. He leaned back casually in his chair, a smirk playing on his lips as if he had expected her all along. Lily's stomach twisted at the sight of him. The memories of his intense stare from the party rushed back, and she felt a wave of anxiety wash over her.

As the professor began the lesson, Lily tried to focus, but her thoughts were all over the place. Zane's presence was palpable, an electric tension that hung in the air.

Their teacher, Ms. Andrews, began the class with a discussion on Romeo and Juliet. "Today, we'll delve into the complexities of love and sacrifice. What do you think drives two people to defy their families for love?"

Lily raised her hand, eager to share her thoughts. "I think love means sacrifice. Sometimes, you have to let go for the sake of the other person's happiness, even if it hurts," she stated, feeling proud of her insight.

But then Zane's voice cut through the classroom. "I don't agree with you. Love isn't about letting go; it's about holding on, no matter the cost."

Lily turned to face him, irritation bubbling beneath the surface. "You can't possibly know what love is, Zane. You're just a bully who thinks he understands everything," she shot back, anger fueling her words.

Zane's smirk faded, replaced by a steely glare. "And what makes you the expert? You're just some girl playing house with your boyfriend," he retorted, his voice dripping with disdain.

Lily felt her heart race, and she fought to keep her composure. "Why should we take relationship advice from you?" she snapped, her voice rising. "What do you know about relationships? You killed your own father!"

The classroom fell into stunned silence, the weight of her accusation hanging heavily in the air. Gasps echoed throughout the room as classmates turned to stare at Zane, their expressions a mix of shock and disbelief. The tension was electric, as if time had frozen for a moment, each eye fixed on the unfolding drama.

Zane's expression shifted, a mix of shock and fury etched on his face. "You don't know anything about me!" he spat, his voice low and dangerous.

Lily felt a wave of regret wash over her. What have I done? The tension in the room was palpable, her heart racing as she realized the depth of her words. Zane stood abruptly, his chair scraping against the floor as he glared at her. "I'm done with this," he growled, storming out of the classroom and leaving chaos in his wake.

The professor cleared her throat, attempting to regain control of the class. "Let's refocus on the story, shall we?" But Lily barely heard her. The guilt gnawed at her insides, heavy and suffocating.