Crossing hearts

Chapter 11

As Lily made her way through the bustling hallway, her heart raced with anticipation. The chaotic sounds of students laughing and talking faded into the background as she caught sight of Zane leaning against a locker. Their eyes met, and time seemed to freeze for a moment. A soft smile spread across his lips, and without thinking, she smiled back, warmth blooming in her chest. It felt like an unspoken agreement, a silent acknowledgment of their newfound connection.

With that shared glance, she felt a shift within herself. Maybe they could truly be friends after all.

As she walked away, her mind was a whirlwind of thoughts. The image of Zane's smile lingered in her mind, filling her with a sense of hope she hadn't expected. Could they really move past the tension of the past? She felt buoyed by the possibility.

When she entered her economics class, Lily could hardly contain her excitement. The teacher's voice droned on, but she found herself lost in thoughts of Zane. Just the thought of him brought a smile to her face. Perhaps they would become something more than just classmates—maybe friends.

"Attention, class! We will be starting a new project today," the teacher announced, snapping Lily back to reality. "I'd like you to pair up with a partner."

Lily's heart sank momentarily. She was still getting to know everyone, and the prospect of finding a partner in such a short time felt daunting. She glanced around, uncertainty creeping in. Just then, she felt a familiar presence beside her.

"Hey," Zane said, a playful glint in his eyes, "want to team up for this project?"

Her heart leaped at his proposal. "Yes!" The word slipped out before she could contain her excitement. She couldn't hide the smile that spread across her face, feeling a rush of warmth flood through her.

"Awesome. Let's figure out when we can meet to work on it," Zane replied, his grin widening.

Later that week, Lily approached Zane's house, her heart racing with nervous anticipation. As she stood at the entrance, she was once again struck by the grandeur of his home. It felt intimidating yet inviting, and she couldn't shake the feeling of awe.

"Your house is really nice, you know that?" she remarked, stepping inside.

Zane shrugged, a hint of a smirk playing on his lips. "Yeah, whatever," he replied, but there was a softness in his tone that caught her attention.

"It's seriously beautiful. I've never seen a place like this," she continued, taking in the stunning decor.

"Thanks," he said, his gaze warming as he watched her appreciate his surroundings.

They settled at a large wooden table, surrounded by the echoes of their shared laughter and hushed conversations about the project. As they began to brainstorm ideas, the atmosphere felt electric—there was an undeniable chemistry in the air.

"I miss home sometimes," Lily confessed, her voice barely above a whisper. "It's just so different here. I like it, but I often think about my old school, my friends."

Zane listened, his dark eyes reflecting a depth of understanding that took her by surprise. Instead of interjecting with his own stories, he allowed her to share, creating a safe space for her thoughts.

"I guess it's just a lot to adjust to," she continued, glancing at him. "But I'm really glad we're working together. It feels... different."

"Different good or different bad?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Definitely good," she replied, a shy smile creeping onto her face. "I think I could get used to this."

Zane's lips quirked up at the corners, and for a moment, she felt like they were the only two people in the world, suspended in their own bubble of camaraderie.

As they continued to work on their project, the small talk flowed easily between them. The more they chatted, the more Lily realized how much she enjoyed Zane's company. Even when he didn't say much, his presence was comforting.

"Thanks for letting me come over," she said, breaking the comfortable silence. "I appreciate it."

"Of course," Zane replied, his tone softer than before. "I wouldn't have asked if I didn't want to."

Lily couldn't help but feel that their relationship was evolving into something more significant—friendship, perhaps even trust. And with each shared glance, each smile, she found herself hoping for more.