Crossing hearts

Chapter 17

The next morning, Lily woke up in a daze, sunlight streaming through the window and illuminating the room with a warm glow. She quietly slipped out of bed, careful not to wake Zane, who was still peacefully sleeping. As she walked back to her dorm, her mind replayed the events of the previous night-his confessions, the warmth of their embrace, and the comfort they found in each other's presence.

When she entered her dorm, Molly and Harper were lounging on their beds, animatedly discussing something on their phones. They looked up as she entered, their expressions shifting to curiosity.

"Hey, where have you been?" Molly asked, raising an eyebrow.

"I was with Zane," Lily replied, her heart racing slightly as she awaited their reaction.

"Zane?" Harper exclaimed, exchanging a glance with Molly. "Are you both dating now?"

Lily hesitated, searching for the right words. "I'm not sure what we are right now," she finally said. "But I want to be there for him. He's been through a lot, and I just... I feel drawn to him."

Molly's expression darkened. "Lily, I don't know if that's a good idea. He's not exactly the type of guy you should be with."

"Yeah," Harper chimed in. "I just worry he'll hurt you. You deserve someone better."

Lily felt a surge of frustration but also a twinge of understanding. She knew they meant well, but they didn't see Zane the way she did. "I get it, but I know him better than you think. He's not just trouble. There's more to him."

Molly and Harper exchanged worried looks but ultimately shrugged, respecting Lily's choice.

The following day in class, Lily entered, her heart light from the support she had felt for Zane. She scanned the room and spotted him, but when she approached, he seemed distant, avoiding eye contact.

As they walked down the hallway, whispers began to rise around them.

"Can you believe he's with her?" a girl sneered. "Zane? He doesn't deserve someone like Lily. He's nothing but trouble."

"Yeah, how did he even get a girl like her?" another chimed in. "He's not good enough."

Lily's heart sank as she caught Zane flinch at the comments. She could see the tension in his posture, the way he seemed to withdraw even further into himself. It broke her heart. After everything they had shared, how could he let these comments get to him?

After class, she couldn't take it anymore. She stormed through the halls, determined to find him. When she spotted him in a quiet corner, she approached with urgency.

"Zane!" she called out, her voice steady but filled with concern.

He looked up, his expression a mixture of surprise and resignation. "Hey, Lily."

"Why are you acting like this?" she demanded, frustration bubbling to the surface. "After everything we talked about last night, you can't just shut me out!"

He ran a hand through his hair, visibly conflicted. "I just... I don't want to drag you into my mess. You deserve better. People talk, and I don't want you to get hurt because of me."

"That's not your decision to make!" Lily shot back, her heart pounding. "I know what you've been through, and I want to be here for you. I'm not going anywhere, no matter what they say."

He hesitated, searching her eyes for sincerity. "But what if I'm the reason you get hurt?"

"Then I'll deal with it," she insisted, stepping closer. "But don't push me away. I'm not afraid of whatever comes our way. I want to be with you, Zane."

At that, Zane finally let his guard down. He stepped forward, pulling her into an embrace that felt like a breath of fresh air, a release of all the tension between them.

"I'm sorry," he murmured against her hair. "I just don't want to see you hurt."

Lily pulled back slightly, looking into his eyes. "Then let's face this together."

He nodded, and without another word, he leaned in, capturing her lips with his in a kiss that spoke volumes-of understanding, trust, and a bond that had grown stronger through the trials they faced.

As they parted, Lily smiled, feeling lighter. "No more shutting each other out, okay?"

"Deal," Zane replied, a soft smile breaking through his earlier tension.

With a renewed sense of determination, they walked out of the hallway together, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead, side by side.