Crossing hearts

Chapter 13.1

Lily's mind was a whirlpool of thoughts as she navigated the crowded hallways of Ridgeview Academy. The image of Zane's bloodshot eyes haunted her, and the memory of his despondent posture left her feeling uneasy. What if something was wrong with him? The worry clawed at her chest, tightening with each step.

What if he's spiraling again? What if I'm too late to help him? The thoughts raced through her mind, each one darker than the last.

With each heartbeat, her determination to check on him grew stronger. She headed toward the basketball court, where she hoped to find him. As she approached, her breath caught in her throat. There he was, surrounded by a few classmates, shooting hoops with an intensity that contrasted sharply with the turmoil she sensed beneath his surface.

Relief washed over her. "Zane!" she called out, breaking through the noise of the bouncing ball.

He turned, and for a fleeting moment, the corners of his mouth turned up in a ghost of a smile, but it quickly faded. He resumed his focus on the game, and her heart sank slightly.

When the game paused, she approached him, her voice steady despite the whirlwind of emotions inside her. "Hey, where did you go? I came back from my phone call, and you were gone."

He glanced at her, his tone icy. "Yeah, I was busy."

"What's up? Are you okay? People said you looked upset," she pressed, concern lacing her voice.

"Upset?" Zane scoffed, rolling his eyes. "Even if I am upset, I don't think you should have to know."

Lily felt her heart drop. "What? I thought we were friends."

"Friends?" he shot back, his voice sharp and dismissive. "We were never friends, and we will never be friends."

His words cut deeper than she anticipated. Taken aback, she stuttered, "Zane, that's not fair—"

"Fair? You think this is fair?" he interrupted, his voice rising. "You come into my life, act all concerned, and then what? You think you can just waltz in and play the hero? Newsflash, Lily: I don't need saving."

"But I'm just trying to help!" she exclaimed, desperation creeping into her voice. "I care about you!"

He stepped back, eyes narrowing. "Why? Because you feel sorry for me? That's not friendship, Lily. That's pity."

The harshness of his words stung, leaving her speechless. "Zane, I—"

"Just leave me alone, okay?" he snapped, turning away from her. The tension in the air crackled, and Lily felt a sharp pang in her chest as he walked away, leaving her standing there, reeling from the sudden shift in their dynamic.

She stood frozen for a moment, the sounds of laughter and basketball fading into the background. Doubts surged within her. Was their connection just an illusion? Had she misread everything?

As she turned to leave, her eyes caught a glimpse of the basketball hoop, a reminder of the laughter they shared during their first real conversation. How did it come to this?

As she walked away, her friends Molly and Harper approached, concern etched on their faces.

"Lily, are you okay?" Molly asked gently, sensing the tension in her demeanor.

"No, I'm not okay!" she burst out, frustration and hurt spilling over. "He just... he doesn't want me around anymore. I thought we were getting closer."

Harper placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "Maybe he's just going through something. He has a lot on his plate. You've seen how he is."

"I just wanted to help him," Lily said, her voice cracking. "I don't understand why he's shutting me out."

As they walked back inside, Lily felt a sense of emptiness. What if Zane was right? What if her concern was just pity?

Later that night, she sat in her room, surrounded by reminders of their moments together—like the doodles he drew on their project papers or the way he smirked when he joked about his basketball skills. Her heart ached as she clutched a photo from their last group project, where they were laughing.

Maybe he just needs time. But doubt nagged at her—what if he was slipping away for good?