Hearts of trouble (under development)

De-ja vu

Two weeks had passed, and Lily's absence at school was glaring. Every day, Cory, Topanga, and even Nate would look toward the door, hoping Lily would walk in with her usual confidence, but she never did. Her seat in their classes remained empty, a constant reminder of the fallout.

Shawn, who had been quieter than usual, couldn't shake the guilt. He replayed the fight over and over, hearing his own harsh words echo in his mind. Each time, he felt a pang of regret, knowing he had hurt Lily in a way that went deeper than he'd ever intended. But reaching out felt impossible; he wasn't sure if she'd even want to talk to him.

One afternoon, after classes, Cory found Shawn leaning against the lockers, looking lost in thought.

"You know she's not coming back until you make this right," Cory said softly, watching his friend's face.

Shawn sighed, staring at the ground. "I don't know if I can fix it, Cory. I was so stupid. I don't even know what I'd say."

Cory gave him an encouraging look. "You start by apologizing. Lily's been through a lot, and she didn't deserve what you said. She cares about you, Shawn. That's why it hurt her so much."

Shawn nodded, the reality of Cory's words sinking in. "I just... I didn't mean it. Any of it. I was just angry, and she was there, and... I took it out on her."

"Then show her that you're sorry. You don't have to have the perfect words, Shawn. You just have to mean it," Cory said, patting his friend on the shoulder.

The first day Lily returned to school, her presence was felt instantly. Cory, Topanga, Nate, and Angela spotted her in the hallway, looking a little quieter than usual, but still carrying herself with her usual poise. They were relieved to see her back, but she avoided talking about her absence, brushing off questions with a faint smile and a shrug. Her friends didn't push-they were just happy she was there.

After school, Cory went to see Shawn drinking and they both argue about how Shawn needs to stop drinking and agreed on Lily behalf.

The group hurried over to the shared apartment where Abigail, Jack, and Eric lived. They entered cautiously, the tension in the air thick. Inside, they found Shawn and Jack in the middle of a heated argument. Empty bottles were scattered around, and Shawn's face was flushed, his eyes filled with anger and pain.

"You don't get to judge me, Jack!" Shawn shouted, his voice slurred. "We both know what our dad was like. Drinking was his way of dealing, and maybe... maybe it's mine too!"

Jack's face was tight with frustration. "So you want to end up like him? You think this is helping anyone, least of all yourself? You're hurting everyone around you, Shawn, including her." He glanced toward Lily, who was standing nearby, looking heartbroken.

At that, Shawn's anger seemed to flare even more. "Lily doesn't get it either. She thinks she's better than everyone, with her 'perfect' life. She's always trying to control me!"

Lily stepped forward, keeping her voice calm but firm. "Shawn, I'm not here to control you. I'm here because I care. You don't have to do this-you're better than this so come outside let talk."

But Shawn's anger got the best of him. "Better than this? Look at you, coming back and acting like you're here to save me!" He pushed her hard, stumbling in his drunken state. Lily hit the doorframe with a thud, and as she stood up, they noticed a small trickle of blood at the back of her head.

Everyone froze.

Shawn's eyes widened, a flicker of horror crossing his face as he realized what he'd just done. "Lily... I didn't... I didn't mean to..."

Lily held her hand to her head, steadying herself as her friends rushed over to check on her. Cory, furious, looked at Shawn with disappointment.

Lily steadied herself against the doorframe, the pain in her head a sharp reminder of what had just happened. She looked at Shawn, hurt and sadness etched across her face, but her eyes were resolute.

"Shawn," she began, her voice steady, but filled with a raw honesty that cut through the tension in the room, "I can't do this anymore. I don't recognize this person you become when you drink. This... this isn't the Shawn I thought I knew."

Shawn looked at her, his face filled with remorse, but Lily didn't flinch. She took a shaky breath and continued, "You need to know that I care about you, and I always will. But I can't keep standing by and watching you spiral. I tried to help, but I can't be the one who saves you."

Her words hung in the air, heavy and final. She turned away, ignoring the stinging pain from her injury, and headed toward the door. Cory and Topanga exchanged worried glances as Lily reached for the handle. She paused just long enough to look back at Shawn one last time.

"When you're ready to choose a better path, I'll be cheering for you from a distance. But until then... I'm done."

With that, she stepped out, closing the door softly behind her. Outside, she took a few deep breaths, blinking back the tears that threatened to spill. The cold air stung, but it felt grounding-she was done putting herself in harm's way for someone who wasn't ready to be saved.

Inside, Shawn stood motionless, her words replaying over and over in his mind. He had always thought she'd be there, no matter what. But now he realized, too late, that he had crossed a line he could never uncross.