Broken homes

Ski trip pt.2

The ski trip had finally settled into a routine—wake up, freeze in the snow, attempt not to die while skiing, and avoid any and all awkward confrontations.

For the most part, Lily was managing. Barely.

After the whole disaster on the slopes, she kept her distance from both Shawn and Nate. Angela was still pissed. Topanga was trying to be neutral. And Cory? Well, Cory had been watching her like a hawk all day.

So it was no surprise when, after dinner, Cory cornered her near the lodge fireplace.

"Alright, sit," he said, pointing at the couch.

Lily crossed her arms. "Excuse me?"

Cory gave her a look. "Don't fight me on this, Lily. We need to talk."

Lily sighed but dropped onto the couch anyway. Cory sat beside her, leaning forward, elbows on his knees. The fire crackled beside them, casting warm light on his face.

"Alright," he started. "Are you gonna tell me what's going on, or am I supposed to guess?"

Lily avoided his gaze. "Nothing's going on."

Cory scoffed. "Oh, please. You've been acting weird for weeks. You and Shawn are weird. You and Nate are weird. You and Angela are definitely weird. And now, you're avoiding everyone like it's your new hobby."

Lily groaned, running a hand through her hair. "Can we not do this, Matthews?"

Cory tilted his head. "Why? Because I'm right?"

She shot him a glare. "Because I don't feel like talking about it."

Cory sighed. "Look, Lily, I know we haven't been as close lately. And yeah, I kinda deserve that after—" He hesitated. "—after everything that happened between you and Shawn."

Lily's jaw clenched.

Cory continued, his voice softer. "But just because we fought doesn't mean I stopped caring about you. You're still my friend, Lily. Whether you like it or not."

Lily exhaled. "You don't get it, Cory. I don't even know what I want anymore. With Nate. With Shawn. With anything." She shook her head. "And I'm tired of people waiting for me to figure it out."

Cory was quiet for a moment. Then, he smirked.

"You know," he said, "for someone who doesn't know what she wants, you sure kissed Shawn like you meant it."

Lily's eyes snapped to his, wide. "What?"

Cory leaned back, arms crossed. "Oh, come on, Lily. Do you really think people wouldn't find out? It's Shawn we're talking about. Half the school probably knows by now."

Lily groaned, sinking into the couch. "Kill me. Just kill me."

Cory laughed. "Sorry, can't do that. I kinda need you alive for the rest of this trip."

Lily peeked at him, a small smile tugging at her lips. "You're annoying."

Cory grinned. "Yeah, but you love me anyway."

She sighed. "Unfortunately."

They sat there for a moment, just watching the fire crackle. For the first time in weeks, Lily felt like she could actually breathe.

Cory nudged her shoulder. "Look, whatever happens, just... don't shut people out, okay? Even Shawn."

Lily hesitated, then nodded. "Yeah. Okay."

Cory smiled. "Good. Now, come on—before Feeny realizes we're missing and forces us to write an essay on 'The Dangers of Emotional Avoidance.'"

Lily rolled her eyes but stood up anyway.

For the first time in a long time, talking to Cory felt right again.

And maybe—just maybe—she wasn't as lost as she thought.

The air outside the ski lodge was crisp, the kind that burned a little when you breathed in too fast. Lily tugged her jacket tighter around herself, shifting from foot to foot as she waited near the bonfire pit.

She wasn't sure why Nate had agreed to talk. He had every reason to ignore her, maybe even hate her. But instead, when she asked him to meet her, he just nodded and said, "Yeah, okay."

And now here they were.

Nate finally approached, hands in his pockets, his usual smirk replaced by something softer.

"So," he started, stopping a few feet from her. "You wanted to talk?"

Lily exhaled, trying to gather her thoughts. "Yeah. I—I know I hurt you, Nate. And I don't want to make excuses for it. What I did was wrong, and I should've been honest with you sooner."

He studied her, expression unreadable. "So, you and Shawn?"

Lily swallowed. "It just... happened. But that doesn't make what I did to you okay."

Nate sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Look, Lily, I liked you. A lot. And finding out like that? It sucked." He shook his head. "But I've had time to think. And honestly? I think I always knew you had feelings for him."

Lily frowned. "You did?"

Nate chuckled. "Lily, come on. You and Shawn? You fight like crazy, but you always find your way back to each other. Even when you hate him, you love him." He shrugged. "I guess I was just hoping you'd look at me that way too."

Lily's heart sank. "I did care about you, Nate. I still do."

He smiled a little. "I know. And that's why I can't stay mad at you."

Lily blinked. "Wait. Really?"

Nate let out a small laugh. "Yeah, really. Don't get me wrong, it hurt. But at the end of the day, I don't want to lose you completely. I think we were always better as friends anyway."

Lily felt a weight lift off her chest. "So... we're good?"

Nate smirked. "We're good."

Lily grinned and, without thinking, threw her arms around him in a hug. He stiffened at first but then relaxed, hugging her back.

"Just do me a favor, Dawson," he said, pulling back.

"What?"

"Next time you decide to kiss someone that isn't your boyfriend, maybe don't do it in front of a door with windows."

Lily groaned, shoving his shoulder. "You are never letting that go, are you?"

Nate smirked. "Nope. Never."

Lily rolled her eyes, but for the first time in weeks, she felt like things were falling into place.

She and Nate were good.

And maybe—just maybe—everything else would be too.