Falling Together

Chapter 9 (Lily)

Julie: "Adrian? ADRIAN!"

My head turned towards the door as I heard my sister calling for her boyfriend down the hall. Saved by the bell! I silently thank the universe for keeping me from answering Adrian's question. Ugh, this whole situation made me sick to my stomach. Adrian stood quickly from my childhood bed and started fixing his suit, then looked up when Julie came into view in the doorway.

Julie: "Hey, what are you doing in here?"

Adrian: "Um, I got a little lost looking for the rest room."

I felt a little uncomfortable watching this exchange between them. Julie looked at the sign with our names on the door and I knew she was thinking the same thing I had when Adrian walked in. She made intense eye contact with me and I shrugged my shoulders as a way of showing I hadn't done anything wrong.

Julie: "So you mean you never went to the bathroom?"

She looked at me as if all this was my fault. She grabbed Adrian's hand and walked him to the bathroom. I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding, until she came back alone this time.

Julie: "Don't think I'm going to let you waltz in and take my boyfriend again, stay away from him!"

If only she knew.

Lily: "I am not trying to do anything. He came into my room."

Julie: "Somehow I find that hard to believe."

Lily: "Julie, you can't keep blaming me for what happened with Alex."

Julie: "I can and I will."

Lily: "Fine, whatever."

As she turns around, I have to open my big mouth and say "Oh, and by the way I met Adrian on my flight three weeks ago."

Julie: "You what?"

As if God is on my side today, Adrian walks out of the bathroom. My sister turns to him and starts to yell.

Julie: "You met my sister three weeks ago and you didn't tell me!"

Adrian: "I, I, I don't know."

I feel like I am having deja vu.

Julie: "What can you possibly not know?"

Lily: "Julie, I was the one who acted like I didn't know him, he just went along with it."

Julie: "Why would you do that?"

I don't know if I should just say it and let Adrian think I'm a slut or lie.

Lily: "Because I didn't want you to think that I was trying to take him away from you."

Julie: "Oh, you mean like what you did with Alex."

At the sound of his name, Adrian turns and looks at me. I am going to have to explain this to him later. I really don't know why I even should.

Adrian: "Who's Alex?"

Julie: "He was my boyfriend, whom Lily made out with while we were still dating."

He looks at me with a puzzled expression.

Lily: "That is not what happened!"

Julie: "Really, it wasn't?"

Lily: "Okay yes, but you're not telling the whole truth. You have never once let me explain what happened."

Julie: "Well okay fine, explain."

I look over to Adrian, who is just standing there in shock.

Lily: "Alex had been my best friend since preschool. I never thought of him as anything other than a brother. But that day, I was drunk and we were watching a movie and I guess..."

Adrian: "What the fuck, you were drunk? He took advantage of you?"

Lily: "No, no, he would never do that. Well I guess he just saw an opportunity and took it."

I think that sounded better in my head.

Adrian: "So, let me get this straight. He realized that you weren't in a healthy physical state, so he went ahead and made out with you?"

Lily: "That's not what happened and why would you care? You acted like you liked me when you took me home the other day." I can hear my sister gasp from across the room. "And then you show up here as my sister's boyfriend? So don't look at me as if I was the bad person here."

Julie: "Lily, answer me one thing?"

At this point all I can do is nod.

Julie: "Did you kiss him back?"

I honestly have no idea what to say. I don't remember that day as clearly as I use to, but I do remember the feeling of his lips crashing into mine.

Lily: "Yes, but I think it was because of the shock and the state I was in, that's all."

Julie: "Okay."

Lily: "Okay?"

Julie: "Okay, I believe you."

I can't believe she is saying this. She is finally letting go of the grudge she has been holding ever since that day.

Julie: "What ever happened to Alex?

Lily: "I don't know. The last I heard, he moved away with his parents."

Julie: "To where?"

I shrug my shoulders because I really never knew and never had the courage to ask him.

Adrian: "Well, I am going to leave you guys to talk."

Julie: "Tell me the truth, did you invite me over your house or did the invite come from your parents? Your mother told me, that you told her you saw me one day when you went to visit your father."

Adrian: "I am sorry Julie. My parents have always wanted to control my life."

Julie: "That's what I thought."

Adrian: "I will walk myself out now. I am sorry for any problems I have caused between you too."

Julie and Lily: "It's okay."

And we both look at each other and smiled. We haven't talked this much in almost a year.

Adrian: "Goodbye."

He turns and walks out of the door. Then Julie turns to me and says, "Go."

Lily: "Wait what?"

Julie: "Go to him!"

Lily: "But isn't he your boyfriend?"

Julie: "Yea, well no. He never looked at me the way he looked at you when he first saw you. Don't think I didn't see that. I just wanted to ignore the fact. So, Go!"

I get up and start walking but stop abruptly to run back and hug her.

Lily: "I'm sorry, for everything."

Julie: "It's okay, I forgive you. Remember what grandpa always said, "Do what your heart desires, because you might miss out on the opportunities you never took." By the way you look at him, I know its more than a simple crush. Now go get your man!"

I can't help but laugh while I run to catch up to him.