Falling Together

Chapter 18 (Adrian)

All my thoughts and all my emotions are all over the place. I let out a deep breath I didn't even know I was holding. How can she have been through all this alone? She is so much stronger than I thought. This man is out there and she could've been hurt any second. I am never leaving her side no matter what.

Lily: "I'm sorry I didn't tell you. I was scared that if you knew, he would go after you too. I can't let anybody else get hurt, not on my account."

Adrian: "Lily, all I ever want is for you to be safe. If you are ever in some kind of danger, of course I want to know. I will dedicate my life to protect you and make you happy."

Lily: "I don't even know where he is."

Adrian: "It's okay Lily. We can get through this, together. You're not alone, never. Do you understand?

Lily: "Thank you Adrian."

Adrian: "And promise me you won't ever keep anything like this from me again."

Lily: "I promise."

We stay lying in bed for a couple hours and I can't seem to think clearly.

Adrian: "Lily, I know you said you came here for your grandfather but I just thought, what happens when this vacation is over? What's going to happen between us?

Lily: "Adrian, I didn't tell you this either but I quit my job that day."

Adrian: "Why? What happened?"

Lily: "I couldn't be putting myself at risk like that. I also felt like I was living the life for my mother. She wanted me to be successful and not fail like she did. But that was the problem; she was living her life through me. Being a lawyer was great, but to be one, you have to be strong and willing. After what I went through, I don't know if I have either one of those qualities."

Adrian: "Of course you do Lily. You are the strongest person I know."

Lily: "Then you don't know a lot of people."

Adrian: "Lily, I am glad you finally stood up for yourself because now you can do something that you have always wanted to do and this time it's going to be for you, to make you happy and not to make anyone else happy."

Lily: "That's the thing; I don't know what I even want to do."

Adrian: "You will and when you do find it, I know that you will truly be the best at it. Remember, you only live once, so live it to the fullest."

Lily: "My grandfather told me the exact same thing before he died."

Adrian: "Well, he was a very wise man."

Lily: "He sure was."

Adrian: "So what are we going to do about this Cole guy?"

Lily: "I don't know. He's out there and I'm scared."

Adrian: "Don't worry, everything is going to be okay."

As I hug her, there was a knock at the door. We both jump in surprise and I whisper to her "Did you invite someone?"

Lily: "No."

I grab a bat that I always keep at the entrance for when I go to the batting cages with my friends. I walk to the door and look through the peep hole but there's no one there. I slowly open the door and the second I step out, a girl and a guy step out with holding five billion balloons.

Skylar and Jesse: "SURPRISE!!!"

Lily: "Jesse? Skylar?"

Adrian: "Please tell me you know them."

Lily: "Yea, they're my best friends!"

Skylar: "HAPPY BIRTHDAY!"

Happy what? Oh no, I realize I actually don't know her birthday.

Jesse: "You thought we would forget. Ha-ha you wish!"

Adrian: "You didn't tell me it was your birthday."

Lily: "I guess I forgot with everything going on, but it's okay I'm not a big fan of birthdays anyway."

Skylar: "She never has been. Hey, we haven't met; I'm Skylar and that's Jesse, we are Lily's favorite people in the world."

I look at Lily and she giggles while rolling her eyes.

Adrian: "Hello, I'm Adrian. Lily's boyfriend."

With that, Lily walks up to me and hooks her arm around mine.

Skylar: "Little missy. I cannot believe I had to hear that you have a new boo from your parents."

Lily: "You've seen my parents?"

Skylar: "Ya, how did you think we found you?"

Actually that thought never crossed my mind. Do they know what's been going on with Lily? Like she was reading my mind, Lily whispers "They know."

Jesse: "How you holding up?"

Lily: "I'm okay."

Skylar: "You always say that."

As if in unison, Jesse and Skylar grab Lily into a tight hug and that clicked something in Lily, which made her let go of a small sob. I like them. They care for Lily maybe as much as I do.

Adrian: "Thank you guys for coming. She needed this."

After around an hour of walking around Cali, I feel like I know them. Skylar is very funny, tan, tall, but can sometime be serious. Jesse on the other hand looks as if he is trying to figure me out. I get it, he's trying to be protective over Lily.

Adrian: "How long have you know Lily?"

Jesse: "Oh don't you worry about me, I don't play for that team."

I wasn't worried but I do admit it's a relief that I don't have to think about him getting too close.

Adrian: "Haha I wasn't worried. I can tell you guys care a lot about Lily."

Jesse: "Ya, she's my best friend. I don't think I would be able to live without her. She needs you. She needs someone to be by her side through this. Please, don't let her down."

Adrian: "I won't. I love her and the last thing I want is for her to get hurt."

Jesse: "You really love her?"

Adrian: "Yeah, I do."