It Was Supposed to Blossom

CHAPTER EIGHT

Lilly POV

I yawned loudly and flipped to the other side, automatically fanning my long hair out along my pillows and snuggle down under my covers. My head hurt badly and the roof of my mouth had gone dry. I had absolutely no desire to get out of bed at all. It didn't matter anyway. It was a Sunday, and I didn't have much to do today. All my scripts were written, footage pre-recorded and edited, processed and ready to upload on Monday and Thursday. So, sleeping late was such a tempting option.

Suddenly, on my bedside table, my phone started to ring. Frowning, I pulled back the covers, scrambled to unplug my phone and see who was calling. "Liza" flashed up on the screen. I grinned and answered.

"Lilly!" Liza's cheerful, energetic voice rang into my ears, which instantly woke me up. I loved my fellow brown girl.

"Hey!" I stifled a yawn as I tucked the covers in neatly and headed to the bathroom. "What's up?"

"What time are we meeting? I can do 10, since we have to be at Ryan's at eleven thirty." She continued blithely.

I stopped. "What?"

"Remember? We're meeting for brunch before going to shoot I Dare You with Ryan Higa! David's coming too! I'm so excited." Liza carries on cheerfully. I couldn't believe it. How could I have forgotten that we were shooting a collab with Ryan? Ugh.

"Um...yeah. I'll see you at 10." I tell her.

"OK. Bye!" She cuts the call, and I put down my phone. How could I face Ryan, after...everything? I chose not to deal with my feelings toward him, but I couldn't back out now.

I tried to drag out the time till ten o'clock. I take a long shower, blow-dry my hair, brush it and pull it up, do my makeup and dress in high-waisted denim jeans and a long-sleeved grey shirt slowly. Soon, it was dangerously close to our meeting time. Still, I cleaned my teeth and put on my Converse before wandering to the breakfast diner a block down, effectively killing another five minutes. My plaster cast did force me to slow down a little, after all.

Liza was already waiting for me in a booth, wearing her black Fleek & Potato & Yeet & Shmoney hoodie over her jeans and her curls loose. "Hi!" She jumped up and flung her arms round me enthusiastically, but pulled away almost instantly. "Oh, sorry. I forgot about your cast."

"Don't worry about it, I'm fine," I waved her concern away and sat down. "So, how's everything?"

While waiting for the food, we talked about work, family, friends, the upcoming VidCon, the possibility of her appearing on a Girl Love episode. It was pleasant, and soon I forgot all about Ryan. I asked her about her appearance on Escape the Night 2.

"I want to find out if you survive! I don't have YouTube Red!" I brought my hands to my face, and Liza laughed. "You cheapskate, you!"

"What about you? You sleep in a washing machine but have a Tesla!"

"I fit into a machine. AND it's David's Tesla. I just own it because he's my boyfriend." said Liza. I crack up. "I am so single."

"Is there anyone you like?" Liza says casually, but there's something in her tone.

My laughter died out. "Hmm?" I asked, pretending to be absent.

She punched my arm lightly. "I'm serious! D-Trix? Or Swoozie?"

"Neither. They're just friends."

"Really?" She fiddled with the draw string of her hoodie. "Then...Ryan?"

I almost choked on my orange juice. "What? Why? Why would you say that?"

Liza showed me her phone. Someone had taken a grainy image of me and Ryan in the car, kissing.

"Oh no!!" I buried my face in my hands while Liza laughed hysterically. "No come on, seriously." Liza said after she calmed down. "You guys are cute together. And I know you've always had good chemistry. I know from experience." She flicked her hair, and I had to laugh. Oh Liza.

"But who took that photo?"

"Probably a fan." shrugged Liza. "Was there anyone there when you got out of the car?" I thought about it. I was in such a rush, I probably would not have noticed anyone near us.

"I don't know."

"So do you like him?" Liza's eyes are wide and she leans forward.

How could I say I did, then admit I brought him a ransom, fought down three thugs for him, sought him out for help only to kiss him and like it more than I thought?

"I don't have time for relationships. Let's eat. It's almost 11." I put a forkful of pancakes in my mouth, and after a moment's hesitation, Liza follows suit.

We chitchat, settle the bill and head for Ryan's house. And I was not looking forward to it.

Author's note: pretty sure Lilly has YouTube Red and maybe isn't obsessively binging Escape The Night 2 like I am but I just wanted to bring that into conversation. Sue me! Also still hoping Liza escapes for real!!! *bites fingers anxiously* this is getting long but including Liza & David was crucial because they're the next best power couple. (wink)