Lilly

Chapter 26

She didn't even bother closing the door as she left. The problem was, she didn't know where she was, so she sat on the curb, and cried. Someone sat beside her and put an arm around her, and held her. She leaned into the person, not caring who it was. Their comfort was what she needed. She was scared and upset, more so than she should've been.

"I'm sorry," Stuart said.

"For what? For me being so screwed up?"

"No, for my Mom thinking the worst."

"She's supposed to. A lot of kids are abused in those situations, so it's her job, or was. Anyway, she did it for so long, I guess, she does it automatically, but I'm so screwed up I can't accept help when it's offered or when someone's just trying to be nice. I get mad and try to push them away, without thinking about it, and I will with you too."

"I'll deal with it, when it happens."

"No, you won't, because I won't let you go through it. I'm leaving and I'm not coming back. Thank you for everything, and tell you parents thank you for me," she said, and stood up, but he grabbed her hand, standing up with her.

"I'm not letting you go."

"You don't wanna make me mad."

"And I don't want you to leave, either."

"Why won't you just let me go? I'm bad for you, for anyone. I'm trouble, a loser," she said, her voice rising. "You know nothing about me, so cut me loose while you can."

"No," was his simple response.

"What do you mean, 'no'?" Her anger was rising.

"I'm not just letting you go, because they taught me when you care for someone, you fight for them. I'm going to fight for you, even if it's with you I have to fight."

"You've known me for what, three, four days, and you're 'in love' with me? Get a life, Stu. I'm not worth the time or trouble."

"Yes, you are." His voice remained calm, steady, even though hers was not.

"I hate you!" She tried to jerk her hand free, but he wouldn't let go.

"No you don't."

"I'm warning you," she said, again trying to get her hand free.

Playing with fire, and he knew it, he darted in and kissed her, before she knew to react. It was a quick kiss, nothing more than a peck, but it was on her lips. Her face was a picture of shock, as she stood there, staring at him.

The coming reaction scared Stuart, thinking he was about to get the crap beat out of him. He would almost have preferred it. What he got was worse. She cried. Not caring what she did, he pulled her to his chest, and held her.

"I'm a loser, a freak. Find someone better than me," she said, trying to pull away.

"No, you're not," he told her, and he still wouldn't let her go.

"Don't tell me what I am!" she screamed and pounded on him, hitting him over and over. Her hits didn't hurt much, but the number of them were adding up. As he thought about the situation, he almost laughed, realizing he got the tears, and the hitting.

Something else happened then, bringing a new fear. "Lilly," he said, and the tone of his voice made her look up. Following his eyes, she turned to see several vans pulling up. Men in military tactical gear poured out of the vans, all with army looking rifles.

"Stu, when I tell you to, run."

"I'm not letting you go."

"Don't be stupid! We don't have time for this."