What If...: The Story of What Could Have Been

Recess Nobody Asked For

Lily could hear the mutter of people and feel their eyes on her. The hallway was tension now that the truth was out. She requested the maid to take Rosie home so the poor child wouldn't get hurt or caught up in something she couldn't ask for.

"Excuse me, where is Mr. Jackson?" Lily asked one of the policemen. He pointed to the hallway behind him and suggested 3 then pointed to the right. Her head nodded as a thank you as the click from her heels echoed the farther she got from the crowd of spectators.

"Lily!" A booming voice called out. She turned around and saw her father making his way down. She stopped in her place so he could yell at her. "What the hell was that... that... freak saying on the stand before recess?" His tone was cold and angry while his wife was terrified of what was going on.

"I-I was about to talk to him about it... Alone." Her explanation sounded quick but believable. Her father glared but nodded. His arms were crossed against his chest.

"Good. If he says that it was a lie, he can get arrested..."
"If he confirms it?" The space between them fell silent. A pin could drop and it would sound like a bomb were to go off between them.

"There will be a lot of trouble for us all...;" He said and nudged at her mother. "Make the right choice because your life depends on it." The two walked off but Lily noticed her mother's face mouth 'The truth will set you free'. Lily took a deep breath and walked to the room.

"Lily..." Eren looked up and got out of his seat once Lily closed the door behind her. He rushed over and hugged her. Lily was taken back for a moment but gently hugged him back. She eventually looked and saw the cop that interrogated her.

"You lied.." Samuel said plainly, his arms crossed.

"I was scared of Eren getting hurt... I really did want to say the truth but I was threatened by Maxwell's men that if I come back they would hurt him." The explanation made sense to Samuel and nodded.

"We're gonna do what we can to make sure he gets out freely. I knew there was something up about that husband of yours." Samuel explained and walked out to give the two lovers time alone.

"How could you tell everyone that when you promised me that this wasn't how we wanted to tell people!" Lily yelled in anger but not too loud. Eren frowned in sadness.

"I had to... I wasn't going to let Maxwell say all those lies about us... I would never let you do something you didn't want to do and without knowing you would be ok then." Eren explained. Lily frowned and touched his cheek.

"But the trial now lies up to me. The only other witness besides me is now Doctor Muller." A sigh escaped as she ran her fingers through her hair. Everything was falling onto her shoulders and it felt like the whole world was going to crash and burn if things didn't go right.
"Lily... You know that everything happens for a reason. Right now, you have a choice... Set me free or let the bad guy win and I know for sure in the end of each fairy tale, the knight gets his princess and lives happily ever after." The two just looked at each other, the room full of silence.

"I don't want you to die..." Lily said full of fear in her voice.

"If things go right, We'll go to California. Rosie can have this huge backyard full of flowers. You can make dresses and sell them while I have a good job to where I can see you and Rosie every single night. Doesn't that sound wonderful?" His voice was gentle and soothing to her, calming her down from her anger. Her response was silent but gave a nod. Eren's face lit up slightly and he rubbed her head as he held her in his arms.

"You two. Recess is about to end. Mrs. Highland, hurry out of here before people start to assume things." Samuel intervened. The two looked at one another and sighed. Eren looked into her eyes and kissed her forehead. He muttered to her,

"Everything will end up ok. I know you'll make the right choice."