[[[all of your flaws]]] [[[part i]]]

36.

There was a knock at the door, which was odd, because she had a key. I opened it, laughing that she'd probably lost it, and came face to face with a police officer.

'Does this lady live here?' He asked. Lily leaned out from behind him, looking mortified.

'Yeah, she does.'

'Shes been cautioned with theft today and has been banned from Shuch in town. The manager decided not to press charges but it will go on her police file for 2 years.'

She stood there next to the closed door, her hands twiddling together, looking down at the floor like a naughty child.

'Lily?' I said, trying to coax an explanation out of her.

'I don't know what happened.' She whispered.

'He said you stole something? What did you steal?'

'I...I am so sorry, it was an accident I-'

'What did you steal?'

'Some red chucks.' I could hardly hear her. I saw tears begin to roll down her cheeks.

'Have you done this before?' She nodded. I wasn't mad. In a way, I totally understood. This must've been what she used to do and maybe the past just got the better of her for a moment. I took her hands, forcing them to stop twitching and tried to make her look at me. But she couldn't meet my eyes.

'You don't have to steal things.' I told her.

'I'm sorry, I don't know what-'

'If you want something, anything at all, tell me. Honestly, I would give you the world if you asked for it.'

'What?' She said, her mouth bobbing open. I hadn't meant it like that.

'I just mean...I feel bad for you and I want to make sure you're happy and-'

'Look, I am so grateful for everything you've done, but don't feel bad for me. I don't need pity.' Her tone changed straight away.

'I know that, I just-'

'Look. Maybe I should leave...' She began gathering up her things.

'Lily, no, don't go. Stay.'

'Dan, it's fine, honestly. Thank you so much for everything.'

'Please don't.'

'I'll pay you back for everything when I can.'

'I don't want to beg you and I know I can't make you stay but please? I like having you here. I like spending time with you and if you go then I don't know what I'll do...' I couldn't convey the words I wanted to say. I could write love songs and I could sing in front of hundreds of people, but I couldn't explain to her that I loved her. And it had taken her wanting to leave to realise that I did love her. I loved her smile. I loved her laugh. I loved how she was basically eating up books and taking everything in. I loved how she couldn't cook. I loved how after a hard day at work, she was here when I got home, making everything seem better.

'I've caused enough trouble as it is and I'll never be able to pay you back.'