Blue Ribbon

Chapter 5 - Let's make a deal

"If you love, you will sacrifice."

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Lilly's POV

The possibility of us was enough to knock the breath from my lungs.

In a span of seconds only, I saw how the future might play out if we take this risk. I saw us, together, figuring whatever the hell this is out. I saw this growing, I saw us getting attached. But then, I saw that inevitable end. I saw how this would only end in heartbreak and the worst part is, it may not be me the one who'll get hurt.

Before I could let the words part my lips, the loud clicking sound of a door echoed in the empty library and I gasped, taken aback. My body jerked up and the sounds became louder, heavy footsteps, some chattering, and people talking.

My heart knocked it up a notch and I staggered backward till my back came in contact with Chase's front. His arm went around my body, his hand wrapped around my forearm in reassurance. My gaze lifted up to him and I breathed out, my heart dropped into my stomach trying to figure out if we're being saved or maybe not...

My eyes squinted when suddenly light from the upper lamps illuminated the whole place. I looked around in shock, someone turned the lights on. The chattering increased and the footsteps seemed to get closer and closer before I heard my name being called, "Lilly!"

"Dad!" I gasped when I registered his voice before I saw him step into the room.

His eyes fell on me and I didn't waste a second before I left Chase's side and ran to him. I came crashing between his arms, they protectively wrapped around me, "Oh thank god, you're here." He whispered in my hair, the underlying worry in his tone squeezed my heart so tight.

I pulled back a fraction and looked at him, my lips pulled up in a relieved smile. He held my face in his hands and his eyes inspected me, "Are you okay?" He asked, worry creasing his face.

I nodded with a small smile, assuring him. My dad worries, a lot. Like a lot a lot. More than he should but now, in his eyes, there was more than just worry, there was a type of fear I have never seen before.

"Dad, I just got myself stuck in a library that's all." I said, a hint of playfulness in my tone, lighting up the mood and trying to assure him, "Other than me being so stupid, I am fine."

He shook his head and breathed out a sigh of relief, "My head just played the worst scenarios." He mumbled, the look that flashed in his eyes was a first for me to see. For a second there, he looked scared. I've seen him worried before, I've seen him angry, very rarely by the way, but I've never seen him scared. What could he be scared of?

I shook all these thoughts away and looked around, finally registering the presence of the other people in the room. Uncle Ashton was talking with Chase, some security guards were there and two police officers as well but what shocked me the most was seeing Zack here.

"I'll call your mom and tell her, she was going crazy." Dad mumbled as he placed the phone to his ear while all my focus was on the fact that Zack was actually here. His eyes found mine and a small smile played over his lips before he walked closer, "You okay?" He asked and suddenly, my throat felt so dry.

See, how can I start something with anyone when I still get all excited and wobbly by just a glimpse of this guy.

My stomach flipped up and down and I tucked my hair behind my ear and nodded with a small smile. God, I must look like shit now. Did he have to come and see me like this?