Chapter 15
Lily's POV.
I trudged down the school hallway, my heart still pounding from yesterday's showdown, and last night's messy emotions. Every locker and poster felt like a reminder of Joe's icy dismissal and me being Mark's girlfriend. I closed my eyes, taking a shaky breath: I needed to find Mark, to apologize, explain, wh…why I left suddenly.
I rounded a corner and froze. Mark was stepping out of the girls' locker room, cradling his arm. A tall senior, one of the nurse volunteers, was pressing a clean gauze pad to his side, her brow furrowed in concentration. She was the nurse for yesterday's match, so I couldn't complain, but my stomach twisted at the sight.
"Hey," I greeted softly.
He looked up, eyes narrowing. The nurse slipped away, nodding at me. I offered a quick smile.
"Hey. How're you feeling?"
He flexed his shoulder and winced. "Better. You…where were you yesterday after the match, especially when I was getting beaten up?" His voice was hard-edged. "I couldn't find you anywhere, I searched all over for you."
I flinched. "I…uh…I had to… meet Sonia." Truth was, I'd been stewing over Joe, especially after what happened in the locker room, I needed to go home. But I wasn't about to admit that. "She needed help with her assignment."
He folded his arms. "All that you are saying is nothing but excuses. You weren't there when i needed you the most."
My cheeks burned, and I took a cautious step forward. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to leave you."
"You never do," he replied coolly.
That stung. I wasn't sure what to say. "I can come back another time if you'd like," I murmured, already turning toward the door.
He reached across the narrow corridor and caught my wrist.
"No." His grip was gentle but firm. "You're not leaving."
I met his gaze, pulse racing. The hallway lights glinted off his dark hair and the bruises still rippled beneath his skin. I swallowed. "Okay."
He motioned back toward the locker room. "Tell her to give us a minute."
I nodded, and the nurse slipped back inside without a word. The school's hum of voices faded as Mark closed the door behind us, sealing us in the quiet.
Mark turned to me, his expression shifting from anger to something softer. He stepped close, eyes dark with emotion. "I thought you cared," he whispered.
My heart stuttered. "I do," I said. "I care so much. I…"
He reached up, brushing a stray lock from my face. Before I could brace myself, he pulled me into a fierce kiss, his lips pressing urgently against mine, his hands tangling in my hair. My head spun. This wasn't the gentle Mark who'd coaxed me out of my shell, this was desperate, rough, raw.
I hesitated at first, my heart pounding. My mind flashed to Joe's worry and pain, but I couldn't lose Mark either. I wrapped my arms around his neck, drawing him in and kissed him back, matching his intensity, even when his teeth grazed my lower lip, drawing a thin line of pain that was mixed with desire.
He broke away, breathing hard. I leaned against his chest, my heartbeat echoing his.
"I'm sorry I was rude," he murmured. His forehead rested against mine. "I just… things have been rough between us. Every couple goes through this, right?"
I nodded slowly. "Of course," I replied, even though my heart was a knot of confusion.
He brushed his thumb across my cheek and kissed my temple. "That's why I want to take you out tonight. A proper date. Just you and me."
Despite my lingering doubts, I felt a small thrill at the idea. "Really? Where?"
"You'll see," he winked. "Wear something nice."
That evening, I stood in front of my mirror for too long, trying on dress after dress. My hands kept trembling as I chose one that felt good enough, a classy dark blue with delicate straps.
Sonia helped me pin my hair back into soft waves. "Stop frowning," she chided. "You look amazing."
"I'm just nervous," I admitted.
"Babe, enjoy tonight," she said, grinning. "Maybe it'll put your heart in order."
The driver arrived and a knock at the door jolted me. Mark's driver stood in a crisp uniform. "Miss Lilly?" he said, bowing his head. "Mr. Rowe is ready for you."
I grabbed my purse and took a deep breath. "Thank you." My pulse raced as I stepped into the sleek black car. The city lights shimmered through tinted windows.
At the Grand Arcadia Hotel, the driver opened the door for me.
I descended the steps. Inside, a chandelier spilled golden light over the marble floors. Soft piano music drifted from the restaurant beyond.
Mark stood by a table draped in white linen, looking impossibly handsome in a tailored navy suit. He smiled when he saw me.
"You look beautiful," he greeted, a soft smile on his face.
"Thanks," I replied shyly. "And you look very handsome."
He held out his arm. "Shall we?"
We settled into plush chairs. A waiter poured sparkling water as Mark scanned the menu. I inhaled the aroma of garlic and fresh bread, feeling butterflies.
The tension between us had softened, and I felt myself laughing at his jokes. For a while, it felt easy again. Almost perfect.
That is, until a photographer appeared at our table, his camera poised. "Mr. Rowe, a photo for the society pages?" the photographer asked, lens trained on us.
Mark held up a hand. "No, thank you," he said firmly.
The photographer frowned. "It's part of the package…"
Mark cut him off. "Not tonight." He motioned with a firm hand. "Now, please leave."
The man hesitated, clicking one last shot. I felt the flash burn behind my eyelids. Then he retreated.
I glanced at him in confusion as the photographer shuffled off. "Why not? That would've been a nice keepsake."
Mark's smile slipped, and he gave a small shrug. "Your eyes," he murmured. "They look empty tonight. They looked hollow in that flash. You didn't even bother with eyeliner. I can't have you looking bad in the photos I'll show my mum.. Let's wait until you look more... lively."
The words hit me like a slap. My lips parted in shock, my chest tightening. Hollow?. Empty? That was how he saw me? That was why he pushed the photographer away?
"I… I thought this was about us, not about how I look."
He reached for my hand. "It is. I just… want you at your best."
His voice softened. "I'd rather spend the evening with you than have an ugly snapshot of my girlfriend looking tired."
I didn't know if I could take that as an insult or a compliment. I just stared at him.
He offered a small grin. "Come on. Let's order dinner."
The clinking of silverware and the gentle murmur of other guests faded into a tense silence. I stared at him, the unspoken question trembling on my lips as my heart thudded painfully in my chest.
And all I could feel was my own heartbeat hammering like a warning.