Chapter 2

The next two periods went quickly, and Lily made her way back to C7, for the third time that day. She was just about to knock on the door when she saw Mr Rose, her music teacher, was in there. She didn't want to interrupt, so she waited outside. "Okay, I'll see you later," Lily heard Mr Harrison say.

"See you, Jacky Boy," Mr Rose said, and Lily heard a kiss. Mr Rose then walked out.

"Hey, Lily," he said.

"Hey..." she said.

"Lily, hey," Mr Harrison said, seeing she was at the door.

"Hi..." Lily said. "Um... sorry if this is personal... but is something going on between you and Mr Rose?"

"Huh? No, he's just an old friend of mine. We went to high school together, and then sixth form and uni..." Mr Harrison said, and Lily nodded.

"It's just... I heard a kissing noise, that's all... I was just wondering..."

"If I was gay?" Mr Harrison asked.

"No, I was just wondering if you were seeing each other," Lily said. "And by the way, I couldn't care less if you're gay, so don't interpret that as me being homophobic,"

"No, no don't worry about it. James, Mr Rose that is, kissed my cheek, as that's his way of saying hello and goodbye. He's gay, and I'm bisexual, and we're not in a relationship," Mr Harrison said, smiling. Lily nodded.

"Sorry..." she said.

"No, no problem," he said. "Sit down, I don't want you to feel uncomfortable around me," He said, and Lily nodded and sat down. "Do you have your lunch?" He asked.

"Um... no..." Lily said.

"Are you okay?" Mr Harrison asked.

"Isabella took it..." Lily said.

"I see... you can have some of mine if you like?" He said. "I can talk to Isabella after school,"

"No, it's okay... and please, don't talk to Isabella... it will make things worse for me... and honestly, I think she'd make things quite uncomfortable for you too..." Lily said.

"Are you calling me attractive, Miss Ashton?" Mr Harrison asked, looking Lily straight in the eyes.

"I see you've taken the time to learn my surname," Lily said, and Mr Harrison smiled. "And, no, I wasn't calling you attractive. I was merely saying that she finds you attractive, and would probably try to... you know..."

"No, I don't know..." Mr Harrison said.

"Don't start that again..." Lily said and Mr Harrison smiled.

"So tell me about yourself?" Mr Harrison asked, getting his lunch out his bag.

"I'm not sure what there is to say..." Lily said.

"What sort of stuff are you in to?" He asked.

"Uh... well I love music, Lego, the Lord of the Rings, and drawing..." Lily said.

"Yeah?" Mr Harrison said. "What bands do you like?"

"Linkin Park... My Chemical Romance... YUNGBLUD..." Lily said. "I also like Nirvana and Foo Fighters, but not as much,"

"Ah, same," Mr Harrison said.

"Really?" Lily asked.

"Yeah, yeah..." Mr Harrison said. "I live for Linkin Park,"

"Same," Lily said.

"Hey, you know what, I've got tickets to see YUNGBLUD next summer... why don't you come with me?" Mr Harrison asked. "I know you don't know me, and stuff, but... if you fancied it, the offer's there..."

"Yeah, okay, sounds cool, as long as I can get to know you a bit better beforehand," Lily said.

"Yeah, of course," Mr Harrison said, chuckling. "Listen, I'll go with what you want, alright. I mean, we could make an evening of it, if you know what I mean, but if you find that weird, then we can just meet there. You don't even have to be anywhere near me if you like,"

"It's your ticket. I don't want to take that from you and then piss off somewhere else in the crowd," Lily said.

"I just want you to feel comfortable," he said, and Lily smiled.

"I'd prefer to make an evening of it, but only if I know you," Lily said.

"How can I help with that? I could take you out tonight..." he said, smirking.

"I can't tell if you're joking or not, but if you're not, then no, thanks,"

"No, I was joking," Mr Harrison said, laughing. "Listen, Lily... about what that girl said... what was her name? Isabella?" He asked. Lily nodded. "Okay, was what she said true?"

"Okay, so I haven't fucked someone, big deal..." Lily said. "I'm saving myself,"

"Hey, no, I just wanted to say that that's good," Mr Harrison said. "I'm proud of you for not just losing your virginity to some random guy who's going to take advantage of you,"

"When did you lose yours?" Lily asked.

"Seventeen," Mr Harrison said. "It's not quite the same, a man losing his virginity, and a woman..."

"What was it like?" Lily asked.

"You're better off asking a woman about that, Lily," Mr Harrison said, and Lily nodded. "I can tell you, that sex can be amazing, but it can also be horrible, and cause more problems than it's worth,"

"Are you in a relationship?" Lily asked.

"No," Mr Harrison said.

"Do you miss having sex? I mean, if I were to lose my virginity to some random person, and then not have sex for another year, would I struggle with that?" Mr Harrison came and sat next to her.

"I would seriously recommend against that, Lily," he said. "For me, if I'm aroused, I can normally just sort it out... myself... and if it's really bad, I sometimes have sex with James... I would not recommend losing it until you're ready, Lily," Mr Harrison said, and Lily nodded.

"I'm sorry... this isn't a conversation you want to be having at lunch, is it...?" Lily said, and Mr Harrison smiled.

"I'm here for your benefit, Lily. If you feel comfortable talking to me about things, then, by all means, talk to me," Mr Harrison said. Lily nodded.

The bell soon went, and Lily went to art last.