Chapter 7

Letter seven: July

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In their intricate dance of emotions, Marcus was unaware that Lily had her own plan. She had decided to show her feelings with a kiss. And she did it perfectly.

When their lips met, a mosaic of sensations unfolded.

His hands, initially tentative, embarked on a journey, tracing a path from her head to her cheeks with a delicate touch that sent shivers cascading down her spine.

The pressure of his fingers on her waist was like a plea, a longing that resonated between them.

The intensity of the touch conveyed a desire that words could never encapsulate, a desire that made her heart flutter.

Breathlessly, their heartbeats synced, transitioning their kiss from a sweet and fleeting connection to one ignited by fervor. Lily's fingers navigated the contours of Marcus' head and neck, guided by an undeniable desire to convey her affection.

However, even amidst their passionate embrace, Lily found herself overcome by the intensity of their shared emotions. 

With a blush that mirrored the deepest hues of a rose, she reluctantly broke the kiss, only to be met by Marcus' own vulnerability – his face painted with a similar shade of crimson, his breath heavy, and his gaze fixated on her as if seeking to etch the moment into memory.

This marked a significant stride in their relationship, confirming Lily's hopes that her feelings were reciprocated. Yet, amidst the swirl of emotions, both were at a loss for words.

The rest of the evening unfolded in a shared silence, punctuated by fleeting, blushing glances.

As they stood at Lily's front door, the weight of their unspoken feelings lingered in the air. Breaking the quietude, Marcus' voice gently broke through, a shy smile accompanying his words, "Let's talk tomorrow... about all of this."

"Yes, let's," Lily returned his smile, her own shyness palpable.

Overcome by a surge of emotions, she leaned in, planting a delicate kiss on Marcus' cheek, before swiftly retreating and hurrying indoors.

Resting against the closed door, her heart raced with a mixture of anticipation and joy, their unspoken connection echoing in the quiet night.

Anticipation bubbled within Lily as she eagerly awaited the next morning, knowing that the summer break would grant her and Marcus ample time to enjoy each other's company.

However, as the afternoon rolled around and her shelter shift started, her phone remained silent, devoid of any messages from Marcus.

Observing Lily's mood shift, Amanda, her coworker turned confidante, couldn't help but inquire, "Having a rough day?"

Over the past few weeks, Amanda and Lily's bond had grown stronger, and they found themselves sharing more about their own lives.

Lily let out a sigh, her thoughts momentarily disrupted. "Yeah, kinda," she responded, swiftly steering the conversation elsewhere.

"How are our furry friends doing?"

Amanda's face lit up, reflecting the fondness she had for the shelter's animals.

"They're good, surprisingly calm this week. The influx of new arrivals finally died off."

Lily's relief was palpable. "Thank goodness. I can only imagine how overwhelming it must have been for all the staff."

Amanda nodded in agreement. "Oh, absolutely. But having dedicated people like you around makes it all manageable." With a grateful smile, she guided Lily toward the area housing the puppies, a realm of wagging tails and adorable yips.

"By the way," Lily interjected, "Charlotte mentioned she's running late due to traffic."

"Got it, I'll cover the reception," Amanda said, giving Lily's shoulder a friendly pat before continuing on her way.

Charlotte had recently jumped on board at the shelter.

After longing for it for a while, she'd finally managed to twist her parents' arms into agreement. Though there was still some convincing left to do on that front.

In a short span, Charlotte learned everything about the job, ready to team up with Lily for the tasks at hand.

Amid the chores, Lily couldn't help but strike up a conversation, asking, "How's your summer break going?"

Charlotte let out a chuckle. "Same old, same old. Comics and web novels, you know the drill."

With a sly grin, Charlotte pressed, "Did you check out the comic I suggested?"

Lily hesitated, caught in her own white lie. "Maybe?"

Charlotte playfully rolled her eyes. "You liar! I promise, you'll love it!"

Lily returned the smile. "I'm putting it on my list for today, no excuses."

As the shelter duties continued, Lily and Charlotte's conversation flowed, punctuated by laughter and shared moments.

All the while, Marcus's silence seemed conspicuous, a question mark looming over his absence.

During the summer break, Lily's creativity ignited, and she delved into painting while steadily ticking off items from her bucket list. She couldn't help but wonder if Marcus was embarking on similar adventures. After all, with him by her side, life seemed richer and more vibrant.

The comic Charlotte had suggested finally claimed Lily's attention, and she found herself engrossed in its captivating world.

The day flowed by seamlessly, interwoven with plans to hang out with Charlotte. They were plotting a piano session at Charlotte's place sometime that week.

As bedtime approached, Lily's phone buzzed, jolting her excitement. Could it be one of those customary Instagram or Tiktok links from her friends?

No, it was Marcus – the same person whose memory had played on a loop in her mind all day.

Memories of the fantastic previous day, the electrifying kiss, the tinge of romance, his very name igniting butterflies in her heart.

Lily hastily unlocked her phone and read Marcus's message. An unexpected apology and explanation unravelled before her eyes.

"I'm sorry for not messaging you all day, me and my family won't be here for this week, we'll be back next Thursday. I'm sorry"

Regret seeped in – why now? Why didn't he mention this earlier? A cloud of uncertainty lingered, casting shadows over the warmth of their recent connection.

Did he regret... everything?

Questions buzzed in Lily's mind, and her fingers danced across the screen, crafting a message in pursuit of clarity.

She questioned Marcus about his sudden departure, the reason behind the silence, the whirlwind of emotions his actions had stirred.

Yet, despite all her messages, silence stretched on as Marcus remained offline, leaving Lily in a sea of unanswered thoughts.

As night enveloped her room, Lily lay there, a cascade of emotions washing over her.

Tears welled up, small but painful, expressing the tangle of confusion, disappointment, and a lingering hope that tomorrow might hold answers.

Nearly a week slipped by, marked by a disheartening silence from Marcus – not a single reply to the barrage of messages Lily had sent.

She sighed, realizing that she had to carry on with her vacation despite his absence.

Then, with one day left for him to return, his name flashed on her screen – a message that made her bristle.

"Hi Lily, is everything going okay?" His audacity astounded her. A whole week of uncertainty and he casually dropped back in?

She left his message unread, vexation coloring her thoughts. "Lily..." he persisted, trying to break the ice. "Please don't be mad."

Mad? How could she not be? She felt her irritation surge anew. He'd left her hanging after the kiss, no explanations, no communication. It was like he'd deliberately vanished.

"How can I not be mad?" she retorted, her frustration evident. His subsequent silence ruffled her further. A scoff escaped her lips.

Was he now planning to ignore her too?

Then, her phone lit up with a FaceTime call from Marcus. For a moment, her groggy appearance and pajama-clad attire gave her pause. Yet, she answered, revealing her sleepy state.

On the screen, Marcus's tousled hair contradicted his apologetic demeanor. Stubbornly, Lily fought the warmth his image evoked.

"Lily..." he began, his voice laden with regret. "I'm sorry."

"Is that all?" Her anger flashed. "Sorry seems to be your favorite word this week. But it's answers I've been waiting for!"

Silence met her fury, fueling her indignation.

She carried on, her frustration laid bare. "You vanish after my birthday, ignore me for a week, and now you finally decide to reach out? Am I even a blip on your radar? And you disappeared after—"

She bit her lip, her words suspended. She had wanted to say "we kissed," but fear clamped her voice. Perhaps he hadn't felt the same.

"It had nothing to do with you, why I left," he explained softly. "And I wanted to say this in person, not over the phone. Lily, I think it's pretty clear now. I like you."

A/N: The first confession! I wonder, when will the last be...

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