chapter 21: Just friends

As I strolled through the familiar streets, the warm sun on my face and the gentle breeze in my hair, I noticed a figure standing outside my apartment building. It was Mira, her bright smile and sparkling eyes a welcome sight after the drama I had just left behind.

I quickened my pace, curiosity getting the better of me. "Hey Mira, what are you doing here?" I asked, my voice friendly and inquiring.

Mira's smile grew wider as I approached. "I was in the neighborhood and thought I'd drop by to say hi," she said, her voice light and airy. "I hope I'm not interrupting anything."

I shook my head, feeling a sense of gratitude towards my friend. "Not at all," I said, unlocking the door and gesturing for her to enter. "I could use some company after the day I've had."

Mira's eyes sparkled with interest. "Oh? Do tell," she said, following me inside.

I led Mira into the living room, motioning for her to take a seat on the couch. "Don't worry, Anthony and Andrew are sleeping," I said, trying to reassure her.

Mira nodded, her eyes sparkling with curiosity. "Well, what's going on?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

I took a deep breath, launching into the story of my encounter with Lily. "Well, Mira, I met Lily," I said, trying to summarize the drama that had unfolded.

Mira's eyes widened as I recounted the tale of Lily's accusations and outburst. "Wow, that sounds intense," she said, her voice filled with empathy.

I nodded, feeling a sense of relief at having shared the story with my friend. "It was," I said, shaking my head. "But I stood up to her, and Anthony was really supportive."

Mira smiled, her eyes shining with pride. "That's amazing," she said. "You're so strong, Emily."I turned to Mira, my brow furrowed with concern. "But do you think I should warn Anthony about Lily?" I asked, my voice laced with uncertainty.

Mira's eyes sparkled with intrigue as she leaned in, her voice barely above a whisper. "I mean, he just knows her as his old schoolmate, not his girlfriend. I think Lily is trying to force herself on him."

Mira's expression turned thoughtful, her lips pursed in contemplation. "That's a tough one," she said finally. "But I think you should warn him. Anthony deserves to know what's really going on with Lily."

I nodded in agreement, my mind racing with the possibilities. "Yeah, you're right. I'll talk to him."

Mira's face set in a determined expression. "I'll come with you. We'll confront Lily together."

I smiled, feeling a surge of gratitude towards my friend. "Thanks, Mira. I couldn't do this without you."

Together, we steeled ourselves for the confrontation ahead, ready to face whatever drama Lily had in store for us.

As we approached Anthony's room, we could hear the sound of laughter and chatter coming from inside. We exchanged a nervous glance, and then I pushed open the door.

Anthony looked up, a smile still plastered on his face. "Hey, what's up?" he asked, his eyes sparkling with amusement.

But before we could respond, Andrew spoke up, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "What do you want to talk about, Anthony?" he asked, his eyes fixed on us with a knowing glint.

Mira and I were shocked, our mouths hanging open in unison. "Hum, nothing," Mira stuttered, trying to cover.

But Andrew just chuckled, his eyes glinting with amusement. "Save it, Mira. I know you two are up to something."

Anthony's expression turned curious, his eyes darting between us. "What's going on?" he asked, his voice laced with concern.

I took a deep breath, trying to gather my thoughts. "We need to talk to you about Lily," I said finally, my voice firm.

Anthony's expression turned wary, his eyes narrowing slightly. "What about her?" he asked, his voice cautious.

Mira's eyes darted to me, and she pinched my arm, a silent warning to keep quiet. "Hum, Anthony, it's nothing, right, Emily?" she said, her voice dripping with sweetness, a fake smile plastered on her face.

I winced, trying not to react to the pinch. "Yeah, nothing," I echoed, trying to sound nonchalant, despite the burning sensation in my arm.

Anthony's eyes narrowed, his gaze flicking between us. "Don't play dumb, guys," he said, his voice firm but amused. "I know you're hiding something. Spill it."

Mira's smile faltered, and she shot me a panicked glance. I shrugged, trying to convey that I wasn't going to spill the beans.

But Andrew, who had been quietly observing the exchange, spoke up. "Actually, Anthony, I think they're trying to warn you about Lily," he said, his voice low and serious.

The room fell silent, and all eyes turned to Andrew. Anthony's expression turned skeptical, and he raised an eyebrow. "What about Lily?" he asked, his voice cautious.

Here's an easy way to continue the story:

Mira and I shouted "Andrew!!!!!" in surprise. He just smiled and said, "I knew you two were hiding something."

Anthony looked confused. "What's going on?"

Mira and I exchanged a nervous glance. "Lily's been flirting with you, Anthony," I said. "We were trying to warn you."

Anthony's eyes widened. "What? I thought she was just being friendly."

Andrew chuckled. "Friendly? Lily doesn't do 'friendly'. She does 'get what she wants'."

Mira nodded. "We're trying to protect you, Anthony. Lily's not a good influence."

Anthony looked thoughtful. "I appreciate your concern, guys. But I can handle myself."

I hoped he was right. Lily was not someone to be underestimated.

"But....." I started to say, but Anthony cut me off, his voice rising in frustration.

"I said I will handle it myself!" he shouted back at me, his eyes flashing with annoyance.

Mira and Andrew exchanged a worried glance. "Anthony, calm down," Mira said, trying to soothe him.

But Anthony was having none of it. "No, you two need to calm down. I can take care of myself. I don't need you babysitting me."

I felt a sting from his words, but I knew he was just trying to assert his independence. "Anthony, we're just trying to help," I said, trying to reason with him.

But he shook his head, his jaw set in determination. "I don't need your help. I can handle Lily and whatever games she's playing."

I sighed, realizing that Anthony was not going to listen to us. "Fine, but if you need us, we're here for you," I said, hoping he would come to his senses soon

"But....." I started to say, but Anthony cut me off, his voice rising in frustration.

"I said I will handle it myself!" he shouted back at me, his eyes flashing with annoyance.

Mira and Andrew exchanged a worried glance. "Anthony, calm down," Mira said, trying to soothe him.

But Anthony was having none of it. "No, you two need to calm down. I can take care of myself. I don't need you babysitting me."

I felt a sting from his words, but I knew he was just trying to assert his independence. "Anthony, we're just trying to help," I said, trying to reason with him.

But he shook his head, his jaw set in determination. "I don't need your help. I can handle Lily and whatever games she's playing."

I sighed, realizing that Anthony was not going to listen to us. "Fine, but if you need us, we're here for you," I said, hoping he would come to his senses soon.

Andrew took my hands and said, "He must be stressed out."

Just then, the doorbell rang. Mira went to answer it and asked, "Are you guys expecting a visitor?"

But before anyone could answer, Lily's voice cut in, "Hello!"

Mira's smile faltered as she saw Lily's evil grin. Lily's eyes scanned the room, locking onto Anthony.

"Hey, guys," Lily said, her voice dripping with malice. "I hope I'm not interrupting anything."

Andrew's grip on my hands tightened. We knew something was up. Lily didn't just drop by for no reason.

"What do you want, Lily?" Anthony asked, his voice firm.

Lily's smile grew wider. "Oh, I just wanted to chat with you, Anthony. About us."

Mira and I exchanged a worried glance. This was not going to end well.

Anthony's eyes blazed with frustration as he strode towards Lily, his hands grasping her arms. "Stop this, Lily! We're friends, not couples!" he shouted, his voice echoing through the room.Lily's hands fluttered up, her fingers tracing Anthony's face like a desperate plea. "No...don't do this to me," she whispered, her voice cracking with emotion.

Her eyes darted to me, accusation burning in their depths. "Is it because of Emily?" she spat, her voice venomous. "You're choosing her over me, aren't you?"

Anthony's grip on her arms tightened. "Lily, this has nothing to do with Emily. It's about us. We're friends, not meant to be together."

Lily's face contorted in anguish, her hands dropping to her sides. "You're lying," she whispered, her voice barely audible. "I know how you feel about me."

Mira and Andrew exchanged a worried glance, sensing the situation spiraling out of control. I took a step forward, my heart racing with concern. "Lily, please..."

But Lily's eyes flashed with fury, her words cutting me off. "You'll never have him, Emily. He's mine."

Lily's eyes narrowed, her gaze piercing as she turned to Anthony. "Do you like Emily?" she asked, her voice low and husky, like a challenge.

Anthony's face went still, his eyes darting to me before returning to Lily. "Lily, that's not the point," he said, his voice firm but cautious.

But Lily's words were like a spark to dry tinder. "Tell me," she pressed, her voice rising. "Do you have feelings for her?"

The room seemed to hold its breath, waiting for Anthony's response. Mira and Andrew exchanged a tense glance, sensing the emotional storm brewing.

I felt my heart race, my eyes locked on Anthony's face. What would he say? Would he admit his feelings, or deny them?

Anthony's jaw clenched, his eyes flashing with frustration. "Lily, stop this," he growled, his voice low and even.But Lily's smile was like a razor's edge, sharp and cutting. "I just want to know," she whispered, her eyes glinting with tears. "Do you like Emily?"

Anthony's words cut through the air like a knife, sharp and decisive. "That was in high school, I liked her, but now I don't," he said, his voice firm and resolute. "I don't have time for a relationship, and besides, Andrew likes Emily, so stop this shit you're trying to do."

Lily's face crumpled, her eyes welling up with tears. "You're just saying that to hurt me," she whispered, her voice trembling.

But Anthony stood firm, his jaw set in determination. "I'm saying it because it's the truth," he said, his eyes flashing with frustration. "You need to move on, Lily. I'm not interested in you romantically."

Mira and Andrew exchanged a relieved glance, sensing the tension dissipate. I felt a pang of guilt, knowing that Anthony had once had feelings for me, but I was grateful that he had set the record straight.

Lily's eyes narrowed, her face twisting in anger. "Fine," she said.

Lily's eyes blazed with anger. "Anthony, look at me and tell me you don't love me!" she screamed.

We were all shocked. Mira and Andrew looked at each other, waiting for Anthony's response.

Anthony looked at Lily, then at me. I saw a flicker of emotion in his eyes. Then, he looked down and said, "Lily, I don't love you."

Lily burst into tears. Mira and Andrew looked concerned. I felt sad for Lily, but also relieved that Anthony had been honest.

Lily's body shook with sobs. "You're just saying that because of her!" she accused, pointing at me.

Anthony sighed. "Lily, it's not like that. I care about you as a friend, but that's all."

Lily's eyes flashed with anger. "I'm leaving and you'll never see me again!" she shouted.

She stormed out of the room, slamming the door behind her. The sound echoed through the house.

Mira and Andrew looked at each other, worried. Anthony shook his head, looking defeated.

I felt sad that things had ended like this. But I was also relieved that the drama was over.

We stood there for a moment, not knowing what to say. Then Mira broke the silence. "Well, that was intense."

Andrew nodded. "Definitely. I'm glad it's over."

Anthony sighed. "Me too. I just hope Lily's okay."

I nodded in agreement. Despite everything, I hoped Lily would find happiness too.

Lily came back in. "I forgot my phone," she said, grabbing it from the table.

Then she left again. This time, we were all relieved.

Mira and Andrew turned to Anthony. "You did great!" we said, laughing.

Anthony smiled. "Thanks, guys. I'm just glad it's over."

We all laughed and relaxed. The drama was finally over.Mira said, "Let's just chill now."

Andrew nodded. "Yeah, no more drama."

Anthony agreed. "Definitely. Let's just enjoy each other's company."

And that's exactly what we did. We spent the rest of the evening laughing, joking, and having a great time together.