Chapter Two

Mrs. Henderson's eyes fluttered open, focusing on the white ceiling. At first, her vision was blurry, but after blinking, her sight cleared. She sighed softly, disoriented and unsure where she was or how she got there. The faint EKG beeps became audible, and her gaze darted around the room. Her hand brushed against Killian's, and she smiled, staring at her handsome son. He must have been worried sick about her.

Killian woke up with a groan, his eyes locking onto his mom's face. She smiled brightly, squeezing his hand, and he returned the smile. "You're alright," he said, his voice raspy.

Just then, his phone buzzed. A text from his best friend and coworker at the cafe read: "Why the f**k didn't you come last night? You missed your shift." Killian's worries resurfaced. 

"I'm sorry, mom's sickle cell condition acted up last night and I couldn't just leave her alone at the hospital." He texted back a reply.

Almost immediately, his phone buzzed again and he looked into the screen. "Your shift has been doubled, you're in charge for tonight and tomorrow night." His co-worker replied and he sighed, tucking his phone back into his pants.

"What's wrong, son?" Mrs. Elizabeth Henderson inquired. 

"Oh, it's nothing" he lied. But Mrs. Henderson saw

through his facade.

"What's wrong, Lian? Tell me," she pressed, concern etched on her face.

Killian's thoughts flooded with his struggles: working double shifts, paying bills, and his mom's hospital expenses. He couldn't share these burdens with her.

"Mom, it's nothing," he said. Cupping her cheeks, he looked deep into his mom's eyes. "Just promise me you'll stay with me till I make it. Promise me that," he said, his voice faltering. The silence that followed was filled with tension. "I promise," she said finally, and Killian chuckled softly.

Meanwhile, Lily was navigating her own worries. She couldn't help but worry and grow annoyed over Killian's sudden disappearance last night. She had flinched at Emily's sudden "BOOM!" and rolled her eyes. 

"Don't ever do that again," she muttered.

Emily asked about Killian, and Lily's concerns grew and she frowned. 

"He didn't come back last night, did he?" Emily pressed. "Tried calling him?"

Lily realized she didn't even have Killian's number, and her paranoia intensified. "I-I called, but he wasn't answering," she lied, trying to brush off the conversation by walking away

Emily sensed Lily's attitude and wondered, "What's with the attitude?"

However, class was now over. Lily walked into the school garden where she would have a resolved calm mind. She seated alone, allowing the blissful summer sun bath her white skin. The wind washed over her, dampening the worried expression casted all around her. Her emotions crashing, thus it was only one person she hadn't been able to take off from her mind. 

𝑯𝒆𝒓 𝑭𝒂𝒌𝒆 𝑩𝒐𝒚𝒇𝒓𝒊𝒆𝒏𝒅.

She'd searched half the entire school, the floors; up and down, and everywhere someone could ever think of. Even time itself seems to have slowed down as she wanted her leisure time to elapse.

Taking out her phone from her puffy mini pink handbag, she scrolled into Ticktok where she would watch funny contents. But then, something caught her eyes. Quite piquing her interest as she pondered on who could possibly have possible such video. 

A smile etched on her face as she watched the video of her swaying rhythmically with Killian on the dancefloor. She hadn't even realized the scrawling eyes watching like that of an eagle. 

At least, she got to smile, even if it was only a little, it did push aside her worries over Killian. 

"Hey," a low deep voice resonate behind her but she hadn't noticed who it was, since she was invested in watching the video and imagining her having a taste of his lips.

"Hey, Lily" he tapped her on the shoulder drawing her back into reality, but she didn't flinch. Her head was still lowered, her eyes fixated on her screen.

"I told you, Emily. I don't wanna talk about my boyfriend. I'd like for you to let me be, please." She said, her voice lacking the interest for any conversation. 

Killian was surprised, shocked actually. He just stood there, holding in his laughter. 

"Um, Lily, it's me." He said to her hearing and watched her sprang upright, spun around and was stunned to see him.

"Hi" he said, his voice low and husky. 

Some moment ago, She was going to tell at him. Scorn him. Question him, but now, as she was standing just 4feets away from him, she could barely even utter a single word.

"I know I should have told you before I left or prolly even call you but I didn't even get your number and the reason I left was because of a life threatening..." he began, but before he could finish his statement, she pulled him in for a tight brief hug leaving him wide-eyed.

He paused as she had hugged him so tight and soon, he hugged her back.

Disengaging the hug, Lily heaved a deep smile as she flashed him a small smile. 

"Why'd you do that?" he asked, feeling a rush of anxiety. 

"I don't know," she says, taking a step back and sitting on the bench. "Maybe I just needed a hug." She added and he lets out a soft chuckle. 

He sat down next to her, staring at the beautiful view of the blossoming flowers whipping back and forth in the direction of the fresh wind. 

"So um, can I ask you..." he began, but his voice trailed off when Lily chimed in. 

"I need you as my date for tonight's party." He swallowed what he was going to say down his throat only to be replaced with a frown.

He had other plans. His double shift was tonight and tomorrow night. He was supposed to miss school tomorrow just to spend time with his mom in the hospital and now, even as Lily asked of him to pretend to be her date for tomorrow's night party, he wanted to decline but he couldn't just break the deal. 

"Meet me at the grocery store by 6 this evening, you need some new clothes." She said, her voice laced with excitement.