The sad story of the babysitter

Chapter eleven - We almost kiss

Ryder's POV:

I think that Lily and I are getting close. I know that she still doesn't trust me, but soon she will. Somehow I manage to be nice the whole weekend and to be honest I liked it. One thing is decided. I won't dump her. Everything started as a game, but I feel bad to do this to her. Someone already is hurting her. I don't want to do it too. Moreover, Mia and Lea love Lily. If I do something, this might reflect them and I don't want this to happen. 

I heard a knock on the front door and went to open it. It was Lily. Mom called her to come and watch the girls for the night. My parents are going out again, which means that Lily has to be here. 

- Hey, come in. 

- Thanks. Are the girls here?

- Yes, soon they will come. 

With that, I saw Mia and Lea come downstairs. When they saw Lily, both of them ran up to her for a hug. I don't know what she has done to them, but almost all the time they talk about her. Before her, there were other babysitters, but somehow only Lily connected with them. Whatever she says, Mia and Lea will do it. I think that mom is taking a little bit advantage of that. 

- Ok, we have to go. Promise me that you will listen Lily. - mom said

- We promise. - my sisters said in sync

When my parents left, the girls turn to Lily. That means that they want something. Wonder what it is this time. 

- Can we make dinner and watch the Aladdin movie? The princess is so pretty. - Lea said

- Sure. What do you want for dinner? 

- We can order pizza. I won't deny one. - I said

- Girls, do you want pizza?

- Yes! - both of them said

- I'll go and order one. 

With that, I left. I took the number of one pizzeria. They said after half an hour it’ll be done. I ordered a medium one because the small won't be enough. When it came, I paid for it and went into the living room. I saw the girls were telling stories to Lily who I think was parenting that she is listening to. I chuckled to myself and sat next to Mia. 

- Who is ready for dinner?

- Me! I am so hungry. - Lea said

- I'll bring some plates. 

When Lily came back from the kitchen, I played the movie and everyone took a slice of the pizza. No one was talking. I was looking at Lily from time to time and every time when I was doing it she was giving me a smile. I wanted so bad to get closer, but I won't do anything in front of the little ones. Not like I will kiss her or something, but just in case. 

It's 10 pm and my parents are still not at home. Lily took Lea and me, Mia. Both of us went upstairs to put the girls in their beds. They already have fallen asleep so it was easy. Lily kissed both of their foreheads and we left. I don't know why, but she treats them like they are her own sisters. Not like I mind. Probably this is the reason why they like her so much. I mean that if someone was taking that much care of me, I will love this person too. 

Both of us went back to the living room. At least now, we can watch something more for adults and not a cartoon movie. Moreover, now I can sit next to her. 

- So... what do you want us to watch? Or do you prefer to do something else?

- I don't know. Probably your parents will be home soon, so I don't think that we have enough time for a whole movie. 

- In that case, we can talk.

- Ok, for what do you want us to talk? 

- How are you? Lately, you don't look very happy. If you want and feel comfortable, you can share with me if there is a problem. 

- I am good, you don't have to worry about me. 

- Are you sure? I'm not saying that you are lying, just you don't smile often. 

- I just don't have a reason to do it. 

- Do you need a reason to smile?

- Well, I don't smile just like that. There must be a reason for that. 

- Will you smile for me?

- And why do I have to do it?

- Because I want to and because you have a nice smile. - I said and saw her smile

I think that this is the first time when I did a compliment to a girl and actually meant it. I guess that I have to get used to it. I didn't lie when I said that she has a nice smile. Actually, I mean it. For some reason, Lily is a very sad girl. 

I looked at her and saw that she had nodded her head down. Lily looked like she is thinking about something. I guess that it's not me. One tear rolled down. 

- Lily. Hey, Lily. Are you ok?

- What? Sorry, I didn't hear you. What were you saying?

- I asked if you are ok. Did I do or say something to upset you?

- No, I am totally fine. 

- Say this to your tear. 

I moved closer and wiped it. I don't know what is going on with her, but I think that when she is at home she is crying too. Now I am sure, that it's not because of me. Someone or something is making her sad. I wish that I could help her, but I can't. Lily doesn't want to tell me anything. I pulled her for a hug and heard a small sob. I don't know what to do anymore. I can't do anything. 

We stayed like that for a couple of minutes. Then I lifted her chin and made her look at me. I carefully wiped her tears and gave her a small smile. Lily didn't say anything. Both of us kept looking into each other. I slightly rubbed her cheek with my thumb. I leaned closer and was about to kiss her when we heard the front door. Lily quickly pulled away. Seriously? My parents couldn't come home after like 5 minutes. 

- Hey, we are home. - mom said, coming to us

- Mia and Lea are sleeping in their room. - Lily said

- Thank you for taking care of them Lily. 

- No problem. I will go now. Call me when you need me. 

- I will. Good night Lily. 

- To you too miss and mister Collins. 

- I will send you to the door.  

Lily and I walked to the door. She was about to leave when I grabbed her hand, which made her look at me. I saw the same pain in her eyes. I feel like she is about to break down. Lily kept looking at me. I pulled her close and gave her a hug. I know that it's not much, but I hope that this can make her feel better. 

- Good night Lily. I will see you tomorrow in school. 

- Thanks, to you too. I will go now. 

With that, she left. I feel bad for her. No matter what is happening with her, she doesn't deserve it. Maybe I can talk with her tomorrow. I went into my room, straight to bed. Lily appeared in my mind. Was I really about to kiss her? To be honest I won't deny it. Maybe the fact that my parents interrupted us was a sign that I shouldn't do it or at least not now. 

When I woke up I got ready and walked downstairs. I told my parents that I am going to school. I'll skip breakfast. It's pretty early so the school is almost empty. I texted the boys and they said that they would wait for me. All of us walked in. Except for us, the only person who was in the hall was Lily. What she is doing here so early? The boys and I went and sat on the stairs. I kept looking at her. Her smile was gone again. 

- Ryder. Hello. Earth to Ryder. - Alex said

- What do you want?

- Will you stop looking at her? If you like her that much, just go and tell her. 

- I am not watching her, because of that. 

- Then why? I will agree with Alex this time. - Mason said

- Look at her. She is sad again. 

- What do you mean by again? Has it happened before? 

- Last night and a couple more times. That's for how much I know. Surely, it has happened much more often. 

- That's why you are cutting us off. So the plan is in action? - Alex smirked

- Yeah, about that. I decide to not do it. 

- But why? Don't you want to get her?

- I do, but I don't want to dump her. Someone already has hurt her. I don't want to do it too. 

- Don't tell me that you actually care about her. I can't believe it. 

- But I can. It's visible that Lily is different. She is closed in herself and doesn't talk much. By the way, what happened last night? - Mason asked

- To be honest, I don't even know. After we put the girls in bed, both of us went back to the living room. She didn't want another movie so we were just talking and out of nowhere, she got upset. In the beginning, I thought that I was doing something, but now I think that I am not the reason. 

- Why are you so sure?

- Because I didn't do anything to her. 

- Maybe she has problems at home. - Mason suggested

- That's what I am thinking. Lily doesn't have friends, so nothing else is left. I have tried to ask her, but she denied it. 

- Not everybody likes to talk about their personal life. 

- Did something else happen? - Alex asked

- Nothing, except the fact that we almost kissed. 

- You what!? Why are you telling us this now?

- Because it didn't happen. Alex, it's not a big deal.

- No, it is a big deal. Why didn't you do it?

- My parents came home at the wrong time. 

- Or at the right time. - Mason said

- Man, what do you mean? They ruined the kiss. 

- I mean that since they came exactly at this moment, maybe he has to wait. 

- I thought the same. I guess that it's not meant to be. 

- But you wanted it, right? You wish that you could've kissed her.

- I don't know. From one side yes, but from the other no. I don't want to rush things with her. Lily still doesn't trust me completely. I don't want her to think that I am nice only to take something. 

- That's what you want, isn't it? - Alex asked

- At the beginning. Now I don't want anything. 

We talked about this for a while. I looked at Lily and she gave me a sad smile. I wanted to give her a hug so bad, but we are in school and I don't know how she will feel about this. 

The bell started ringing and Lily went to her class. We have the same one so I sat next to her. I looked into her eyes, which were red and puffy. It's breaking my heart seeing her like that. I didn't want to attract attention so I only grabbed her hand. She looked at me and I return with a smile. 

- After school, can you come with me? - I whispered

- Where we will go?

- Somewhere you will feel better. 

My plan was to take her on a walk around the town. Maybe this will distract her for a while. I don't know will it work, but I hope so. Lily deserves to be happy. I don't know who is doing this to her, but I hope that soon this will stop. She is so innocent and all of this that is happening is slowly breaking her. That's why I have to do something. I won't let her destroy herself. Somehow, I will help her.