Remembering Lily

Ground Zero

"Stop over obsessing," I was on my way after what I thought was a peaceful day. Nothing special really. I woke up early, went to school early, and now, I'm on my way home too but it's really hard not to notice Stephanie tailing me. She literally decided to go home the moment I stood up to get my things to go home. She was not even being discreet. Anyone who can see can tell that it's no coincidence that she is walking behind me, probably full of suspicion and an imaginative mind. I didn't even have to look, I can tell that she has a murderous look on her face. Good thing that can't harm me.

At this point, she is just so paranoid. If I were her, I would probably do the same. Unfortunately, when I was in her shoes, like a blind fool, I just never cared about her. So, I see that she is not making the same mistake.

I stopped walking and she bumped at my back. Huh, I didn't know she's that close. She might have taken the keep your enemis close statement quite literally. "Unless you want to come with me to my home, where you are not invited, by the way… stop following me."

"Whatever," she just said, rolling her eyes where I want to poke my fingers. Day after day, her true self shows, and all this time, all I could do is ask if my husband couldn't do any better. I was way too naive but I was still nice. I believe in the goodness in people. That was my weakness but that was also a strength that I believe my husband loved about me. And then what? I die and then replaced by this trying-hard, two-faced actress?

I guess this is why I was brought to life. This woman is just anything but right, definitely a far from right decision. Time will come, it's not even far from happening that Yohan would regret his decision. I can't wait to see him cry. All I have to do is wait before I see both of their tears.

"For crying out loud-"

"Hi," Suddenly, the new guy walked towards us. Is he talking to us? There's no other person here so I guess he is? Why does he always appear when Stephanie and I are talking. Though, this is hardly talking. We're almost arguing and if no one backs down, we might end up in a far more scandalous fight than exchanging words and raising brows.

"Are you going home?"

I paused and just met his gaze. Wondering if he was really talking to me even if he's obviously locking eyes with me. Stephanie was looking at him and then at me with curiosity and obvious irritation.

"Are you?" He asked again.

"Me?" I asked back because it doesn't really seem like he is talking to me. He didn't even spare Stephanie a look, not even a glance!

"Yup."

"Huh." I would think he is being a creep right now barging in in a conversation that obviously, does not concern him but I like the weirded-out expression on Stephanie's face.

"Goodbye, Miss Ellie," a few kids passed by us and she was forced to put on her mask of a good innocent teacher she has been playing.

"Goodbye, kids." I waved back at them. They looked so excited to go home and play. As much as I love school, I have to admit, I also like looking at each student's face when it's time to go home. Some go with their friends, some go with their parents and some walk alone. Everyone has their own story and was raised differently. It would be idealistic of me to only see the smiling faces but it's such a relaxing time of day... which Stephanie ruined for me. This girl... I could never understand her.

"Yeah, I'm going home," I told the new guy after saying goodbye to the kids. I even forgot his name but I'm acting like he is one of my closest friends. "Are you?"

He was stunned after I asked him a question or maybe he looked stunned that I am smiling at him in a friendly manner. In a way that looks like we have been close friends for ages. "Yes." He shortly answered after a few seconds.

"Do you have a car?" I asked and again, he was stunned. "Do you?" I had to ask again.

"Oh… uhm, yeah."

"I don't have one. Can you give me a ride?" I wasn't looking but I can still see Stephanie from my peripheral vision standing like an i***t.

"Sure." It seems like he's finally getting the role that I am trying to play after he smiled back at me. More comfortable and laid-back than what he looked like minutes ago. "Let's go?"

"Let's go."

And just like that, we walked away together. Not even caring about Stephanie, who looked like an invisible character from an outsider's point of view. It felt so satisfying walking away from her. We didn't even fight but I saw it as another victory. Every time that I walk away with a smile on mine and a frown on hers, I'd just take it as my win.

"Thanks. Though I never asked for your help."

"You're welcome."

"I am not saying I needed your help too."

He laughed at me for being stubborn. I just want him to understand because he has done this more than once already. I don't need his help. I can pretty much handle myself and I have been doing a great job so far. I was just setting up boundaries. I don't like vague. I want clear, verbally-said boundaries to avoid misunderstandings.

"I just felt the need to say. Thank you, but the next time it happens, you can pass by and just be a bystander."

"Hey." He called when I walked in the opposite direction.

Actually, I was just following my way. We were walking side by side until I needed to walk in the opposite direction.

"What?"

"I thought you needed a drive?"

"As I said, I can handle myself. I meant that. Bye."

Okay, I was very clear when I said I didn't need him but as it turns out, there was plenty of waiting for passengers at the bus station. This doesn't happen usually but it's such a peculiar day.

So, when his car passed by and he was asking me if I'd still like that ride, I had learned to swallow my pride even when I was acting all independent with a hint of being bitchy. Why do I need to care about his opinion anyway? He isn't someone that I need to please.

He is driving a nice car, an expensive one, if I might just add. Okay, I admit, I suddenly got curious not because of his money which he didn't talk about but I'm sure he has more than enough. I got curious because something about him does not add up. That could just be his aura or maybe I'm overthinking and imagining but that's just my hunch.

"What's your name?" I asked. "I'm sorry for being rude. I was just making myself clear in case you see me fighting with that woman again."

"Okay, first thing's first. First, my name is Adam. I'm sure I have said that before."

"And I acknowledge my forgetfulness. Please continue."

He stopped to laugh so I smiled too. I was with familiar people all my life acting like a stranger. Being with a stranger who also sees you as a stranger was refreshing. It's literally starting from ground zero. We had no idea of each other so I didn't have to pretend or have a secret agenda. Something like that.

It was just me. Not the past version of myself, not the one I'm trying to be. I was just myself.

So when he asked me. "I'd like to talk to you more but I was hoping I'd get to know your name first. If you don't mind."

I answered, "Lily Elizabeth. You can call me Lily, you can call me Ellie. Whichever you prefer."

And when he answered, "Lily, then." It made me smile.