STAY

Chapter 2

Lily's Pov...

I didn't really feel like going to school today, all of my grades were perfect and my school life was to. So one day without Lily Markus won't hurt. However, the day I choose to stay home is the day my mother wanted to surprise me by going on a sudden month long business trip and this is also the day the a/c broke down. She's told me not to stay at dad's because she told me so.

It's not like I'm going to disobey and go, but this is how it works between my parents. My dad sees my mother for her selfish and distant ways. He left, she stayed. So I bounce back and forth between parents. It's pretty bad. Of course, with the mouth my mother has, making up her bullshit stories, the judge favored my mother more than dad because she made it seem that way. I can't lie, she does give me what I want, but there's a twist that comes along and a whole long process to get it on time. So now I see my father, who is totally and if not equal to her, on the weekends and Monday. It was Tuesday today.

So these dogs go back and forth at it with me in the middle. However, recently dad has been saying no, I can't come over to his house. I have another sibling, Lilith, but she's out there modeling doing her own thing. My mom was too lazy to give me a new name. I haven't seen her in years though. My older sister has left me in this mass chaos. I guess once she had turned eighteen, then left, I was pretty down.

Lilith and I used to be so close, we were like twins, inseparable. Only eight years apart, we connected and I loved her. When she graduated two days later, a moving van was in our driveway. First Lilith leaves, then dad. Soon after, I grew into this little girl phase, you can say. Nothing made me happy, I was always acting like a baby. Hell, I liked it. It was fun just being so young and free. I didn't think that it would still stay in my system until I was seventeen. I didn't have to worry about a thing, I was completely myself and loving it. Then the two people I cared for left and mom struck me with reality.

It hurt, it was brutal. I didn't go to school for almost a month. Two and a half weeks for the bruises to heal, and another one for me to act normal and my age. That phase was gone, yet it's still stuck in my head. At times, I'd go back to that mentality, but was being all black and blue worth it? I was scared to put my little cat ears on. I was scared to even laugh because that dorky snort or giggle would come out.

It wasn't until I met this guy, my next door neighbor, Mr. Phoenix. I thought he was mean, he was so tall and scary looking. I just... I was fearful that he wouldn't accept me too. It's sad really pretend to be something that you're not, which killed me more. However, the minute he opened his mouth I don't know why but.... I liked him.

He told me that I could call him Ezra, his first name. Ezra is super nice to me. I though he was doing it just because my mother forced him to but he's really sincere. I used to smile a lot once he came around yet after that beating my mother gave me, I don't really get excited anymore.

I sat on the carpet, wiping the sweat off my chin. The window and this black fan is my only source of air. Before I could lay my head on the couch, the lock on the door jiggled.

Did that woman come back...?

The door opened. My eyes opened wide, I stood up instantly. Ezra! In he came in with his suitcase. Is he staying here?

"Why is it so warm? s**t it's hot..." He trailed off as he stared at me. "Good to see you, are you still mad at me?" He chuckled awkwardly. I frowned, I could never be mad at him. "Still silent." He laughed. I walked up to him, I looked up into those hazel eyes. I could never be mad at him.

"I-I'm not mad at you," I spoke low.

"It's been a while, I really missed you, Lily." He told me. His arms extended, wrapping around my shoulders, bringing me in for a hug. I shut my eyes, he smelled so fresh, he was so cool. I love the way he says my name. He's so cool and cold, my personal ice pack. "Why is the air so hot?" He asked.

"The air conditioner broke, mom didn't call anyone and I can't bother my dad," I told him. Ezra pulled away, wiping the sweat off my forehead. I squirmed, thrashing my head from side to side. It's nasty, dirtying his hands like that with my sweat.

"Cute. I'll fix it." He placed his bag down, pulling up his sleeve. I gasp.

"Like that, no. I'll call someone, don't dirty yourself." He chuckled, he came closer kissing my cheeks.

"Don't worry, it's fine. I live next door remember. Give me a couple of hours. Wait a minute... why are you home today?"

"I didn't want to go to school, don't worry... I'm doing good, my grades are fine."

"You are a good girl, I won't bother you about that. You're always such a good girl, princess." He repeated softly with a smile. What a beautiful smile that melted my heart.

I was his princess...

My sweaty body went back to sit in front of the fan, hours passed on and on. The air seemed a bit heated, the fan wasn't doing anything. My body is starting to turn red. I've already taken a bath but I can't just sit under the shower water just for fun, I would be wasting water. I'm not even allowed in the pool, or my mother's room because it has the biggest tub with a control system. Moving here, she took the best room then locked all the other ones, so basically, my room and hers were the only two I've seen out of four baths and five bedrooms. I don't understand the reason why but I don't argue and go on with my life.

Hearing the sound of the air, my eyes increase. Wow, he works fast.

"It wasn't broken, the filter was clogged, make sure to always clean the filter if not, you can always call me." I turned to the side to find him standing there, all dirty. What was he, a superhero? It's like he knew my troubles and came to help, well Ezra has always been like that. Helps me without any questions. He walked to the window shutting it then to the fan turning it off. A chilling feel once I felt the air. I hugged myself, shivering instantly. "Sorry, it's really low. You were turning red, I didn't want to see you pass out from heat exhaustion. Come to think of it, do you drink a lot of water?"

"We only have water."

"You're very hyd—" I cut him off instantly.

"We only have water, nothing else. Well, not to my knowledge. Mom uh.... doesn't really... she hates cooking. Drinking water when I'm hungry has become a habit."

I've never seen such anger in his eyes before. Ezra was livid. My eyes averted down to my thighs.

"She's not feeding you?"

"Th-there's a child lock on the fridge, in the cabinets are only cereal and crackers. I only eat in school and she gives me only five dollars every two weeks so basically I'm living off... water. Don't be mad."

"Not at you, never. H-how do you look so healthy?"

I looked up at Ezra and chuckled, "Uh.... can we not talk about this right now?" Though he wasn't in the mood for no jokes.

"Lily, you're sick."

"I'm fine."

"Lily, don't argue with me. You're sick, unhealthy and you don't even know it. Your mind is playing a game on your beautiful body." beautiful body. No one has ever told me that before. "I want you to head upstairs, clean yourself properly and slip into something much more comforting and relaxing. I'm going to turn the temperature down then I'm going to break that lock on the fridge. By the time I'm done, please be ready. We're going to the supermarket and I'm going to fill everything in that kitchen. How could you think this is okay?"

He sounded just like dad but he actually cared instead of telling me dry words that meant s**t.

"It's not okay but what can I do? I'm no good, I can't find a job or a place and I'm still in high school. Don't be mad at me." I told him.

Ezra seemed to have calmed down as he sat down. He took my hands in his, rubbing the back of my hand, tenderly. "I'll take care of you properly, don't fret. Go now."

"Y-yes."

I was left in a shock, it didn't all hit me once I was going up to those steps. I never knew Ezra had this side of him. Took control of the situation better than me. I wanted Ezra to take care of me forever. Could he?