AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I’m not sad, babe. I’m just… honestly, I don’t know what I am. But I’ll be fine.” There was that word again. “Once I get back to work at the diner and get the rest of this semester out of the way, I’m sure I’ll feel more like my old self.”
It was a lie. That girl—the girl I used to be—had died right alongside my mom. Or maybe she had drowned in the Susquehanna River. Either way, she was gone, and everything was different now.
Iwas different.
If anyone could understand, it was Lily. But every time I thought about opening up to her, to confessing my deepest, darkest secrets, something held me back. She’d already been through so much she didn’t need me burdening her with my issues. Not when she had finally reached a good place.
No, I wouldn’t do that to her.
“I can’t believe it’s almost the holidays.” She ran her thumb around her mug of hot chocolate. Something twinkled in her eyes and I got the sense she was holding something back.
“Lily…” I waited.
“Kaiden wants us to go away over the holidays… like together.”
“Wow, that’s a big deal.”
“I know, right? I mean, I haven’t even broached it with my mom and dad yet because hello, my dad has barely accepted that I’m dating.”
“Your dad loves Kaiden.”
“Yeah, but will he love him whisking me away for a romantic getaway in a cabin? A freaking cabin, Peyton.”
“It sounds lovely.” My chest cinched.
“Maybe we could turn it into a group thing? He’d be more willing if he knew we were all going.”
“I’m not sure that’s what Kaiden has in mind.”
“No, you’re right. He said after last night, spending time together like that, he wants more.” A smile lifted the corner of her mouth, making her whole face light up.
“God, the two of you are so disgusting,” I teased.
“Sorry.” She pouted. “I don’t mean to be. But this is all so new and exciting and scary… God, it’s terrifying.”
“Lil, breathe,” I said, inhaling a deep breath, hoping she would copy me. She did, nodding through her deep inhale and exhale. “Better?” I asked.
“Yes, thank you. I bet you think I’m such—”
“Please. You know I would never judge you… for anything. This is a good thing, babe. It’s only a few months before you’ll be heading to college together.”
“If I get in.”
“You’ll get in.” Lily planned to head to the University of Pittsburgh while Kaiden had committed to Penn State. It was only a couple hour’s car ride, but they would make it work. I had zero doubts about it.
“So you think I should say yes… about the cabin?”
“Errr, hell yes!”
Her soft laughter filled the space between us. “I’m so glad I have you to talk to about all this stuff.”
“You have Ashleigh too, and Poppy.”
“Yeah, but it’s not the same.” Lily beamed at me. “I can’t wait until you meet your guy and we can double date.”
“My guy?” I balked.
“Yeah, I mean, I know you don’t like Bryan like that, but it doesn’t mean there isn’t someone out there for you.”
