I saw her walking towards me, as she always did after school. Who was she? Lilly.
Lilly was the most beautiful girl in school. Her eyes were green as emeralds, which were always rimmed in light black eyeliner. Her hair was a natural blonde, which she never dyed. To call her skinny was an understatement. Her figure was easily model material. Every boy in the entire high school wanted her. You could see it in their eyes as they marveled after she walked by.
Popular? How could she not be? She always had a smile on her face; always spoke to everyone no matter how they looked. She was an angel.
But, me - I was a monster.
The typical trouble maker type. I wore a lot of black, and occasionally wearing eyeliner. Not because I'm gay, like everyone thinks, but because I'm different.
I know I'm nothing perfect. Overweight, unpopular, and uncoordinated as I was, Lilly was in love with me. Every guy hated me for that and every girl begged her to reconsider. But she was mine.
"Hey sweetheart."
She greeted me by my locker. I tried hiding my face under my hat to conceal my black eye.
Again, two guys jumped me before school pushing me into a locker. Lilly hated to see me hurt and I hated showing her how weak I am.
"Hey, angel."
"Turn around here."
She giggled.
"I want a kiss."
She pulled at my jacket to turn me around. I could never get used to her touch. She pulled me around to her and lifted my hat.
"Oh, Jamie. Who did this?"
I was ashamed. I was too weak to defend myself.
"It's fine, Lilly. I can handle it."
I gave her my best smile, which was still horrific. It was nothing compared to how angelic her smile was.
"Walk me home?"
I knew she only wanted me to walk her home today because she was afraid of me getting hurt again. But I laced my fingers with hers and walked out of the school building.
Her house was only twenty minutes from mine, but in the opposite direction. I knew she didn't realize I would have to double back to my house. Lilly was too sweet sometimes. She always tries to protect me from the world.
"How long do you think we'll last?"
I asked her as I walked her to her door. Her face fell. I knew she hated when I asked these questions.
"Jamison Parker Benson, I want to be with you until I die."
"We're only seventeen, Lil."
"And we'll be together till we die."
I grimaced. How could she be so confident?
"Look, we'll always be together as long as we're both under the moon."
She smiled wide and kissed me gently.
"Now go home. My brother is having friends over tonight. I'm in for a long night alone."
She frowned and kissed me again.
I didn't like her brother, who was only nineteen. His friends were even less likable. I sighed and started walking back to my house. It was getting late now and I knew I wouldn't be home before dark. That was dangerous for me. But walking with Lilly was worth it. I'd take a million beatings just to see her smile.