A/N at the end.
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One day
the pain
in your heart
will leave,
and the hole it dug
will be the
perfect space
for a beautiful
garden.
- RH Fowler.
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Singing the song and dancing along the beat, she misses the sound of the front door opening and closing, how the young man sheds his shoes by it and pads quietly to where she is ironing in the lounge.
Pop music reaching his ears, her voice accompanying it.
He steps through the threshold and lets himself be supported by the door's frame. Strong arms crossed over his chest. Staring (almost creepily) at her, amused, and realising that she hasn't seemed to be aware of his presence, he finally goes to announce himself, but before the first word has left his mouth, he hears:
I know you are there. What are you doing here so early? –she says as if they had known each other for years. And she doesn't even turn around, just takes a peek over her shoulder and turns back to the jumper she is ironing.
He cannot believe she knew he was there and yet continue singing and dancing. It's as if she has lost all of yesterday's shyness and a more relaxed person has replaced her.
How… How did you know I was here? You didn't stop singing. By the way, you should not be a singer− he says crumpling his nose and stepping in front of her on the other side of the ironing board.
She lets out a laugh and starts humming again. Ignoring what he said.
He shakes his head and goes to get something to drink.
Do you want something to drink? I am having a beer.
Mm−she hums− No, thanks. I have enough with the bottle of water. – she lets a little smile be seen on her features and takes another shirt to iron.
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I told you yesterday I was going to come earlier. I don't have class today, so I will be going to work in the afternoon. You weren't listening to me. – he says, stretching himself on the sofa and raising an eyebrow.
Lily just shrugs her shoulders and starts humming again. Sometime later she says:
Are you staying for lunch, then? − at his nod, she asks like nothing− are… are you coming here after work? − she says now a little more unsure of herself.
He made the act of thinking about it, but he knew he would be coming here and sleeping here tonight too.
I'm going to stay until tomorrow morning, then I am going to my classes. I think the first is at 9:30 so I will have to go early, maybe around the time you get out with the girls to go to school. –
Lily was thinking that today was the first day he stayed since she was here, and was almost excited about it. Little butterflies fluttering in her stomach. She did not know why. Yet.
Oh… okay− she uttered. Another brief smile was on her face and then she was on her way to tidy up and clean the dishes from the morning.
He is following her around the house, literally.
When she has enough of that she turns around abruptly, him almost colliding with her, and says:
Why are you walking after me all the time? Don't you have anything more interesting to do? – she asks a little irritated, raising her eyebrow.
Not really− says Mark smirking
Ugh! You are stressing me out doing that. Can you please stop? –she says, turning to go to the kitchen.
What are you going to eat? –ignoring what she has said again –Can I eat with you? –
Lily looks at him as he has grown a second head. Why is he asking that? It's his house.
Of course you can, why wouldn't you?
You said I was annoying you, maybe you want some space. – shrugging his shoulders, he breaks eye contact, shy.
Lily thinks it's cute and decides to give him an opening. with a soft smile and kind eyes she says
Don't worry, you can join me. I thought some spaghetti with small pieces of ham and I guess there should be some parmesan cheese to grate. Is that okay? – she asks while putting herself on tiptoes to look for the cheese in the fridge.
He thinks she's adorable and that he is falling for a girl that barely knows.
That's great Lil, thanks. –
She just smiles and goes to fix the ingredients.
Do you want me to help you? – he says when he realizes he is just standing there, watching her.
If you want to grate the cheese
Alright
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Working together, they have their meal fixed in 20 minutes and now are sitting in front of each other, eating silently, secretively glancing one another.
She breaks the silence
What do you study in college?
I'm in the last year to become a history teacher. –he smiles at her proudly
And she is instantly caught in what he is explaining about the degree. And –is true- she never imagined him studying that.
Within minutes they are talking non-stop about everything that came into their minds.
Each other so different in many, many ways that they fit together so, so strongly.
It is a connection felt immediately in both of them. Neither says anything about it or acts accordingly to it.
Well, that way until the third week.
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−We were so different… I really never thought it could work out, even being friends… we had a strange relation− Lily said scrunching her nose and looking at her mother.
Kate saw Lily's eyes become alight when she started talking about Mark, but now they had a little glister of sadness that she could relate to, while listening to her.
−But we had so much fun together… I think it was the only thing− she sighed and broke the eye contact− the only good thing in those months− she chuckles and shakes her head with a way that makes Kate look at her oddly, wanting to know more and waiting for her.
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A/N. I will try to post the next chapter soon, I have the story line for the next one, just have to write it down . Sorry for any mistakes and the delay in posting it. Thanks to everyone that follows/favorites this story, you encourage me everyday. Thank You!
Anna.