Chapter Six: I Promise You My Heart

William Shakespeare wrote that, "It is not in the stars to hold our destiny but in ourselves." I would like to believe that. I would love to believe more than anything that it wasn't destiny that led me to Joshua but it was my own free will that led me there.

About Two Years Ago

I found Joshua Pierce Sangster again during the lunchbreak, his nose buried in the book. His lunch tray lay next to him – completely forgotten. I wondered how could he possibly find the entire book so intriguing that he'd forget to eat! But I knew people did not like to be interrupted when they were reading so I kept quiet. He looked up from his book in time to find me hesitating.

"Oh hello there," he said, smiling at me, "Didn't you make any friends today?"

I shook my head, "I've been on the road so much, I don't think I really know how to talk to people." I had certainly surprised myself when the words left my mouth. I had no idea how to make friends and yet here I was, talking about it. Because I felt at ease with Joshua.

"Well you can sit here with me then," he said, "But you cannot tell me how the story ends."

"Done," I answered, gratefully slipping into a seat next to him, "Who's your favourite character so far?"

"Nathan" he replied, without missing a beat, "I know he's supposed to be an asshat at the start but…I think I'm really warming up to him."

"Because he's a tragically misunderstood popular jock?" my voice must have been dripping with sarcasm but I couldn't take back what I'd said.

Joshua smiled kindly at me, however and told me something that I'd carry with me for the rest of my life. "People are always dealing with more than they show you, Lily. You'll only ever just scratch the surface with them. What we see of other people's lives, it's barely a window of few seconds. In fact, on the surface you're just a freshman trying to fit in. But deep down, I bet there's more to you than meets the eye, Lily Roe-Scott."

I grinned at him. "And I bet there's more to you too, Joshua Sangster."

"Joshua Pierce Sangster," he said, with a laugh, "If we're going to be friends. You might as well know that about me."

Present Day.

When I made it to Karen's Café, Haley was already there overseeing the orders. Ryan was sitting at the counter talking to her about homework!

"Hey," I called, "Ready to go?"

"Good morning to you too, Lily. Sit down and eat," Haley called from behind the counter.

"No, thank you," I answered, "I'm good."

"Ha ha, it wasn't a question," she said, firmly.

So I sat down and had to dig into my breakfast. At least the food wasn't bad at all. It was rather amazing.

"You know you have to pay for your food, right?" I asked Ryan, as I watched him sip coffee from his cup.

"Hurry up with your food, Lily," he answered, irritably, "We hardly have an hour before school starts. And we cannot climb in through the window to avoid being late now, can we?"

"Woah! Who climbed in through the window?" asked Haley, reappearing at the counter.

"Thanks for breakfast, Hales. But we really have to meet Peyton before we go to school," I answered, hopping off the stool, "C'mon, Big Mouth."

"It was nice seeing you, Mrs. James-Scott. I hope you come back and teach us again," Ryan said, as he followed me out of the café.

"Okay, do not mention my delinquent behavior in front of my sister-in-law," I warned him, "Either ONE of them." I added, causing Ryan to wipe the smirk off his face.

I knocked constantly and loudly, until a very pissed off Peyton yelled out, "I'm coming! I'm coming! Geez! Hold your horses you – Lily!" she said, as she opened the door and discovered the source of the commotion. "Hi. Was I expecting you?"

"No, no, you weren't," I said, "Peyton, this is my friend, Ryan Summers and he's been bugging me to come meet you. Ryan, this is Peyton Sawyer Scott."

The exchanged pleasantries and I went on, "Ryan works at our school newspaper and he really wants to do an article on you." Peyton nodded, trying to keep up with us, "So, now that you two have met. I'll leave you to it."

"Peyton Sawyer! It's such an honor to meet you," said Ryan, as I slowly began backing away from them. "Can I please, please interview you?"

"Well, since you asked so nice, why not?" said Peyton, "Why don't you come down to my office after school today?"

I had already started walking towards school when Ryan caught up with me, "Hey! Thanks for that. I guess we're even now."

"We are," I replied.

"So does this mean we're walking to school together?" he asked.

"Not even close," I answered, preparing to run to school. But I paused for a brief moment and said, "Well, I'll be seeing ya." And then I took off towards school at top speed.

"Lily, did you really run all the way to school?" Jamie asked, as I slowed down my pace and began walking towards our school.

Jamie must have been waiting for me, I figured. His car keys were dangling from his right hand.

"I did," I replied, with a grin, "What can I say? It's a real rush."

"Brilliant. I can add crazy cousin to the list of relatives that I have," Jamie said, rolling his eyes. "Look, if you want a car then maybe I can help you get one."

"I really don't mind running to school," I said, shrugging, "Besides, I have way too many people offering me rides."

"Oh, are you Ms. Popular?" he teased.

"No. I meant the whole family suddenly wants to offer me rides," I said, rolling my eyes, "What do you people have against me walking to school?"

"We don't mind you walking, Lily. What we do mind is you running like a crazy person to school. You know like we have a reputation to protect," Jamie said, "We're Scotts after all."

"What about us, Scotts?" asked Nathan, looming up behind us and falling into step.

"Apparently we have a reputation to protect," I laughed.

"Oh yeah, that we do," he agreed. "Lily, where's Lucas this morning?"

"He was at our house," I said, "But after that, I have no idea. I just ran to school. I mean walked. I walked to school," I corrected myself, hastily, catching the look of confusion on his face.

"I told you no one runs to school," Jamie scoffed, as we entered our school hallway.

I merely laughed. His words had brought back a rather fond memory from my one year at Blue Hallows High. It was one of those beautiful Friday evenings that get etched into your memory forever.

About Two Years Ago

Over time Joshua and I bonded our love for literature and his determination to introduce me to good music. Because apparently the stuff I liked listening to was simply child's play. But when it came to books, I definitely was the one who had the upper hand.

"So, there's a school dance this Friday," Joshua said, casually during one of lunchbreaks. "I was wondering though…do you dance?"

"I know a little bit about dancing," I answered, smiling, "Are you asking me to the dance?"

"Are you saying yes?" he asked. His voice was so full of hope and apprehension.

I smiled at him and said, "Okay. And I'll meet you here at school then?"

"I was thinking about picking you up around seven," he said, frowning a little.

"Oh. I thought I'd just run to school, you know?"

"Lily – no one runs to school. They do try to run far, far away from it though sometimes."

"I'll keep that in mind."

Present Day.

"Hey, are you still here?" asked Jamie, "Or are you daydreaming?"

"I'm still here," I said, shaking my head, "And that's our cue to go to class." The school bell went off and morning classes started.

On my way to class, I passed a notice. Then I took around look at what was printed on the notice…...the first back-to-school dance was on Friday. Was it really déjà vu? Or was this always meant to be? Were my past and my present meshing together to finally make sense?

It was a good thing that Jamie was in most of my classes because when I took my seat behind him in Algebra, I nudged him and asked, "Hey. There's a dance this Friday?"

"Yes," he said, and with a smile he added, "Don't worry. I'll find you a date." Then he winked at me and went to back to working on his math problems.

And in my head, I began to sort through all the problems I'd so far avoided to even take a look at.

Author's Note: Ah, so the plot thickens. Thanks for following and favouriteing the story so far :) I am really enjoying writing about Lily. They really should have given her and Jamie a spin off. I am loving planning and writing this story. Be prepared for lots of school drama at the dance soon :D