Your Ten Letters [Completed]

Letter 3

Letter three: March
—
Caught off guard by his initiation, she replied cautiously, "Why are you questioning my intentions? Do you dislike me that much?"

Marcus's gaze softened, his surprise palpable as he struggled to find the right words. "I don't dislike you," he admitted, his eyes averted.

"I ignore everyone. It's just who I am."

A moment of silence hung in the air, as Lily's mind raced to find a response. She pondered his words, grappling with her own thoughts. Finally, her determination broke through the stillness.

"Well, then I have bad news for you," she declared, her eyes locked on his.

"Whether you like it or not, I still want to be your friend."

His retort was quick, filled with a mix of skepticism and self-doubt. "What makes you think that I want to be your friend?"

Undeterred, Lily met his gaze with unwavering resolve. "Why do you even want to be my friend?" he questioned, his voice tinged with a hint of self-loathing. "I don't even... I don't even know how to talk to people."

Lily took a moment, her mind racing to find the right words, the words that could bridge the gap between them.

Something inexplicable drew her to him, an unspoken connection that defied explanation.

"Well, I find you interesting," she admitted, her voice gentle yet firm. "I don't know much about you, I don't know why you're always alone or why it seems like you've lost your enthusiasm for life. But every time I look at you, I feel this overwhelming urge to help. All I know is that I want to."

He was taken aback, his usual wit and eloquence deserting him in that moment. Words failed him, both in conversation and on paper. He turned his gaze skyward, lost in thought.

Lily did the same thing, sharing the profound stillness of the evening sky. They remained there, in each other's quiet company, as time seemed to pause.

In the absence of conversation, their surroundings spoke volumes.

The nocturnal symphony of crickets and distant rustling leaves provided a gentle soundtrack to their shared solitude. The faint glow of streetlights cast elongated shadows across the pavement, creating a dance of light and darkness.

The scent of blooming flowers mingled with the crisp night air, infusing the atmosphere with an intoxicating fragrance. 

Lily's gaze wandered, tracing the silhouettes of the surrounding trees as they swayed gently in the nocturnal breeze.

The moon, a luminescent orb suspended above them, cast a gentle radiance upon their meeting place, its pale glow highlighting the contours of their features.

"Then goodbye," Marcus uttered after what seemed a lifetime, rising to his feet and preparing to depart. "Friend..."

It took a moment for Lily to process the weight of his words. The day had been filled with more conversation than their previous encounters combined, and something had shifted between them.

As he walked away, a flood of emotions overwhelmed her, leaving her questioning her own feelings, even though she didn't know what they were.

This encounter had taken hold of her mind, refusing to be dismissed.

Upon returning home, Lily was greeted by her mother's concerned reproach. "What were you doing out so late? It's already ten o'clock! Go to sleep right now!"

She didn't argue with her mother's admonishments, retreating to her room and collapsing onto her bed. "Friends," she whispered into the darkness, her hand resting against her face, her heart still pulsating with the lingering echoes of their conversation.

Lily tossed and turned in her bed, unable to sleep a wink. Marcus's sudden burst of conversation replayed in her mind like a broken record.

She couldn't believe it—out of all people, he chose to open up to her. It felt surreal, like stumbling upon a unicorn in the middle of a city street. 

The next day, Lily stumbled through the hallways, her lack of sleep evident in her bleary eyes.

Her mind was still consumed by thoughts of Marcus and their late-night exchange. She was so lost in her thoughts that she barely registered Davina's attempts to get her attention.

"Hey, Lily!" Davina called out, a hint of frustration creeping into her voice. 

Lily snapped back to reality. "Huh? Oh, hey Davina." 

Davina looked at her friend with concern. "Seriously, where have you been lately? You didn't even answer your phone all weekend!" 

Lily rubbed her temples, struggling to find the right words. "I've been... painting." 

"Painting?" Riley chimed in, joining the conversation. "But you haven't picked up a brush since..."

Cutting her off, Lily interjected, "Yeah, ever since I moved to this school, I know."

Though a sense of melancholy still clung to her whenever she painted, she resolved to transcend that sadness. She couldn't allow it to govern her life forever.

A heavy silence hung in the air, tinged with a mix of bitterness and understanding. The day carried on, classes resumed, and as usual, Marcus entered the scene, his gaze averted from the world around him.

Yet, deep within Lily, a glimmer of hope flickered.

The memory of their shared connection lingered, etching his expressions and the way he referred to them as friends into her mind.

In a fleeting moment, she believed she caught Marcus's gaze, and the confused glance Davina shot her confirmed that it wasn't mere imagination. Was Davina jealous?

As the final bell rang, signaling the end of classes, Lily hurriedly made her way towards the exit, eager for what awaited her.

Today was the day she would embark on her volunteer work at a nearby animal shelter.

Her teacher had mentioned the opportunity weeks prior, and Lily had seized it with enthusiasm. Arriving at the shelter with a sense of purpose, she found herself welcomed into a cozy and inviting environment.

The shelter exuded a humble charm, its walls embracing both kittens and puppies, their playful antics adding a touch of  joy to the air.

It wasn't extravagant, but it radiated a warm and inviting aura. Amanda, a dedicated worker, greeted Lily with a smile.

"Are you the new volunteer, Lily?" Amanda asked.

"Yes, I'm Lily!" she replied, her enthusiasm palpable.

"Nice to meet you, Lily! I'm Amanda, and I'll be guiding you through your first day. Follow me," Amanda said, her passion for the job evident.

Prior to Lily's arrival, Amanda had been immersed in a world of fluffy kittens, whispering stories to them like they understood her.

"It's great to have some help. The past few days have been quite chaotic with an influx of animals coming in. I'm not sure what's happening," Amanda sighed, her brow furrowing.

"But fortunately, two people from your school decided to apply for volunteer work here."

Lily's heart skipped a beat at the mention of two individuals. "Two people?"

Amanda nodded. "Yes, I believe it's a boy, but I don't know much about him. He decided to join us last minute."

As if scripted by fate, a pair of familiar blue eyes entered the shelter, catching Lily off guard.

"Hello, is this the right place?" Marcus inquired, his voice blending with an air of intrigue.

"Yes, glad you made it!" Amanda replied warmly.

A mix of surprise, curiosity, and a touch of excitement swirled within Lily.

What was Marcus doing here? Was it just a random twist of fate or something else?

A/N: Here's another chapter! Don't forget to comment and vote :)

Let's talk on instagram: tessidedella_