Afraid • l.h

Chapter 29 • "Why?"

Tilly's POV

His head lifted. Our eyes met. My heart melted. No one said a word.

It's not like I can even explain why I ran out. What if he doesn't listen?

"Why?" Luke says and his voice cracks.

Please don't cry.
Please don't cry.
Please don't cry.

"Why would you do that to me?" He starts. "Minutes before, you said you'd always be there." That was it. I ran into my bathroom, locked the door and cried. I couldn't explain and I didn't want Luke to know I was afraid as much as I didn't want him to see me cry. I may be confident on the outside but I'm certainly not on the inside.

"Tilly? Let me in. Please. What have I done?" I listen to Lukes voice through the door; the only thing separating us right now. I hear Luke slide down the door on the other side and I remain quiet.

"Tilly? What is the matter? I asked you if you ever had a bad day or experience you would come and speak to me about it." He paused. "You can trust me." He finishes and at that moment I unlock the door.

"What happened?" He said chocked up. "What happened to my beautiful, happy Tilly?" He says engulfing me in a hug and I cry even more. He leads me into my own bedroom and sits me on the bed soon after he takes a seat next to me. "You can explain when you're ready."

"No I can't." I manage.

"Why not?"

"Because I don't know how."

"All I ask is that you are honest." He says. "When you're ready."

"I'm afraid." Is all I say.

"Of what? Of me?"

"Yes well no I'm afraid of love."

"Well that makes two of us. But why?"

"I can't bare the thought of losing love. After seeing how my mum was when my dad was killed I never want that to happen to me. She was distraught, unhappy and in pain."

"Look. We both had bad experiences with love but I got over mine and I believe you'll get over yours. You have to trust me."

"I'm afraid I'll never be able to give back what you give to me."

"And what's that?"

"Happiness."

"Tilly you give me great happiness. You know that right?"

"I do now."

"Promise me you'll never leave me like that again."

"Okay."

"I know you're not ready to say it back yet but, I love you." He says and I look up and smile at him. "Let me show you this little place I liked to go when I was feeling sad."

"You're not ever sad now?"

"It may sound extremely cringeworthy but not now I've found you."

"You're so cute. I like you a lot Luke Hemmings."

"And I like you a lot too Tilly Wilson." He states and we both laugh whilst walking down the stairs hand in hand.

"Me and Luke are just popping out mum." I shout out to inform her.

"Okay." She replies.

"I didn't bring my car. We're gonna have to walk." He informs me.

"That's okay." I open the front door after slipping some shoes on. "It's not raining." I point out.