I push open the door with such force it slams against the wall. The family saying their goodbyes jump at the sound, but I ignore them, veering to the side alley, and pull out a smoke. Before the flame hits the tip, my eyes look up and catch Lilly’s legs dangling from the window, not quite touching the ground.
My heart sinks, and I drop my head, turning my back to finish lighting my smoke, not wanting to see the disappointment on her face when she realises she’s still stuck with me. Of course, Lilly wasn’t crying in the bathroom, she was running for the hills.
When she lands, there’s a thud and the sound of wood crackling, like the snapping of twigs; and I wince. She must not have avoided the hedge on the way down.
“Ouch,” she cries out, through the rustling of leaves.
I keep flicking my lighter, the darkness surrounding me, listening to her grunts and moans, as she struggles to get herself free.
Then silence.
It’s then I know she’s spotted me.
“You know I wouldn’t actually blame you this time.” I say, but still don’t turn to face her.
It’s quiet for a few seconds before her shocked voice confirms my fears. “How did you get here so quick?”
Hmph, I just threatened to kill my best friend, and she isn’t even affected. Turning around, I see that she’s a mess. She’s plucking twigs from her hair, and one of her suede boots has folded over, exposing red scratches on her leg.
I ditch the butt of my cigarette, stalking towards her. Then I bend to my knees, crouching, carefully inspecting the damage. My fingers trail lightly up her calf to her thigh, where red grazes mar her soft skin. Her breath hitches as my finger ghosts over the wound, her body shuddering from my feather light touch.
“It was higher than I thought.” Her voice is soft again, and that’s how I know I have her back for a bit.
The real her.
A smile plays on my lips as I softly kiss her wound, hoping to take away her pain. Not just from the fall, but from all the pain she’s faced before. Then I rise to my full height to see her standing with her eyes closed and a smile playing on her lips. Not a smirk, but a real smile, and my entire world stops for just that second as I take her in.
My fingers find hers, gently taking her hand in mine. She opens her eyes, and doesn’t hit me, so I continue to softly stroke them.
“It’s your choice.” I hold her eyes with mine. “We can go back inside, or we can leave?”
She doesn’t break our connection as I watch the indecision in her eyes. Until she smiles, one of her stunning smiles, but one that I know means she’s retreating, hiding behind her mask and ready to move on.
“Since my great escape has been spoilt. I’d hate Dante to think it was because of him. Plus, the food here is great. Let’s go back.”
Let’s go back?
I don’t want to go back. I want to take her home. To make it up to her. But she’d never let me. Not now. But soon.
I nod, gently tugging her hand and she falls into step beside me. We re-enter the restaurant her head held high and my anger sated for now, finding our table has been reset and food set out again.
Once we reach her chair, I pull it out, holding my hand out to help her into it. She accepts and smiles her thanks at me, a far cry from the beginning of the night.
“Everything okay?” Amari asks with a frown, glancing between us and the front door.
“Yeah, of course.” Lilly looks at the table and frowns. “Did you guys order more food?”
No one says anything, but it’s obvious the vibe at the table has changed.
“Um, yeah.” Dante clears his throat and nods, but doesn’t offer anything else.
“Okay,” she says slowly, looking at each of us as she picks up her fork, then turns her attention to Tommy. “So, how did it go with Melissa?”
“Pft, she wanted to go for dinner.” He shakes his head, like it’s the most ridiculous request he’s ever heard. “But I don’t want to spend that much time with her until I know if I like her or not. Especially in public.”
Lilly laughs easing the tension, even Dave manages a chuckle. After that the conversation picks up, but not everyone has recovered as quickly as her. Amari has lost her appetite and asks Dave to take her home. Dante doesn’t speak for the rest of the night and Tommy takes it in his stride, doing what he does best, making her laugh.
Dinner ends not long after we return, and I’m relieved, ready to get out of there. It’s been a long day. Lilly makes us pack up all the leftovers into containers, which we never do; but she insisted.