"I wish time had better timimg for you and me."

***************

Three months later...

Lilly's POV

"Lilly, it's your turn," Mrs. Garcia said, pulling me out of my thoughts and urging me to read my line.

I shook my head as my eyes scanned the words written over the script in my hand, "It's just, I don't find this story realistic in any way," I commented, "What's the whole point of the lead girl? She is sad, she is weak and fragile," I scoffed, "And then just like that a guy comes and saves her. The feminist in me can't accept that!"

"No, no, it's not like that at all!" Mrs. Garcia said, offended by my accusations toward the main character in her play, "She has just been making all the wrong choices in her life, she didn't care about herself enough to make the right choice," She added, "She is a bit reckless, a little immature at times, but definitely not weak."

"Somehow, she always picks the bad guys for her and that's how she reached here."

"Sounds pretty realistic to me," Chase said from beside me, his lips curled up as his eyes traveled from Mrs. Garcia to me, "It actually reminds me of someone I know."

My jaw tightened and I shot him a glare, "No one asked you!"

"The story isn't about a guy who comes out of nowhere and saves her," She added, still trying to convince me, "He was there for her all along, he took care of her when no one did, but she just didn't notice him, not till it was too late."

Chase's low chuckle beside me had my eyes widening. I turned to him again, "Is this funny to you?" I said through gritted teeth.

He shook his head, "I am just loving the irony over here."

This SOB.

I didn't waste a second as I elbowed him in the stomach. He has became ten times more of the jerk he once was. He knows exactly how to push on all of my buttons.

"Lilly, Chase, don't fight!" Mrs. Garcia warned, pretty much fed up with us by now. Three months of this shit. Three fricking months. It makes me regret accepting her offer in the first place.

"Why do we have to do this exact play, anyway?" I asked annoyed, "Can't we just do Romeo and Juliet, like every other normal school does?"

"You know that this year's aim is to do something innovative," She said, "I've written this play a while ago and the committee agreed, so we're doing it." Her eyebrow raised, "And stop complaining."

"Well, we can still be innovative with Romeo and Juliet, we can change the story-line a bit, you know," I looked at Chase and my eyes narrowed, "Maybe just kill Romeo this time, no need for the girl to die."

Chase tsked, "I disagree," He said, "Why does he have to die?" He quirked an eyebrow at me, "She's the one who started all this drama and dragged him along."

I crossed my arms over my chest, "Well, maybe she started it but she definitely didn't drag him, he willingly pushed his nose into her business and pretended to be prince charming when apparently he is not!"

"What the hell did he do wrong?" Chase asked.

I scoffed, "Well, let's start by sleeping with her best friend!"

"Here we go again."

"Okay, I am pretty sure we're not discussing Romeo and Juliet anymore," Mrs. Garcia said, her eyes skeptically moving between me and Chase, "Whatever problem you two have, fix it, I need chemistry on the stage, not two teenagers bickering all the time!"

Her anger toward us was pretty much justified, we've been like this since we started practicing three months ago, "Now, you may go have your lunch, we can continue next week." She finished her words with a tired sigh and walked away mumbling, "We'll definitly lose the contest this year."

"It's your fault," I mumbled.

"Yeah, always blame me," He said as he grabbed his things, "Very mature."

A frustrated sound made it out of my throat as I walked past him, making sure to bump into him hard enough to get him out of my way as I walked away.

"Jerk," I mumbled under my breath as I went through my bag, "Very mature," I mimicked his voice, "As if he is the mature one, this big son of a bi-" Then, I came crashing into someone, the rest of my insult came out muffled as my head collided with someone's chest.

Conner's chuckle had me back away from him right away, pretty much embarrassed at the words he heard coming out if my mouth and at the fact I practically accidentally threw myself at him, his hand held my arm, steadying me.

"Are you okay?" He asked, his eyebrows raising playfully.

I huffed out, "Amazing, can't you see!"

He chuckled and walked with me as I headed for the cafeteria, "Who got you so riled up like this?"

I paused and turned to him, my eyes narrowing, "Who else but your dear best friend," I shook my head, "Sorry, your ex-best friend."

His lips pulled into a thin line and he nodded. I pushed the cafeteria's door open and walked inside, "Are you two still not talking?" I asked, curious and deep inside a bit worried, I hate that Chase has lost a friend that he really loved.

"Yup."

"Why is that?" I asked as I pulled a tray and placed it on the metal rails.

"You know why." He said as he took a tray as well.

"Well, I am gonna be blunt over here, but you and Aylin never had anything going on, I just didn't expect you to be this much angry at him." I said as I took one of the greek yogurts.

"Still, he knew I liked her." Conner justified, "It would've been like me sleeping with you before you and Chase started dating."

I stopped moving and turned around to face him, "First of all, that would've never ever happened, I mean you're hot and all, but for your info, I am still way out of your league."

He shot me a glare, understanding the playfulness in my tone, "I said it would've been like that." He shook his head, "Also, for your info, you're not my type either."

I rolled my eyes, "Yeah, I know your type alright."

"Okay, I get it," He mumbled with a sigh as we took our food and searched for an empty table, "I was blind before, but," He paused as he pulled a chair and sat down, "I don't like her anymore."

I scoffed, "Because it's just that easy." If it only was that easy to just switch it off.

"Talking from experience?" He asked.

I shook my head, "No, definitely not." I took the first bite and ever so casually said, "I moved on." I added, "It's been almost four months since that happened. I hate him with a passion, now."

Conner chuckled, "Oh Lilly, you know that the area in your brain responsible for hate is just near the one responsible for love," The corner of his lips pulled up in a smirk, "It only means that you still love him with passion."

I shot him a glare and placed my fork down, "Do you want to eat alone?" I threatened.

He shook his head, his smile only widening, "You know that I am right."

I rolled my eyes and decided not to give him an answer and fall into his trap. I am not angry. I am not frustrated. No, I am calm. I am so very calm.

I am calm even though that jerk never explained why he kissed me so abruptly that day. It's not like I was expecting him to. It's not like I waited him for him. Not at all.

See, I am fine. Perfect, actually.

"Where is Sally?" Conner asked, looking around the cafeteria as if searching for her.

"She is sick, she didn't come to school today," I answered.

"Sick? Is she okay?" He asked, his eyebrows pulling together in worry.

"Yeah, yeah," I said dismissing him as I continued eating.

"Are you sure?" He asked again, "Should we check up on her?"

I rolled my eyes, annoyed by his series of questions, "She got her period Conner. That's all, so calm your ding-dong."

He looked pretty much terrified and his eyes widened at my blunt answer. He cleared his throat. His gaze went back to his food and he placed his spoon down, "I suddenly lost my apetite."

I rolled my eyes at his dramatic response and went back to my food.

"Hey, you," I heard Zack's voice before I saw him take a seat beside me. I smiled and waved my hand because my mouth was full with food.

After my semi-rejection that day, he stopped using his flirting games on me and to that I was beyond grateful. We still hang out, a lot actually but just as friends and I like that. He really makes a better friend than a boyfriend.

He turned his body around, so that he's facing me, "You are coming to my birthday party tonight, right?" He asked.

My eyes widened at his words, totally forgetting that, "Uh yeah sure, of course, I definitely did not forget that today is your birthday," I chuckled nervously, "Happy birthday by the way!"

He tilted his head to the side and his eyebrow raised, "My birthday is on Monday." He added, "Today is Friday."

I gulped, "You see, I knew that, I definitely knew that," I said confidently, "I was just testing you." I patted his arm, "You did great, congrats."

He shook his head with a smile, "You're adorable," He said ever so sarcastically, "But you're coming, right?" He asked, "It won't be crowded, just a couple of friends and family," He sighed, "My mother insisted, I couldn't say no to her."

I nodded, "Yeah sure I will be there, with the gift that I definitely didn't forget to buy."

Amusement flickered in his eyes before he looked away and started eating his food, "Your presence alone would be enough."

I didn't comment at his last words and my eyes went to Conner, who was oddly silent during this conversation. He had his eyes on Zack, they went to me for a fast second before he went back into eating. He stabbed the chicken with his fork, harsher than he should.

My eyebrows pulled together, "You're coming too, right?" I asked, flustered at his sudden change in mood.

"If I can finish my shift at the diner early, I will." He said, without even looking at my side.

After we finished eating, Zack headed to his class while Conner and I walked together to our common lecture.

"Are you okay?" I couldn't help but ask, "Your mood suddenly went down."

"Look," He pulled into a deep breath, "Just be careful when it comes to Zack, okay?"

Confusion cut lines into my forehead, "In which way?" I asked, "There is nothing between us, anyway."

"I know," He said and raked his hand through his hair, "Still, just promise me you'll be careful."

I nodded, but still couldn't let this go, "Can you elaborate more?"

He sighed. His gaze drifted away for a second and when they fell back on me, he said, "I don't want you to take it the wrong way, but Zack is after you just so he could aggravate Chase."

"I've been friends with both of them for as long as I can remember and I can assure you that Zack, he always wants what Chase have." The muscles of his jaw tightened, he seemed bothered by the fact, "He's jealous of him." He added, "Always been. Something that Chase was too pure to ever notice."

"What do you mean by always?" I asked.

"How do you think Zack made it captain of the team?" Conner asked, "Chase was assigned for that because he is the best one on the team, but only for Zack, he backed away from the position." He explained, "So they took the second best."

My eyebrows creased, "Why did Chase do that?"

"Because he cares about him," He answered, "Zack lost his father, so Chase thinks maybe he can help him by compensating with these things."

No wonder I love the guy, he is practically perfect.

"Zack would've never had the chance for the scholarship if Chase was still the captain of the team or if he even just participated in the last game." He added then shrugged, "Not that Chase needs it anyway."

His words seemed to trigger a place in my brain, words that Zack said before the game. That he should win. He will do anything to win.

"Look, I am not saying Zack is evil, he is still my friend but," He shook his head, "I don't like his ways. So, just be careful."

I nodded, "I will." If I didn't trust Zack before, now I definitely don't.

"Also, uh-" He halted to a stop by the class's door and turned to me, "I've heard that after that day of the game, Chase still had his asthma attack a couple more times, do you know anything about that?"

Outright worry pressed over my chest, "No, I don't...I don't know." My fingers curled into the inside of my palm and my forehead creased as I imagined him going through that pain again and I...I wasn't beside him.

Why is he having them so frequently? Other than that time at the library, I really don't remember the last time he had one of those.

"I am just worried." His tone alone proved that, "Because he is gonna have his aviation medical exam soon."

"His what?"

"It's the flight medical exam," He clarified, "It's true he got accepted to the flight school, but he has to make an aviation test and if only he passes it, he can actually get there." He explained, "We both searched about this together and asked, if his asthma symptoms are just mild and infrequent, that doesn't disqualify him."

"But, if lately he's been having them this often," Conner shook his head, his forehead creasing, "Then, there is a big possibility he'd fail the medical exam and get disqualified."

A shot of panic hit me at the realization, escalating my pulse. If I was just worried about his health before, now I am terrified.

It's more than his health. This is his future.

He must've been so worried lately. How did I not notice?

I need to talk with him.

True I hate the fact that he'll be leaving but never would I wish this to happen to him. It's his dream. It's what he worked so hard to get. He can't lose it, now.

I won't let that happen.

"I will ask him today and see how he's doing." I added and Conner nodded, a bit of relief flashed in his eyes and I smiled, "You still worry about him!"

He rolled his eyes at my tone, "Of course. I mean, yes, I am angry at him," he added, "But that doesn't mean I stopped caring about him."

He is right.

I am so angry at Chase, but that doesn't mean I ever stopped loving him.

***********

Something has been nagging at my mind since my talk with Conner earlier today. Maybe I am just over-analyzing it, but there is one thing that I need to make sure of.

I sipped on my beverage as I looked around the living room. I've been to Zack's house before, but it was so long ago, I can barely remember how it used to look like.

He came beside me and I flashed him a smile as I placed my beverage over the table, "You said it won't be crowded." I commented, referring to the many people scattered around the house.

He shook his head with a sigh, "That was the plan, but one person told the other and all of them came."

I pressed my lips into a thin line and nodded, waiting for him to ask me what I am sure he will.

"If you want, we can go to a quitter place." He commented and I smiled, so predictable, "That would be great." I pulled my flirty tone on, "You know, so I can give you your gift as well."

He placed his hand over my lower back as he led my way out of the living room and into the stairs. I pulled into a deep breath and followed along as he opened the door to his room and ushered me to get inside.

I walked in first, my eyes wandered around the room, "So, I finally made my way into your room, huh?," I said as I turned around, my eyebrow raising playfully.

A smile pulled up his lips, it seemed genuine and beautiful. It made him look charming, but I was in no way charmed. Not after what Conner said.

I sat down over the edge of the bed and my palms pressed against the mattress, "Oh true, you never told me," I started, casually starting the conversation, "Did you get the scholarship?"

He nodded as he came to a stop ahead of me, "Yup, I did."

My fake smile widened, "Oh, great!" I said, "They chose the best one from the team, didn't they?"

His smile turned into a smirk and he nodded, "They sure did."

I kept my act going on, flashing him my sweetest, most innocent smile, "You said you'd do anything to get that scholarship," It was more of a statement than a question, "Anything, huh?" My hand tightened into a fist, "And you got it. Great."

He shrugged, "Now enough talking about me and let's get back to-"

"Oh, I forgot my drink downstairs," I said, interrupting him. My lips curled into a pout, "Can you please get it for me, I am so thirsty."

He nodded, "Yeah sure, hold on a second."

He walked out of the room, my eyes on his back as he disappeared and went downstairs. I immediately got to my feet and started searching. For what? I had no freaking idea.

Something. Anything that could prove my theory. I feel it in my gut that I would find it in here somewhere, whatever it is, and I trust my gut, it's always right and on point.

I opened the closet and looked around. I pulled the drawers open, one by one as I rampaged through them, as fast as I could.

Still, nothing important.

I went to his desk and searched around, but nothing of an importance caught my attention.

I stood up and looked around. I raked my hand through my hair, frustrated. I walked over to the nightstand by the bed, I pulled the first one and my eyes fell on the stash of condoms. I rolled my eyes, why am I not even surprised.

Oh, boxers too. There was a time where I would've stolen one of these as a souvenir.

Thank god that me-liking-him stage has passed a long ago.

I opened the other drawer, my hand went inside, going through its content till my eyes fell on my prize. I felt my body freeze at the spot as I grabbed the small bottle and read the words written over it.

I know what this is. I've seen with Chase before.

I closed the drawer and stood up. At that same time, I heard his footsteps nearing from behind. My jaw tightened and I tried to keep my anger at bay as I turned around.

I held the bottle up so he can see it, "What is Chase's medicine doing in your room?" I asked, without hesitation.

His gaze fell into my hand, I noticed how his grip tightened over the drink. He pulled the nonchalant act as he stepped inside and shrugged, "I am not sure, maybe he forgot it here when he used to stay over."

My eyes narrowed, "Why don't I believe that?"

He looked offended, "Excuse me?"

"You know what, I was really hoping that I won't find anything, I really wanted to believe that you wouldn't cross this line, that you aren't that bad of a person, but you managed to be the worst person I've ever met!"

"I don't know what you're talking about." He said, his eyebrows pulling together, trying to sound clueless but I could sense the sudden change in his mood. He knows that he's been caught.

My chest tightened, and my fingers tightened over the little bottle as the anger raged, "You know exactly what I am talking about," I said "Just like I know that you've stolen these from Chase," My heart rate increased, "And you've replaced them with something else, just so he'd have his attack right before the game, just so he gets kicked out and you have no competition for the scholarship."

His silence alone proved all of my thoughts right. I never thought he'd go that far, but he did overstep his limit.

"But, you're so stupid, because he was never after it," I grated out through clenched teeth, "And by this you've only threatened his health and his future."

I am pretty sure Zack doesn't know about Chase being already accepted to college and is leaving. Only Conner, me and my dad know about this. Zack has no idea how terribly he screwed up his life.

"I think it's better if you leave," Was all he could manage to say. He didn't even try to defend himself.

"Why are you this much selfish?" I asked, still unable to digest this, "What did Chase ever do to you? Why do you hate him so much?"

He pressed his hand over the chair beside him, trying to pour his anger through out his touch, "I don't hate him."

I scoffed, "Only someone who hates with a passion does what you've done."

His voice raised, defending himself, "One attack before the game didn't hurt anyone, did it?"

My eyes widened, "It did hurt him!" I snapped, "What if he had his attack when he was alone? What if he didn't have the inhaler with him?" I couldn't contain my anger anymore, I walked forward and pushed at his chest, "Do you have any idea how dangerous this is?!" I pushed again, "You didn't even exchange them again, did you?"

"I tried but couldn't." He said, as if this is so normal, "It's not that big of a deal. It's just an asthma attack, lots of people have it"

"You're unbelievable!"

"He's your cousin for god's sake!" I shouted, unable to comprehend the whole situation, "He looks at you as his brother," My heart broke for him, "And you stabbed him in the back like this, for what? For a scholarship that you definitely don't deserve!" I couldn't stop myself, "His father practically raised you, he would've given you more than this scholarship even," My jaw tightened, "I wonder what he'll do when he figures out what you've done to his son."

I wasn't going to stand here any longer. I got the answers I came for.

The moment my fingers curled over the knob, I felt a hand wrap over my arm and pull me away. The second thing I felt his other hand slam against the door, shutting it close again.

And the third thing was his harsh words as he said, "You're not going anywhere!"

**********************************

You all were right never liking him since the first chapter xD

I just got home from work and pressed the update button. I am too tired to write a long author note lol xD

So, see you next chapter and love you all so very much *sends a big virtual hug*