"And till the end, you're my very best friend."

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

Lilly's POV

His tone alone should've stirred fear in me, but instead I felt the anger spread over my chest and rage into my veins. I immediately pulled my hand out of his grip and turned around so fast that I can face him.

My teeth gritted as my palm pressed over his chest and I pushed him away from me, placing distance between us, the way it should've been all along, "Don't you dare touch me!" I snapped, my tone matching his.

His eyebrow raised, flames of rage danced in his eyes, the ones that I used to like so much. At the moment, I just wondered how. How did I ever like him? How could someone who looked so charming and nice be this much evil, "You think you can stop me from telling everyone what you did?" I challenged, not once backing away.

He scoffed, "You think I'd just let you do that?"

The threat in his tone almost made me laugh, "I am not scared of you, Zack," I said, honestly.

"But you should be."

"We'll see about that when I tell uncle Ashton about what you've done, we'll let him decide." I added, the threat in my tone more convincing than his.

My words only seemed to infuriate him more. A frustrated sound made it out of his throat as he edged forward, his hand went to my arm, his grip tightened over my flesh and he pulled me closer, "Don't test me, Lilly." He spat the words out, "You won't like it."

I tried to pull my arm away but failed this time. With my other hand, I tried to push him away from me, "Get away, I said!" I shouted, "Get away from me, you prick!" My voice raised in anger and frustration when I failed to break away from his hold.

I was trapped, freaking trapped, but my father didn't raise a quitter, so I went for the most logical escape at the moment. His balls.

"I said, let.me.go!" I stressed out as I aimed my knee and was ready to shoot. However, Zack seemed to notice my intentions right away. In a matter of seconds, seconds only, it all happened.

The moment I was about to kick him, he released his harsh grip and pushed me away. My struggle adding to his strength was enough to knock off my balance and had me staggering backward with a force.

When I lost my footing, I first hit my face on the desk's sharp edge. I used my arm to protect my body and lessen the fall's impact but it backfired right away. Pain shot through the corner of my eye, right on my temple and I whimpered at the vibrating feeling rushing through my arm.

Heaviness followed and it pressed down on every part of me. So much gravity and pain pushing down on my emotions.

The room span there for a second but I hung into one feeling only. I struggled to my feet and caught the fear flashing across Zack's eyes as they focused over my forehead. I felt the warm liquid over the side of my temple and I didn't think logically after. My palms pressed over the desk as I steadied myself.

I heaved into a calming breath as my hand moved and grabbed the glass bottle filled with coke.

He was too shocked by what happened that he didn't notice my hand's movement.

Panic span over his being as he eyed the result of what he did. I stepped forward, "Lilly, I didn't-" He struggled to form a sentence and my jaw tightened, "I didn't mean to-" He didn't get the chance to mutter another word as I instantly threw the bottle at him and felt a sense of accomplishment as I watched it slam against his head.

He groaned and backed away, his hand went to the side of his head and I heard the bottle as it hit the floor and shuttered into pieces. I didn't waste another second and I made my way out of his room making sure he heard me as I said, "You will pay for this!"

My hand went to my temple and I wiped at it as I walked down the stairs. I looked at my fingers and saw blood. The anger left me and something else took its place. I bumped into many people as I reached for my bag and finally walked out of the house and into the streets.

The oxygen rushed back to my lungs with a big force making me halt in my steps. I took into a deep calming breath and my eyes pressed shut. When they glided open, they drifted to the dark sky and I wondered what to do next.

The feeling rushing through my chest had me pulling my phone and calling the one person I needed at the moment. I placed the phone to my ear and waited for him to answer, hoping that he'd actually pick up my call.

Three rings after and I heard him say, "Hello?" I pressed my eyelids closed and a relieved sigh parted my lips when I heard his voice.

I breathed out, "Chase," I swallowed hard, "Can I ask a favor?"

"Yeah, sure." He answered right away. I smiled at the bit of worry flashing in his tone, proving that he noticed the shakiness mine.

"Can you please pick me up?" I asked, "I didn't know who else to call and-"

"Of course, where are you?" He interrupted me and I heard shuffling at his side of the call, knowing for sure he's already heading for the car.

I informed him the street's name, "I'll be there as fast as I can." He said right away and I thanked him before I hung up.

I walked away from Zack's house, searching for a spot to settle on before I sent Chase my exact location. There was a park nearby, it felt like the safest option at this time. I decided to sit there on one of the benches and wait for him to arrive.

I took a napkin from my bag and opened the camera over my phone to look at myself as I wiped away the blood from over my forehead. I winced the moment my fingers made contact with the wound, it hurts so bad. I tried my best to remove any trace of the blood before I covered it with my hair, hoping that Chase won't notice it.

Less than fifteen minutes later, I felt a hand rest over my shoulder from the back making me jump from over my seat. Fear blanketed my skin at the sudden intrusion and I immediately turned around, my hand went to my chest trying to ease down my breath.

"Woah, woah, it's just me," Chase said, raising his hands in surrender. His eyebrows pulled together, "I called your name, but I don't think you heard me," He explained and it made sense as I was so deep in my thoughts to notice. I was thinking about what I just learned and what I am supposed to do with the information I have.

I gulped down and tried to slow down my heartbeats. He nodded toward the road where his car is parked, "Come on, you look cold."

I nodded as I walked around the bench and to his side. He is right, it's freezing cold and I somehow decided not to wear a jacket today. Very smart. I wrapped my arms around my body as we made our way toward the park's exit.

I felt sudden warmth when Chase's arm came around my body, pulling me closer to his side. His hand rubbed at the side of my arm and goosebumps rose all over my skin at his warm gentle touch. I didn't object, neither did I say a thing as I leaned closer, enjoying his embrace till we reached the car.

His arm left me and I let out a disappointed sigh. He opened my door and I got in before he circled his way around and got in as well. He started the engine and immediately turned on the heater, "It'll be warm in a bit," He said and a smile curved my lips as I stared back at him.

He noticed my stare and his eyebrows creased, "What?" He asked, confused.

"What?" I asked.

"You're smiling," He pointed out as he took off into the road, "I don't remember the last time you gave me a smile."

"After three months of not talking, I called you and you immediately came to my rescue without any questions," I stated, my heart warming up, "I am just...grateful."

His gaze drifted to me for a second before it went back to the road, "I made a promise once," He said and I immediately understood the reference, "That no matter what's happening between us, I'll be there for you, if you needed me."

I didn't know how to answer that because unlike him, I didn't keep that promise.

Shame rolled within my inside and my gaze drifted to my lap as I thought of what he's been going through since the game, both physically and mentally, both his health and the stress behind the probability of being disqualified. He needed me for all that time, but I wasn't there for him. Hell, I didn't even know what was going on in his life up till today.

I felt his hand wrap around mine, shaking me out of my troubled thoughts, "It's getting warmer," He said, checking whether my skin is still cold or not as his thumb rubbed circles over my hand.

I nodded and my pulse escalated, it was much warmer now indeed, "It is," Because you're here.

"Okay, so now tell me, what did he do?" He asked and my eyes widened at the bluntness of his question.

"What?"

"You were at Zack's house, it's obvious, he's the only one who lives on that street," He said, his eyes on the rear-view mirror as he made a turn, "And you look shaken up," I noticed how his hand tightened over the steering wheel and how his jaw worked before he looked at me, his voice hardening "So tell me, what did he do?"

I gulped down, "I told my parents I won't come home today," I so obviously changed the subject, "They would be worried if I came now," I lied, "Can I...can I stay at your place?" I asked. It felt like a perfect opportunity for me to switch his medicine bottles.

He looked at me for a full second before he nodded, "Yeah, sure," He said, "You still didn't answer me."

"Also, can you stop by the drugstore on our way, I need to buy something." I added, again running away from his question.

An impatient sigh parted his lips and he nodded, "Can you stop changing the subject?" He requested "Tell me Lilly, what did Zack do?"

When I didn't answer, the car came to a sudden stop and Chase turned to me, giving me all of his attention, "Not giving me answers is only gonna drive me more crazy," His eyebrow raised, "So answer me," His gaze flickered all over my face and his voice lowered, "Did he hurt you?"

I shook my head, "No, he didn't." I gulped down, "Chase, it's not like that," I said, trying to sound convincing. I want him to know about what Zack have done to him but I know how badly it would break his heart. I can't do that to him. I will tell his father, he can deal with Zack, without Chase being involved.

And there is no way in hell I am telling him Zack hurt me. He'd go right now and murder him.

"Can we please just go, I am really tired," The tiredness in my tone wasn't an act. I felt exhaustion weight down over my body. The gravity of what I learned still tugging at both my heart and mind.

He didn't look satisfied, "Okay," was all he said before he continued driving.

The rest of the drive was silent till the car came to a stop by the drugstore, "What do you need from inside?" He asked.

I shook my head and my hand went to the door's handle, "No, I will go get it." I insisted, "You wait for me here."

He didn't seem to listen to me as he opened his door and seemed ready to get down. My hand tugged at the sleeve's of his shirt, pulling him back inside.

"Where are you going?" I asked, faking annoyance, "Stay here."

His forehead creased, "Why? What are you going to buy?"

I went for the most cliche answer there is, "Just girl's stuff, okay?"

And like I expected, he nodded and mumbled, "Okay."

I went down and rushed to the store. I showed the cashier Chase's medicine that I took with me from Zack's house and asked for another one. No way I am trusting this bottle or the one currently with Chase, I need to get him a new one, that for sure contains the real pills that he needs.

I asked also for some band-aid to cover the wound over my temple. He got me what I needed and I paid him before I stuffed them all in my bag and rushed outside, afraid that Chase would follow me.

I got into the car and put my seat-belt all while Chase eyed me suspiciously, his gaze skeptically went over to my bag then back to me, like he could feel I am hiding something.

My eyebrow raised, "You gonna keep staring at me or are you planning to take us home?"

He didn't say anything, his jaw tightened and the sigh that made it out of his lips felt frustrated. He turned his attention back to the road and drove off.

***********

"Are your parents home?" I asked as he unlocked the main door and gave me space to walk in.

"They went to have dinner outside," He answered as he followed me in, "I thought they'd be back by now, but I didn't see dad's car."

Oh, so the whole house for the two of us only. Too bad, we're not together anymore, or else this would've been so fun, and by fun I mean...

Anyways.

I ever so leisurely walked into his room like I owned it. It wasn't till now that I realized how much I miss the old days, where I would come here so often, how normal it was for us to spend time together, to lay down on that same bed without it being awkward anymore. To talk about everything and nothing.

I miss those days. The ones before Aylin came in between us.

The thought alone had my inside crumbling again. I sighed and sat down by the bed's edge, my energy slowly fading away.

"Are you hungry?" Chase asked, "Do you want me to make you something?"

I shook my head, "Can I have just water, please."

He nodded and went out of the room to get me my water. I took that as my chance to switch the medicine bottles. I grabbed the one I just bought and searched for his already used one. I found it on the nightstand, I opened the cap and noticed how it has only few pills left. My chest tightened, all this time he's been using a fake one, he almost finished it even.

Fucking Zack.

I removed the fake ones and emptied the same number of pills into his old one before I placed it back in its place, almost like nothing has happened. I hid the evidence of my innocent crime back into my bag and sat back on the bed.

That exact moment, Chase walked inside and handed me a glass of water. I sipped on it, and a sense of relief washed over me. At least now, he'll be okay. No more attacks, hopefully.

I placed the glass away, "Can I have something to change?"

He nodded and was heading for his closet when my eyes fell on the blue sweater over his bed, the one he gave me at the library. A smile curved my lips and I took it, "Can I wear this one?" I asked with my puppy eyes.

Being here in his room is taking me back to those days, and these little memories can help me overcome the fact that his cousin is one evil son of a bitch.

Chase's lips pulled up, "Yeah, but I was wearing it today, I didn't wash it yet."

By just holding it, I can feel his attractive cologne and scent invade my lungs. I shrugged, "I don't mind." It smells like heaven. If he can take all of my clothes and not wash them like this, I would be really appreciative.

He ran his thumb over his lower lip, trying to hide his smile as he nodded, "Whatever suits you."

He walked to get me shorts and when he got back I did the other thing that gets him kind of annoyed. My hands curled over the hem of my shirts and I ever so casually pulled it off, more than ready to change.

When his eyes fell on me, "Jesus, Lilly," He said in annoyance and looked away.

I tried not to smile as I walked toward him and my hand went to his, I took the shorts from his hand, "Thanks." I said, so innocently.

He turned his head and his eyes fell on mine, his jaw tightened and I noticed the obvious bob in his throat. Gosh, how much do I love making him uncomfortable.

I was about to turn and walk away, but his hand went to my lower back. A low gasp parted my lips as his palm pressed against the bare skin and he pulled me closer, crushing my chest against his.

I could feel his heart beating and his chest heaving each breath from how close we were at the moment. His gaze drifted to my lips and my pulse took off a sprint.

With the little bit of control I had left in me, I managed to say, "If you're gonna kiss me now and not talk about it for the next three months," My voice was so low, "Then don't." Because it's only gonna drive me crazy.

My words shook him out, air pushed out of his nose and his eyelids glided down for a second. When he opened them, his hand loosened from over my back and his gaze drifted somewhere else as he backed away from me.

His eyes fell on my arm, shock washed over them and worry cut lines over his forehead before his hand went there.

I winced when he grabbed my arm, "What's this?" He asked in bewilderment.

I looked at my right arm and noticed the big purple bruise forming. I didn't even feel it up till now. Damn you, Zack.

"Uh, I...I fell today's morning," I lied, "In the bathroom." I added as I pulled my arm from his grip.

His eyes went to my face and the look in them proved me that he didn't buy my lie. They went to my temple, they widened a bit and that's when I felt something warm over there again. Shit. Shit. Shit.

"What the-" He couldn't complete his sentence and his hand went there. I gulped, "Uh yeah, that too happened when I fell down."

He looked at his fingers that now had blood on it, "There is blood, Lilly," His jaw tightened and his voice took on a dangerous tone, "It's still fresh," He pointed out.

I shook my head and backed away from him, "No, I removed the band-aid and forgot to put a new one, that's all," I stuttered, unable to form a believable lie, "That's why I stopped by the drugstore, I needed to buy new ones and-"

"Lilly, this is the last time I am asking, what the fuck did Zack do?" He interrupted my rambling, his voice raising and losing all of its patience, "If you don't answer me right now, I will go and get the answers my way."

Panic erupted over my chest at that thought. If Chase goes to Zack looking this much angry, Zack would think he knows and he might talk about it and...Chase would figure it all out. I can't let that happen, not this way.

When I didn't say anything, he turned around and angrily headed for the door. My eyes widened and I followed him, my hand held into the sleeves of his shirt, stopping him.

"Chase please, nothing big happened, Zack and I just fought," I tried to find a lie he could believe.

Anger rushed from him as he turned around to face me, "You're telling me that he didn't do this to you?" He asked, not buying it, waves of rage pounded and fought in the blue of his eyes.

I shook my head, "No, no, he didn't." I said, "This happened in the morning, you probably didn't notice the band-aid but Conner saw it, you can ask him." I knew that he wouldn't, they're not talking.

"Then why you were so shaken up when you called me?"

"Like I said Zack and I fought, he just said some hurtful words to me, that's all," I said, hoping this would feed his question, "I was shaken up because of what he said, I was just hurt, that's all."

His fingers curled into the inside of his palm, "What did he say to you?"

I shook my head, "I don't wanna talk about it," I walked forward and took his fisted hand in mine, "But can you promise me that you won't go and fight him about this?" I asked.

"I can't promise that," He said, taking his hand away and raking it through his hair.

"Chase," I said, in warning, "If you care about me, you won't, or else I won't talk to you again," I so badly wanted him to drop this off, "You know that I hate it when someone else fights my fight."

He huffed out and I shot him a glare, "Promise me."

When he didn't answer, I stressed out, "Chase!"

He sighed, "Okay, okay, whatever." His gaze unconsciously went down to my body and he shook his head, "Now, can you please put something over you."

I chuckled and took the sweater and slipped over my body. I wanted to take off my bra too, but I felt bad for him already, so no more torture.

Once I was all changed up, I placed my clothes aside and laid down over the bed. I placed my arms under my head and pointed to the free space beside me, "Come lay beside me," I requested, "I don't feel like sleeping yet."

His eyes narrowed at me and I rolled my eyes, "I just want to talk," I said, "I am not gonna rape you, don't worry."

He shot me a glare before he sat down beside me, "Lay down so I can see you!" I said.

"Come on, I said I won't touch you, jesus, don't you trust me?" I added.

A low groan made it out of his throat as he laid down on the pillow beside me and mumbled, "It's not you who I don't trust."

I had to smile at that. For someone who is always in control, I love how he lose it when around me.

I turned my body to the side, so I can see him clearly, a long moment of silence settled between us before I broke it, "When is your aviation exam?" I asked.

Confusion radiated off him in waves, "How do you know about that?"

I shrugged, "I am your cute stalker."

He smiled, "It's next week."

I hoped with all the hope in me that till then, his health will go back to the way it was. If I haven't figured out all about Zack and he still took the fake pills, he would fail for sure.

"When was the last time you had an attack?" I asked again, adding more to his confusion, "You really aren't joking about the stalker thing, huh?"

I shook my head, "Don't change the subject, tell me now, when was the last time?"

"Three days ago."

My heart did that quivering thing it does, that flicker of fear and panic. I inched closer and my hand went on its own accord and rested over his chest, over his tired lungs that I would give everything in the world to make them better.

"You'll be okay," I said, assuring him and myself too, "You will pass that exam, I am sure."

My gaze flickered to his eyes, they softened and he shook his head, "I am not very sure about that."

"Don't say that, you will," I added, my tone more convincing this time, "You worked so hard for this, it won't go to waste, I am sure."

My eyebrows creased, "You're worried, right?"

"Very," He answered and my chest tightened, "Why didn't you tell me?" I asked, my voice dropping down.

His hand came over mine, "You made it very clear that you don't want anything to do with me."

I immediately shook my head, "That's never true, I want everything to do with you," I said, meaning every word.

With his other hand, he removed my hair away from over my forehead, he tucked it behind my ear and he gently traced the wound forming there.

His eyes fell one mine, "I've missed you," He said over a whisper.

"Not just in that way," he added and I understood it because I felt the exact same, "I've missed my best friend."

Because that's who we were before we ruined it.

Two people who cared so deeply about one another, we still do. Two people who annoyed each other on daily basis, just like real friends do. We still do that at times, too.

Two people who told each other everything. We no longer do that.

I really had to go and fall in love with my best friend. Always making bad decisions in my life, always.

"I've missed you too," I admitted, "A lot."

"I keep telling everyone that I moved on from you," I shook my head, "I lie because I don't think that it's even...possible."

"Lilly," He sucked into a deep breath, "I am...I am sorry."

"I am sorry, too." I really am.

A small defeated smile curved my lips, "But that problem is that sorry doesn't cut it."

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

For some reason, when I write about Chase, I can't help but remember the original Chase, I don't know why, it just happens!

Also, since I am so awesome, here is a first look into our upcoming mystery guy. Sorry, I couldn't help myself xD

So, you finally have a name and a few clues in these pictures *wink wink*
When will I start writing him, I can't wait, I swear I am teasing myself not just teasing you. I need to update faster and finish the first part of the story. We're almost there.

Anyways, that's all for now!

See ya next chapter and Love ya all so much!