Chapter 28:
Let me make one thing clear—
I will never forget his birthday.
I still remember when we started dating… even the exact time.
I just… never asked when his birthday was.
That's not too bad, right…?
I was pacing back and forth inside the store, saying all of this out loud while May and Lily sat there watching me like I had lost my mind.
"I know my brother doesn't talk much about himself," May said calmly, sipping her drink. "And he was often absent because of me… but I thought you knew. That's like, the first thing you ask in a relationship, Lea."
"Hello?? I am a beginner here!" I snapped. "Obviously, I didn't know! And also, how was I supposed to know when I didn't even know he was this rich?!"
I threw my hands in the air.
"What do you even give to someone who already has everything?! Lily, help me here!"
"I still have one hour before curfew," May said, standing up. "Might as well help."
Lily stretched and stood too.
"Yeah, let's go."
We had just started walking when I suddenly stopped and turned to Lily.
"Wait. Today is the last day of the festival. Shouldn't you… Deal with the Beau situation?"
She froze.
Then slowly pointed at me.
"This is a conspiracy," she said. "I will need details later."
I pushed her gently outside the store.
"Go," I said. "Figure it out."
And just like that, May and I went off in search of the perfect gift.
…We found nothing.
Nothing felt right.
Nothing felt him.
Nothing screamed love.
And the more I searched, the worse I felt.
Was I really this unprepared?
Was I… a bad girlfriend?
Do I even know what he really likes?
…Anyway.
You know what for now,
Let's see what is happening to Lily.
(Yes, I know. You are curious.)
Lily wandered through the festival, trying to remember the name of Beau's food truck.
She couldn't.
"Maybe I shouldn't go…" she muttered, already starting to overthink.
Just then, two girls passed by, laughing.
"Oh my God, that meat was so good!"
"Right? But honestly, I'd go back just for the guy serving. He's so hot, tall and outgoing."
Lily stopped.
"…Stick meat."
She blinked.
"That was the name."
By the time she found the truck, she saw him.
Beau.
Smiling.
Laughing.
Talking to everyone like they mattered.
Just like at school.
Visible.
Bright.
Wanted.
And her…?
Just Lily.
The excitement faded instantly.
Without saying a word—
She turned around and left.
Suddenly—
She bumped into someone.
She looked up—
—and froze.
Beau.
She stepped back too quickly and almost fell—
But he caught her by the hips.
"Hey," he said softly. "Careful. We almost lost you there, Precious."
Her heart was racing.
She didn't know if it was from the fall…
Or from how close he was.
She quickly stepped away.
"…Thank you, you can let go now," she said, forcing her voice to stay calm.
"I saw you in the crowd," he said. "But then you left. I thought you changed your mind, so I came after you."
He smiled.
"I'm really glad you came, Lily."
He took her hand.
"Come," he said. "Let me show you something. This place… It's insane."
Lily followed slowly.
Her thoughts tangled.
He saw me… in that crowd?
How…?
And then—
That feeling came back.
That familiar, dangerous feeling.
What is this…?