Anxiously, Seth watched Lillian as he apologized."I will only forgive you if you tell me your partner"s name," Lillian tricked while grinning devilishly.
She used the opportunity to investigate into Seth"s private information; Plus, Lillian also got curious to know about his partner.
...
"You- don"t change, right?" Seth remarked.
"Name, Mr. Seth, please reveal the name. I can"t keep on saying "your boyfriend" forever.
Seth chuckled at her witty comment.
"His name is Ryan."
As if he had said something so special, Lillian opened her mouth in awe and swayed in rhythm, celebrating the name reveal like it"s gender reveal.
"Calm down, Lillian Grey. You are going to attract some attention."
Seth told her to relax.
"Okay, then please answer my previous question."
Seth accepted.
"Finally, meeting the one, I don"t believe in "The One," but somehow it felt right, being with him."
"I know, as someone who didn"t believe in one true love forever suddenly transforms into a devotee, it is shocking to me even now."
"But-"
"I think you would feel yourself, your true self when you are with them."
"They accept not only your outside presence but your inner feelings as well. You feel complete with them."
"And that"s how, you, my child, can say that you have met the one."
"However, I do feel these days; it is easy to be in a long-term relationship and to go breaking up within a few seconds."
"There is no proper answer to your question. Hence, I cannot frame a perfect sentence to convey my emotions but-"
"You will know when you meet him/her."
Hearing him say that confidently, shook Lillian, her eyes grew wider when he mentioned "her."
"That"s good to know," she pulled a stop to end the conversation.
"Okay, now it"s my turn," Seth announced.
"Mr. Seth, what?"
"What do you-"
"Mr. Seth, wait-"
"-do you think of us?"
Seth ignored her and completed his question.
Even while trying to stop him, she correctly heard the question.
"What do I think about you and Mr. Ryan?" Lillian quoted.
"…"
"Not me and Ryan, Ms. Grey,"
"What do you think about- US?"
After his expression and enough word stressing, Lillian understood his question. He wanted to know Lillian Grey"s opinion about the relationship between two people from the same gender.
"Hmm…" she wondered.
It is the first time she, herself thought about it profoundly. People who fall in love with respective genders, a community dedicated to such people and why is it that it never bothered her, in the first place.
She thought about Giselle confessing to her in the past.
Even during that time, she didn"t exhibit disgusted or annoyed, Lillian Grey felt that it was normal.
"What can I say, Mr. Seth?"
"I mean, Love is love, no matter what one says."
Lillian paused, still unable to reason why she did not stress it like the others.
"I don"t know! I think it isn"t something that I should feel disgusted or bothered."
"What"s wrong in falling love with the same gender?"
"There isn"t any rule that says a man should only care and love a woman, or that anything else is a sin."
"-or maybe there is an actual rule, but-"
"I- I-"
It strikes only then that Lillian never had any romantic experiences before.
"I"m sorry, Mr. Seth, I don"t have enough expertise to talk on this topic."
"I- I"ve never been in love before."
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Lillian answered and looked at Seth. His expression became distorted when he heard Lillian say she has never been in a relationship.
"You"ve never been in love?"
"You- I mean, you, Lillian Grey, has never fallen in love," Seth exclaimed.
"Is there something wrong in it?" Lillian"s voice almost sounded like she"s threatening her teacher.
"Nothing, it"s just surprising to find a high school kid who hasn"t fallen in love."
Seth gaped at her in astonishment.
"There are people like us in this world, still alive, Mr. Seth, healthy and happy without being committed to a relationship."
Lillian declared proudly.
Seth scoffed at her remark.
Ignoring his snarly reactions, Lillian Grey continued talking.
"Anyways, what I wanted to convey is that no matter what one says, comments, or judges you-"
"You and your emotions are the only ones that mattered."
"At the end of the day, you only wish to be with your loved ones, regardless of who they are, and what gender they belong to."
Probably, this is the first time Seth has seen Lillian talk smartly other than miserably failing in Math. He was surprised to hear her say those words without any hesitation or doubts.
"You are smart," Seth applauded for her mature thoughts.
"Aren"t I?" Lillian added, only to disturb the smooth line.
"Yeah, except in Math, you are pretty smart."
Seth laughed at his reply.
"Relax; you have a good heart, Lillian."
Getting showered with Seth"s compliments, Lillian couldn"t be more proud, they both smiled.
"Who knew that Mr. Seth could be like this too?"
"He is indeed a great man."
Lillian imagined.
...
Previously, she used to fear this guy and ignore him at all cost. But, now, here they are, discussing and sharing topics like they are good friends.
"Oh, Lillian Grey, I wanted to ask you for a long time. It"s been bugging me ever since the broadcast. Who is the one Giselle confessed her love?"
Seth asked.
Lillian"s good face went blank when she heard him ask that question.
"What?" she asked.
"The broadcast says that she confessed to another girl in the school. I wanted to know that person"s ident.i.ty. Mr. Chester won"t say it since you are close with Giselle, I thought I would ask you. Did she ever share it with you?"
Seth asked her innocently.
Lillian thought for a while and then nervously answered.
"Do you know who it is?" Seth asks her again, increasing the tension.
"Me," Lillian replied at last.
"..."
In the beginning, Seth couldn"t believe what she just said, thinking that Lillian Grey is toying with him. However, watching her face still, without any movement and her wide eyes that refused to shut and kept open; her posture stiff and hands-on her knees locked and tightened the grip.
All of these little details he noted confirmed that Lillian is speaking the truth.
"WHAT?" Seth yelled out of his lungs.
Startled from his roar, Lillian jerked off the ground and kneed to control Seth.
"Mr. Seth, mind now, we are in public, please don"t shout, you are drawing attention."
Seth immediately listened and quieted down. His voice from before received glances from the others. However, he signaled them not to worry.
Returning to face Lillian Grey, he exhaled.
"The one Giselle confessed is YOU," Seth stressed it repeatedly.
"What? Now, I"m mad. You are making it sound as if I"m not worthy of being loved by anyone," Lillian growled.
"No- No, it isn"t like that. I- I had no idea that THE person would be YOU."
Seth mumbled.
"Did you accept it or-"
"I reject her confession."
"Why?" Seth demanded to know.
"Why? I didn"t even know her before that."
"So?" Seth snapped.
"So?"
"Mr. Seth, I don"t know about you but me, I want to date someone after getting to know them sincerely."
Seth went silent.
"Then, her confession is the first meeting for both of you, correct?" he resumed, a.n.a.lyzing deeply.
Lillian admitted.
"Maybe that"s a start." - Seth thought.
"However, one thing has been bugging me for a long time." - he remembered.
"If you rejected her, what made you be friends with her now?"
"After all, she might still have feelings for you," Seth apprised.
"I know, but it felt wrong to leave her alone when she got bullied for confessing her love to me. I felt partially responsible at first, but now, I think we became good friends."
Seth didn"t reply but only stared at her.
"This girl, she doesn"t know that it"s dangerous to be with Giselle, the one who loves her."
"Are you sure that being friends will not give hope to Giselle?" Seth asked. He tried to embark his view by questioning her to check on her response.
Lillian did not reply this time; Instead, she stayed quiet, her gaze fell on the ground as she appeared to be uncertain about it herself.
"Uh-oh"
"She has already fallen into the trap."
Seth speculated. However, he didn"t plan on imploring her secretly growing pa.s.sion for Giselle.
"Alright, you kids know how to work it out, so, I"ll stop torturing you with my questions."
Seth"s words released Lillian as her features softened a little.
Time – 10:50 PM
Time flew faster as these two talked casually. Seth noted and asked if Lillian had her dinner before returning to the campground.
Lillian shook her head.
"Go have dinner now. Today"s serving will last till midnight. So, go eat your meal and then move to your room."
Lillian Grey didn"t deny and obeyed; She stood up and greeted Seth "goodnight" and then started to walk out.
...
Just a few minutes ago, the two enjoyed and laughed but watching her sulk, Seth felt dejected for asking such a question.
"Lillian?" he called her.
Lillian Grey heard it the third time and then turned to see Seth.
Instead of yelling, Seth neared her to speak.
"What you did to Giselle is a good deed. You saved her from the bullying and helped her experience normal school life."
Seth expressed; he tried to ease out Lillian"s mood and also advice her.
"You both have become closer; I can see it. However, the future is uncertain. No one knows what will happen in the next second."
"No one can control their feelings, so don"t worry if it"s right or wrong. Just be yourself and have fun."
The sulking mood slowly lifted off and soon, Lillian appeared bright.
"So what you develop feelings for her?"
The brightness level dimmed a little in her face.
"You said it yourself that Love is love, no matter what, hence whatever you are feeling, let it flow. Don"t be like me, hiding and struggling."
"As of now, you being there for Giselle itself is helping that girl, even if this relationship stays as friends or turn into something even more meaningful; I hope that you will be there for her as a good friend, first."
Whatever he intended to convey, he did it to Lillian Grey without masking any words.
"Go, have dinner, and sleep well."
"Trips ends, and we are returning to our regular lifestyle, cheer up."
Seth walked her out back to the accommodation and made sure she went to have dinner. Only after watching her finish her meal, Seth parted ways. He went back to the campground to put out the fire along with the other staffs.
Meanwhile, Lillian returned to her room and saw Mindy sleeping already, and without making a noise, she went to bed.
Throwing herself underneath the blanket, Lillian Grey picked her mobile to keep the alarm.
As she unlocked it, Lillian saw the notification.
A text message from Giselle.
She clicked to read it,
//
I had a great time with you tonight. Thank you for taking me to such a beautiful place. I loved it.
I hope you don"t stress yourself anymore and try to share your worries with me. Hoping to have more good memories with you, Lilly. Take care and goodnight.
//
Reading the message, the corner of her lips automatically curved up, forming a smile. Lillian sent her a reply instantly and then went to sleep.
***
The trip ended well, with lots of memories and valuable experiences for everyone.