Chapter 7 Lilian Baker

As if she sensed the hesitation in my silence, Becky glanced at me briefly before speaking again.

“I’m not trying to be in your business,” she said, her tone lighter now, almost reassuring. “It’s just that you’re new… and you’re already involved with the hottest teacher and the hottest student in school.”

I turned my head slowly to look at her.

“I’m not involved with them,” I said. Then, after a small pause, I added, “If there’s anything, I want to stay uninvolved with them.”

Becky let out a soft laugh, like she didn’t quite believe me.

“No, knowing them is acceptable, Lily,” she insisted, her eyes flickering between me and the road. “Do you know how many girls are dying to get their attention?”

I leaned back into my seat, crossing my arms.

“Those girls should get a medical checkup,” I replied dryly. “Something must be wrong with their eyes… and their brains.”

For a second, Becky didn’t respond. I turned slightly and caught the look she was giving me. It was the kind of look you give someone when they say something completely unexpected. Like she was trying to figure out if I was serious or just pretending.

“The road, Becky,” I said, pointing ahead.

Her eyes snapped back to the front, and she adjusted the steering wheel quickly. But she didn’t stop talking.

“Are you trying to play hard to get?” she asked, her tone teasing but curious.

I frowned, turning to face her properly this time.

“Hard to get?” I repeated, my face tightening in confusion.

Becky nodded enthusiastically, like she was explaining something obvious.

“Lewis is the hottest boy in Prestige,” she said with full confidence. “He’s the star of the basketball team. He’s intelligent, gentle… basically everything you’d want in a boyfriend.”

There was something in the way she said it. It wasn't from a place of admiration. It was something deeper. She sounded like she had taken her time to study him, watch him and understand him in a way that went beyond casual observation.

“And his brother…” she continued, her voice dropping slightly, almost like she was savoring the words. “He might look hard on the surface, but he’s damn hot. The kind of guy a good girl will fall in love with.”

I stared at her for a moment, then I shook my head in disbelief.

“Becky,” I called, trying to pull her back from wherever her mind had wandered. “Have you been watching those Spanish young adult movies?”

She burst into laughter.

“Stop acting like you don’t know what I’m talking about,” she said, giggling.

I looked away, my gaze drifting toward the window.

The truth was… The boys were attractive. Anyone with functioning eyes could see that.

But the way Becky described them? It was more than just looks. It sounded like fascination. Like a strong admiration that had been building for a long time.

And for some reason, that thought didn’t sit well with me. If there was anything I dislike more than Martha being my mother, it would be the unhealthy obsession for something or someone.

“Which of the estates?” Becky asked suddenly, snapping me out of my thoughts as she slowed the car slightly.

I stiffened.

That question came too soon.

I should have expected it, but I didn't. What was I thinking? That she would drive me to the front of my house?

Wait… She didn’t need to know where I lived.

Not yet.

Not when she spoke about the Walker brothers like they were the oxygen she was breathing in. Not when I could already sense something off about her fascination.

If she found out I lived next door to them, she would become obsessed with me too. I didn't need a crazy girl on my tail.

“Drop me off at the next turn,” I said quickly.

Becky glanced at me, confusion clouded her features.

“Are you sure?”

No, I wasn’t.

I had absolutely no idea where I was. If she left me here, I’d probably have to rely on Google maps to find my way back home.

But that was better than letting her know where I stay.

“Yeah,” I said, forcing a small shrug. “I don’t want you to waste more gas.”

She hesitated for a second, then nodded.

“Okay…”

The car slowed to a stop.

I reached for the door handle.

“Thanks,” I said as I stepped out.

“Anytime,” she replied with a smile.

I closed the door and stood there, waiting and watching until her car disappeared down the road.

Only then did I let out the pent-up breath I'd been holding.

“That was close,” I muttered under my breath.

I pulled out my phone immediately, opening the map.

Alright, Lily… think. What's the address? How would I find your way home when all the houses looked the same?

Why did Martha buy a house here?

I stared at the screen, trying to figure out the route, when suddenly, the sharp sound of a car horn made me jump slightly.

My heart skipped, but I managed to turn around quickly.

My heart sank into my gut when I saw Lewis and Andrew’s car right behind me. For a split second, I just stood there, frozen. It felt like the ground should open up and swallow me whole.

Why here of all places? Why now of all time?

Lewis was already looking at me, surprise clear on his face.

But Andrew didn’t look surprised. He just looked at me, and for a brief moment, something I couldn't place flashed across his expression.

Before I could say anything. Before Lewis could even open the door, Andrew pressed the accelerator, and the car sped past me.

The sudden movement sent a wave of dust into the air, the wind brushing against my hair and clothes as the car disappeared down the road.

And just like that, they were gone.

I coughed lightly, waving my hand in front of my face to stop the dust from getting into my nose. I remained there for a while, my phone still in my hand, staring at the empty road ahead.

Embarrassment gnawed at me, followed by irritation and something stronger. Something akin to hatred.

“Fuck him,” I muttered, using my fingers to comb through my hair.

Even if I refused their ride, even if I had lied, even if they caught me and met me in the middle of nowhere… he should have helped.

For the sake of humanity, he should have stopped and at least acknowledged me. He didn't even glance at me. And the worst part was he bathed me with a wave of dust.

I tightened my grip on my phone, my jaw clenching slightly.

“Fuck him,” I whispered again.

The next one wasn't a whisper, it was a scream.

“Fuck you Andrew.”