Hi, I'm Lily. I guess the easiest way to start is by telling you a little about myself. I notice the little things—the way sunlight hits the library window, the smell of rain, the way laughter echoes in a hallway and makes it feel alive. I like quiet corners, dog-eared books, and I talk more to animals than to people sometimes.
I'm originally from Australia. We lived in a small coastal town where everyone knew your name, where the waves were like friends, and the air smelled of freedom. Moving here wasn't exactly my choice. My dad got a new job, and suddenly, everything I knew was gone—my friends, my old school, the beaches I loved—they all felt like pieces of me I had to leave behind.
And then there's my dad. He's strict. Not just "follow the rules" strict—he sets the bar impossibly high and expects me to reach it every single time. Grades, behavior, even the way I carry myself—everything is measured and criticized. My mom tries to soften it, quiet and kind, noticing the small things that make life bearable. And then there's Max, my little brother, twelve, loud and mischievous, blissfully unaware of the tension at home.
---
The first day of school was overwhelming. The hallways were enormous, echoing with laughter, lockers slamming like fireworks. Everyone seemed to know exactly where they were going, while I tried not to get lost. I met Emma, a bright, friendly girl who instantly made me feel a little less invisible.
And then I saw him.
Kai. He leaned casually against the lockers, tossing a pen, looking like he didn't care about anything—but somehow, everyone noticed him. My chest flipped.
Emma noticed me staring. "That's Kai," she said casually. "Don't let him distract you. You'll see."
---
Days passed, and I started sketching him in my notebook. His messy hair, his jawline, the way he leaned against the lockers—I drew and redrew, pencil scratching softly across the page. I even wrote his name in the corner: Kai.
One afternoon, my dad came home looking for some work files. He shuffled through papers on the desk, muttering, and then his eyes landed on my notebook. He flipped it open—and froze.
"I sent you to school to study, not draw boys!" he shouted, slamming it shut. Before I could even explain, he was already on the phone. "I'm reporting this to the principal," he said sharply.
---
The next day, I walked into class, my stomach twisting with nerves. Kai smirked at me, leaning casually against his desk.
"I heard you got a little lecture yesterday," he said, teasing. My cheeks burned, and I wished I could disappear.
The principal called my name. "Lily, please come to the front," she said firmly. "Your father reported your actions, and such behavior is considered improper in this school."
I felt every eye on me. My chest tightened. "It—it's just a drawing!" I blurted out, standing up. "How can that affect my class? I didn't hurt anyone! It's just… a drawing!"
Whispers floated across the room, and I felt small, embarrassed, and exposed.
---
After class, I ran home. Tears streamed down my face as I collapsed on the couch. My mom sat beside me, gentle and quiet. "What happened today, honey?"
I sobbed. "It's… everything! My dad… he told the principal about my notebook! He embarrassed me in front of everyone!"
And then my dad came in.
"Lily…" he began, but I couldn't stop myself.
"Why do you have to ruin my life?!" I shouted. "Why do you always ruin everything I do? I was just drawing! I can't do what I love! I can't speak! I hate you!"
My mom tried to calm me, but I ran to my room, clutching my notebook, crying until I couldn't breathe.
---
The next day, I hid in the library, trying to lose myself in a book. I wanted the world to stop noticing me. I was still red from yesterday's humiliation and shaky from the confrontation with my dad.
Then I heard it.
"I heard you got a little lecture yesterday," Kai said, leaning casually against the bookshelf. "It was… amazing to watch."
I froze. My cheeks burned hotter than ever. My heart pounded. "I—I wasn't laughing," I stammered.
He tilted his head, teasing but gentle. "Uh-huh. Sure. Keep telling yourself that."
Even though I wanted to hide, there was something about the way he said it—like he noticed me, really noticed me—that made my chest feel tight and warm.
---
A few days later, a folded note appeared on my desk. My hands trembled as I opened it.
"I know you like me – K"
I blinked. My heart skipped. Did he… like me too? I felt a rush of warmth and excitement. I couldn't help but smile, imagining maybe this was the start of something.
---
But then, rumors spread. Someone claimed Kai had catfished a girl. My stomach dropped. I felt anger rise hotter than embarrassment or curiosity. How could he do that? I refused to answer his messages or look at him.
Emma noticed. "He's trying to reach out. Maybe you should listen," she said.
"I don't want to see him! I don't want to hear anything!" I snapped.
Kai tried to explain, but I refused to listen. Every attempt only made me angrier.
---
Then one day, a second note appeared, neatly folded. I recognized his handwriting immediately.
"I didn't catfish her. I rejected her. She made a scene. I just wanted you to know the truth. Believe it or not, I don't care. I'm not trying to get back with her. I'm just telling you the truth."
I read it again and again, finally letting the tension in my chest ease. Slowly, I realized I had misunderstood him.
We didn't become a couple. But we became friends—close friends. Laughing, joking, sharing small moments at school, supporting each other.
---
My dad remained impossibly strict.
"Why are you friends with boys? Talking to them? Seeing anything about them?" he shouted. Even mentioning the word "boy" made him act like his life depended on it. I learned to nod silently and stay quiet.
---
A few weeks later, the school announced a camping trip. I was excited—but Emma wasn't going. Her brother was sick, so she stayed home. I wasn't sure what to expect, but I knew Kai was going.
When I told my dad, he didn't even listen. "No. You can't go with boys," he said sharply.
I asked my mom. She smiled softly. "Yes, you can go. Just be careful."
I nodded. At first, I didn't feel nervous sitting next to Kai on the bus. I still thought of him as a friend—like a brother, nothing more.
---
When we arrived at the campsite, the excitement of the trip swept over me. The sun was warm, the air smelled of pine, and everyone was laughing as we set up tents.
During group activities, Kai was always nearby, helping whenever he could. He carried heavy supplies, showed me how to set up the tent, and even helped our team during the scavenger hunt. But he never looked at me in a way that would give away what he might be feeling. He acted normal—friendly, teasing, helpful—but careful, like he was hiding something.
---
One afternoon, while exploring the nearby mountains, I wandered a little too far. I heard a strange sound and leaned closer to see what it was. I didn't notice how close I had come to the edge of a steep slope.
I slipped. My heart froze. My hands grasped at the air, but I was about to fall.
A strong hand grabbed mine. I looked up, and it was Kai.
"Thank you!" I gasped, my heart pounding.
He frowned, concerned. "Why were you out here so late?"
"I heard a sound," I explained, still shaking.
He shook his head, his voice serious. "Those are bears. You should be inside."
---
After that, I stayed closer to the group, but Kai didn't leave my side. During activities, he made sure I was safe, laughed with me, and helped me when I struggled—always careful, always teasing just enough to make me feel comfortable. Even though I still thought of him as a friend, these moments made my chest feel warm and my mind confused.
---
A few weeks later, Emma, Kai, and I were studying at the park. The sun was bright, and everything felt peaceful. Then a boy we didn't know walked over.
"Hey, Kai! Hey, Emma!" he called.
Emma laughed. "This is Jake. We're dating!"
Jake was kind, polite, and two years older than Emma. Everyone smiled at them, happy for Emma.
Everyone except me.
I muttered, "My dad would kill me if I ever dated someone like that. I hate him…"
Everyone laughed—except Kai.
"Don't say that," he said quietly.
He paused, then looked at me with serious eyes. "I know how it feels… I hated my father when I was little. He always told me to study, study, study. I wanted him gone. And then one day… he died. I didn't know how much I needed him until it was too late. I was trying… I don't even know what I was trying."
I stared at him, heart racing. His words hit me like a shock.
When I got home that day, I ran to my dad and hugged him for the first time in months. Tears streamed down my face.
"I'm sorry," I whispered. "I wasn't thankful enough for you. Thanks for everything."
For the first time, I saw my dad cry. "I… I just want you to be happy," he said, voice breaking.
And in that moment, everything changed.
---
University
After graduation, Emma, Kai, Jake, and I all got accepted into the same university. It was exciting and scary, but I felt lucky to have them around.
One day, a boy in my class started bullying me. He mocked the way I spoke to teachers, laughed at my questions, and tried to make me feel small. I kept my head down, trying to ignore him.
At lunch, I was sitting with Kai, Emma, and Jake when he came up again. "Oh my gosh, you don't even know how to talk to your teachers. What a shame," he sneered.
I tried to ignore him, but Kai didn't. He stood up, jaw tight, ready to protect me.
"Stop, Kai," I whispered, grabbing his arm. "It's fine. Don't make it worse."
He hesitated, then sat back down, but the boy never dared bother me again while Kai was around.
---
A few weeks later, I tripped on the stairs and broke my leg. Pain shot through me, and I groaned, clutching my leg. Kai and Emma rushed me to the nurse. Kai's hands were steady, gentle, his voice calm. I felt safe, like nothing could hurt me with him there.
While waiting, a new student came in. I froze. "Ethan… by any chance?" I asked.
Everyone turned. The boy blinked. "Wait… you're Lily?"
It was my classmate from Australia. Seeing him again brought memories flooding back.
Kai's expression darkened immediately. "Keep your distance from her," he said softly but firmly.
I looked at him, confused. But I felt the protective edge in his tone, the intensity in his eyes, and I realized… he cared more than I had thought.
---
Over the next few weeks, Kai was quieter around me, more serious, and every time Ethan appeared, his eyes darkened. I realized he liked me.
One evening, after studying in the library, he finally said it.
"Lily… I like you. I've liked you for a long time. And I don't want anyone to hurt you or take you away from me."
My chest skipped. "Kai… I…"
He smiled softly, brushing a strand of hair behind my ear. "You don't have to say anything yet. Just know how I feel."
---
When I told my dad about Kai, I expected anger. But instead, he took a deep breath.
"I can see why you like him. I trust him. Just… be careful. And remember, I love you. That hasn't changed."
Tears welled up in my eyes. "Thanks, Dad. I… I love you too."
We sat together, holding hands, both crying. For the first time, I felt safe, loved, and understood.
Kai and I continued our friendship, slowly growing closer, learning trust, care, and love. I finally felt like I had a place where I belonged—with my friends, my father, and the boy who had always protected me.