CHAPTER 13

Lillie

It's been seven weeks since my first letter to Dimitri. This pen pal thing wasn't too bad. We would talk about how our days were going and what we were getting up to. I would write to him about school and the concert coming up mostly and he would write about his days in prison, which consisted of the same thing. We didn't delve into deeper things, however.

After his first letter, to be honest, I wasn't so sure I wanted to continue. But he replied apologizing what a "dick" he was. I smiled. It warmed my heart. I felt like I was getting to know him better and better with each letter. He was being more relax I could tell, and that made me more comfortable. I was glad for the friendly communication.

I was content in my classroom grading English essays on 'Your favorite animal', a task I had given to my 4th graders. It wasn't the most thrilling experience in my lifetime. I sat at my desk after school before violin practice started. Three down, twenty more to go.

***

I was running ten minutes late to the quartet practice. I lost track of time grading. My heels were patting against the pristine tiled floors as I entered the building. I held my violin case with my right hand and my dress with my left, trying to avoid a Marilyn Monroe moment as I sprinted through the halls to the music room. The pleasant melody from the group already filtered through the air once I was close to the door.

"Darn, I hope Kenny won't be too upset," I mumbled.

I stepped into the room and carefully walked to my spot in the quartet. I took out my violin and placed its case down onto the carpet beside my legs. I tuned the strings and tightened the bow. But the music stopped. I turned to see Kenny looking at me. Displeasure written all over his face. I held my breath, already in his bad books.

I couldn't help but take a quick glance at Arthur. Two sky blue orbs were drilled into mine. I looked away.

"So glad you could welcome us with your presence," Kenny said, dragging his mouth in a frown.

I ignored his sarcasm. "Sorry I got caught up at work," I looked to him and then to Sophia, extending my apology to her, too. I didn't look Arthur's way.

Sophia smiled at me. "No worries Lillie, it's okay, we'll just start the piece again."

Kenny snorted.

"It doesn't happen every day," Sophia said, giving Kenny a pointed look. "Let's just continue. We are losing time." I was grateful to Sophia, and I absolutely agreed with her.

Kenny sighed and nodded at me to join in the piece. Oh, how kind of him, I thought to myself, anger prickling my skin. He could be such a jerk sometimes.

The hour went by quickly, and in no time, we all had to pack up to go home. The music pieces we were working on got better and better with each practice. I was proud of our quartet.

I was last in the music room. I packed my things and walked to the door. As I closed the door, I accidentally bumped into a hard chest. I swung around, hitting Arthur in his torso with my violin case.

"Ouch!" Arthur shouted, scrunching his nose as the pain trailed up his chest, I presumed.

I massaged the area where it hurt with my hand. "I'm so sorry." I said anxiously. "I didn't see you-"

Arthur took my hand gently away from his body. My cheeks burned at the realization of what I'd done. I touched his chest, massaging it roughly, noticing how firm he felt underneath his shirt. My heart gave a flutter.

He gave a light, easy chuckle. "It's okay, honestly, I've been through worse." Sensing my blushing cheeks.

He ran a hand through his perfectly sleek blonde hair. It didn't go unnoticed that his other hand was still holding mine.

My knees felt weak at the contact, and warmth pooled within me. It was strange speaking to him. I admired him from afar but never thought we'll actually be speaking.

I gave a shy giggle. Cupping my redden cheeks with one hand. "Were you waiting for me?" I asked.

He gave a sly smile, gently letting go of my hand. He placed both his arms behind his immaculate white shirt.

"Yes, I was waiting for you, actually. I noticed you didn't apologize to me too, only to Sophia and Kenny, and I wondered why?" he said with a smirk.

My eyes went wide. I didn't expect him to say that, but gosh, his voice was smooth like butter that melted in me with each word.

"Oh, I- I- I uhm, didn't realize I hadn't apologized, I'm sure I included you?" I said, stuttering like a dimwit.

A smile crept up his face, his ocean eyes gazing at me. I felt my heart flutter even more; it increased as he approached closer to me. I focused on his gaze, not looking away this time. They completely hypnotized me; he didn't break the eye contact either.

"I might know how you can make it up to me. You know, since you failed to include me in your apology, and well, the throb in my chest is still persisting." He said.

I could smell his minty fresh breath. His cologne smelled expensive and sexy, edible, and deliciously masculine. I bit my bottom lip involuntarily as I inhaled him in, entrapping me under his spell. I felt a magnetic pull to him like I never felt before.

"How do I make it up to you?" I swallowed hard.

Clearly, he was pleased by my reaction. "Well, I can take you out for dinner and you can apologize to me then".

What dinner?!

I stood staring at him. Is Arthur toying with my emotions? This seemed too good to be true. My reflex took over, and I became instantly guarded. I was scared. What did this man see in me? What if I get hurt again? My heart was pieced together in a way, but it viewed relationships in an obscured view. Jeez, Mason really messed me up.

I debated with myself. My heart was still cautious and bruised, but my mind and well my body wanted to see what might happen, to allow my heart to fully mend.

Arthur's eyes were studying me.

"Hey, why don't you think about it for a while?" he said gently. Gosh, he was being so sweet. So patient, I thought, not pushing me into a decision. "I'll give you time, but not too much, though."

I smiled and nodded. "Will do."

He placed his hand on my shoulder and I melted in his touch. I hadn't realized how I missed affection from somebody. It felt good.

He said goodbye and turned walking away, letting go of his hand on my shoulder. I instantly missed his warmth.