"Laura?" Lilly said, and I jumped and turned to face her. I'd zoned out, staring across the grass, trying to gather my thoughts.

We'd escaped from the questions that morning and made our way to the park. She'd led me to a bench and we'd sat down. She'd looked at me expectantly and I'd known now was the time.

I'd tried to gather my thoughts when she called on me.

I didn't want to do this. Honestly it scared me shitless but I had to. She needed to know, and if I was truthful I wanted her to know too. I just didn't know how to tell her. Where to start, what to say.

"Laura," Lilly prompted again and my attention snapped back to her.

"Sorry," I said, trying to smile. "Just thinking."

"It's okay," Lilly looked at me with concern. "If you don't want to do this I can-"

"No," I cut her off firmly, "I want you to know."

Lilly smiled and I knew that had been the right thing to say.

"I just don't know how to start," I admitted and she smiled slightly.

"Just start at the beginning," she said and I nodded.

"When my mum came to visit she mentioned someone called Hector," Lilly nodded and I grinned, momentarily amused, "I bet that ate you up inside; not asking." She smiled back.

"Yeah, but I didn't want to pry."

"Thank you," I said and kissed her quickly. "Well he was my father."

"Was?"

"He died a few years ago."

"Oh, I'm sorry."

"I'm not," I said and Lilly opened her mouth to say something. "Shh," I said, holding a hand over her mouth. "Just let me talk."

She mumbled something that sounded like 'okay' so I released her.

"When I was a kid he was the best dad anyone could ask for. He was always there, making sure he played games with us and took us out to parks all the time.

Then we grew up, became teenagers but he was still a great dad. Until on night when I was thirteen. He came into my room after everyone was asleep and woke me up." I stopped feeling the rage building inside me. The absolute horror I'd felt at the time.

"What happened?"

"He... He raped me."

There was silence. I didn't dare look at her, fearing she would react with disgust.

"Was it just the once?" She asked eventually.

"Oh hell no, it continued all through my teenage years. I lost count of how many times."

"Oh god... When did it stop?"

"When I moved out."

"Oh babe, that's horrible."

"Yeah," I agreed, my voice low and rough with unspilled tears.

"Don't cry honey," Lilly said, wrapping her arms around me, "he's not worth it."

"The thing is he is... Or was," I sniffed, "how could he change like that? I don't understand it."

"No one will, L, only he knew."

"I loved him so much..." I said sadly. "He pretty much ruined any trust I had in my mother. I highly doubt she didn't know what was going on... That's why I can't be around her."

"Oh babe, I don't know what to say... There's nothing that will make it go away, I know that, but remember that I will always be here for you, no matter what."

I nodded, and hot, wet tears spilled down my cheeks. Lilly tightened her grip around me and I buried my head into her shoulder, sobbing quietly.

Lilly rubbed my back and whispered softly into my ear: 'it'll be all right, shh baby it's okay, just let it all out.'

"Is she okay?" I heard someone ask. Lilly replied but I didn't listen to her words. I simply felt the vibration in her neck as she spoke and attempted to calm down.

Admittedly having her there was really helping me and this had been a lot easier than I'd expected. Still not a breeze but... easier.

"Are you okay now?" Lilly whispered, and I realised I'd stopped crying.

"I think so," I replied, sitting up, wiping my eyes. I noticed her watching me with concern and smiled. "I'm fine." She didn't look like she believed me so I added, "honestly."

"Good," she reached over and hugged me.

I squeezed back, my heart feeling light and free. I felt like there was a huge weight off my shoulders; as though I'd put down a huge weight I hadn't known I was carrying.

I wanted some answers now. I hadn't known I did but it must have been lurking in the back of my mind.

"Hey so, um, I have a few questions for you," I said, once we'd pulled apart.

"Okay, sure."

"So, you know this crystal thing," I started and her posture grew slightly more tense than it had been. "Are you okay with me asking about this?"

She shook herself and smiled at me, "of course, you need to know."

"Alright. Could you maybe explain it again? I didn't exactly listen last time."

"Explain what?"

"I don't know," I shrugged, "how does all this work? With us I mean."

"We've been brought together by the crystals-"

"Yeah, about that, what actually are they? What do they do?" I interrupted, my curiosity taking over.

"They... control who we get involved with, I think that's the best way to put it."

"Why?"

"What?"

"Why do they control who you fall in love with?" There was a silence, during which Lilly stared at me.

"I don't know... I've never actually asked. We grew up knowing they did and never questioned it."

"You've honestly never wondered why?"

She shrugged, "maybe once or twice but I've never thought about it seriously."

"Oh, okay," I said, slightly stunned. "So how does it work again?"

"Well on our eighteenth birthday it becomes activated and glows yellow, then we have two years to find our 'soul mate'." I smiled at the sarcastic tone she took on. "Once they're found the crystal turns green and..."

"Then your safe, right?" I asked and saw, to my surprise, that she looked slightly uncomfortable. "What is it?"

"It's... are you sure you want to know?"

"Of course I am, I asked didn't I?"

"You won't like what I have to say," she argued.

"I don't care, I want to know." I protested and she gave in.

"If you don't tell me that you love me, or I don't tell you, then we'll both die."

I sat in silence, hearing the words repeated over and over in my head like a broken record.

"W-what?" I eventually managed to splutter.

"You heard," she said sadly, "I told you it was bad."

"I... well can we just say it then?"

"Unfortunately it's not that easy," she said, looking down at the ground, "we have to mean it."

There was silence again. I couldn't take it in. I felt as though I had studied too long and my brain was so full of facts I could barely remember my own name, let alone comprehend something else.

"So, just to clarify, we need to fall in love or we die?" I asked, hoping the answer would sort everything out.

"Yes."

It didn't.

The words did finally begin to sink in but with that came all the jumbling thoughts and waves of feelings. Anxiety, fear, apprehension; everything you would expect. Then came the hope, and the excitement. The fact I could even feel those things after what she'd said bewildered me.

Why was I hopeful? Was I hoping I wouldn't die?

Truth be told I wasn't, but I pushed that thought from my mind; not comfortable with what it suggested; and returned my attention to her.

"No pressure then," I teased, winking at her and she smiled.

"You're not scared off then?"

"No of course not," I grinned, "it might just take me a while to get my head around it."

She grinned and flung herself into my lap, kissing my face.

"Okay, okay," I laughed, pushing her face away gently, "I still have more questions."

"Okay," she smiled, playing with a few strands of my hair.

"First, sorry if this upsets you babe, but is that what happened to your brother?" Tears swam in her eyes as she nodded and I kissed her forehead. "I just wondered," I whispered and kissed her lips.

"He didn't even find her," Lilly said quietly and I stroked her cheek gently with my thumb.

"Life is cruel sometimes," I said.

She sighed heavily then squirmed a little in my lap.

"What are the other questions?" She asked, very obviously changing the subject and I chose to respect her wishes.

"Where do the crystals come from?"

"When the father holds the baby for the first time a tiny crystal appears in their hand. It grows over time and by the time we're eighteen it's become it's full size."

"So it's like... magic?" I asked, swallowing hard.

"I guess," she said, shrugging.

"Okay...". I drew out the word, feeling slightly overwhelmed.

"Sorry, this must be so strange for you."

"Just a little," I said, running a hand through my hair and breathing out slowly. "It's a bit much to take in all at once. It might take me awhile."

"I understand," she wrapped her arms around me and hugged me tightly. "I hate to have to pile this all on you."

"I told you my problems," I said softly, "plus I wanted to know."

"Yeah... but you didn't know what you were letting yourself in for."

"That's why I asked," I laughed, and bopped her nose.

"Shut up," she whispered back, kissing the area of skin where my neck met my shoulder.

"Gladly," I murmured and she bit into my neck. "Not too hard babe, I need to go to school tomorrow."

She mumbled something and bit down harder. I couldn't bring myself to push her away when she was being so bold, especially in public.

She pulled away and kissed my tender skin.

"I didn't leave a mark babe, don't worry."

"Good," I grinned, and took her hand. "Come on, we should be getting back."

"Okay," she sighed and climbed off me. She stood and stretched. I got up too and we began to walk back.

"So you forgive me?" I asked, swing our joined hands.

"For what?" She asked, frowning up at me adorably.

"Yesterday," I said, "when I freaked out at you."

"I already forgave you for that."

"Good." I grinned and dropped a kiss onto her lips.

We stepped through the front door and were instantly ambushed by Lilly's mum, who fussed over the two of us for no apparent reason.

Lilly tried to get her to stop but she didn't pay much attention to her daughters protests.

"Leave them be mum," Anne said, coming out of the kitchen.

"But-"

"Mum, please," Lilly begged and she frowned, then sighed and gave in.

"As long as you're alright I guess."

"Thanks mum, Anne," Lilly grinned at Anne and she nodded back. I guessed Anne was getting better, she was a lot more collected than she had been the last time I saw her.

I nodded my own thanks to Anne and began to follow Lilly up the stairs.

"Don't do anything too bad." Anne shouts after us teasingly. Lilly threw her a death glare and Anne chuckled. "That's a nice hickey Laura!"

Lilly grabbed my hand and pulled me into her bedroom. She leaned back against the door and groaned.

"You told me you didn't leave a mark!" I shrieked, running over to her mirror and peering into it. There, about halfway up my neck, was a red mark. To make matters worse it wasn't exactly small. "Lilly!"

"Oops," she said, not looking at all sorry.

"How am I supposed to cover this?" I demanded and she shrugged. "You're a pest, so you are."

She grinned, "but I'm your pest," she came up behind me and kissed the other side of my neck.

I pulled away.

"Not another one babe, I don't think I could handle that."

"But-"

"No babe, no."

"Okay," she sighed and flopped down on the bed. I watched her for a few seconds and she watched me back then smirked. "Come here," she said, becoming me with a finger.

I grinned and obliged. As we were kissing I pulled back and said, " just no more love bites okay?"

"What do you think I am?" She asked, pretending to be offended. " Some kind of animal?"

I just laughed and went back to kissing her.