𝘾𝙃𝘼𝙋𝙏𝙀𝙍 106

                                    

                                          
The world was still coming into focus when Lilith perceived a hand on her face. The world had not yet come into focus when that hand leaned her head against a warm, damp surface, and the smell of roses induced both comfort and heartache.
"Where...?" Her throat was too dry, and even after swallowing, her words still came out hoarse. "Where are we?" 
She knew where she was, of course: Lying against his shoulder, privy to every rise and fall of his chest, with his arm securely around her...this was heaven on earth.
"On the way back to the Academy," said Snow, all in a single breath, as though he was being strangled and couldn't get enough of it. "The trolley's turned around." 
Becoming aware of the magnitude of each inflation and deflation beneath her, Lilith realized he was engaging in deliberate, regulated inhalations and wasn't sure if she imagined the trembling. She didn't straighten up, though, or even lift her head. Angling it back so that it was her face rather than hair that was against his neck, she just slid her hand across his vest. His heart drummed under her palm.
"Are you okay?" 
He tensed, his grip tightening on her shoulder, his chest freezing mid-swell, and the shiver was unmistakable. But it was brief, and when it was over, he exhaled in a huff and plucked her hand from his clothing, and she almost forgot it as he stroked his thumb over her knuckles. 
"Don't you worry about me," he whispered, low and gravelly, and still sounding a little out of air, but Lilith listened. Not just to him but his breaths, deep but rhythmic. He lowered their hands into her lap, and Lilith tilted her head in that direction, picturing the scene. After a few more strokes, he squeezed her fingers.
"Lilith, I'm not going to let you sleep here tonight, alright? I told the driver we're getting off after the Academy. Will you let me take you home?" 
It wasn't the same reason now that she didn't want to go home. She had been keen to escape her mother's omnipresence in the house just a little longer, but now, she just didn't want to leave here—leave him. She didn't want to leave this bench, this trolley, to have to go out and face reality, her mistakes, her betrayal. 
Her best friend.
Yes, she used to ride the trolley with her mother, but she also rode it with Olympia and Athena.
Athena, who would be niece to the Academy's new dean come next term. Athena, whose communications professor of an aunt had been the basis of her idolization of a certain Head Gamemaker. Athena, who had somehow not crossed Lilith's mind the entire night despite their decade-old friendship and having been there when the trio discovered Frostbite's rooftop until the mention of Satyria's promotion—news that Athena had delivered herself. 
What kind of horrible person was she that she could be so happy in the company of a gentleman who should belong to her best friend that she could readily forget said best friend?
Voices rang in her head, hers, his, and her own...
"Some best friend you are."
"You're not taking anything." 
She never had him, so you can't have taken him from her.
"Promise me we'll never let any boy come between us ever again." 
He's not a boy...
Every argument just got more feeble, made her feel more despicable, and Lilith shut it down completely. She didn't want to think about it until she had to, and part of her wished she never had to. She just wanted to enjoy the moment.