Chapter 2

Ava caught her breath as she saw a white kitten pass by the hallways.

She had almost thought it was one of her college mates.

"What a relief" She whispered beneath her lips. She swings her room entrance open.

Ava leaned her back against the door. The welcoming warmth of her room calmed Ava a bit.

A faint nasty smell met her nostrils, tugging her face into a familiar grimace.

Reality dawned on her when she caught a glimpse of how disorganized the room was.

Ava sighted Lily's closet partly unlocked, with her clothing rolling on the floor.

Make-up bags and shoes litter every part of the room.

Ava strode to the sofa, where she found some of the dresses that she picked up.

It instantly reminded her of the previous night. She ought to know what transpired last night.

Hesitantly, Ava deeps her hand into her purse as she grasps her phone.

She fell flat on her mattress, since it was the only arranged thing in her room at that point.

Ava scrolled through her phone as she quickly dialed Lily's phone number.

Her eyes are fixed on the phone awaiting Lily's response, but she doesn't pick up.

After trying to contact Lily, Ava mails a message, expecting to get a reply shortly.

Ava didn't worry since she understood how tough college rules was, mostly when you're still a sophomore student.

She tried to wipe off the overwhelming ideas from her mind by tidying up the apartment.

That was simply the way to get her head relaxed.

After a few hours of sweeping, mopping, and organizing all the belongings on the floor properly.

Ava dropped on the cushion. Her tummy rolled, which reminded her that she hadn't eaten anything since dawn.

Her eyes moved to the ticking wall clock. It's noon already! Ava told herself.

Ava's unsettled heart wafted her from the thoughts of eating.

She settled to watch a movie on her laptop to save her mind off things.

Deep down, all she yearned for was a callback from Lily.

As her eyes glued to her favorite episodic movie, it slowly flickered into darkness.

A few minutes after Ava's eyes sailed off, she heard a tapping noise reverberating from the entry hallway.

The sound rouses Ava instantly from her bed when she hears a familiar voice. It was definitely Lily.

But why would she knock when she has her keys? Ava rubbed the slumber out of her eyes before strolling to the door.

Without hesitating, she swayed the door open, unveiling Lily's dampened face.

“Lily…” Ava's eyes lit up for a while as she caught sight of Lily.

“Hey, dear girlfriend. For a moment, I thought you were never going to open the door for me. I can't find my keys since last night's party.” Lily uttered as she shuddered into the room, slamming the door behind her.

“Speaking of last night, there's something I want us to talk about now. I've been calling you for hours.”

Ava commented, taking a seat on the edge of her bed.

“My phone battery went flat. I apologize. Lily paused before continuing…

What about last night?

What's the issue?

What happened?

She grabbed a seat beside Ava. Lily furrowed her brows.

Her lips tightened as a slight frown plastered her face, waiting for Ava to say something.

“Lily. First, I want you to promise me that you won't tell anyone what I'm about to say to you.” Ava said.

“I promise. I won't tell anyone. You can count on me, girlfriend.” Lily answered with a nod.

“Hmm… how do I say this?” Ava's heart thumps harder. “Lily, I think… I think I lost my virginity.” Ava sighed heavily, scrubbing both hands over her face.

“Wait. What! How did this happen?” Lily swallowed excessively. Her eyebrows were drawn together.

"I can't believe you're asking me when you know perfectly well how all of these occurred."

"If you hadn't shown up here last night with your crazy idea of experiencing life on the other side, I wouldn't be in this mess."

"You know that I am a virgin, and then you exposed me to this lifestyle."

"You promised to look after me but what happened, you disappeared, and now…” Ava couldn't complete her sentence as tears pooled in her eyes.

It didn't take long before it streaked down her cheeks.

“I'm sorry. I'm so sorry you had to go through all of that. I know I failed you, and that's why I'm here to be with you every step of the way.” Lily's mouth closed tightly with her eyes cast down towards the floor.

“The deed has already been done, Lily. What can you possibly do now?” Ava wiped off the tears on her face.

“All I want you to know is, I'm not going to leave you alone in this. I won't let you down again, Ava.” Lily said, pulling Ava closer as they embraced each other.

“I think there's always a solution and the best one is to go to the hospital and get checked up properly,” Lily added.

“I don't want to.” Ava blankly rejected, pulling away from Lily's grip.

“But Ava, it is for your safety. What if something worse happens? The earlier you know, the better.”

“I think I'm grown enough to make my own decisions, so you don't have to worry about me. I'll be fine.

Anyway, I have many assignments that need to be done.”... Ava said, trying to change the subject.

A few moments later, after Ava and Lily were done with their assignment.

Lily headed home to see her mother since her house is not so far from the hostel.

“I'll be back soon.” These were her words to Ava before exiting the hostel.

Ever since Ava told her about what might have happened last night, Lily has been bothered.

She wanted to know the fate of her best-friend Ava, and the only one she could talk about it with was her mother.

“I always admired Ava, but I'm highly disappointed in her. How could she have lost her virginity, just like that?” Lily's mother's jaw dropped after Lily explained to her everything about Ava.

“That is what is bothering me, Mom. I feel like I'm at fault because I persuaded her to join me at the party.” Lily mentioned. Her eyes filled regretfully.

“No. Don't say such things. It's not your fault a grown-up person like Ava could not take care of herself.”Lily's mom uttered.

“But I'm her friend.” Lily cuts in.

“And who do you think you're deceiving, little girl? I know deep down you aren't concerned about Ava.” Her mom rolled her eyes while sipping her coffee.

“I guess it was a waste of time coming here. I better leave.” Lily angrily stood up from the couch as she exited the living room, heading to the entrance.

She hated the fact that her mother read through her even though she tried to put up an act.

With each passing day, Lily became more worried than Ava herself.

She decided to keep an eye on Ava throughout to check how she was doing, what she was eating, and the way she acted in class. Ava also noticed the change in Lily's behavior.

The attention Lily has been giving her these past few days is something she cannot explain.

I wonder why the sudden change. Not like she doesn't show me affection, but not to this extent.

Maybe she just wants to make up for the other night. Ava pondered on her thoughts one evening after Lily left.

It's good to know that I can trust Lily and she kept my secret safe. At least that was what I thought, not until the following weeks…