Finding Lily

Chapter Three

As evening came fast, I found myself retreating to my room, eager for some alone time. I had finished my chores rather quickly, mainly to avoid a certain someone who managed to both annoy and make my heart flutter at the same time. Was that even possible? I mean, Oliver and I weren't friends, but I knew him from a distance. He seemed somewhat charming because of that smile he always flashed at anyone who crossed his path. 

But my first impression of him had been quite different. He was...kind of obnoxious. There was no denying his awareness of his good looks and his effortless charm. He has too much confidence, often to the point of being too full of himself.

"He is handsome, though," I thought to myself as I reclined on my bed, unable to share the image of Oliver's dazzling smile. It was a smile that could disarm even the most skeptical of hearts. 

I rolled onto my side, hugging my pillow close to my chest, and attempted to ignore the fact that my heart had started racing at the mere thought of Oliver. Could it even be possible to like someone you had just met? Sure, I had known of Oliver's existence, but I had never really known him. "No," I whispered to myself, trying to convince myself that this was just a passing sensation, perhaps just hormones.

"Keep talking to yourself like that, and people will think you've gone nuts."

I sat up too quickly, my neck cracking slightly in protest. Jeremiah stood at my doorway, arms crossed, and a duffel bag resting on the floor. I hadn't heard the door open, but there he was, grinning like a mischievous child.

"What are you doing here?" I whispered urgently, instinctively placing my hand over my lips, signaling for him to be quiet. I glanced around the hallway, trying to discern if our conversation could be overheard by the neighboring rooms.

"Get in here." Jeremiah tried to keep himself from falling on his feet as I shoved him inside. He looked at me with a raised brow but I just shushed him and picked up the book I was reading this morning and sat near the window which was my favorite spot.

Jeremiah didn't ask further as he sat opposite next to me. 

I lowered my hand and turned my attention back to Jeremiah, his presence now safely concealed in my room. I couldn't help but feel a pang of concern as I remembered Mama mentioning that he was supposed to arrive this afternoon, yet he had been missing all day.

"Where were you?" I inquired, my voice hushed as I leaned in slightly, curiosity and worry etched on my face.

Jeremiah leaned back in his chair, sighing as he ran a hand through his unruly hair. "Well," he began, his expression sheepish, "I got a little sidetracked. You know how it is when you see something interesting by the beach, and one thing leads to another."

I raised an eyebrow, both amused and intrigued. "Interesting? What could have possibly distracted you for the entire day?"

Jeremiah chuckled, his eyes twinkling with mischief. "Ah, Lils, you wouldn't believe it if I told you. But let's just say that I stumbled upon a treasure trove of seashells, and I couldn't resist collecting them."

I couldn't help but shake my head, a fond smile tugging at the corners of my lips. Jeremiah's sense of wonder and adventure was infectious, and I had missed our lighthearted conversations.

"Well, I hope those seashells were worth it," I teased, unable to hide my amusement.

Jeremiah grinned. "Oh, they definitely were. And I even found one that I think you'll like."

Eager to see the seashell he had found. He reached into his duffel bag and carefully retrieved a small, delicate seashell. It was a beautiful conch shell, its colors ranging from pale pink to soft lavender, with intricate patterns etched across its surface.