Closed Lost With You

[Lillian Lockwood]

Lily was incredibly nervous. She had arrived early and was waiting on the outskirts of the crowd, fidgeting nervously with the sunflower pins in her hair. She knew she was early, but maybe she was too early. Or maybe Clifton had decided not to come. She wouldnt blame him. She shook her head, biting her lip and trying to push thoughts like that aside. Clifton was so sweet, he would never just leave her here. He would just entertain her for a while and then never speak to her again. She let out a soft sigh and smoothed her dress again. He would be here soon, she needed to relax. It was hard in this crowd, but she wanted him to like her. Be cool, Lillian.

 

[Clifton Ward]

Clifton had no idea how this had happened. The entire arrangement of this meeting felt like a blur. It seemed like only yesterday Lily had barely been more than a daydream to him, so beautiful and kind, but never someone he would actually have the chance to be more than a friend with. And now... now they were doing... whatever this was. Spending Halloween together, one on one. He couldn't stop fidgeting with his costume as he made his way down to the Great Hall, already regretting his choice entirely. This whole thing looked goofy, he looked like he had jumped out of a different era entirely. Not cool and fashionable at all. Lily would probably just... reject him at once the moment she saw him. His bell-bottoms swished around his ankles, making Clifton feel even more off-kilter as he entered the Great Hall, wincing as he saw Lily was already here, waiting. Oh no. He had thought he was on time, but was he late? Should he have been earler?! Though part of him wanted to just give up on this disaster and run back up to his room, Clifton swallowed his fears and approached Lily, giving her a nervous grin. "Hi there..." He mumbled uncomfortably. "Uh.... sorry for being late." He paused, gesturing to his outfit. "And, uh... for this."

 

[Lillian Lockwood]

Lily brightened as Clifton greeted her, biting her lip to keep from smiling too hard. She turned more towards him, tucking her hair behind her ear. "H-hi," She greeted softly. Her eyes widened a little at his double apology and she couldn't help but giggle lightly. "Oh, no, don't apologize," She gave him a shy smile. "I came in early," She reassured him gently, "And I- I think you look cute," She blushed a little as she said it, but she wanted to make sure he didn't feel so awkward. Telling him he was cute was probably not the best idea, but it was the only one she had. "I-I know it was supposed to be disco," she smiled nervously, "This was the best I could find," she smoothed her dress, smiling nervously. "Yours is better,"

 

[Clifton Ward]

Clifton didn't know how Lily managed to make everything seem alright so quickly every time they spoke. It was just part of the angelic aura she seemed to exude in everything she did. He giggled nervously when she said he looked cute, unable to help the broad grin that spread across his face. "Oh!" Clifton said in delight, stumbling over his words to respond. "I... thank you, I mean, you look cute, too, or... pretty? I mean? Sorry..." He stammered to silence, giggling nervously. Clifton shook his head quickly when she apologised for her outfit. "No, it's perfect!" He said with a nervous grin.

 

[Lillian Lockwood]

Lily blushed as he returned her compliment, smiling shyly up at him. He was a bit taller than her, even wearing heels, but it was... nice. She giggled, looking around the room. "What do you want to do tonight?" She asked him, eyeing a few of the activities. She paused as she saw a maze, unthinkingly reaching out to touch his arm like she would Elliot. "Oh, maybe it's silly, but what about the maze? I've never done one before,"

 

[Clifton Ward]

Clifton couldn't take his eyes off Lily. It felt as though he had stepped into a dream. What was he doing here, with the prettiest girl he had ever met?! When she asked what they should do it felt like the thought dissolved immediately upon contact with his brain. What could they do?! What did Lily like to do? It was a relief when she suggested something and Clifton nodded quickly, grinning nervously at her. "That sounds perfect!" Clifton said, voice cracking horrendously as he spoke and he flushed, clearing his throat quickly. He offered an elbow to link their arms, panicking a moment after he had done it. Was that too forward?!

 

[Lillian Lockwood]

Lily blushed as Clifton offered her his arm, placing her hand in the crook of his elbow with a shy smile. She bit her lip as they made their way into the maze, slowly working their way through the twists and turns. The passage narrowed at one point, causing Lily to let go of Clifton as she stepped through it. She squeaked as she came out on the other side, almost bumping into a group of older students. She backtracked quickly, stumbling, only barely managing to keep herself from falling. The unexpected appearance of the larger group set Lily on edge. Unthinkingly, she reached back for Clifton, stopping when her hand didn't touch anything. She turned her head, eyes widening as she saw he was gone. Her already pounding heart seemed to double its pace as she realized she was alone. "Clifton?" She called, slightly panicked, her breath hitching as there was no answer. She started to hurry back the way she had come, shaking and trying not to cry. "Clifton!"

 

[Clifton Ward]

Clifton felt his heart leap as Lily wound her hand into the crook of his arm. He imagined what they must look like as they headed towards the maze, too nervous to actually look at her. Did they look... like a pair meant to be together, or was he... some dweeb hanging on to a person clearly better than him? Probably the latter... Clifton's inner voice reminded him, and he shrunk a little instinctively, looking down. It was easier to relax once they were in the maze, without so many people around to see him with someone so clearly better than him. And it was pretty fun, trying to find their way around together. He had almost even forgotten how nervous he was about Lily's hand on his arm when they had to separate, the cold air where her warmth had been reminding him all over again. Following her through the corridor, Clifton's eyes widened in horror as Lily was swept away all at once by a group getting between them. "Lily?!" He cried out, looking around and trying to figure out which way she might have gone. He wound away into the maze, heart thumping as memories from his previous school crept in. Had this all been a trick, to get him alone and prank him? Lily would never do anything like that, but what if...?

 

[Lillian Lockwood]

Lily was visibly shaking. She was terrible with crowds, she never did this alone. She always had Elliot, or Ren, or someone with her. No, no no no, She broke out of the crowd, gasping for breath as she looked around. "Clifton?!" She squeaked, spinning a bit as she looked for him. She paused as she thought she saw him, back towards the entrance. She tried to rush that way but tripped, wincing as she hit the ground. She scrambled to her feet again. "Clifton!" She called, gasping quickly as she pushed through the crowd, before finally stumbling through the last of them and rushing to the taller boy. She didn't think about it before knocking into his chest, her arms weaving around him as she started to cry. "Please," She managed, clinging to him, "I need to- we need to leave, away from the crowds, please," She pleaded, hating herself for being so weak.

 

[Clifton Ward]

Clifton had never been in a maze before, and now that he was in one, he wanted out. No matter which way he turned, none of the paths seemed to lead to Lily. Over the noise of the feast he finally heard something that sounded vaguely like his name, turning and trying to work his way in that direction. "Lily?!" He called out again, looking around for any sign of her. He heard his name again, turning to a large cluster of older students, and his heart rose in relief as he saw Lily burst through the crowd, almost bowled over as she clung to him. She was clinging to him. Clifton stared down in amazement for a moment before realising she was upset and he should be comforting her, gingerly patting her on the back while trying not to touch her too much. She felt so warm against his chest, and her hair smelled so nice. It took a moment for Clifton to really process what she was saying. "What? Oh, yeah! Of course, let's..." He kept his hands on her back, gently leading Lily away from the dreadful maze, and the crowds all around them.