"You're the best, big bro!" she squealed, jumping at me from the side. Her small arms wrapped tight around my neck in a big hug, pulling me down a little since she was so much shorter.
Her soft body pressed against my side, chest squishing lightly against my arm through her blouse. Before I could even hug her back, she leaned in quick and planted a small, warm peck on my cheek, her soft lips brushing my skin for just a second.
Then she let go with a happy giggle, stepping back but still holding onto my hand.
"Let's go!" Lily tugged my hand forward, her small fingers squeezing tight as she sped up her steps. She looked so excited. Her eyes bright, cheeks a little pink, practically bouncing with every stride like a kid who'd just been promised candy. I let her pull me along, but after a few steps I glanced down at her curiously.
"By the way… why did you come to my school today?" I asked seriously. I couldn't even remember the last time she'd shown up at my gate to pick me up.
"Why? Can't I come see my big bro at school?" She squinted up at me, lips pursing in that cute, fake-angry way she did when she wanted to tease.
"No, no, that's not what I meant," I said quickly, smiling a little despite everything weighing on my mind.
"Of course you can. It's just… it's been a really long time since you last came." I used to pick me up all the time when you were in middle school. Me and Rose would wait at her school gate, and the three of us would walk home together.
Sometimes even Shawn would tag along too, and we'd all go slow, eating snacks and talking about dumb stuff." I wondered how Shawn was doing these days. I hadn't talked to him properly since the whole Vault thing started.
"Because big bro started coming home late because of study and I didn't want to be a bother for you." Lily said quietly, swinging our hands a little as we walked.
She was right. Ever since I started high school, I'd been getting home later and later. I'd thrown myself into studying, trying to keep up with Rose, she was the ace of the class, always top in everything. If I wanted to be worthy of being her boyfriend, I had to prove I could match her level. Late nights, extra classes. But hearing Lily say it like that made my chest ache.
"You're not a bother, You're my cute little princess." I told her gently, reaching over to pat her head. My fingers ruffled her soft hair, and she tilted her head into my touch like a kitten.
Lily giggled, cheeks turning pink, her whole face lighting up again. She looked so innocent and sweet m, her eyes sparkling, small smile tugging at her lips. For a second, the weight of everything else lifted just a bit.
"Big bro, When did you join the student council? Isn't big sis Rose in it too? Did you join because of her?" She said suddenly, raising one eyebrow in that curious way she did when she wanted answers.
"Yeah… she's in it. Vice president now. But why do you want to know? Do you want those pastries or not?" I blinked, caught off guard. I tried to keep my voice light, teasing a little.
"Yes yes! I want them!" she squealed immediately, bouncing on her toes and tugging my hand harder. Her face had big, excited grin again. She started walking faster, pulling me along like she couldn't wait another second.
* * *
"Big bro… hurry… walk faster!" Lily tugged my hand hard, her small fingers squeezing excitedly as soon as she spotted the pastry shop ahead. Her steps turned into little skips, pulling me along so fast I had to quicken my pace just to keep up.
"Slow down… it's not like the shop is going anywhere." I said with a small laugh, letting her drag me forward. My legs moved on autopilot, bag bouncing against my hip.
"I know… but I can't wait!" She giggled, letting go of my hand the second we reached the door. A tiny bell jingled cheerfully above us as she pushed open the glass door and darted inside.
I followed right behind her. The shop was small and cozy, with glass doors and big windows letting in lots of afternoon light. It wasn't just pastries, the display cases were filled with colorful sweets of all kinds: Donuts, pastries, chocolates, scoops of ice cream in every flavor, and rows of fresh pastries stacked like little works of art.
I looked around for a second, taking in the sweet smell of sugar and butter that filled the air. Then I spotted Lily near the pastry counter. She was bent forward slightly, hands resting on the glass, eyes wide as she stared at all the different types and colors.
Her long skirt hugged her hips, and with her leaning like that, her perfect round ass jutted out, creating a soft, tempting curve under the fabric. The skirt was supposed to be innocent and conservative but the way her body filled it out made it look anything but. The material stretched just a bit over her cheeks, hinting at the smooth shape underneath.
I shook my head quickly, cheeks warming, and walked up beside her before my mind could wander too far.
"Big bro… which one should I pick? They all look so yummy…" Lily looked up at me, brows scrunched in confusion.
The colorful pastries were lined up perfectly—strawberry, chocolate, fluffy vanilla, mango. Every single one looked delicious, almost too pretty to eat, but tempting enough to make your mouth water just looking at them.
To be continued…
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