Razbliuto (n.)

The sentimental feeling you have about someone you once loved, but no longer do.

Lillian's P.O.V

AT THE BOAT

I pulled from the embrace, dragging a groan from Niall. The noise, somehow, only made me want to go back in. But I didn't.

I grabbed his phone from beside the pillow, so he didn't have to reach for it.

As soon as it touched his palm, he declined it and threw it back to its original home.

"I'll call them back later." He leant forward again, a move I happily copied.

Before his phone rang again.

"Maybe you should answer it." I grabbed the phone for him again. And this time he actually looked at his phone screen.

"It's an unknown number. Probably a telemarketer."

He sat it down beside him this time, declining the call again.

"So, tell me what you did to get the apartment back." With a grin, he interrogated me.

A grin that quickly fell when the obnoxious song that was his ringtone sounded for the third time.

I laughed loudly, finding his annoyance particularly amusing.

"I'm going to block this damn number." He grumbled, tapping violently on his phone.

Once the deed was done he tucked his phone under his pillow. I continued to laugh at his frustrated state.

"What on earth are you giggling at hm?" He jokingly scolded me. This only added to my amusement.

Reaching out, I gently hooked the skin beside his mouth under my finger a tugged it upwards, forcing a smile onto his lips.

We laughed in harmony. Although his laugh was a much more melodic sound than mine.

But we were rudely interrupted again by an arrogant song.

Niall's eyebrows furrowed and I rushed to stop his angered outburst.

"It's mine! It's my phone." I giggled at him, his annoyance still not fading.

Pulling the phone from my back pocket, I frowned too.

"I think it's the same number."

"Block it."

"No, Niall, clearly whoever it is needs to get to us." I hushed his request.

"What if it's Manny hmm? Do you really want to talk to him right now?"

I hesitated. It could be Manny, calling from someone else's phone because he knows I wouldn't pick up his calls.

"It's not Manny. I'm answering it." I ignored my thoughts. If it was Manny, I could just hang up. Easy Peasy.

"At least put it on Speaker please." He begged and I complied.

"Hello?" I spoke confidently.

"Ah, Lillian. Lovely to speak again."

The British accent rang in my ears. Niall's wide eyes clearly showed me it was exactly who I thought it was.

And Niall's look of fright sparked my own bubble of raging fear.

"Sorry, who is this?"

"Niall's cousins," he emphasised the word with sarcasm, "we just wanted to let you know that we really enjoyed your show."

I gulped through the harsh stare Niall was sending my way.

"So much so that we just had to get ourselves a souvenir."

Rhiannon took over the phone.

"We have a friend of yours Lillian. And if Niall doesn't turn himself in by midnight tonight, she dies in his place. At the run down Bank you so graciously saved him from the other night."

The line goes dead.

Shallow breaths cycle through the room, each occupant too nervous to speak.

"It must be Charlotte." My heart breaks at Niall's words.

But I can't allow myself to feel pain or fear right now. I cannot imagine how Charlotte was feeling right now and it would be selfish of me to get distracted by my emotions.

"I guess we better tell Dad."

I dragged myself over to the ladder, climbing each rung with sluggish reluctance.

My eyes flick from my feet to the door, a walkway which was blocked by an unwanted guest.

"Lillian." He sighed and I rushed myself back to my small stool beside Niall's bed.

Niall looked at me with confusion but I refused to speak or move from my comforting position.

Unfortunately, the man followed me and was now standing in front of my hunched self and Niall's laying body.

"Lillian, I thought you were dead." He pleaded me, using my accident as some sort of weapon.

But I refused to respond.

"I-I heard your screams on the phone and then the Bluetooth cut out. I had no idea what happened."

Not gonna work, Manny. I was not biting on his bait.

He took a step closer.

"I went to Niall's and then to the hospital and now here."

I was not letting him guilt me into forgiving him.

"I'm just glad you're okay." With a sigh he rushed towards me, arms wide ready to embrace me.

But I stood up, knocking the stool over with force.

I took several strong steps backwards, holding my head high with confidence in my decision.

But that quickly disappeared after seeing the hurt in Manny's eyes.

Dropping my head down, I released an awkward breath.

"I think it's best if you left, Manny." I heard Dad's voice announce from up the ladder.

Allowing my eyes to look up again, I saw Manny look to Niall for help.

A request Niall ignored with a gulp and a turn of his head.

With one last look of sorrow, Manny regretfully escape to the ladder.

"I am sorry, Lillian." He finally apologised.

But he was gone.

My shoulders weighed heavy with emotion, despite the relief coursing through my body.

Had I just lost both my best friends?

~~~~~~~~~~~

Holy Guacamole!

BTW the title is referring to Manny :)

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