DON’T STOP (Lila and Darrell) novel Chapter 80

:46 am PP PP

No Ads

Chapter 80

Chapter 80

Darrell

The burial had that heavy stillness that settles over cemeteries after the prayers are done. The air smelled of freshly turned earth, cut grass, and the faint sweetness of wilting flowers piled high on the casket. A soft breeze carried the murmur of prayers and the occasional sniffle from the crowd. Bella’s coursemates filled half the rows-some openly weeping, tissues pressed to their faces; others sat silently with red eyes. A few professors attended too, including Mrs. White, who placed a gentle hand on Bella’s shoulder during the final prayer and whispered something that made her nod weakly.

Lara had been there from the start, never more than an arm’s length away, holding Bella’s hand when the sobs became too oud to bear. Gina arrived quietly, dressed in simple black, her face soft with genuine sorrow. She stood near the back at first then moved closer during the service, her presence calm and steady.

i

remained at the edge of the gathering, hands deep in my pockets, the fabric of my suit jacket slightly damp from the light mist that had fallen earlier. I didn’t speak much. I didn’t need to. Everyone knew I was there for her. They just didn’t know now deeply I had fallen-how every tremor in her shoulders sent a corresponding ache through my own chest.

The service ended. The casket was lowered slowly into the ground with a mechanical whine that cut through the quiet sobs People stepped forward one by one, dropping roses and white lilies onto the polished wood. The scent of the flowers grew tronger as the pile built-sweet, cloying, and almost suffocating. Then the crowd lingered for a while-talking in low voices offering final hugs, and passing around bottles of water and soft drinks from a cooler someone had brought. No one ate. No one really wanted to. They just stayed long enough to say goodbye, then slowly drifted away.

The sun dipped lower, casting long shadows across the rows of chairs. Soon only the four of us remained: Bella and Lara itting together on the front row, Lara still holding Bella’s hand, her thumb stroking slow circles over her knuckles: Gina and on the back row, a few feet apart, the space between us quiet and heavy.

Cina leaned closer to me, her voice barely above a whisper, thick with emotion.

I feel so sorry for her. I heard she’s the only one left in her family.”

looked straight ahead-at Bella’s bowed head, at the way her shoulders still trembled every few minutes even though she was no longer crying out loud. The faint scent of lilies clung to my jacket from when I had hugged her earlier: it mixed with he cool, damp smell of the grass under our chairs.

You don’t have to feel sorry for her,” I said quietly. “I’m here with her. I’m here for her.”

Gina turned to me slowly. Her brows drew together in confusion, her dark eyes searching my face

What do you

mean?”

I met her gaze, mine steady and unflinching.

I’m actually kind of in a relationship with her.”

Gina’s mouth parted slightly. Surprise flickered across her features, followed by something softer-understanding perhap even quiet relief. She didn’t speak immediately. She simply looked back at Bella, then at me again, as if she were piecing together a story she hadn’t realized she was part of

Before she could respond, Lara stood from the front row. She bent down and hugged Bella tightly-one long fierce embrace that made Bella’s shoulders rise and fall with a fresh wave of silent tears. Then Lara straightened, kissed the top of Bella’s head, and walked toward us.

Gina rose at once, took Lara’s hand, and squeezed it gently

249 am PPPP

Chapter 80

a looked at me-next. Her expression was calm, but her eyes were sharp and protective.

“Please,” she said. “Can I have a private discussion with you?”

I nodded once without hesitation.

We stepped outside, away from the remaining chairs and the fading smell of flowers. The air had grown cooler, the dy deepening to the color of bruised fruit. We stopped near the side walt of the hall, the rough brick cool against my back

Lara moved fast-faster than I expected. One moment we were standing face to face; the next, her elbow was pressed firmly against my throat, pinning me to the wall in a clean, practiced choke hold. Not hard enough to cut off my air completely, bur firm enough to make my eyes water and my pulse jump.

She told me she kind of likes you,” Lara said, her voice low and even. “That both of you have been a thing for some months But anyway, my eyes are on you.” i

She leaned in closer, forearm pressing just a fraction harder.

I didn’t fight back. I simply looked at her, calm, and waiting.

She held the pressure for another second, then eased off. I coughed once, cleared my throat, and rubbed the tender spot on my neck.

Hmm,” I said, my voice rough. “You seem to be disrespecting your professor right now.”

Lara shrugged, completely unbothered.

We were not exactly in class. You don’t teach me any course.”

She stepped back, gave a small, almost mocking bow, then turned and walked back inside without another word.

I stayed there for a moment, hand still on my throat, feeling the faint throb where her elbow had been.

Then I smiled, just a little.

She was protecting Bella.

Good.

Someone should too.

I walked back in slowly.

Bella was still sitting in the front row, staring at the empty space where the casket had been lowered carlier. Las had rejoined Gina near the empty chairs, but both of them kept glancing toward Bella with worried eyes

I crossed the room and sat beside her close enough that our thighs almost touched but not quite. The wooden chair creake under my weight. The faint scent of lilies still clung to my jacket from when I had hugged her earlier

She didn’t look at me right away

After a long silence, she spoke-her voice small, cracked, barely above a whisper.

“She’s gone”

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify