Lily ran into Jack Harrison three nights later while walking home after evening study hall. As she reached the entrance to the alley near her house, she spotted a couple pressed against the wall in the shadows.

The old streetlight cast a dim glow, but it was enough for her to see they were kissing passionately, the man's hand creeping beneath the girl's short school skirt.

Lily froze for a moment before pressing herself against the wall, her heavy backpack pinned against the cool surface as she held her breath.

"I think someone's there," a female voice said.

Lily's heart skipped a beat as she recognized the voice. The girl in the passionate embrace was her longtime neighbor Emma, who was a year older than her. After hearing that voice for over a decade, Lily couldn't possibly mistake it. Ironically, the erotic graphic novel hidden in Lily's room had been Emma's recommendation and loan.

"Just someone passing by," the man responded in a deep, slightly raspy voice that was casual yet commanding. Something about his tone sent a shiver down Lily's spine, raising goosebumps along her arms and the back of her neck.

"Mmm—don't... someone might come... ahh..." Emma's protest quickly dissolved into suggestive moans. Huddled behind the wall, Lily's ears burned with embarrassment. She wanted to leave, but where could she go? She needed to get home.

While Lily debated her options, Emma's muffled sighs grew more urgent and breathless, making Lily's heart race. A strange sensation began spreading through her body—restless, uncomfortable, impossible to define.

Without thinking, Lily carefully leaned forward, peeking around the corner into the alley.

The scene was provocative. A man in a black shirt was hunched over, his head buried against Emma's chest, his posture reminding Lily of a black cat ready to pounce. His hand disappeared beneath Emma's short school skirt, only his forearm visible. Emma leaned against the wall, head thrown back, one hand clutching the fabric of his shirt at the shoulder while the other covered her mouth.

"Ahh—" A sharp cry escaped Emma's lips, startling Lily back to her senses. She quickly pulled her head back behind the wall.

"I'm... I'm close..." Emma's voice trembled.

Lily pressed herself firmly against the wall, staring blankly at some weeds growing at the roadside. Her body was tense, her legs slightly shaking, but that didn't stop the warm sensation pooling in her lower abdomen and the dampness forming between her legs.

"Don't go home tonight," the man said.

"Mmm... I can't... Jack?"

The breathless exchange finally ended with Emma's refusal. After about thirty seconds of silence, Lily heard the click of a lighter, followed by Emma asking, "What's wrong?"

"Nothing," the man replied flatly.

After another brief silence, Emma's voice returned, sweet and coaxing. "I really can't tonight. This weekend though—I'll tell my parents I'm staying at a friend's house."

"Fine," Jack replied with minimal enthusiasm, then added, "I'm leaving now."

As soon as he spoke, Lily heard footsteps approaching. She panicked, looking frantically for somewhere to hide. The narrow fifty-meter path offered no cover—no dumpsters, nothing except a black motorcycle parked at the alley entrance.

Just as Lily was considering making a dash for the street, Emma called out again.

"Hey—"

"What now?" Jack asked.

"Will you still pick me up tomorrow?"

Two seconds of silence. "Yes."

"At lunch too?"

Perfect! Keep talking!

Lily took her chance, adjusting her backpack straps and tiptoeing as quickly as possible toward the main street. Once out of the alley, she turned the corner and ran a short distance before stopping to catch her breath under a brighter streetlight.

Just as she was regaining her composure, she heard the roar of a motorcycle engine and her heart jumped.

That couldn't be his motorcycle, could it?

The sound rapidly approached. She quickly turned and pretended to walk casually in the opposite direction.

Within seconds, a black motorcycle burst out of the alley like a wild stallion. Though Lily hadn't meant to look, the commotion drew her attention instinctively. She stopped and raised her head toward the bike.

The rider sharply turned the front wheel, the back tire kicking up dust. Through his helmet, the man glanced briefly at Lily before speeding away into the night. Lily remained frozen in place.

After a long moment, she finally raised her hand to her chest, looking in the direction where the motorcycle had disappeared.

So it was his bike after all. Thank goodness she hadn't tried to hide there...