Julia and Lilian.

“There’s a lot of stuff we need to move.” Julia tells Lilian as they stand in front of an unoccupied classroom. “We had to empty the storehouse by the court so they could clean it up and perform annual maintenance, so now we have to carry everything back.”

Lilian grimaces, making Julia laugh.

“Don’t worry! We’re not moving everything today!” She assures. “And I’ll be sure to ask more help when we have to move heavy stuff. For now it’s just boxes with balls, cones, nets and stuff like that.”

Lilian sighs, relieved. “Okay. That, I can do.”

“Thanks for your help. David might have roped you into this, but I appreciate it nonetheless.”

“He didn’t rope me into this.” Lilian pouts, crossing her arms. “Is it really that hard to believe I’m doing this willingly?”

“Okay, okay. I believe you.” Julia chuckles. “Come on! The sooner we start, the sooner we finish!”

The two girls start moving boxes from the unoccupied classroom in the first floor all the way to the big storehouse close to the outside court. It takes several trips to get even ¼ of the boxes.

“I think it’s best if we leave it at that for now.” Julia says with a deep breath.

On her part, Lilian is tired but not outright beat. At least Julia was being honest when she said the boxes weren’t heavy. She leaves the last box on top of a stack of 4 and lets out a tired sigh.

“Again, thanks a lot for your help, Lilian! You’re a lifesaver!”

“It wasn’t really that big an issue.” Lilian says, but eyes her teacher with a complicated expression.

Of course, Julia notices.

“It looks to me like you want to say something. So out with it.” Julia encourages with a smile.

“N-No. It’s not that I want to say something.” Lilian sighs. “It’s more like… I wanted to ask a question, but I don’t know who to ask.”

“Oh? Is it about a certain someone we know?” Julia asks, looking around. The storehouse is big, but not awfully so. It’s not like there could be someone hidden here.

“Yes, actually.” Lilian nods hesitantly.

“Alright. Give me a second.” After Julia confirms that there’s no one outside the room either, she closes the door, guides Lilian a little further away from it and motions for her to sit down on top of a box as she does the same. “Let me see if I can help.”

“This is REALLY embarrassing to ask, though.” Lilian bites her lip.

“So you’d rather keep your doubts to yourself?”

“No…” With a final sigh to psych herself up, Lilian speaks. “Is it… normal to feel like you’re seriously in love with someone after… having sex?” She asks, her face as red as a tomato and as hot as a stove.

“Oooh. That’s what it is.” Julia chuckles. “Okay, let’s see. I think we should make something clear. I think that feeling INFATUATION for someone right after sex is 100% normal.” Julia nods.

“Infatuation?”

“You want to be close to him, you want to kiss him, you want to hug him and all that, right?”

“Guh.” Lilian flinches, but nods. It’s like she completely read her.

“That’s normal. After all, you just had a really good experience with him, am I wrong?”

“N-No. It was… It was amazing.” Lilian says, pursing her lips. “So you’re saying it’s not love, but infatuation?”

“Don’t rush it.” Julia stops her, raising her hand to her. “I’m saying infatuation is normal, but it’s also possible you’re feeling more than just that. Think about it. Is there anything specific, any memory that’s making you feel more strongly about him?”

“…” Lilian thinks, recalling the memories of that day. It’s like there’re butterflies in her stomach, and a giddy feeling assaults her. “He was… so careful with me.” Lilian admits. “I was really nervous, but he didn’t mind.”

“And that was important to you?” Julia asks.

The younger blonde nods. “He’s not my first boyfriend, but he’s the first I feel I care about. Back in high school… other guys would always try to push me to having sex and giving them blowjobs. I didn’t want to, so they got mad and I ended up breaking up with them.”

“Seems like a common enough experience, sadly.” Julia sighs heavily.

“But more than David being like that with me…” She swallows. “Seeing him treat Jessica and Olivia the same way made me respect him so much more. And then… even after we did it, just being able to talk to him normally, looking at him as he just listens to me talk… it means something to me.”

Huh. Saying these things out loud is helping Lilian understand it better. It’s just like Megan and Emily said that time. It’s not about how exciting the relationship is, but how comfortable she feels being with him.

“I think you’re starting to realize something yourself.” Julia chuckles.

“Yeah.” Lilian grins. “I’m realizing that being in love is a pain.”

“It is.” Julia laughs. “Sex feels good. If it didn’t, people wouldn’t reproduce and humans would be extinct. But love is the reason we decide to stay with someone for the rest of our lives. To trust someone, to rely on someone, to have fun with someone, to relax with someone. I think love is when we find that one person who can fulfill all those roles at once and more.”

“You’re saying he found eleven people who fit that criteria for him?” Lilian laughs.

“Oh yeah!” Julia shares that laugh. “He’s a lucky dog, isn’t he?”

“Hell yeah.” Lilian nods with a big smirk on her face, which softens after a moment into a smile. “I think I understand what I feel a lot more. I was… worried I was being superficial again.”

“I don’t think there’s anything wrong with a bit of superficiality.” Julia shrugs. “Of course, you can’t base a serious relationship on looks alone, but don’t feel guilty for thinking he’s attractive and wanting to do naughty things with him. Remember, he feels the same about you.”

“…” Lilian smirks. “You know what? You’re right. Thanks… Julia.”

“You’re welcome, Lilian.” The teacher chuckles. “I’m available whenever you want to talk.”

“I might take you up on that every once in a while.” Lilian nods.

She’s been thinking about David a lot lately, but if there’s one thing she has to admit at this very moment, it's that he picks the coolest, most amazing women to date. Herself included, of course.