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Lily looked up hopefully when she heard the sound of the Inn's door opening. Sure enough, there were Posco and Blanco. The twins spotted them and made there way over to the table. Lily fought hard to keep her conflicting emotions off her face, and she would have succeeded but for the confused pleading in her eyes. Help me understand, she willed. Your actions seem to conflict in meaning with each other... She realized that Marcho and Blanco had risen from their seats.
"We need to be getting back to your aunt's house," said Marcho. "It's getting later." Lily sighed and rose, saying, "Will you be travelling back to Buckland tomorrow? Or are you staying for a little longer? I will be around... if you decide to stay, that is..." she trailed off.
"I have not decided yet," said Marcho. Was that a touch of sympathy in his expression?
"Well, perhaps I will see you all tomorrow then," said Lily. "If not, then I guess this is good-bye." She tried to swallow the lump that was rising in her throat. It wasn't fair. Now she might never get her chance. She just needed more time.
They said their farewells, Posco polite and shy as ever and Blanco his usual gallant self. Blanco called across the room to Peony, "Come, Peony, we are leaving!" She and Hal got up from their table in the corner to join them.
"It was nice meeting you, Peony, Hal," said Lily.
"And you," replied Peony smiling. "Good night." With that the small party began to make their way back towards the door. On impulse, Lily snagged Posco's sleeve as he was walking away.
"Posco, if you leave tomorrow, I will miss you," she said softly. She wondered if he had noticed the tears that were starting to well up in her eyes. She thought that he looked slightly bewildered, though she could see no cause for it. At last he nodded. "Good night, Lily." He turned and hurried to catch up with the others, who had mostly disappeared through the door.
When they had gone, Lily turned toward the stairs, having nothing else to do but return to her own room. Her own words echoed in her head. I guess this is good-bye. She vowed to herself it would not be the last good-bye. Whether they came back or left tomorrow, it wouldn't be.
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