The tension between Eliza and Lily was impossible to ignore now. It wasn't loud or obvious — it was quiet, tense, and sharper than any words they could've thrown at each other.
Lucifer, for all his clueless charm, started to notice.
He noticed how Eliza stuck closer to him than usual. How Lily conveniently appeared whenever they were alone. How the air felt... off when the two girls were in the same room.
Lucifer didn't say anything for a while, but Eliza could tell he was thinking about it. His usual playful smirk would falter for a second longer than normal, his eyes flicking between them like he was piecing something together.
It wasn't until after school, when they were walking home together like always, that he finally spoke up.
"Okay," he said, breaking the comfortable silence. "What's going on with you?"
Eliza blinked, caught off guard. "What do you mean?"
Lucifer glanced at her, his brow furrowing. "You've been... different lately."
"Different how?" she asked carefully, keeping her voice light.
"I dunno. You're acting weird. Like... nice." He smirked, but his eyes were searching hers. "Not that I'm complaining, but you've been a little too nice to me lately instead of your usual insults. Kinda freaking me out, Princess."
Eliza snorted, rolling her eyes. "Don't get used to it. I'm just feeling generous. It's temporary."
"I knew it," Lucifer grinned. "Figured it was either a glitch or you're dying and didn't tell me."
She laughed, but her heart was beating too fast.
Lucifer tilted his head, his smile fading into something softer. "Seriously, though... Is something up? And —" he paused, his voice more cautious now — "is something going on with you and Lily? You guys look like you want to rip each other's hair out half the time."
Eliza's stomach twisted, but she forced a light laugh. "We're fine," she said too quickly, then cleared her throat. "We're just... getting to know each other. You know, girl stuff."
Lucifer raised a brow, clearly not buying it.
She swallowed hard, then forced her most convincing grin. "It's nothing, Luc. Seriously. You're imagining things."
For a second, she thought he might push. He looked like he wanted to. But then he sighed, running a hand through his messy hair.
"Alright, fine. But if you two end up in a full-on catfight or something, can you at least warn me first? I wanna grab popcorn."
Eliza rolled her eyes, shoving him playfully. "You're an idiot."
Lucifer laughed, his grin easy again. Just like that, the tension lifted. He believed her. For now.
---
Eliza was at her locker, minding her business — until Lily appeared beside her, leaning against the lockers with that smug, too-sweet smile.
"You're trying really hard, aren't you?" Lily's voice was quiet, but her words were sharp, cutting through the air like a blade.
Eliza didn't flinch. She slammed her locker shut and turned to face her. "Don't know what you're talking about."
Lily's smile didn't falter. "Oh, come on. The coffee, the cheering, the waiting after practice? You're practically throwing yourself at him."
Eliza's eyes narrowed. "Funny. I could say the same about you."
Lily's smile finally dropped. Her voice lowered, sharp and cold. "He's not yours, Eliza."
Eliza stepped closer, her voice steady. "He's not yours either."
Lily leaned in, her eyes glinting with something almost cruel. "He will be."
For a moment, neither of them moved. The hallway felt too quiet, too tight.
Then Lucifer's voice broke the tension.
"Hey — what's going on?"
Both girls snapped their heads toward him. He was standing a few feet away, his brows drawn together in confusion. "Did I miss something? You guys look like you're about to murder each other."
Eliza let out a short laugh, keeping her voice breezy. "Nah, we're good. Right, Lily?"
Lily stared at her for a second longer, then smiled — sweet and fake. "Totally."
Lucifer didn't look convinced, but he let it go, shaking his head. "You girls are weird."
"Just girl talk," Eliza said smoothly. "Don't worry, we weren't plotting your death or anything."
Lucifer stared at her for a second longer, then snorted. "Well, that's reassuring."
Eliza exhaled quietly as he walked off ahead of them.
Lily waited until he was out of earshot before leaning in again, her voice barely a whisper.
"You can't win this."
Eliza finally turned to face her, her voice steady. "Watch me."
Lily's smile was slow and cold. "We'll see who he chooses in the end."
Eliza smiled — slow, dangerous, and nothing like the usual her.
"Yeah," she said softly, voice dripping with confidence. "We will."
To be continued.....