The school tour felt like a distant dream by Monday morning. The sun was barely up, and the halls buzzed with students who were either complaining about being back or gushing about the weekend.
Eliza wasn't complaining — but she wasn't exactly thrilled either. She slung her backpack over her shoulder, stifling a yawn as she made her way to her locker.
"So, how's it feel knowing you absolutely destroyed Lily this weekend?" Ava appeared beside her, grinning like she'd been waiting for this moment all morning.
Eliza smirked. "She deserved it."
"Damn right she did. The way she walked off that bus? I swear I saw smoke coming out of her ears."
Eliza laughed under her breath, but a tiny part of her felt uneasy. Lily wasn't the type to stay down for long — and Eliza had a bad feeling Monday wouldn't go smoothly.
She didn't have to wait long to be proven right.
Just as she was shutting her locker, a high-pitched giggle echoed from down the hall. Eliza didn't even need to look to know who it was.
"Lucifer! You're so funny," Lily's voice rang out, loud enough for everyone to hear.
Eliza froze.
Lucifer? Her Lucifer?
Her head snapped up — and sure enough, there he was, leaning against the wall with Lily practically glued to his side. She had her hand on his arm, laughing way too hard at something he said.
Ava leaned in. "Oh, hell no. Is she touching him? Is she giggling?"
Eliza clenched her jaw, trying to ignore the pang in her chest. "She's desperate. Let her have her moment."
Ava snorted. "She's not having a moment — she's having a whole performance."
Before Eliza could reply, Lily's voice rang out again, sweeter than sugar but laced with venom.
"Luc, you should totally sit with me at lunch today. I mean, Eliza doesn't own you, right?"
Eliza's stomach dropped.
Lucifer blinked, clearly caught off guard. "Uh… I guess? Yeah, sure."
Ava's jaw practically hit the floor. "Did he just—"
"He did." Eliza swallowed hard, forcing her expression to stay neutral even though her heart felt like it was splintering.
Lily shot her a look over her shoulder — victorious.
Ava leaned in closer, her voice low. "Do you want me to trip her? Because I will. No regrets."
Eliza exhaled sharply, shaking her head. "Not worth it."
But it felt like a lie.
---
The rest of the morning dragged.
Lucifer was nowhere to be seen between classes, and Eliza tried to play it cool — but Ava wasn't having it.
"So, what's the plan?" Ava asked as they walked toward biology.
"The plan?" Eliza repeated, not really in the mood.
"Yeah, the plan. You're not seriously letting her win, right?"
Eliza sighed. "It's not a competition."
Ava scoffed. "It's so a competition. And she's playing dirty. You're just letting her walk all over you now."
"I'm not letting her do anything," Eliza said, voice tight. "Lucifer's a big boy. He can sit wherever he wants."
Ava stared at her like she'd grown a second head. "That's the dumbest thing you've ever said. And you once thought avocados were just smooth pears."
Eliza groaned. "Can we not bring that up again?"
"I will when you stop pretending this doesn't bother you."
Eliza didn't answer. She didn't have to — the look on her face said enough.
---
Lunchtime hit harder than expected.
Eliza walked into the cafeteria, head held high even though her stomach was twisted into knots.
It didn't take long to spot him. Lucifer was sitting at Lily's table — surrounded by her friends, laughing at something she said. She leaned in close, her hand lightly resting on his shoulder like she was staking a claim.
Eliza felt her chest tighten.
Ava was right. This wasn't just Lily getting a win. This was a statement.
"You okay?" Ava asked softly, the usual teasing gone from her voice.
Eliza forced a smile. "Yeah. Let her win this round."
Ava blinked. "Who are you and what have you done with my best friend?"
"I'm serious," Eliza said, though her voice wavered. "Let her think she won."
Ava crossed her arms, scowling. "Fine. But I'm calling dibs on insulting her outfit later."
Eliza huffed a laugh, though it felt hollow.
She wasn't done. Not even close.
---
After lunch didn't get any better.
By the time the final bell rang, Eliza felt like she'd been chewed up and spit out.
Lucifer caught up with her at her locker, his usual lazy grin in place like nothing was wrong.
"Hey, Princess," he greeted casually. "Didn't see you at lunch."
Eliza stared at him for a second, fighting back the sting in her throat. "Yeah. You seemed busy."
Lucifer frowned, clearly confused. "What? Oh — Lily invited me over. It wasn't a big deal."
Not a big deal.
Eliza forced a tight smile. "Right. Not a big deal."
Lucifer's brows pulled together. "You okay?"
She wanted to scream. To shake him. To ask why he couldn't see what was happening — why he couldn't see her.
But instead, she swallowed it all down and nodded. "Yeah. I'm fine."
Lucifer didn't look convinced, but he doesn't push it further.
To be continued....