The tension between Eliza and Lily didn't vanish — it just… shifted. Less like a competition now, more like an uneasy, silent standoff.
But Eliza wasn't thinking about Lily anymore. Not really.
The truth settled in her chest, uncomfortable and heavy: this didn't feel like a fight she could win.
Because it wasn't a fight anymore. It felt like she was already losing.
It was the nagging voice in her head, the one whispering that maybe Lucifer wasn't being stolen from her. Maybe he was never hers to begin with.
She tried to act normal, but doubt crept in, slow and unwelcome. She wasn't sure when it started — maybe it was always there, and she was just pretending it wasn't. They were best friends. But sometimes, she wished he looked at her a little differently. Like maybe he could feel it too.
And yet, lately… he felt farther away. Still laughing with her, still stealing her snacks and calling her "Princess" like always — but something was off. Or maybe it was just her.
"Earth to Eliza?"
Ava's voice snapped her back to reality. They were in the cafeteria, Eliza absently poking at her tray of fries.
"You've been staring at him for a full minute. Might wanna wipe the lovesick look off your face before Lily sees and bursts a blood vessel," Ava teased, though her voice softened at the end.
Eliza blinked, heat rising in her cheeks. "I wasn't staring."
Ava gave her a knowing look. "Sure you weren't."
Eliza groaned, burying her face in her hands. "Do you think… he ever thinks of me as more than a friend?" The words came out quieter than she meant them to, and Ava's expression shifted, the teasing fading.
"I think he's an idiot if he doesn't."
That earned a weak laugh from Eliza. "Yeah, well… maybe he's not."
---
A Few Days Later — His Birthday
Eliza didn't need a calendar to remember. She knew Lucifer's birthday better than her own.
For years, she'd always been the first to wish him — staying up until midnight, sending a ridiculous meme, then showing up the next morning with his favorite candy or a dumb little gift. It was tradition.
Her fingers hovered over her keyboard.
Happy birthday, Luc! 🎉
Don't get too cocky about being a year older. You're still an idiot.
It felt off. Too normal. Too casual. Was she trying too hard to act like nothing was wrong?
Before she could overthink it more, her phone buzzed.
A notification.
Her heart stuttered.
It wasn't from Lucifer.
It was Lily's story post. A picture — her and Lucifer, smiling, his arm slung lazily over her shoulder. The caption hit harder than Eliza wanted to admit.
Happy Birthday to my favorite person 💙
Eliza stared at it for a moment longer than she should have. Her throat tightened, and she felt that awful, familiar ache.
She shook her head, swallowing the lump forming. It's fine. It's just a picture.
She hit send.
The message went through instantly, but the "Read" status didn't pop up.
She stared at the screen, waiting.
A minute passed. Then five. Then ten.
Nothing.
Maybe he was asleep. Or maybe… maybe he was with her.
---
The next morning, Eliza walked into school, her heart heavy in a way it hadn't been in a long time.
Lucifer showed up a few minutes later, looking like his usual self — half-awake, hair a mess, backpack slung over his shoulder like he barely remembered it existed.
"Hey, Princess," he greeted her with a grin, like nothing was wrong. "Did you forget what sleep is or something? You look wrecked."
Her heart ached and warmed at the same time. She hated him for being so damn clueless.
"Yeah, thanks for that," she muttered, though her voice came out softer than she meant it to.
Lucifer blinked, tilting his head. "You good?"
She forced her voice to stay light. "Yeah. Did you like your birthday text, or did Lily's post make you forget I exist?"
It was meant to be a joke — but it came out too bitter. She knew it the second his face shifted from amused to confused.
"Lily's… post?" He blinked. "Oh, uh, yeah, she took that during practice yesterday. I didn't even realize she posted it."
His brow furrowed. "Wait, did you text me?"
Eliza's stomach twisted painfully. He didn't even see it.
"Never mind," she said quickly, trying to brush it off. "It's not important."
Lucifer frowned, but before he could say anything else, Lily appeared.
"Lucifer! I've been looking for you everywhere," she said, her voice sugary sweet. "Coach wants to talk to you before class."
Lucifer blinked at Eliza, like he wanted to stay, but Lily was already tugging on his sleeve.
"I'll catch up with you later, okay?" he said, voice light. Like nothing was wrong.
Eliza just nodded.
She watched him walk away, her chest tight.
Ava appeared beside her, quiet for a moment.
"You okay?" she asked softly.
Eliza swallowed hard. "Yeah. It's fine."
She didn't believe it. And neither did Ava.
Maybe nothing was wrong.
But deep down, Eliza knew. It was a lie.
To be continued....