Eliza couldn't sleep that night. Ava's words wouldn't stop replaying in her head.
Maybe you should tell him how you feel.
Eliza hated how those words stuck to her ribs like glue — because Ava wasn't wrong. She loved him. She'd loved him for as long as she could remember.
But she loved him quietly. Safely. From the sidelines, where nothing could go wrong.
Now, she wasn't so sure that was enough anymore.
Lily wasn't standing on the sidelines. Lily wasn't waiting. She was moving in — closer, faster, bolder.
And Eliza was terrified she was going to lose him without even trying.
Her chest tightened.
If Lily wanted him… fine.
But Eliza wasn't going to make it easy for her.
The next morning, Eliza didn't wake up feeling braver. She woke up feeling like she was going to throw up.
Her heart wouldn't stop racing as she got dressed — not fancy, not dolled up, just… her. Comfortable.
She wasn't going to change who she was. But she wasn't going to hide anymore, either.
On the way to school, she swung by the café and grabbed an extra iced coffee — his usual.
Her hands shook a little when she spotted him by his locker. Lily wasn't there. Yet.
She shoved the drink at him without thinking.
"Here," she said, her voice coming out sharper than she meant. "You'll probably forget to eat again."
Lucifer blinked at her, caught off guard. "What's this? Did I accidentally win the lottery or something?"
"Don't be stupid," Eliza muttered. "You looked half-dead yesterday. Figured you'd need it."
His grin was instant, easy, warm — the one that made her chest ache and her knees weak.
"You're the best, Princess," he said, nudging her arm lightly. "What would I do without you?"
Eliza swallowed hard, forcing a smirk. "Probably die of caffeine withdrawal."
He laughed, his eyes lingering on her for half a second longer than usual.
She ignored the way her heart flipped.
Eliza didn't stop after that.
She didn't flirt like Lily did — all coy smiles and light touches. That wasn't her.
But she showed up.
Every. Single. Time.
When he forgot his hoodie after practice, she was waiting by the bleachers with it slung over her arm.
When he complained about his English paper, she was at his side with notes and snacks.
When he spaced out at lunch, she dropped her extra fries onto his tray without a word — and he ate them without thinking, like it was second nature.
Because it was.
He didn't even realize how used to her he was.
But Lily noticed.
And Lily didn't like it.
It happened after practice, when the sun was dipping behind the bleachers.
Eliza was waiting with his hoodie and a water bottle, scrolling through her phone. She didn't notice Lily until her voice cut through the air.
"You're really committed, huh?"
Eliza looked up. Lily stood a few feet away, arms crossed, head tilted. The sweet smile she usually wore was gone.
Eliza blinked, thrown off. "What?"
Lily laughed softly — but it wasn't a friendly sound. "The whole doting best friend thing. It's cute. Sad, but cute."
Eliza frowned, standing up straighter. "I'm not—"
"Oh, come on." Lily stepped closer, voice low and smooth. "You like him. You've been in love with him forever, haven't you?"
Eliza's stomach twisted painfully.
Lily's eyes flicked toward the field, where Lucifer was still talking to his teammates. "You're sweet, Eliza. Really. But let's not pretend. If he wanted you, he'd have done something by now."
Eliza's throat tightened.
"He doesn't see you that way," Lily continued softly, her voice honeyed and cruel. "You're his safe space. His little sidekick. You think being there for him is going to change anything? It won't. He needs someone who excites him — someone who makes him want more."
Eliza stared at her, heart pounding in her ears.
Lily smiled again, but it didn't reach her eyes. "And that's not you."
Eliza swallowed the burn rising in her throat. "You don't know him like I do."
Lily's smile didn't falter. "Maybe not yet. But I will." She leaned in slightly. "You should think about backing off. You won't win this one."
She walked away, leaving Eliza frozen, her heart twisting so tightly it hurt.
After later...
"So, can I kill her, or is that frowned upon?"
Eliza snorted, half-laughing despite the ache in her chest. Ava sat beside her, swinging her legs against the bench.
"I'm serious," Ava said. "I could make it look like an accident."
Eliza shook her head, swallowing hard. "It doesn't matter."
Ava tilted her head. "Of course it matters. She's trying to cut you out. Are you just gonna let her?"
Eliza didn't answer.
Because, deep down, she wasn't sure.
What if Lily was right? What if he really didn't see her that way?
"I don't know," she admitted softly, voice barely above a whisper.
Ava stared at her for a moment, then shook her head. "You're an idiot."
Eliza blinked. "Thanks for that."
"No, really." Ava leaned in closer, her voice quieter now. "You think he doesn't look at you that way? You should see his face when you're not paying attention. He's yours, Eliza. He just doesn't know it yet."
Eliza swallowed hard.
Her heart thudded painfully.
"I'm not giving up," she said softly, more to herself than to Ava.
Ava grinned. "That's my girl."
Eliza tried to smile back — but all she could think about was Lily's voice, low and smug in her ear.
You won't win this one.
Eliza clenched her fists.
We'll see about that.
To be continued....