Days blurred together.
Eliza wasn't sure when things started to feel different — when the laughter felt forced and the conversations felt hollow. She still talked to Lucifer. Still smiled when he teased her. Still sat beside him like she always had.
But it wasn't the same.
The space between them wasn't visible, but she felt it anyway — like a quiet ache stretching between them. She wasn't sure if he felt it too, or if he was too busy with Lily to notice.
Every time he smiled at her, her heart squeezed painfully, reminding her of what she wanted but couldn't have.
So, she buried the feelings deeper, pretending they didn't exist. Pretending that when he laughed with Lily, it didn't hurt. Pretending that when Lily leaned into his side, it didn't feel like a knife twisting in her chest.
It was exhausting. But it was better than hoping.
---
Lunch felt longer than usual.
Eliza sat at their usual table, picking at her food without really tasting it. Lucifer was talking to Liam about basketball game, his voice light and carefree. Ava sat beside Eliza, quiet but steady, her silent presence a comfort.
Across from them, Lily's voice cut through the cafeteria noise, sweet and calculated.
"So," Lily started, leaning in like she couldn't wait to share the news, "I finally picked my prom dress."
Eliza's stomach twisted, but she didn't look up. She didn't want to hear this.
"It's this stunning red one," Lily continued, louder now, her voice dripping with false innocence. "Lucifer said he liked red, didn't you, Luc?"
Lucifer barely glanced up from his conversation. "Yeah, red's nice," he said absentmindedly.
Lily smiled like she'd won something. Like this was a game Eliza didn't even realize she was playing.
"Oh, and I almost forgot to mention…" Lily paused, her eyes flicking to Eliza. "Lucifer and I are going to prom together."
Eliza's hand froze on her fork.
Her heart stopped — or maybe it shattered. She couldn't tell the difference anymore.
She didn't look up. She couldn't.
But she felt Lily's eyes on her, watching her reaction, waiting for her to crumble.
Ava stiffened beside her. "Lily, seriously?" she muttered, voice low and dangerous.
Lily ignored her. She wasn't talking to Ava. She was aiming directly at Eliza's heart.
"I mean," Lily added with a smug little shrug, "we've been spending so much time together lately. It just makes sense."
Eliza swallowed hard, forcing the knot in her throat back down. Her heart was splintering inside her chest, but she couldn't let it show.
She couldn't give Lily the satisfaction.
She picked up her water bottle with a shaky hand, taking a slow sip to mask the way her chest felt like it was caving in.
It's fine.
It's fine.
It's fine.
She repeated it over and over like a prayer, but the words felt hollow.
Ava leaned in, her voice barely above a whisper. "Eliza… you okay?"
Eliza forced a smile so tight it made her cheeks hurt. "Yeah. I'm fine."
The lie tasted bitter.
She didn't meet Ava's eyes. She couldn't. Because if she did, the truth might spill out — and so would the tears.
Lily's eyes lingered on her, triumphant.
And that's when Eliza felt it.
It wasn't just sadness anymore.
It was anger.
Anger at Lily for being cruel.
Anger at Lucifer for being oblivious.
But most of all… anger at herself for still loving him. For still hoping, even when she knew better.
Her hands curled into fists under the table, nails digging into her palms until it burned.
She wasn't going to cry. Not here. Not in front of Lily.
If Lily wanted her to break?
Let her wait forever.
---
After lunch, Eliza barely made it through the next class.
Her chest felt tight, like she couldn't breathe. She kept telling herself she'd be fine.
And then the teacher announced a group project.
Eliza's heart sank.
Please, don't pair me with Lucifer. Please, anyone but him.
It felt like the universe heard her… for once.
"Eliza, you'll work with Ryan."
Relief flooded through her so fast it almost made her dizzy. She didn't care who Ryan was — she didn't even know his last name. As long as it wasn't Lucifer, it was fine.
"Lucifer, you'll be paired with Ava."
Ava shot Eliza a quick glance, something soft and understanding in her eyes.
She needed this.
She needed the distance.
For the first time, she had an excuse to stay away from him. To stop pretending.
Lucifer looked over at her, brows furrowed in confusion. "Princess? We're not partners?"
Eliza forced a smile — the same fake one she'd been practicing all day. "Guess not. It's fine, though. Ryan's cool."
Lucifer stared at her like he wanted to say something else, but the teacher had already moved on.
And Eliza turned back to her notebook, pretending like it didn't hurt.
Pretending like she wasn't falling apart.
Again.
but inside she completely broken.
To be continued...
Author's Note:
Okay but—I'm not okay. ARE YOU?! 💔
The moment Lily opened her mouth at lunch, I swear I saw red. Like girl, read the damn room! 😤
Also… can we all agree Lucifer wins the award for Most Oblivious Dumbass of the Year?!
Let's make him suffer. Slowly.
Who else wanted to launch Lily into the sun? Be honest.
Tell me in the comments — are you still breathing? Or should I pass the tissues and revenge plans? 😭