Eliza started noticing it more.
Ryan was always around now. Too close. Too… present. He walked her to class, leaned in when they talked, and sat next to her at lunch like it was his new permanent spot. It wasn't like him. Ryan had always been laid-back, the type to drift in and out of the group, never sticking too close to anyone.
But now? He stuck to her like glue.
Ava hated it. Eliza could see it — the way Ava's eyes narrowed every time Ryan leaned in too close or cracked a joke that wasn't funny. Ava didn't say anything, but she didn't have to. The crossed arms, the sharp glares, the way she stabbed her fork into her food a little too aggressively said it all.
Eliza couldn't take it anymore.
"Ryan, we need to talk."
Ryan blinked, surprised for half a second before that familiar grin tugged at his lips.
"Oh? Is this the part where you confess your undying love for me? Because, honestly, I've been preparing for this moment."
"Cut it out," Eliza said, folding her arms. "I'm serious."
Ryan raised a brow but didn't drop the smirk. "Alright, alright. What's up?"
She hesitated, searching his face.
"If… if you're doing all this to impress me or something — like, in a romantic way — then stop. It's a no. I'm telling you now."
Ryan stared at her for a moment, then chuckled softly, tilting his head.
"Relax, Eliza. Don't panic," he said, his voice low, almost amused.
Her brows knitted together. "Then why—"
"Trust me," he cut her off, leaning in slightly, voice dropping just enough to send an uncomfortable shiver down her spine. "I'm not after what you think I am."
Before she could respond, Ryan turned and walked off like nothing happened, leaving her staring after him, more confused than ever.
---
Lunch was tense.
Eliza sat quietly, picking at her food. She kept her head down, but she could feel it — him.
Lucifer's eyes were on her, heavy and unrelenting from across the table. It burned, the weight of his gaze, but she refused to look up.
Ryan, of course, sat beside her. Too close again. His elbow brushed against hers, but he didn't pull away. He acted like he didn't notice.
Lucifer noticed, though.
Eliza didn't need to look at him to know his jaw was tight again, his shoulders locked and tense. He hadn't touched his food. He was too busy glaring holes into Ryan.
Ryan leaned in, voice low and playful. "You always this quiet, or is it just when I'm around?"
Ava groaned loudly. "Oh my god, Ryan, shut up."
She reached across the table to smack him, but Ryan laughed, dodging her hand with ease. Ava shot him a glare, her cheeks a little pinker than usual.
Ryan looked way too pleased with himself.
Lucifer didn't laugh. He didn't even smirk. He just stared, his fists clenched so tight his knuckles turned white.
The way Ryan leaned into Eliza — the way she didn't push him away — it was too much.
It hurt too much.
The chair scraped against the floor as Lucifer pushed back, standing abruptly. His voice was low, tight. "I'm done."
He didn't look at anyone.
Especially not Eliza.
Then he walked out, leaving the table in awkward silence.
---
The gym was empty.
Lucifer liked it that way.
The silence, the echo of his footsteps — it was better than hearing Ryan's voice in his head. Better than the image of him leaning into Eliza, making her laugh. Better than watching her look at him like he mattered.
Like Lucifer didn't exist anymore.
He grabbed a basketball and started shooting, hard and fast. Each slam of the ball against the backboard felt like an outlet for the knot in his chest. He wasn't aiming. He didn't care if it hit the rim or missed completely. He just needed to move, to hit something, to drown out the ache burning inside him.
The image wouldn't go away. Eliza laughing at someone else's jokes. Eliza smiling for someone else. Eliza being taken care of by someone else.
The ball hit the rim and bounced away, but he didn't chase it.
His hands shook. His chest felt tight, like something was caving in from the inside.
He hated this. He hated Ryan. He hated the way Eliza looked happier with anyone that wasn't him. He hated that he couldn't fix what he broke.
And worst of all — he hated that maybe… maybe she didn't even want him to.
Lucifer didn't come back after lunch.
She told herself she didn't care.
She repeated it over and over in her head until the words felt meaningless.
But her heart wasn't listening.
Eliza wandered the halls after class, pretending she wasn't looking for him. She glanced into classrooms, peeked down hallways. Nothing.
When she passed by the gym, she heard it — the faint, rhythmic thud of a basketball hitting the floor.
Her steps faltered.
Her heart ached.
She stared at the closed door, hesitating.
Her hand hovered near the handle, but she couldn't make herself open it.
She wasn't ready to face him. Not like this.
So she walked away.
And somehow, it hurt more than staying ever could.
To be continued....
💬Author's Note:
Ah, Ryan… what is going on here?
Is he really just "not after what you think," or is there more to this game?
And Lucifer… well, he's definitely losing it over here.
I don't know what's happening, but I do know… something's coming.
Do I trust Ryan? …Nope.
Do I want answers? Absolutely, YES.