Since Lucifer's team won, it meant the opposite team—their long-time rivals—had lost. The rivals were clearly furious, storming out of the gym with clenched jaws and dark glares. It was obvious they weren't planning to let this go anytime soon.
Lucifer, however, seemed completely unfazed. Winning had put him in a good mood, and his team decided to throw a small party in one of the halls next to the school auditorium.
The party was in full swing—music pulsing through the walls, laughter spilling out into the hallway, and the room packed with students. Some crowded around the snack table, others swayed to the beat, faces flushed with excitement. Across the room, Lucifer was surrounded by his teammates and a few girls who seemed a little too giggly. His hair was still damp from the post-game shower, and he wore that lazy grin—looking every bit the star athlete.
Eliza quickly looked away, cheeks warm, but her eyes betrayed her, flicking back to him every few seconds.
"So," Ava drawled, nudging her with a smirk. "You gonna talk to him, or just stare from across the room all night?"
"I am not staring," Eliza hissed, though her eyes didn't stop tracking his every move.
"Whatever you say, babe," Ava rolled her eyes, smirk widening. "You know, drooling's a little obvious, even for you."
Eliza smacked her arm, face burning. "I am not drooling! God, why are you like this?"
Ava snorted. "Because it's hilarious watching you turn tomato-red over your dumb jock boyfriend."
"He's not my—ugh! I hate you."
"Love you too," Ava grinned, unbothered.
Eliza took a sip of her drink to hide her embarrassment, but the uneasy feeling in her stomach wouldn't go away. The room was too loud, too crowded, and she couldn't shake the sense that something was off.
Everyone was hyped up from the win, the air buzzing with excitement. But as Eliza's gaze wandered, she froze. Near the back of the room, a small group of guys leaned against the wall, watching the scene with dark eyes. The rival team—the ones who'd just lost to Lucifer's team.
Ava followed Eliza's gaze, her eyes narrowing. "Uh-oh," she muttered. "Looks like someone's still salty about losing."
Eliza sighed. "Great. Just what we need."
Her fingers tightened around her cup, eyes flicking nervously between Lucifer and the rival players. He hadn't noticed them yet—still laughing with his teammates like everything was fine. But the rivals didn't make a move, didn't approach Lucifer or start anything. They just watched, eyes dark and smiles a little too sharp.
Eliza swallowed, glancing at Ava. "Is it just me, or do they look like they're… plotting something?"
Ava's expression darkened. "Not just you," she muttered. "Those guys are definitely up to something."
The rivals exchanged whispers, eyes glinting with something cold, and Eliza's stomach twisted. She tore her gaze away, forcing herself to focus on anything else, but the uneasy feeling only grew.
Lucifer caught her eye from across the room then, lifting a hand in a lazy wave. His grin was bright, carefree, and for a second, the tension in Eliza's chest eased—until one of the rival players broke off from the group, heading straight for him.
"Oh no," Eliza breathed, eyes widening. "Ava, they're—"
"I see it," Ava snapped, eyes narrowing. "Crap. Come on!"
But before they could move, it was already happening. One of the rivals—Tyler, Eliza remembered, the captain—stepped right into Lucifer's space, shoulder-checking him hard enough to spill half his drink.
"Nice game, hotshot," Tyler sneered, voice carrying even over the music. "Bet you feel real good about that cheap win, huh?"
Lucifer blinked, brows lifting. "Uh… yeah? It's called being better, dude. You should try it sometime."
A few of his teammates snorted, failing to hide their grins, but Tyler's glare only darkened. His hands flexed at his sides, jaw tight.
Eliza's heart was in her throat, and before she could think, she was shoving through the crowd, Ava hot on her heels.
"Oh God," she hissed, pulse pounding. "Lucifer, don't—"
But Lucifer, of course, smirked wider, eyes glinting with a challenge. "Aww, come on, Tyler. Don't cry about it. It's embarrassing."
Tyler's eyes narrowed dangerously. "You think you're funny, huh?" he growled, fists curling.
Eliza reached them just as Tyler lunged, one fist aiming square for Lucifer's jaw. Her breath caught—
But Lucifer was faster. He sidestepped smoothly, catching Tyler's wrist and twisting just enough to send him stumbling.
"Wow, man," Lucifer sighed, sounding almost bored. "You're really not helping that sore loser image."
Tyler snarled, jerking free with a curse, and Lucifer's eyes flicked to Eliza—widening slightly in surprise.
"Eliza?"
She glared, hands on her hips, heart still racing. "You absolute idiot," she snapped. "Are you trying to get punched?"
He blinked, lips twitching. "What, worried about me, Drama Queen?"
"I hope he breaks your nose," she hissed, cheeks burning.
Tyler made a noise of pure rage, clearly done with the banter, and lunged again—only to be yanked back by two of his own teammates, who looked just as annoyed as they did embarrassed.
"Dude, not here," one of them hissed, shooting an apologetic look at the gathering crowd. "Coach will kill you."
Tyler spat a curse but didn't fight them, wrenching free with a dark glare.
"This isn't over," he snapped at Lucifer, eyes promising trouble.
Lucifer just shrugged, infuriatingly casual. "Cool. Looking forward to it."
The rivals finally stalked off, leaving a tense silence in their wake. The crowd slowly dispersed, muttering and side-eyeing, but Eliza barely noticed—still glowering at Lucifer with her heart in her throat.
"You're insane," she growled, smacking his arm. "Do you have a death wish?"
"Ow," Lucifer snorted, rubbing his arm. "Good to see you care."
Eliza's face flared, and she sputtered. "I—I don't—! You—shut up!"
But her hands were still shaking a little, and Lucifer's smirk softened, eyes warm.
"Hey," he said quietly, stepping closer. "Relax. I'm fine. I promise."
She huffed, crossing her arms tighter. "Idiot," she muttered, voice small.
Lucifer chuckled, nudging her shoulder lightly. "C'mon. I'll get you a drink to make up for the heart attack."
She glared half-heartedly but didn't resist as he led her back through the crowd, his arm brushing hers.
But the uneasy feeling in her gut didn't go away, and as she glanced over her shoulder—catching a glimpse of Tyler's glare from across the room—Eliza couldn't shake the sense that this wasn't over.
Not by a long shot.
To be continued....