The final bell rang, and students flooded the hallways, eager to escape. Eliza tried to focus on stuffing her books into her bag, but her eyes kept flickering to the gym doors down the corridor, where Lucifer had just disappeared for basketball practice. The memory of Zach's murderous glare in the cafeteria still lingered, twisting uneasily in her stomach. The incident had been all anyone talked about for the rest of the day, whispers and snickers following Zach's green-haired meltdown like shadows.
Ava leaned casually against the lockers, smirking. "You're not even subtle," she teased, arching an eyebrow.
Eliza huffed, cheeks warming. "I just want to make sure he doesn't do anything stupid," she muttered, slamming her locker shut with more force than necessary. Her hands were still a bit shaky, the leftover adrenaline making her fingers fumble the zipper on her bag.
"Uh-huh," Ava snorted, pushing off the lockers to follow. "Or maybe you're just worried about your boyfriend getting beat up."
Eliza sputtered, face going hot. "He's not—shut up!" she snapped, voice a bit too high-pitched to sound convincing. Her heart fluttered annoyingly at the mere suggestion, making it even harder to fight the blush creeping up her cheeks.
Ava snickered, nudging her side. "Relax, I'm just messing with you. But you really are obvious, you know. You've been staring at those doors like they owe you money."
Eliza groaned, tugging her hood up to hide her face. "I hate you."
"You love me," Ava sang, tossing an arm around her shoulders with a grin.
They made their way to the gym, Eliza's heart thumping a bit faster with each step. The muffled sound of squeaking sneakers and shouted instructions grew louder, echoing through the hallway. She chewed on her bottom lip, trying to ignore the way her palms were suddenly clammy.
It's not a big deal, she told herself firmly. Just checking in. Making sure Zach doesn't try anything. Not because she was worried about Lucifer. Definitely not.
---
The gym was alive with the echo of bouncing basketballs and sneakers skidding across polished wood. Lucifer was in the middle of a scrimmage, weaving through players with practiced ease, sweat glistening at his temples. The sight sent a flurry of nerves fluttering in Eliza's stomach, her breath catching for a split second.
She found a spot on the bleachers, Ava plopping down beside her with a dramatic sigh. "Can you at least pretend you're not totally lovestruck?" Ava whispered, snorting when Eliza's face turned crimson.
"I will throw you off these bleachers," Eliza hissed back, though the threat was significantly weakened by the way her eyes kept drifting back to Lucifer.
Practice seemed to be wrapping up, Lucifer exchanging lazy grins with his teammates, when the gym doors banged open. Zach and his crew swaggered in, eyes already locked on Lucifer. The shift in the room was immediate—teammates glancing at each other warily, the relaxed atmosphere turning tense.
Eliza stiffened instinctively, fingers curling around the strap of her bag. Her pulse thrummed, nerves buzzing under her skin.
"Oh, great," Ava muttered, rolling her eyes. "Here we go."
Lucifer's smirk faltered for a split second before it came back sharper, a lazy grin spreading as he bounced the ball between his hands. His eyes glinted, a mix of challenge and something darker.
"Well, if it isn't the Green Goblin," Lucifer drawled, voice carrying easily. "Come for another round, or just here to scratch that itch?"
A few of his teammates choked on laughter. Even Eliza bit her lip, trying not to smile, though her heart pounded uncomfortably.
Zach's jaw clenched, eyes darkening. "Laugh it up, freak," he snapped. "Let's see how funny you are when I wipe that smirk off your face."
Lucifer chuckled, eyes glinting. "Wow, real original. Did you come up with that all by yourself, or did your whole squad have to brainstorm?"
The shove was sudden, knocking Lucifer back a step. The gym fell into a stunned silence, eyes darting between them. Eliza's heart jumped into her throat, breath catching sharply. Her nails dug into her palms, a mix of worry and anger twisting in her chest.
Lucifer caught his balance easily, rolling his shoulders with an amused chuckle. "Aw, is the little gremlin mad?" he mocked, eyes glinting with something almost dangerous. "You gonna cry, or just embarrass yourself some more?"
Zach's fist shot out. Lucifer sidestepped smoothly, grabbing Zach's arm and twisting just enough to force him back, eyes cold. The movement was effortless, a fluid motion that spoke of too many fights and too little patience.
"Not a good idea," he murmured lowly. "But if you're that desperate for attention—"
Another one of Zach's cronies lunged forward, and chaos exploded—shouts and fists flying, teammates struggling to pull them apart. The noise was deafening, echoing off the gym walls, and Eliza was on her feet before she realized it, heart hammering. "Stop it!" she yelled, but her voice was swallowed in the noise.
Lucifer blocked a punch, teeth gritted, eyes blazing. A cut above his brow trickled a thin line of crimson, but he didn't back down, jaw tight with anger. The sight made something twist painfully in Eliza's chest—fear, anger, and something she didn't want to name.
Ava groaned, slapping a hand over her face. "Boys," she muttered. "They're so stupid. I can't."
The fight only ended when Coach's furious roar cut through the noise, the doors slamming open so hard they rattled. "What in the hell is going on here?" Coach thundered, eyes narrowed into slits.
The gym fell deathly silent, even Zach flinching at the tone. Coach's glare could've melted concrete. "My office. All of you. Now."
Zach's glare flickered to Lucifer one last time, venomous and promising murder. But with Coach's glare boring into him, he had no choice but to storm out with a growl.
As the doors swung shut, Lucifer exhaled sharply, running a hand through his hair. The adrenaline seemed to drain out of him at once, leaving his shoulders slumped and brow creased with pain.
Eliza rushed forward, hands fluttering nervously. "Are you okay?" she blurted, eyes wide and worried. Her voice came out more breathless than intended, heart still pounding against her ribcage.
Lucifer chuckled breathlessly, eyes softening as he glanced down at her. "I'm fine, drama queen," he assured, though his smirk was weaker, a wince tugging at the edges.
Eliza huffed, unconvinced, hands already reaching up instinctively. Her thumb brushed the cut above his brow, light and hesitant, breath hitching at the sight of crimson staining her skin.
"You're bleeding, you idiot," she muttered, cheeks warm and eyes narrowed.
Lucifer's eyes darkened a fraction, smirk curling despite the pain. "Aw, worried about me?" he teased, voice dropping. His eyes glinted with that familiar spark, amusement and something softer.
Eliza's face went nuclear. "I—I just don't want you bleeding all over the floor!" she protested weakly, scowling. The lie was painfully transparent, and the way Lucifer's grin widened said he knew it.
His chuckle was low and warm. "Sure," he murmured, eyes glinting with trouble. "Whatever you say, drama queen"
Eliza groaned, burying her face in her hands. "I hate you," she mumbled, voice muffled.
Lucifer's laugh echoed softly, a mix of pain and amusement. "i know"
To be continued....