The next few days were… awkward. Not as bad as before, but definitely not normal either.
Lucifer and Eliza told the others they'd made up — that they were friends again. Ava looked suspicious but didn't push it, which Eliza was grateful for. It wasn't exactly a lie, but it wasn't the truth either. They both knew whatever they were now wasn't the same as before. It was more. Something deeper.
But neither of them knew how to handle it yet.
So, they didn't.
They silently agreed to take things slow. No big declarations, no rushing into anything. Just… figuring it out one step at a time.
Still, things weren't exactly easy.
Lucifer was quieter than usual, sticking close to Eliza but never quite reaching for her the way she half-hoped he would. His hand would brush against hers sometimes, lingering for a second too long, but he never held it. Their conversations felt softer, more careful, like they were both afraid to break whatever this new thing was between them.
The tension wasn't bad — just... there.
Ava seemed to pick up on it. She'd shoot Eliza knowing looks now and then, especially when Lucifer hovered too close or got that soft, distracted expression he didn't even realize he wore when he glanced at Eliza.
But, to Eliza's surprise, Ava didn't push. Maybe she sensed this wasn't something Eliza was ready to talk about yet. Or maybe, for once, Ava decided to let things play out on their own.
Ryan, on the other hand? He seemed determined to make things harder — though Eliza wasn't entirely sure if he was doing it on purpose or just being his usual annoying self.
He flirted with her at every chance he got, leaning close, tossing in winks, and calling her "sweetheart" in a way that felt way too smooth to be genuine.
"Hey, Eliza," Ryan drawled one afternoon, plopping down beside her with a grin, "you wanna skip gym with me? I'm thinking of pretending to twist my ankle, but I'll need a pretty nurse to help me to the nurse's office."
Eliza rolled her eyes. "You're ridiculous."
Ryan grinned wider. "Ridiculously charming, you mean."
She snorted despite herself. "Sure, we'll go with that."
Across the room, Lucifer's head snapped up from his textbook. His jaw clenched, his eyes narrowing into a glare so sharp it could probably slice Ryan in half if looks had that kind of power.
Eliza didn't miss it.
Neither did Ryan — who, of course, leaned in closer just to be an ass.
"So, Eliza, what do you say? Ditch gym with me? We could hide out in the music room. I promise to behave." He gave her an exaggerated wink.
Lucifer's pen snapped in half.
Eliza's eyes widened. "Lucifer—"
"I'm fine," Lucifer muttered, voice tight. He didn't look fine.
Ryan bit back a laugh, clearly enjoying himself way too much.
Eliza shot him a glare. He just wiggled his brows at her like the infuriating idiot he was.
Ryan wasn't letting up either. Over the next few days, he seemed to make it his personal mission to get under Lucifer's skin.
"Hey, Eliza," he grinned during lunch, "wanna help me with homework? I could use a tutor. Or maybe just an excuse to stare at you for an hour."
Eliza groaned. "Ryan."
"What? I'm just appreciating the view."
Lucifer's fork scraped his plate loud enough to make Ava wince.
Ryan leaned closer. "We could make it a date. I'll bring snacks. You bring that brain of yours. We'll make it romantic."
Lucifer didn't say anything — but the murderous look in his eyes said plenty.
Ryan smirked, satisfied.
Meanwhile, Lily had started hovering again.
She wasn't around as much as before, but she was definitely trying to work her way back into Lucifer's orbit.
She'd find reasons to bump into him between classes or linger by his locker. Her voice was always soft, sweet, laced with something that made Eliza's stomach twist uncomfortably.
"Hey, Lucifer," Lily tried one day after school, tucking a lock of hair behind her ear. "Walk me home?"
Lucifer didn't even hesitate. "Can't. I'm busy."
Lily blinked, surprised by the blunt rejection. "Oh. Busy with what?"
Lucifer glanced toward Eliza — who was stuffing her books into her bag, pretending not to notice.
He looked away quickly. "Just… stuff."
Lily's smile faltered, but she didn't push. "Right. Maybe another time, then."
Lucifer didn't answer. He left before she could say anything else.
Eliza pretended not to feel the rush of warmth in her chest as they walked home together — not talking much, but not needing to, either.
Underneath it all — the awkwardness, the stolen glances, the lingering touches neither of them acknowledged — something unspoken hung between them.
Lucifer walked a little closer to her that day, his hand brushing against hers again. This time, he didn't pull away immediately.
Eliza didn't, either.
Her heart thudded painfully loud in her chest, but she didn't dare move, didn't dare look at him.
She wasn't sure she could handle what she might see.
All she knew was that she didn't want to go back to how things were.
His pinky curled against hers — just barely, like he was testing something.
Her throat tightened.
They weren't just friends anymore.
They both knew it.
They just didn't know what to do next.
And for now… maybe that was okay.