A few days passed, and the tension between Lucifer and Zach's crew slowly faded, replaced by the collective dread of the upcoming exams. The halls buzzed with stressed-out students clutching textbooks and muttering formulas under their breath. Even Lucifer, who usually scoffed at the idea of studying, seemed unusually quiet during lunch, slumping in his seat with a dramatic groan.
Eliza arched an eyebrow, stabbing a fork into her salad. "Wow, you look like you just found out recess was canceled forever."
Lucifer's head lolled back against the cafeteria wall, eyes half-lidded with boredom. "Might as well be. This calculus crap is gonna kill me," he mumbled. "I'm not even kidding, Eliza, I looked at the review packet, and I swear it tried to bite me."
Ava snorted, flicking a crumb at him. "Maybe if you actually went to class instead of napping in the library, you wouldn't be in this mess."
Lucifer groaned louder, throwing an arm over his face. "Betrayed by my own best friends. This is it. This is how I die."
Eliza rolled her eyes but couldn't hide her grin. "Don't be so dramatic. We can go over it together if you want."
He peeked at her from under his arm, eyes glinting with a sudden spark of hope. "You'd really sacrifice your precious study time for little ol' me?"
She huffed, flicking a crumb right back at him. "Only because I can't stand the thought of you whining all through exam week."
Lucifer's grin stretched, lazy and smug. "You're an angel, Princess ."
By Friday afternoon, the library was packed and far too noisy to focus. Eliza squeezed through clusters of students and found an empty corner by the windows, but even with her headphones in, she could barely concentrate.
Her phone buzzed, and she glanced down, lips twitching.
Lucifer: My place? Mom made that pasta thing you like. Plus, I need my favorite tutor.
Eliza: You're only saying that because you're desperate.
Lucifer: Desperate for your genius, obviously. ;)
Lucifer: Also, Mom's threatening to ground me if I fail again. Save me, pls.
Eliza: ...Fine, but we're actually studying this time.
Lucifer: No promises, Drama Queen.
Eliza rolled her eyes but couldn't fight the tiny smile tugging at her lips. She packed her books, fighting the flutter of nerves in her stomach as she headed for the bus stop.
---
The sun was dipping low by the time she reached Lucifer's house, painting the sky in hues of orange and pink. The door swung open before she could knock, and Mrs. Hale's warm smile greeted her.
"Eliza, sweetheart! It's been a while. Come in, come in," Mrs. Hale beamed, pulling her into a quick hug.
Eliza smiled, relaxing instantly. "Hi, Aunty! It smells amazing in here."
"Oh, you're too sweet," Mrs. Hale laughed, waving her into the kitchen. "Go on up. I'll bring some snacks in a bit."
Lucifer was sprawled dramatically on his bed, one arm flung over his face. He peeked through his fingers when she stepped in.
"Finally. Thought you ditched me for a second there."
"You wish," Eliza snorted, dropping her bag on the floor. "Get your books out. We've got a lot to cover."
He groaned but pushed himself up, hair rumpled and eyes half-lidded with exhaustion. "Are you sure we can't just... I don't know, burn the textbooks and live off the grid?"
Eliza leveled him with a deadpan stare. "Very sure. Now, stop whining."
---
They settled on the carpet, books and notebooks spread out between them. Eliza explained each problem with patient precision, occasionally flicking Lucifer's forehead when he zoned out. To his credit, he actually seemed to be focusing—well, as much as Lucifer could focus.
By the time Mrs. Hale brought in a tray of cookies and lemonade, Lucifer's head was tipped back against the bed, eyes glazed over.
"I can't take it anymore," he groaned, clutching his chest. "My brain's gonna leak out of my ears."
Eliza snorted, popping a cookie into her mouth. "Maybe if you didn't skip class so much, you'd actually understand this stuff."
"Rude," he muttered, flinging a crumpled piece of paper at her face. Eliza caught it effortlessly, arching an eyebrow.
"Is it rude if it's true?" she smirked.
He huffed, grabbing a cookie and taking a grumpy bite. "You're a menace."
They worked until the sky outside turned dark, math problems gradually turning into half-hearted jokes and muttered complaints. Despite the headache pulsing at her temples, Eliza couldn't help but feel oddly at ease—sitting here, side by side, with nothing but the soft rustling of paper and Lucifer's quiet grumbling filling the silence.
When the clock hit nine, Eliza stretched with a wince, her spine cracking. Lucifer flopped back with a dramatic sigh, pen slipping from his fingers.
"Okay," he declared, voice muffled against the bedspread. "I'm done. I'm out. I can't do this anymore."
"You've still got two more problems," Eliza pointed out, fighting a smile.
"I'd rather die," he deadpanned, throwing an arm over his face. "Just let me fail in peace."
Eliza rolled her eyes but nudged his ankle with her foot. "You're such a drama queen."
"Says you," he snorted, peeking out with a half-smirk.
A comfortable silence settled, broken only by the distant hum of the heater and the scratch of Eliza's pen. When Mrs. Hale peeked in to offer a ride home, Eliza shook her head, cheeks warm.
"It's okay, Aunty. I'll just take the bus."
"Nonsense," Mrs. Hale tutted, waving her off. "Lucifer, you're walking her home. It's too dark out."
Lucifer groaned but didn't argue, already dragging himself up with a dramatic sigh. "C'mon, Sunshine," he grumbled, grabbing his hoodie. "Can't have you getting kidnapped or something."
Eliza snorted, shoving her books back into her bag. "Pretty sure I can handle myself."
"Uh-huh," Lucifer smirked, nudging her towards the door. "Whatever you say, Karate Kid."
---
The night air was crisp, clouds veiling the moon in soft shadows. They walked side by side, Lucifer's hands shoved into his hoodie pockets, shoulders brushing occasionally. Their conversation drifted aimlessly—from stupid memes to Ava's latest gossip—until they reached Eliza's porch.
She hesitated at the bottom step, fingers curling around her bag strap. "Thanks," she mumbled, eyes flickering to the ground. "For actually trying today, I mean."
Lucifer scoffed, though his grin softened. "Yeah, yeah. Don't get all mushy on me, Drama Queen."
She rolled her eyes, biting back a smile. "Goodnight, idiot."
"Night," he drawled, chuckling as he turned back down the path. "Dream of math problems."
Eliza huffed, watching him disappear down the street with a tiny smile. Her chest felt oddly light, nerves fluttering softly.
As she slipped inside, the lingering warmth of Lucifer's lazy grin stayed with her long into the night.
To be continued....