he apartment was a blend of modern aesthetics and understated charm. Its cozy two-room design featured clean lines and muted tones, with just enough luxury to reflect Eliss's taste without being ostentatious.
The living room had a large L-shaped gray sectional sofa adorned with soft black and white throw pillows. A sleek, low-rise black coffee table sat atop a plush beige area rug. One wall was lined with built-in bookshelves, filled with an eclectic mix of novels, racing trophies, and a few framed photographs. The opposite wall hosted a massive flat-screen TV, mounted above an electric fireplace whose soft glow filled the room with warmth.
The open-plan kitchen was separated by a polished quartz island with high stools, where Eliss sat nursing a mug of black coffee. The kitchen had glossy white cabinets with gold handles, stainless steel appliances, and pendant lights casting a soft amber glow. Floor-to-ceiling windows offered a view of the school grounds nearby, though Eliss had drawn the curtains halfway, muting the light.
Tom paced around the living room, his sneakers squeaking faintly against the polished hardwood floor. "Eliss, you can't just hole up here and avoid everyone," he said, gesturing dramatically. "Go talk to your parents. They're worried, man."
Eliss leaned back on the barstool, rubbing his temples. He looked tired, his usually sharp demeanor dulled. "I don't need Rebecca breathing down my neck about some fake relationship our parents cooked up," he said bitterly. "Going back means dealing with her. I just want some peace, Tom. That's all."
Tom plopped onto the couch, folding his arms. "Ignoring them won't bring you peace, you know. You're just postponing the inevitable."
Eliss shot him a pointed look. "And what's your brilliant solution? Go back to that house, listen to Rebecca talk about Paris weddings and corporate mergers, and pretend I care?"
Tom shrugged. "Maybe not. But you could go back, clear the air, and set boundaries. Make it clear you're not playing along anymore."
Eliss sighed, staring into his coffee. "That's easy for you to say. You don't have parents who think they own your future."
Tom leaned forward, his voice softening. "No, I don't. But I know you, Eliss. Hiding isn't your style. You race through life at full speed, but this? This isn't you."
Eliss remained quiet for a moment, his eyes fixed on the black liquid in his mug. Finally, he said, "Maybe I'm tired of running, Tom. Maybe I just want to stop for once. To breathe."
Tom tilted his head, studying him. "Then take a breath. But don't let them steal your voice. You're Eliss Greyson. You don't do anything halfway—so why start now?"
Eliss's lips curved into the faintest hint of a smile, though it didn't reach his eyes. "You always know how to talk me into things."
Tom grinned. "That's why you keep me around."
Tom leaned back on the couch, tossing a cushion in the air and catching it absentmindedly, . "by the way, what's the deal with you and Lilly?" he asked casually, though the mischievous glint in his eyes was anything but subtle.
Eliss, sitting cross-legged on the armchair across from him, didn't even flinch. His expression stayed cool as he focused on his coffee. "There's no deal," he said flatly.
Tom scoffed, leaning forward. "Oh, come on. You think I haven't noticed? You're different around her. And don't give me that 'nothing to see here' look. It's me, Eliss. I know you."
Eliss's jaw tightened slightly, but he didn't look up. "You're imagining things."
"Am I?" Tom pressed, his tone turning more playful. "Because the last time Lilly walked into a room, you went from calm and composed to... what's the word? Distracted."
Eliss let out a dry laugh, shaking his head. "That's ridiculous. I was probably just tired."
"Sure," Tom said, dragging out the word. He leaned back again, his grin widening. "Except you didn't look tired. You looked like someone trying really hard not to notice her."
Eliss's fingers tightened around his coffee mug, but he didn't say anything.
Tom smirked. "You've got a thing for her, don't you?"
Eliss finally looked up, his eyes narrowing. "No, I don't."
"Right," Tom said, dragging out the word again. "And I suppose that's why you turn into a socially awkward mess every time she talks to you."
"I do not," Eliss said firmly, a little too quickly.
Tom pointed a finger at him, grinning like he'd just caught Eliss in a lie. "Ah-ha! See? That reaction right there. You're so defensive. Admit it—you've got feelings for her."
Eliss set his coffee down and crossed his arms. "I don't have feelings for her," he said, his tone clipped. "Lilly's... fine. She's nice. That's it."
"Nice?" Tom echoed, raising an eyebrow. "You're describing her like she's a chair."
"What do you want me to say?" Eliss snapped, glaring at him. "That she's amazing? That she's smart and funny and... and frustrating as hell because she doesn't let me get away with anything?"
Tom grinned triumphantly. "That'll do."
Eliss groaned, leaning back in his chair and covering his face with his hands. "You're impossible."
"And you're in denial," Tom shot back. "Look, it's not a crime to like someone, Eliss. Just admit it."
Eliss dropped his hands and gave Tom a hard look. "Even if I did—which I don't—it wouldn't matter. Lilly and I... we're not—" He paused, searching for the right words. "It's complicated."
Tom tilted his head, his grin softening. "Complicated doesn't mean impossible, you know."
Eliss sighed, running a hand through his hair. "It's not that simple."
"Nothing worth it ever is," Tom said, leaning forward. "But, Eliss, you're not fooling anyone. Especially not yourself."
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[Scene: Mia and Lilly are sitting in a campus café, sipping their drinks. The conversation shifts to Eliss, whom both of them have interacted with a few times.]
Mia: (casually, but with a sly smile) "So... what's going on between you and Eliss?"
Lilly: (startled, nearly choking on her coffee) "What? Nothing's going on! We barely even know each other."
Mia: (leaning forward, teasing) "Barely, sure. But the way he acts around you? That's not nothing."
Lilly: (frowning) "Eliss has a girlfriend, doesn't he? Rebecca, or something like that?"
Mia: (nodding) "Yeah, but I don't think things are going great between them. Have you noticed how distant he gets when someone mentions her? And yet, when he's around you..."
Lilly: (cutting her off) "Mia, stop. Whatever you think is happening, it's not. He's just polite to me because we've run into each other a few times. That's all."
Mia: (grinning knowingly) "Polite? Please. He's different when you're around. Like, he's on edge, but in a good way. It's like he's trying to impress you without making it obvious."
Lilly: (shaking her head, but her tone softens) "You're imagining things. I barely know the guy."
Mia: (shrugs) "Maybe. Or maybe he's got something on his mind that's stopping him from being honest about how he feels."
Lilly: (sighing) "He has a girlfriend, Mia. Even if there was something—and I'm not saying there is—it wouldn't matter. I'm not about to get involved in that kind of mess."
Mia: (leaning back, thoughtful) "Fair enough. But don't pretend you don't feel something. Just saying, sometimes these things are more complicated than they seem."
Lilly: (firmly) "Complicated or not, it's not happening. Let's just drop it, okay?"
Mia: (raising her hands in mock surrender) "Fine, fine. I'll drop it. But for the record, if something does happen, I won't say I told you so."
[Lilly rolls her eyes, but as the conversation shifts to other topics, a flicker of uncertainty crosses her face.]
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Mia: (grinning, a little excited) "Okay, so here's the deal—Tom asked me out, and we're going on a hiking trip this weekend."
Lilly: (surprised) "Wait, Tom actually asked you out?"
Mia: (nodding) "Yeah! It's a bit sudden, but I think it'll be fun. But... here's the thing. I kinda want you to come too. You know, as my moral support. I don't want to go alone with him just yet."
Lilly: (hesitant) "Moral support? What do you mean?"
Mia: (smiling) "Come on, I know you're not a huge fan of Tom, but I need someone who can keep me grounded. Plus, we can make it fun together, right? You know how awkward these things can get. And besides, if you don't come, I won't go. It'll be way too weird without you there."
Lilly: (pauses, thinking) "I don't know, Mia... It's been a while since I've done something like that. And, well... I've been kind of busy with school stuff."
Mia: (pleading) "Please, Lilly. You're the only one I can count on to keep things normal. Plus, we can use the hike as a chance to talk and catch up. It'll be good for us both."
Lilly: (sighs) "Fine. I'll come with you. But I'm not making any promises that I'll enjoy it."
Mia: (grinning widely) "Yes! Thank you! It'll be fun, I promise. And who knows, maybe we'll even get to talk more about... other things." (her eyes flicker for a second, hinting at the underlying tension between Lilly and Eliss)
..................
Tom: (excited, speaking quickly) "Hey, man, I can't believe you're actually going hiking with us this weekend. It's gonna be awesome, you know?"
Eliss: (shrugging, not showing much enthusiasm) "Yeah, whatever. You know I'm not really into these things, but I'll go."
Tom: (grinning, trying to be upbeat) "Come on, you're gonna have fun. Plus, Lilly's going. I think you two need to have a proper talk, you know? Clear the air after... everything."
Eliss: (frowning, clearly uncomfortable) "I don't know what you're talking about. There's nothing to talk about."
Tom: (teasing) "You don't fool me, man. I saw how you two were when you met up after that party. It was a whole different vibe."
Eliss: (looking away, avoiding eye contact) "I don't think about it, alright? I was drunk, it doesn't count."
Tom: (raising an eyebrow) "Really? So you're saying the kiss meant nothing?"
Eliss: (irritated, defensive) "It didn't mean anything. Let's just leave it at that. I'm not interested in going back there."
Tom: (smirking) "Fine, man. If you say so. But honestly, Lilly's been weird about it too. Maybe you should clear the air with her, so things don't get even more awkward. You know how these things go."
Eliss: (shrugging again, disinterested) "Whatever. I'll talk to her if I have to, but it's not a big deal."
Tom: (mock serious) "Well, if you don't clear the air, I'm telling you, it's gonna mess things up. Anyway, it'll be good for you. Besides, you could always use a little fun, right?"
Eliss: (looking at Tom coldly) "Just drop it, alright? I'm not here for drama. I just want to get through the weekend."
.............................
As the four of them head to the parking lot, Tom and Mia share a quiet exchange before moving to a separate car. Tom gives Eliss and Lilly a pointed look as he slides into the driver's seat of his car.
Tom: (looking at Eliss and Lilly) "We don't need anyone disturbing us. You two handle your own thing."
Without waiting for a response, Tom and Mia start their car and drive off, leaving Eliss and Lilly behind.
Eliss doesn't say anything, but his jaw tightens. He slides into the driver's seat of their car, and Lilly hesitates for a moment before sitting in the passenger seat.
The silence between them is thick and awkward. Neither of them knows what to say.
Finally, after a few moments of driving, Eliss breaks the silence.
Eliss: (coldly) "Lilly, we need to talk about what happened at the party."
Lilly shifts uncomfortably in her seat, her hands clasped in her lap. She glances over at him briefly, but then looks away quickly, unsure of how to respond.
Lilly: (softly) "I… I don't remember anything."
Her words hang in the air, and Eliss' eyes flicker to her for just a moment, but there's no trace of warmth. His grip on the steering wheel tightens, and his face hardens, the frustration bubbling up. He had expected her to at least acknowledge what happened, to say something. Anything.
Eliss: (his voice low, angry) "You don't remember?"
His voice is sharp now, his eyes narrowing. A flash of anger crosses his face, and without saying another word, he slams his foot on the accelerator, making the car speed up. The engine roars louder as the car speeds down the road, the tension between them growing unbearable.
Lilly holds onto the seat, her breath catching slightly as she feels the sudden shift in his mood.
She had hoped for something different, but Eliss' reaction was colder than she expected. The car seems to be moving faster with every second, the distance between them and the others growing.