Lucas spent the evening replaying the events of the library over and over in his head. The way Ethan had appeared, confident and commanding, left him feeling like he didn't stand a chance with Lily. His presence had been magnetic—effortless in a way Lucas could only dream of being.
"She's just being nice," Lucas muttered, staring at his open notebook. The page in front of him was more doodles than notes, a testament to his wandering thoughts. But a small, stubborn voice inside him refused to let him believe that was all there was to Lily's smiles and kind words.
By the next morning, Lucas had resolved to try. He might not be as smooth as Ethan or as popular, but he could find a way to stand out—somehow.
---
The school day passed in a blur. Lucas was so preoccupied with his thoughts that he barely registered the morning lessons. When the lunch bell rang, he grabbed his notebook and headed straight for the library, his heart thudding in his chest.
Lily was already there, sitting at their usual table near the window. Sunlight streamed through the glass, highlighting the warm tones of her auburn hair as she scribbled something in her notebook.
"Hey, Lucas!" she said brightly as he approached. "Ready to tackle this project?"
"Yeah," Lucas said, sliding into the seat across from her. He pulled out his notes, trying to shake off the nervous energy that had followed him all morning. "I've been thinking about the leadership theme we talked about. We could focus on how Ellie grows into her role as the leader of the group."
Lily nodded, her expression thoughtful. "That's a great idea. We could also tie it to the decisions she has to make and how they impact everyone else. Like when she chooses to stay and fight instead of running away."
Lucas smiled. "Exactly. It's not just about her stepping up, but about how those choices weigh on her. You can see how much they change her over time."
The two of them fell into an easy rhythm, bouncing ideas off each other as they refined their outline. For a while, Lucas forgot all about Ethan and his doubts. Here, in this quiet corner of the library, it felt like it was just the two of them.
---
When they finally finished outlining their presentation, Lily leaned back in her chair, a satisfied smile spreading across her face.
"You're really good at this, you know," she said, tapping her pen against her notebook. "Most people would've just gone with the obvious themes, but you've got a fresh perspective."
Lucas felt his face grow warm. "Thanks. I guess I just... like thinking about how things connect. Stories are kind of like puzzles when you break them down."
"Well, it's working," Lily said, starting to gather her papers. "I think we're going to ace this."
As they packed up, Lucas hesitated. His heart pounded as he debated whether or not to speak. The words he wanted to say hovered on the tip of his tongue, and he knew this was his chance.
"Lily," he said finally, his voice slightly shaky, "do you want to, I don't know, maybe hang out sometime? Outside of school, I mean."
Lily looked up, her expression surprised but not unkind. "Hang out?"
"Yeah," Lucas said quickly, fumbling for an explanation. "Like, grab a coffee or something. Just as friends."
Before Lily could respond, the library door swung open with a loud creak. Both of them turned to see Ethan walking in, his easy grin firmly in place as usual.
"Lily! There you are," Ethan called out, striding confidently toward their table.
Lucas tensed as Ethan approached, his presence instantly commanding the room. It was as if the air shifted to accommodate him.
"Oh, hey, Ethan," Lily said, her tone warm but casual. "What's up?"
"Just wanted to remind you about the fundraiser this weekend," Ethan said, glancing briefly at Lucas before refocusing on Lily. "We could use your help with the decorations. You're still coming, right?"
"Of course," Lily said with a small smile. "I'll be there."
"Awesome," Ethan said, his grin widening. "We've got a ton of work to do, but with you on board, it'll be a breeze."
With a quick nod to Lucas that felt more like an afterthought, Ethan turned and left as abruptly as he'd arrived, leaving an unmistakable void in his wake.
---
"Sorry about that," Lily said, turning back to Lucas. "Ethan's been super busy with the fundraiser. It's kind of his baby. He's really passionate about it."
"Right," Lucas said, forcing a smile.
Lily glanced at her watch, a faint frown crossing her face. "I've got to run to class. But thanks for working on this with me, Lucas. Let's rehearse our presentation tomorrow, okay?"
"Yeah, sure," Lucas said, his voice sounding far too casual for the frustration bubbling inside him.
As Lily walked away, Lucas stayed seated, staring at the clutter of books and papers on the table. Ethan's interruption replayed in his mind, the confidence in his stride and the ease with which he commanded Lily's attention.
It wasn't just the fact that Ethan seemed to have an effortless connection with Lily—it was the way Lucas felt invisible in his presence, as if he were nothing more than a background character in their story.
---
That evening, Lucas sat in his room, staring blankly at the ceiling. His notebook lay open on his desk, untouched. The words Ethan had said to Lily, the way she had smiled at him—it all gnawed at him, a constant loop in his head.
If Lucas was going to stand out to Lily, he needed more than just good conversation during project sessions. He needed a way to show her who he was—what made him unique. But how?
By the time midnight rolled around, Lucas had come up with a plan. It wasn't much, but it was something. Lily loved books, loved stories. What if he found a way to connect with her on that level?
The next day during lunch, Lucas made a beeline for the school library, but not to work on their project. Instead, he headed to the fiction section, scanning the shelves for something—anything—that might give him an edge. His fingers hovered over the spines of classic novels and contemporary favorites until he spotted it: *The Fault in Our Stars.*
Lily had mentioned it once in passing, calling it one of her favorite books. Lucas had never read it, but he decided he would now. If he couldn't outshine Ethan in confidence or charm, maybe he could win Lily over by understanding what mattered most to her.
As Lucas checked out the book and left the library, a flicker of determination ignited inside him. He wasn't sure where this plan would lead, but one thing was clear: he wasn't going to give up. Not yet.