**CHAPTER 22**
**LILLY POV**
The cafeteria was noisier than usual, voices bouncing off glass and marble like waves crashing into each other. I sat alone near the window, tracing the edge of my tray with my finger while my sandwich remained untouched. My class schedule was still inked into the back of my notebook like a map I wasn't sure how to follow.
Despite the bright sun filtering through the window, everything inside me felt cloudy. I had returned to Ravenholt as a student—officially, openly, freely. But the fear hadn't completely left. Not yet.
"You always this quiet?"
I looked up, startled.
It was the same guy who'd spoken to me in the library. The one with the kind eyes and a soft, slow grin that didn't feel like it belonged to someone at Ravenholt.
"No," I said carefully, "just distracted."
He pulled out the chair opposite mine.
"Mind if I sit?"
I hesitated, but then nodded. He sat.
"I'm Enzo," he said. "You're Lilly, right?"
"Yeah."
He unwrapped a chocolate muffin and offered half. I blinked.
"What? I share when I'm nervous," he said with a crooked smile.
I found myself smiling back. "You're nervous?"
"A little. First week here. Transferred from Grayson College. Still figuring out the ecosystem."
We talked a little—about classes, about how crowded the halls got at noon, about the weird smell coming from the north wing labs. He was easy to talk to. Too easy.
I caught myself laughing at something he said and quickly looked away.
Not because I felt guilty. Just... conflicted.
Because when I glanced across the cafeteria, I saw **him**.
**LUCA POV**
Enzo. I should've known his name. Should've guessed he'd be the type to sit across from her with that confident, easy attitude. The kind of guy who knew how to make people feel safe.
Unlike me.
I stood by the vending machine, pretending to scroll through my phone, every muscle in my body wound tight. I watched as she smiled—a real one—and something sharp twisted in my chest.
She looked comfortable. Like she could actually breathe around him.
Julian appeared beside me, holding a can of soda.
"You're doing that thing again."
"What thing?"
"The brooding death stare. You look like you're plotting an assassination."
I didn't answer.
Julian glanced across the room. "Is that Enzo?"
I nodded.
"He was in my Ethics class last semester. Nice guy. Smart. Good grades."
I hated how that made my stomach churn.
Julian sipped his drink. "You know, if you keep this up, she might just think you're over her."
"I'm not *under* her," I snapped.
Julian raised an eyebrow. "Sure."
Across the room, Lilly stood to leave. Enzo followed a few seconds later, waving goodbye as he veered toward the science wing.
Lilly moved through the crowd like she didn't notice any of it. But I noticed *everything*.
The way her eyes didn't meet mine.
The way she didn't pause.
The way I suddenly realized: I was losing time.
Julian clapped a hand on my shoulder. "Tick-tock, Luca."
---
**LILLY POV**
Later that evening, I walked past the empty east hallway, my shoes echoing down the marble floor. Cleaning crews were gone. Campus was quiet.
I paused outside the music room. The door was slightly ajar.
Someone was playing piano. Softly. Slowly. The melody was fractured, like someone unsure of what came next.
I stepped closer, and saw **Luca** inside, seated at the piano bench, alone.
He didn't see me. His fingers hovered over the keys like they were something sacred. He looked... human.
I almost walked away.
But then he played the next note—a soft, careful E—and I stayed.
I didn't know what we were anymore. But I knew the music sounded sadder than it used to.
And maybe that meant something.
---
**LUCA POV**
The music echoed gently in the quiet room. I let my fingers fall silent over the keys, sensing that someone was there.
I turned my head slowly. And there she was.
Lilly.
Standing in the doorway like a question I didn't know how to answer.
Her expression was unreadable. Curious. Maybe a little sad.
"That was... beautiful," she said softly.
"Just messing around."
"It didn't sound like messing around."
I gave a short laugh and looked down at the keys. "Maybe that's the problem."
She stepped into the room, letting the door fall shut behind her.
I stood slowly.
"You okay?" I asked.
She nodded. Then paused. "You?"
"I'm trying."
A beat passed between us. The space wasn't hostile. It wasn't warm either. It just... was.
"That guy—Enzo," I said, voice lower, "is he... something?"
She looked up at me. "He's nice."
"That wasn't my question."
She tilted her head. "I don't know yet."
And with that, she turned to go.
Leaving me behind with the music, the silence, and the ache of what I hadn't said soon enough.