Dangerous Illusion

Chapter 5

But just as Lucas opens his mouth to speak, someone else beats him to it.

“Lucas!”

Because, of course, my day wasn’t already falling apart enough. That high-pitched voice cuts through the air like a knife—sharp, piercing, and absolutely impossible to ignore.

I barely have time to register the sound before a girl comes sprinting toward us. And not a cute jog or a graceful glide—no, she’s full-on charging like a rom-com heroine in a finale scene. Within seconds, she’s latched onto Lucas, pouting and whining like a toddler denied candy.

“You’re very mean. Why didn’t you wait for me?”

Long, blonde, beach-wavy hair that probably cost thousands to maintain. Legs for days. A figure that screams Pinterest aesthetic. And, of course, the ever-so-fantastic title of cheer captain at our school.

Lily Mortez.

The same Lily Mortez who somehow manages to float down hallways like she’s gliding through a fragrance commercial. The same Lily who, according to rumor, has probably been with ninety percent of the guys at school. They say her grades are magically kept afloat thanks to… extracurricular activities, if you know what I mean.

But here’s the thing—I’ve known her long enough to call bluff on that one. Despite the whispers and nasty gossip, Lily Mortez is smart. Frustratingly smart. She’s the type who can solve an equation while reapplying lip gloss. Beauty and brains wrapped in one perfectly packaged, annoyingly flawless human being.

It wasn’t always just me and Lucas growing up. Not after that one summer when a big, clunky moving van pulled into the neighborhood and brought the Mortez family with it.

Since that day, Lily’s been stuck to Lucas like a second shadow—if shadows wore glitter and lip gloss and had an obsession with perfect winged eyeliner.

She slides her arm around his waist, pressing close like she owns the real estate rights to his torso. Then she tilts her head up, lips puckered in that classic "kiss me now" pose. From this angle, she looks like a baby bird begging for worms.

I’m not a fan of couples being all lovey-dovey in public. I’m not saying people can’t be in love—go be adorable all you want—but keep the full PDA display for your bedrooms or a Nicholas Sparks movie. Out here in the wild? There should be rules.

So when Lucas leans in to kiss her, that’s it. That’s the moment everything clicks into place.

This… this is what he wanted to tell me.

He’s dating Lily.

And honestly? I can’t even bring myself to be surprised.

Of course it’s her.

This is the part where I pretend I don’t care and walk away with whatever dignity I have left.

I turn on my heel, roll my eyes in secret, and walk away without looking back. Not that they’d notice—I’ve basically faded into background noise.

But apparently, peace isn’t something I’m allowed.

Five minutes later, the dynamic duo actually have the nerve to follow me.

I’ve already taken the path that leads to the park. Lucas’s house is in the opposite direction. So why are they behind me?

“So, where are we going?” Lily asks sweetly, her voice syrupy enough to cause a cavity. And even though she doesn’t say my name, I just know she’s talking to me. I can feel her gaze drilling a hole through the back of my head. Like her eyes have lasers.

“We’re, um…” Lucas hesitates. “Do you want me to bring you home?”

“Nope,” Lily chirps, smiling. “It’s already late, so I guess I’ll stay over at your place.”

Late?

The sun hasn’t even fully set. There’s still a warm orange glow over everything. The moon’s off taking a nap somewhere, not even ready to rise. If this is her version of late, then I guess Pluto’s reapplying for status as the largest planet in the solar system.

I hear them slow down, so I glance over my shoulder just in time to see Lily dramatically pointing at a park bench.

“Let’s go sit over there,” she says, like she’s been hiking Mount Everest and needs a break.

Lucas arches a brow. “Are you tired already?”

She reaches for her ankle like she’s in a play, fluttering her fingers around it with a delicate frown. “I think I twisted it during rehearsal. It hurts a little when I walk.”

Of course it does.

At this point, I pick up my pace. I can’t handle this. I can’t watch Lily play damsel-in-distress while Lucas plays knight-in-shining-dimples.

Their voices start to fade, and I let them.

Even when Lucas calls my name, I don’t slow down.

He chose this circus.

He can stay and entertain the crowd.

“Kaia, can we stop for a while?”

“Yeah. You guys do that,” I mutter over my shoulder without stopping.

If he thinks I’ll stick around because Lily’s pretending to limp like she’s in a soap opera, he’s sorely mistaken.

By the time I make it home, I feel like I’ve run a mental marathon.

Mom’s in the kitchen, chopping something and humming softly. Dad’s in the living room, watching the evening news with his usual serious face.

I set my bag down and make a beeline for the kitchen. I need water. Like, now.

“What’s with the grumpy face, sweetheart?” Mom asks without looking up.

I can’t tell her I’m upset because my master plan of getting Lucas to forget I exist isn’t working. She’ll turn into that mom real quick.

“You asked him to stay away? Are you embarrassed by him? Kaia, I didn’t raise you to be unkind.”

Yeah. No thanks.

So instead, I lie.

“Our biology teacher gave us a group project, and it’s due in two days.”

“Biology?” she asks, raising a brow. “Isn’t that your favorite?”

“It is,” I reply, dragging a hand down my face. “But two days is crazy short.”

Mom chuckles. “You’ll manage. Now go wash up. Dinner’s almost ready.”

I nod and head upstairs. Quick shower. Change of clothes. Come back down and help with the table.

Dinner goes by without drama. I bury myself in homework from nine until almost eleven. Eventually, my brain gives out.

I decide to call it a night.

I check my phone—almost one a.m.

Perfect. Early morning, barely any sleep. What a dream life.

I curl into bed, blanket up to my chin, eyelids growing heavier with every passing second.

Knock.

I frown but stay still.

Knock.

Louder this time.

You’ve got to be kidding me.

I clench the blanket in my fists. Can’t I just sleep in peace?

Another knock.

Fine.

I throw the blanket off, stomp to the window, and yank it open.

And there he is.

Lucas, perched on a tree branch like some ridiculous Disney prince who took a wrong turn. His hair’s a mess, his smile too sweet for someone who caused my emotional breakdown today.

“Mind if I come in?”