Lily couldn't help but smile as she crossed Justin's name off her list. It hadn't taken long for him to fall for her charm, and with one kiss, she already had her first victory. She leaned back on her bed, the folder of photos spread out before her. Each face represented another step closer to dethroning Samantha.

Her phone buzzed, and she saw a text from Tyler: "How's the mission going, Commander?"

Lily laughed softly, texting back, "One down. Now tell me about this guy-Nico. He seems interesting." She attached a photo of Nico, his dark hair messy and his eyes intense, with a brooding look that caught her attention.

Tyler replied almost instantly, "Ah, Nico. He's known for his graffiti. The guy's an artist, a bit of a rebel. He's always getting into trouble, but he's got some serious talent."

Lily's interest piqued. A guy who was both artistic and rebellious sounded like a challenge she couldn't resist. The next day at school, she decided to make her move.

During art class, she made sure to sit close to Nico. He was busy sketching something intricate, completely absorbed in his work. Lily waited for the right moment before leaning over.

"Hey, Nico," she whispered, a playful tone in her voice. "Want to hang out after school?"

Nico looked up, his eyes meeting hers, a small smile forming on his lips. "Yeah, I'm down. But I could use some help with something first."

Lily raised an eyebrow, curious. "What kind of help?"

Nico glanced around to make sure no one was listening before leaning in closer. "My spray paint got confiscated by the art teacher. It fell out of my bag, and now it's locked in that cabinet over there." He nodded toward the metal locker at the back of the classroom.

Lily's eyes narrowed as she assessed the situation. Breaking into the locker wasn't going to be easy, but it was definitely doable. She gave Nico a sly smile. "Consider it done."

When the teacher was busy helping another student, Lily made her move. She slipped behind the teacher's desk, moving quietly as she reached for the keys hanging from the side. Her heart raced as she snatched them and quickly unlocked the cabinet, retrieving Nico's spray paints. With the supplies in hand, she locked the cabinet back up and returned the keys to their place without anyone noticing.

Nico was impressed. "You're good at this," he whispered, taking the spray paint from her.

Lily shrugged with a smirk. "I'm good at a lot of things."

That night, they met up near one of the city's many abandoned buildings. Nico was already setting up his cans of spray paint, the cold metal clinking softly in the quiet night. As he began to work, Lily kept watch, knowing that their actions weren't exactly legal.

As expected, it wasn't long before the sound of approaching sirens reached them. Nico's eyes widened in panic, but Lily was already moving. She ran toward the street, waving frantically at the approaching police car.

"Officers, please help me!" she shouted, feigning distress. "A guy stole my purse! He ran that way!" She pointed in the opposite direction of where Nico was working, her voice filled with urgency.

The officers didn't hesitate, quickly following her directions. Lily waited until they were out of sight before turning back to Nico, who was already packing up his supplies.

"You're a lifesaver," Nico said, grinning at her as they hurried away from the scene.

Lily just laughed. "I've got your back."

Nico led her to a small, hidden workshop that he used for his art. The walls were covered in his graffiti, vibrant colors and intricate designs that told stories all their own. Paintings, sketches, and various art supplies were scattered everywhere, giving the space a creative, chaotic energy.

"This is where the magic happens," Nico said, gesturing to the space. "I come here when I need to get away and just create."

Lily was genuinely impressed. "It's amazing. You're really talented."

Nico blushed slightly at the compliment, rubbing the back of his neck. "Thanks. Actually... I'd love to paint a portrait of you. What do you think? Clothed or... nude?"

Lily's heart skipped a beat at the bold suggestion, but she didn't back down. Instead, she smirked, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "Nude, of course. Why not?"

Nico's eyes widened slightly in surprise, but he quickly composed himself, his hands steady as he set up his easel and began to paint. As Lily posed, she felt an unexpected thrill. There was something liberating about being captured in such an intimate way, and Nico's intense focus only heightened the experience.

When he finished, Nico stood back, admiring his work. "You're really good-looking," he said softly, his voice filled with admiration.

Lily walked over to look at the painting, and she had to admit, it was stunning. The way he had captured her was both flattering and artistic. She turned to Nico, a playful smile on her lips, and kissed him gently.

"Thanks for the painting," she whispered against his lips before pulling away.

As she left the workshop, her phone buzzed again-Tyler had texted her, asking how things had gone. She smiled to herself, knowing he'd be eager to hear the story.

When she got home, Tyler was already waiting for her in the living room. "So? How did it go with Nico?"

Lily flopped down on the couch next to him, grinning from ear to ear. "Let's just say, I crossed another name off the list. And I've got a painting to show for it."

Tyler's eyes widened in surprise and admiration. "You are something else, Lily. How are you feeling about all this?"

Lily thought for a moment, her smile fading slightly as she considered the question. "It's exciting, but I have to be careful. This is all part of the plan, and I can't let myself get too distracted."

Tyler nodded, understanding the weight of her words. "Just remember, I've got your back too. We're in this together."

Lily nodded, feeling a surge of determination. "Right. Together, we're going to take Samantha down, one step at a time."