{Author's Note: Listen to this song, Traitor - Olivia Rodrigo, whilst reading this chapter for extra feels for Lily's emotions}

Lily's POV

We're all back at home in the early hours of the morning after the party at Kai's. The room is dimly lit, with only a few lamps casting a soft glow.

I sit on the edge of the couch, my mind racing. The coffee table in front of us is cluttered with empty mugs and snack bowls, remnants of our earlier attempts to unwind and fully sober up.

I brief the girls on what happened, recounting every word and the tension in the bathroom.

"Rachel's been posting pictures of her and Finn, making it look like they're closer than they are," I explain, frustration lacing my voice, "and said ..."

"You're not seriously threatened by a few pictures" I use my best nasally high pitched accent to mimic Rachel.

"The bitch said what?" Kam yells, her voice echoing through the cozy living room.

"What other photos were posted?" Jen asks, rather coolly.

Kam pulls out her phone and opens Instagram. "Let's see these photos," she says, scrolling through Rachel's profile. The room falls silent as we all lean in to see.

"Here's one of Finn playing football. The caption says, 'My favourite player.'"

She scrolls further. "And here's another one. Rachel's making juice, and the caption reads, 'Best friend / wifey duties.'"

My heart sinks as she finds yet another photo. "And this one's at the gym. She's with Finn, and the caption says, '#tbt ... need to get back to the Gym with my fave .'"

My face goes pale as I look at the second picture. "That mason jar," I say aloud, my voice trembling. "Wasn't that the same jar I drank juice from at his place?"

Kam looks at me, puzzled. "What do you mean?"

"I asked Finn about it, and he said Shawn's mum made the juice," I continue, my mind racing. "But that's Rachel in the photo, making the juice. Why would he lie about something like that?"

Jen's eyes widen in realization. "Lily, you need to talk to him about this."

The weight of the situation presses down on me. "I will," I say, feeling a mix of fear and determination, I grab my phone fumbling with my passcode. "I need to know what's really going on."

"As much as I love a confrontation like the next person, it's four a.m." Kam starts, "It's too late for you to rush to his apartment and you're still kind of tipsy"

"Kam's right," Jen pauses and rubs her temples. "Right now, you're pissed, exhausted and tipsy. A combo that is aching for a bad conversation. Talking to him in this state won't help. You need to be calm and collected."

I take a deep breath, nodding. "You're right. I'll wait until later today, after his Saturday training session."

Jen rubs my shoulders. "Good. We'll be here for you, no matter what happens."

And Kam smiles, though her eyes still show a hint of irritation. "Try to get some rest, Lily. You'll think more clearly in the morning."

"Goodnight, guys," I say, managing a small smile that doesn't quite reach my eyes. I walk to my room and change into my pyjamas, the weight of the night pressing heavily on me.

*******

Morning came quickly, the first light of dawn filters through the curtains, waking me. I check my phone— ten-thirty a.m. He should be rounding up on his training. I have some time to gather my thoughts and prepare for the conversation ahead.

I head to the kitchen, where Kam is already making coffee. She looks up and gives me a small, encouraging smile. "Morning. How are you feeling?"

I sigh, running a hand through my hair. "A bit better, I guess"

Kam pours me a cup of coffee and hands it to me. "Understandable."

I take a sip of the coffee, savouring the warmth.

Jen appears, yawning and stretching as she joins us. "Good morning. Did you get any rest?"

I nod. "Some. Not a lot, but enough."

"Good. That's something," Jen says, grabbing a cup for herself. "What's your plan?"

"I'm going to head over his place, he should be back around two p.m."

Kam and Jen exchange glances. "Do you want us to come with you?" Kam asks.

I shake my head. "No, I need to do this on my own. But knowing you're here for me helps."

Jen pulls me into a hug. "We're just a phone call away if you need us."

I finish my coffee and head back to my room to relax and take a shower. The hot water soothes my tense muscles, and I take a moment to collect my thoughts, letting the steam clear my mind.

Feeling slightly more refreshed, I dry off and get dressed. I choose a simple outfit— jeans and a soft sweater— and toss my hair into a messy bun. I take a deep breath, looking at myself in the mirror. "You can do this," I tell my reflection.

What's the worst that can happen?

*****

The walk to his apartment feels endless, and I spend every step replaying mock scenarios in my head, trying to figure out the best way to confront him.

Each version of the conversation runs through my mind—some ending in tears, others in anger, and a few with relief. The idea that someone I trusted implicitly could deceive me gnaws at my insides, each breath tightening my chest.

I get to his building, walk to the elevator, and press the button for the fourth floor. I wait patiently, watching the numbers light up one by one. As the elevator slows and the doors begin to open, I glance at the display and see it reads the third floor. Someone must want to get on, I think to myself.

But nothing could have prepared me for who I'd see: Rachel, standing there in tiny shorts, a bra top, and a hoodie. My heart sinks, and a cold wave of dread washes over me. The last person I wanted to see now, the person who symbolizes everything wrong with this moment.

"Rachel," I manage to say, my voice tight with surprise.

She looks equally startled but quickly recovers, smirking slightly. "Oh, hey, Lily. What a coincidence."

She enters and goes to press the fourth floor but, recoils her hand once she sees it's been pressed already.

"You must be going to Finn's place" she smiles and lets out a light chuckle.

It takes everything and I mean everything , in me to not punch that smirk off her fucking face. But now is not the time to lose my composure.

Breathe ... one ... two ... three ...

"So why are you here?" I manage to ask.

"Oh, I live here now," she replies with a smile. "Didn't you know? I moved in last month, just before Easter break."

"Excuse me?"

"Oh, Finn mustn't have told you," She says casually.

I stare at her in disbelief. What does she mean she's living here? It's been a month, and my boyfriend didn't mention anything about this.

"Well, it's nothing he needs to bring up," she laughs. "Besides, you trust him, and he trusts you. No harm, no foul."

Her words cut deeper, each syllable a twist of the knife in my back. I continue to stare, unable to find the words. The betrayal is like a physical weight, pulling me down, threatening to suffocate me.

"I'm just going upstairs to borrow something," she adds with a smile. "Handy to have a neighbour like him, huh? So reliable."

The elevator finally stops, and she steps out. Still dazed and confused, I forget to move until she turns back to me.

"Aren't you coming?" she asks, almost tauntingly.

I don't respond but follow her until we reach Finn's apartment.

"Shall I press the doorbell?" she asks, her tone dripping with mockery.

"Um... sure," I manage to choke out, swallowing the lump in my throat. Tears sting my eyes, but I fight to hold them back. I can't let her see me like this.

She presses the bell, and after a few seconds, I hear shuffling, and the door opens.

"Rach, seriously, you need to buy your own cutlery," Finn sighs, looking at Rachel before he notices me. His face pales.

Seeing Finn's reaction only intensifies the storm inside me. I want to scream at him, demand answers, but all I can do is stand there, my mind racing through a million questions and emotions.

How could he not tell me? Why didn't he say anything about Rachel living here? Each unanswered question fuels my growing sense of betrayal.

Rachel steps back, allowing me to enter. I feel her eyes on me, judging, relishing in my discomfort.

Finn's apartment, once a place of warmth and comfort, now feels foreign and hostile. I look at him, searching for some sign, some explanation, but he just stands there, speechless.

"Lily," he finally says, his voice full of shock.