"𝐚𝐬 𝐦𝐮𝐜𝐡 𝐚𝐬 𝐩𝐞𝐨𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐟𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐛𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐯𝐞 𝐢𝐭, 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐧𝐲 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐤𝐞𝐞𝐩 𝐝𝐨𝐞𝐬 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐚𝐧 𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐢𝐧𝐟𝐥𝐮𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐨𝐧 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐬."

❦❦❦

－ 𝖣𝖠𝖭𝖨 𝖡𝖤𝖫𝖫𝖲－

I felt hands grab my arms and legs as Jax and his male friends lifted me off my feet. Before I could react, I was hauled through the air and thrown into the pool with a splash.

I surfaced in the water, gasping for breath, I could hear the sounds of other teens around me. Some were gasping in shock, while others were laughing at the scene unfolding before them. The cold water sent a chill through my body, causing me to shiver involuntarily.

"I— can't— fucking swim!" I tried to say but my words were mumbled.

"then learn!" Jax shouted.

Panic began to set in from my inability to swim. I tried desperately to gasp for air, but the chlorine-filled water kept getting into my mouth and lungs, making it difficult to breathe. I could feel myself struggling to stay afloat, but no one seemed to be coming to my aid.

And Simona and Eric were nowhere to be found, leaving me feeling abandoned.

Jax's voice echoed through the air, only to be interrupted by a deep, authoritative voice calling his name.

It was Lucifer.

"Jax!" Lucifer's voice thundered, his presence drawing near.

Jax replied with a casual tone, "What?"

Lucifer's voice grew even closer, his footsteps approaching. "Who the fuck did you throw into the pool?"

Jax answered bluntly, "The new girl—Dani."

"You fucking asshole." he replied

The world around me started to fade as I struggled to keep my head above water. I could feel my consciousness slipping away when suddenly, another splash next to me jolted me back. Someone else had jumped into the pool, causing ripples in the water.

I felt strong arms wrap around me as I tried to keep afloat in the water. My eyes stung from the chlorine, making it difficult to see. I could feel someone pulling me upwards towards the surface.

"Dani!" Simona and Eric broth yelled.

I was dragged onto solid ground, my breaths came in ragged gasps. I lay there on my back, feeling the coldness of the wet hoodie on my skin.

"I should fucking beat your ass right now." Lucifer said

"Oh come on, don't tell me you care about some little pussy." Jax chortle.

A deafening punch echoed through the air as Lucifer's fist connected with Jax's face.

The teens around us were shocked and exhilarated by the scene unfolding before them. Gasps and cheers rang out as they watched the confrontation between Lucifer and Jax.

"What made you think that shit was okay?" Lucifer said

Jax scoffed, "It was a joke for God's sake!"

"A joke that can get someone killed." Lucifer retorted.

"when did you ever care about her!? you barely even know her?"

"I know right and wrongs Jax, You went too fucking far."

"and when do you ever not?" Jax squinted his eye.

There was a moment of silence as Lucifer clenched his jaw and swallowed. Then, he spoke firmly, his voice clear and concise. "Leave."

"What?"

"I said leave." he spoke again

...

Jax gave a reluctant nod, his expression sullen and defeated. "Okay, sure," he mumbled, the fight drained out of him. He cast a glare at Lucifer before trudging off, trailed by his male friends.

As I coughed up the excess water, Simona and Eric was to my side, their voices filled with concern. "Are you okay!?" they asked in unison, their eyes darting between me and the direction where Jax had gone.

I kept my gaze fixed on the ground, my mind still reeling from the ordeal. I didn't respond to Simona or Eric's question, my thoughts too muddled to form a coherent answer.

"Dani?" Simona Questions

I slowly raised my head to meet hers, "I'm okay, and thanks." I spoke finally.

"Thanks for what?" Simona questioned

"For saving me?— I could've of fucking drowned."

"We didn't save you Dani."

"Then Who did?" My eyebrow raised confusingly.

Simona's gaze darted between Lucifer, who was several feet away, engrossed in a conversation with his buddies. He was nonchalantly smoking a blunt, his intense gaze occasionally flicking in my direction.

My mind struggled to process the realization that Lucifer had saved me from nearly drowning. I paused to collect my thoughts as I realized his gaze was still fixed on me. It was difficult to reconcile my preconceived notions about him with this unexpected act of rescue.

"he— saved me?" I questioned out loud.

Simona stared between me and him, "..Surprisingly yes." Her tone sounded shocked.

My eyes shifted to Lucifer as he tossed his blunt aside and walked away towards his house, with no one following him.

I sat there, my clothes sticking to my body, feeling chilled to the bone from the soaked hoodie. The damp fabric pressed against my skin, making me shiver with cold. Despite my complicated feelings towards Lucifer, a pang of gratitude stirred within me as I acknowledged that he had saved me.

I suddenly felt an overwhelming sense of obligation to express my thanks.

He deserved one.

Everyone watched while he came to help.

My friends weren't there to help, but it wasn't their fault. Just because they went to have fun, I chose to stay back alone.

"Dani, did you bring extra clothes?" Eric tried to dry me off with the towel.

"No,"

"But I'll be back," I stated before walking off.

❦❦❦

I pounded my knuckles against the solid surface of the door, waiting for a response, but there was only silence in return. Frustrated and feeling the cold clinging to my dampened clothes.

The door silently opened to reveal a warm and modern interior, the dim lighting creating a cozy space.

"Hello?" I said out loud, my voice filled with a mix of uncertainty.

The floors were creaking upstairs like someone was coming down.

"Hello?" I said again

But suddenly my gaze followed Lucifer as he descended the glass staircase. He was shirtless, with a white shirt hanging on his shoulder, his brunette hair appearing fluffy and messy. His nonchalant demeanor was almost infuriatingly attractive.

"Hm?"

I quickly cleared my throat, trying to gather my composure and avoid staring at his sculpted chest.

"I just wanted to say thanks," I managed to say, my voice somewhat raspy.

Lucifer remained silent for a moment as he reached the bottom step and made his way to his fridge.

He opened it and pulled out a bottle of water, unscrewing the cap and taking a long drink.

"non illuderti, semplicemente non volevo vedere un cadavere nella mia piscina." He finally said

(Translation: "don't flatter yourself, I just didn't want to see a dead body in my pool."

I didn't understand anything he said but from his facial expression he looked irritated.

but then he suddenly tossed a bottle of water in my direction. Startled, I quickly snapped out of my daze and caught it, gripping it tightly.

"Oh, no thank you I'm not thirsty."

Lucifer's gaze never left me, his eyes studying me intently. He leaned against the wall, his head slightly tilted, as he observed me.

"Or never mind!" I said nervously, unscrewing the bottle cap, and finally taking a sip.

"Qui." He said as he thrown a white t shirt at me.
(Translation: here)

"You can undress upstairs in my room, just don't take too long." he said making his way to the door to leave.

"Lucifer."

Lucifer stopped, He was listening attentively, as if he was processing my words in his mind, even though he wasn't looking directly at me.

"Si?"

"I really appreciate your kindness, honestly."

Lucifer remained silent for a moment, his gaze fixed on the floor. Then, he spoke, abruptly changing the subject.

"You should probably get dressed," he advised, his tone carrying a hint of nonchalance. "Don't want you catching a cold."

"Of course." I replied.

Lucifer let out a sigh before turning away and heading for the door. He closed it gently behind him, leaving me here alone in his empty house.

𝐈𝐍𝐒𝐄𝐂𝐔𝐑𝐄
𝟎𝟎𝟗. ❦