WHO AM I

TRUTHS UNRAVELING

The weekend came faster than Lila expected, and with it came a growing sense of unease. Jason's words echoed in her mind—Eli's in trouble. But what trouble? And why didn't Eli say anything?

Lila sat on her bed, staring at her phone, her fingers hovering over Eli's contact. Should she confront him? Or wait for him to open up? Her mind raced through all the possibilities, and it didn't help that she hadn't been able to focus on anything since Jason's revelation.

"Enough of this," she muttered, grabbing her phone and typing a quick message to Eli.

Lila: Hey, can we talk? Something's been bothering me.

She pressed send and waited. And waited. Finally, three dots appeared, signaling his reply.

Eli: Sure. Meet me at our spot?

Lila grabbed her jacket and headed out the door, her heart pounding with each step. The "spot" was an old, hidden park they'd found one day after school—a place where they could be away from everything and just be themselves.

When Lila arrived, Eli was already there, leaning against a tree, his hands shoved into his jacket pockets. He looked up as she approached, and his usual calm demeanor made her feel guilty for even doubting him.

"What's up?" Eli asked, his smile warm but his eyes questioning.

Lila hesitated, but then the words came rushing out. "Jason told me something... about you. He said you're in trouble, that you've been involved in something dangerous. Is that true?"

Eli's face tightened, and for the first time, Lila saw something close to fear flicker in his eyes. He looked away, running a hand through his hair.

"Jason... shouldn't have said anything," Eli finally muttered, his voice low. "It's complicated."

"Complicated?" Lila echoed, feeling a wave of frustration rising in her chest. "You promised me you wouldn't keep secrets. If something's wrong, I need to know."

Eli sighed, pulling her closer so their eyes met. "I didn't want to drag you into this. But yes, there's something I haven't told you. I've been working for my uncle, doing some stuff... under the radar."

Lila blinked, her heart racing. "What kind of stuff?"

"It's not what you think," Eli quickly added, his expression earnest. "It's not illegal. But it's risky. My uncle's business has some... powerful enemies, and I've been helping him behind the scenes."

Lila crossed her arms, trying to make sense of everything. "Why didn't you tell me before?"

"I didn't want you to worry," Eli said softly. "And I didn't think it would get this complicated. But Jason found out, and now things are spiraling. I'm sorry, Lila."

For a moment, they stood in silence, the weight of Eli's confession hanging in the air. Lila felt a mix of emotions—relief that he wasn't in as much trouble as she'd feared, but also anger that he hadn't trusted her enough to share this sooner.

"I just wish you'd told me," Lila said finally, her voice softer now. "I'm your friend, Eli. I care about you."

"I know," Eli whispered, stepping closer. "And I'm sorry. I won't keep anything from you again. Promise."

Before Lila could respond, the sound of footsteps crunching through the leaves made them both turn. Out of the shadows appeared Renzo, swaggering as usual, with Zara and Stacy trailing behind him, looking amused.

"Well, well, well," Renzo grinned, throwing his arm around Eli's shoulder. "What do we have here? A secret meeting? You guys planning a bank heist or something?"

Lila rolled her eyes. "Renzo, this is serious."

"Everything's serious with you two," Renzo said, waving her off. "Lighten up. The world's already crazy enough—might as well have some fun with it."

"Fun? Like that time you accidentally glued your hand to the desk in chemistry?" Stacy teased, earning a laugh from Zara.

Renzo smirked, unfazed. "Hey, that was a scientific experiment gone wrong. But at least it got me out of homework for a week."

Eli chuckled, the tension in his face easing. "You'll never let that go, will you?"

"Never," Zara chimed in, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "It's too good of a story."

Lila couldn't help but laugh, the tension lifting slightly with the humor. But even as they joked, she couldn't shake the feeling that Eli's problems were far from over.

Suspense is building, and the tension between Lila and Eli grows as new truths come to light. What more is lurking beneath the surface? Stay tuned!