Hearts of trouble (under development)

New school year

The first day of the new school year brought with it a whirlwind of changes. Lily walked through the halls with a confidence that was both familiar and new, her hair now dyed in edgy shades of black and blonde, giving her an even bolder look. Heads turned as she passed by, her aura commanding attention. Beside her was Nate, his arm draped casually around her shoulders as they laughed together, completely at ease in each other's company.

They'd grown closer over the past few months, their "friendship" turning into something deeper, though neither of them had labeled it. Nate was her escape, her source of laughter when life felt heavy. He was different from anyone she'd ever met-fun, carefree, and, most importantly, he didn't ask questions about her past.

As they reached her locker, she glanced up and saw Shawn at the other end of the hall, his eyes fixed on her and Nate. His expression shifted from casual indifference to something darker, his jaw tightening as he watched them laughing together. The sight of them so close seemed to ignite a spark of jealousy in him, a feeling he tried to brush off but couldn't quite ignore.

Just then, Shawn walked over, forcing a calm smile. "Hey, Lily. Nate." His tone was a bit too friendly, as if masking something beneath the surface.

"Shawn." Lily gave him a small nod, her expression unreadable.

Nate raised an eyebrow, sensing the tension. He offered Shawn a polite nod. "Sup, man?"

Shawn's gaze lingered on Nate's arm around Lily's shoulders, his voice a little sharp. "Didn't know you two were... so close."

Lily smirked, sensing his jealousy. "We're just friends, Shawn. Don't get all worked up."

"Right. Friends." Shawn's voice was a bit too tight, and Lily couldn't help but notice the flicker of hurt in his eyes.

Nate squeezed her shoulder playfully, grinning. "Well, I'm lucky to have a friend like her." He shot a challenging look at Shawn, clearly enjoying the upper hand.

Shawn forced a laugh, but Lily could tell it wasn't genuine. Before things could get more awkward, he muttered, "I'll see you in class," and turned to leave, his shoulders tense.

As he walked away, Lily felt a pang of guilt but pushed it down. Shawn had always been unpredictable, drifting in and out of her life with his own complications. And after everything they'd been through, maybe she needed a fresh start with someone who didn't carry the same baggage.

Meanwhile, her dad's engagement to Karen had brought its own set of challenges. Karen had practically moved in, her presence lingering everywhere. And with the wedding plans in full swing, Lily felt like her home was becoming less hers. It didn't help that her dad seemed oblivious to the tension, too caught up in his new life to notice how distant she'd become.

In the apartment, things were also shifting. Abigail, Jack, Shawn, and Eric shared a space that was barely big enough for them and their issues. Tensions were bound to rise, especially with Abigail's temper flaring up at the smallest things and Shawn's silent jealousy over Nate.

As Lily turned back to Nate, she forced a smile, trying to shake off the strange feeling. "Come on. Let's get to class."

Nate nodded, his hand slipping into hers as they walked. She knew she was stepping into new territory, and while part of her craved the stability Nate offered, she couldn't quite ignore the pull Shawn still had on her.

This school year was shaping up to be more complicated than she'd anticipated. But, as always, she'd face it head-on, no matter where it led.

Lily and Nate strolled through the halls, side by side Just as they reached the entrance of the gym, she froze, her eyes widening at the sight of a familiar figure setting up in the corner.