Chapter 3 Falling Deeper

I was trapped in a daze the week after Daniel sat with us in the library. I replayed every word he'd said to me over and over, holding onto the moment as my only source of comfort. But the truth was, Daniel didn't say much after that day.

He'd flash a polite smile in the hallway or nod in my direction during class, but for the most part, he kept his distance. Yet, those small gestures were enough to keep me afloat, to make me believe that maybe-just maybe-I was starting to matter to him.

One afternoon after maths class, Daniel approached me as I was packing up my books. His easy smile made my heart leap.

"Hey, Elizabeth," he said, leaning casually against my desk.

I looked up, startled. "H-hi."

"So, I've been struggling with some of the assignments lately," he began, running a hand through his hair in that effortless way he always did. "And I was wondering if you could help me out. You're the smartest person in class, after all."

My cheeks burned at the compliment. "Oh, um, sure! I'd be happy to help."

"Great," he said, flashing another dimpled grin. "Thanks, Elizabeth. I owe you one."

For the rest of the week, I found myself buried under Daniel's assignments. At first, I thought he genuinely needed my help. He'd drop off his notebooks with a sheepish smile and say, "You're a lifesaver." But soon, it became clear that this wasn't a one-time favor.

"Do you think he even looks at the work you do for him?" Stephanie asked one day as we sat in the library.

"Of course he does," I said, though I wasn't entirely sure.

Stephanie raised an eyebrow. "Elizabeth, come on. You're practically doing all his homework. Don't you think it's a little . . . much?"

"He needs help," I insisted, though her words planted a seed of doubt in my mind.

Stephanie leaned back in her chair, crossing her arms. "He's using you. Trust me."

"No, he's not," I said quickly, my voice defensive.

Stephanie's smirk softened into something almost sympathetic. "You're too nice for your own good, Lizzie. Just be careful, okay?"

The next time Daniel handed me a stack of assignments, his tone was casual, almost dismissive.

"Thanks, Elizabeth," he said. "You're the best."

This time, he didn't even wait for my response. He just walked away, leaving me standing there with a pile of work that wasn't mine.

Stephanie's words echoed in my mind: He's using you.

I shook the thought away, telling myself that it wasn't true. Daniel wasn't like that. He appreciated me-didn't he?

~•~

At home, things weren't any easier.

Father's sermons seemed to grow longer and more intense with each passing day, as if he could sense that my mind was elsewhere.

"Elizabeth," he said sharply one evening as we sat around the dinner table. "What are you doing in your room all the time?"

"Studying," I replied quickly, avoiding his gaze.

"You should spend less time on schoolwork and more time in the Word," he said, his tone heavy with disapproval.

"Yes, Father."

Mother chimed in from across the table. "And remember, bad company corrupts good morals. Focus on your studies, Elizabeth. Don't let yourself get distracted."

"I'm not distracted," I said quietly, though my thoughts were miles away, circling around Daniel and the assignments I still needed to finish for him.

Church offered no respite either. Every Sunday, we'd sit through hours of preaching, with Father nodding along to every word like an eager disciple. Stephanie's family attended the same church, but they didn't seem to take it as seriously.

Her parents were friendly and relaxed, often chatting with other members of the congregation. Stephanie herself would pass me amused looks during the service, as if to say, "Can you believe this?"

After the service, while our parents mingled, Stephanie would pull me aside and whisper about the latest school gossip or her weekend plans.

"You need to loosen up, Lizzie," she said one Sunday as we stood outside under the shade of a tree.

"I can't," I replied. "You know my parents."

Stephanie rolled her eyes. "Yeah, but you're not going to live under their roof forever. One day, you'll have to live for yourself."

Her words stuck with me, gnawing at the edges of my thoughts.

The breaking point came one afternoon when Daniel handed me yet another stack of assignments.

"Thanks, Elizabeth," he said, not even bothering to make eye contact.

This time, there was no smile, no sheepish apology. Just a careless shrug, as if it were the most natural thing in the world for me to do his work.

I stood there, clutching the papers, feeling a strange mix of anger and sadness.

Stephanie's voice echoed in my mind: He's using you.

For the first time, I couldn't argue.

But even as doubt crept in, I couldn't bring myself to stop.

I was in too deep.