Dissent and Daffodils

Lilith was driving home when her phone buzzed with a message from her elder sister, Seraphine.

Seraphine: Meet me at The Hollow downtown. I'm in town on a business trip. It's been too long—let's catch up.

Lilith: Just got home. I'll be there in 40 minutes.

She tossed her phone aside, headed for a quick shower, and swapped her work suit for an olive-green sweatshirt and cream pants. She made it to the club with time to spare.

Inside, the Hollow pulsed with life. The dance floor was a blur of bodies moving to the beat of a live DJ. Strobes, lasers, and colored LEDs sliced through the air, syncing perfectly with the rhythm. Along the sides, sleek bar counters buzzed with energy as bartenders mixed drinks and bantered with patrons.

Lilith spotted Seraphine perched on one of the elevated bar stools, deep in conversation with a young bartender. Judging by the glass in her hand, it was probably a mojito.

"Good evening, Sera," Lilith said, sliding onto the seat beside her.

"Finally, you're here! Have you been too busy to even make a call?" Sera said as she turned to face Lilith. "You're angry with Dad, not me. You could have at least reached out to me."

Lilith huffed. "So, you could tell him about me? No thanks," Lilith replied.

"He worries about you," Sera said.

"And I don't care," Lilith shot back.

They locked eyes, the silence between them thick with unspoken history. The bartender, sensing the tension, tapped the counter twice.

"What can I get you, miss?" he asked.

"A whiskey neat," Lilith replied without looking at him.

"No way," Seraphine cut in. "You're driving. Get her a Virgin Piña Colada."

Lilith rolled her eyes. "Still bossy, I see. Fine. Virgin Piña Colada it is."

"I live to boss you around," Seraphine said with a grin, turning to face the dance floor. She leaned back against the bar, sipping her mojito. "Whoa. That guy over there—should I ask him to dance?"

Lilith followed her gaze and immediately groaned. "That's a college student."

Seraphine raised an eyebrow. "And you know how?"

"Because he's my student," Lilith muttered, rubbing her temples.

Seraphine's mouth formed a perfect O. "Well, well."

Lilith scanned the crowd. If Adam was here, Hazel couldn't be far behind. Sure enough, she spotted Hazel dancing in a corner with a group of friends. One of them—yes, Ivy—was familiar from class.

The bartender returned with Lilith's drink. She took it, eyes still on Hazel.

"You know her, too?" Seraphine asked.

"Another student," Lilith said, taking a sip.

Seraphine laughed. "You're watching her like she's more than that."

Lilith shot her a look but didn't take the bait.

"He asked me to handle some paperwork. You've been isolating yourself in this city. Anyways, enough of the family drama. Let loose for one night, will you?" Sera said.

Seraphine's eyes flicked back to Adam. "Now, tell me—do you think your student would be into me?"

Lilith narrowed her eyes. "How would I know? And don't even think about it. He's my student and you're my sister."

"Of course," Sera said, leaving her empty cup on the bar as she walked towards Adam