"Uncomfortable Truths"

Jace watched Lila as she made her way back to the group, her hips swaying to the music as she laughed and chatted with their friends. He couldn't help but feel a sense of frustration as he gazed at her, her carefree demeanor a stark contrast to the unease that had been building inside him. "She's an attention seeker," Jace said to Ethan, his voice low. "She does this with everyone. I feel bad for Alex, to be honest." Ethan raised an eyebrow, his eyes flicking to Lila as she rejoined the group. "Alex?" he repeated. "You mean, Alex, Lila's boyfriend?" Jace nodded, his eyes never leaving Lila's face. "Yeah, that's the one. He's a great guy, but Lila...she's just always looking for attention, you know? She can't help but flirt with everyone, even when she's in a relationship." Ethan's expression turned thoughtful, his eyes narrowing as he watched Lila. "I've noticed that," he said. "But I didn't think much of it. I just figured she was being her usual, friendly self." Jace snorted, his frustration boiling over. "Friendly self?" he repeated. "She's not even aware of the boundaries she crosses. And it's not just with guys, either. She's always touching people, poking them, prodding them...it's like she's trying to get a reaction out of everyone." As if on cue, Lila reached out and poked Jace in the ribs, her fingers digging into his skin. Jace jumped, his eyes flashing with annoyance. "Ow!" he exclaimed, trying to laugh it off. "Lila, stop it!" Lila just grinned, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "I'm just trying to keep things interesting," she said, her voice husky. Ethan's expression turned serious, his eyes locked on Jace's face. "You need to set some boundaries with her, Jace," he said. "She's clearly not respecting your personal space." Jace sighed, feeling a sense of resignation wash over him. He knew Ethan was right, but he wasn't sure how to handle the situation. He didn't want to hurt Lila's feelings or make things awkward between them, but at the same time, he needed her to back off. As he pondered his next move, Lila leaned in close, her breath whispering against his ear. "Hey, Jace, want to dance with me?" she asked, her voice husky. Jace's eyes met Ethan's, his friend's expression warning him to be careful. Jace hesitated, unsure of what to do. Part of him wanted to get up and dance with Lila, to show her that he was still a fun-loving guy who could let loose. But another part of him was screaming to get away from her, to set some boundaries and make it clear that he wasn't interested in whatever game she was playing. He took a deep breath, his heart pounding in his chest. He knew what he had to do. "No, Lila," he said, his voice firm. "I don't think that's a good idea."