After Death, Love Unveiled

Chapter

13

Before Elara could even open her mouth, Asher cut in. That birthday party? Yeah, that was all you. You were the one who wanted me to invite everyone. I couldn't care less about it. But then you go and humiliate people on purpose.

"What, just because you've got money, you think it gives you the right to shit all over everyone else? And don't even try to spin i like you're doing me a favor. That cash was nothing but my tutoring fee! From now on, I'm done with your money, and d even think about asking me for help again Asher finished, not waiting for her to respond, and swapped seats like he couldn't get away from her fast enough.

Oh, look at him. Mr. Too Cool for Everyone Genius, Elara thought sarcastically.

She hadn't forgotten how he used to beg her for help. She even felt a little sorry for him when she saw Jefferson hit him. But now, honestly, she figured he deserved every bit of it.

Not holding back, Elara shot back, "Tutoring? Asher, you've got some serions balls calling it that. Since when have you actually tutored me! All you've done is bum through my money. I'm still at the bottom of the class every month. Is that what you call tutoring?" Asher's expression didn't change. "I already told you-you're the one who's not getting it. How's that my problem? Elara, with all that money you throw around, maybe it's time you invest in a new brain."

That line got the crowd around them laughing.

Elara, pissed at his smugness, snapped, "Are you sure it's me who's not getting it, and not your shitty teaching?"

Asher, remembering how Elara had turned to Lysander for tutoring recently, smirked. "Alright then, let's see how you do in the midterm. If you manage to climb a hundred places in the rankings. I'll admit it was my fault"

He was thinking. Good luck with that. Let's see if Lysander can teach her anything. She barely uses her brain as it is!

"Deal!" Elara barked back. locking eyes with him. He clearly thought she was too dumb to make that kind of improvement. Does he seriously think I'm that much of an idiot? she thought.

heard her! If she jumps a hundred spots in

crowd started buzzing, eyes

in. "Hey, Elara, if Asher here's willing to run six miles, why don't you agree to do the same if you lose? Or are you too scared? Come on, if you're gonna back out, just admit it now."

jumping a hundred places didn't seem impossible. After a few tutoring sessions with Lysander, she actually felt like she was starting to make some progress. So, without

proving something to herself. She needed this. A

out a smug chuckle when he saw her agree.

how quickly she'd jumped at the challenge, but considering how clueless she always seemed when he explained things, he couldn't wait to

huffing and puffing through

tossed around, Daphine walked into the classroom, lingering by the doorway

a restless night of overthinking, she'd finally come to some clarity. Asher wasn't just smart-he was ridiculously good-looking.

the other hand, had brains, looks, and ambition. He was destined for success, and

and you? You're top of the

had always been illy about Asher. To them, Daphne's loyalty made her seem like

complete fool-not only was she lazy, but she'd also tried to latch onto Asher, and it

like a match made in heaven. What a fucking joke. I must've been out of my mind trying to

was hope these

comments earlier, Elara's reputation was in the gutter. Her classmates no longer saw her as anything more than a

She'd finally shaken off the labels of "Asher's simp"

travel,

She focused on her studies and refused to waste time on

afternoon, Barrett showed up