After Death, Love Unveiled

Chapter 19

On the forum, the gossip was still flying, with people saying Elara was no angel. The story of how shed dealt with Lizzie wo spreading like wildfire.

Faced with such obvious provocation, Elara couldn't help but be amused. Maybe to these people, seeing a girl wrapped up in scandal was exactly the kind of drama they craved

She didn't bother getting angry, instead, she calmly asked, "So, you're Crispin Kennedy!

Crispin blinked in surprise, stumbling over his words. "W-what? You know who I am! I, uh, heard you used to you know, take care of Asher Blackwood. Is that true? Shit, you don't have a thing for me, do you? I'm not up for being someone's sugar baby!" He clutched his chest dramatically, like her knowing his name meant she was about to declare her undying love

Elara couldn't hold back her laughter. "Wow. If you don't have a mirror at home, try finding a puddle. Take a good, long look at yourself-me, interested in you? That's a fucking joke" With t

that, she slung her backpack over her shoulder and walked away without another word.

Crispin, clearly offended, stood there trying to save face. "Hey! You don't have to be so damn mean! Im not exactly hard on the eyes, right?"

She didn't even look back as she climbed into her car and drove of

Left standing there, Crispin's wounded pride slowly turned into a cocky grin. Elara Kensington, huh? Dissing me like that? I'll remember you, sweetheart, he thought grimly.

When Elara got home, she found Lysander already there. After disappearing for a few days, he'd finally decided to show up. Cotton was practically glued to his side, showering him with affection after the long absence.

Elara raised an eyebrow, "So, you're finally done with work?"

Lysander, towering over her, gave a small nod. "Yeah."

She crossed her arms, teasing him. "I was starting to think you'd had enough of tutoring me and were bailing for good." She'd tried a few other tutors lately, but none came close to Lysander's knack for explaining things. Lysander shrugged, brushing off her comment. "No way. I've just been slammed with-

"You don't need to explain." Elara interrupted. "I'm just glad you're still helping me out. If you've got other things to handle. I

get it"

he still stuck by her, even making sure someone was there to look after her body when everything went down. A few days

eager to dive back into the lesson, smiled. "Alright then,

a whirlwind of questions that had been piling up for days. She needed

depended on it, Lysander just stood there, watching her quietly. He'd heard all the online drama, and honestly, he'd been a little worried

now, in person, she looked fine. Better than fine, actually. All the shit he was going to

He glanced down and saw a text from Crispin: Yo,

Cupter 19

though he'd already committed. But it wasn't totally unreasonable-Lysander was known to be unpredictable sometimes. He shot back a quick reply: [Yeah,

up. Lysander broke the silence. Tll be at your school this

Elara looked up, clearly

he said, like it was no big

Crestview Senior High's gym. Elara's eyes lit up the second she heard that. "Oh my god!

nodded, but inside, he felt a rush

time, whenever he saw her, she'd been glued to Asher's side, acting like Lysander didn't even

time the day rolled around, the whole school was buzzing. Oakridge High School's team was no joke, and everyone was talking about it. "I

doesn't even hold a candle

poster-straight A's, top athlete, and stupidly good-looking.

mentioned something about Asher's dad being a gambler, and that had rubbed her the

firsthand how that shit could mess up lives. But hearing everyone go on about Asher now? That kind of soothed her nerves. After all, a father's fuck-ups

a god, and being

was lost in her book, completely tuning out

a game, she'd be the first to rally

it

Back then, she was

support

some older guy, and before she knew

went to Oakridge High too! Think he'll show up?" Everyone knew Lysander because he always outperformed Asher in everything-especially exams-always snagging that top spot "I doubt it. He never shows up to these things. Would be a