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"

her time-travel, she had treated him so coldly. But despite that, he still stuck by her, even making sure someone was there to look after her

lesson, smiled. "Alright

study with Lysander, her mind was a whirlwind of questions that had been piling up for days.

was hunched over her desk, scribbling like her life 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

fine. Better than fine, actually. All the shit he was going to say to comfort her felt

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

Cupter 19

wasn't totally

Lysander broke the silence.

looked

a basketball game," he said, like it was no

Senior High's gym. Elara's eyes lit up the second she

inside, he felt a rush of something he hadn't expected-happiness,

side, acting like Lysander didn't even exist. Now, hearing her say she'd

game was set for Thursday afternoon, and by the 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 saw Crispin

here. He doesn't even hold a

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

had mentioned something about Asher's dad being a

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

and being linked to

her book, completely tuning out the noise around

a game, she'd be the

back, it felt

then, she was

support

older guy, and before she knew it, when people went to sup

Lysander 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 shocker if