After Death, Love Unveiled

Chapter 22

The whole school was buzzing with gossip: Elara had gotten involved with some older guy

But just when everyone thought they had it figured out, Lysander threw a curveball and declared he was going after her too.

Nobody ever imagined lysander would have to chase anyone. Normally, a tilt of his head was all it took to have people scrambling to get his attention.

When Crispin shot him a look of disbeliel, Lysander raised an eyebrow. "What's your deal? Got something to say?"

"Me? No way!" Crispin replied, scrambling to sound casual. No way in hell he was about to voice his real opinion.

He was just stunned that it was Elara who'd caught Lysander's eye. It hit him like a ton of bricks-everything he'd done today was aimed at someone Lysander was interested in.

Suddenly remembering the snarky comments he'd tossed around earlier, Crispin wished the ground would just swallow himm

"Lysander, man, I had no ideal" he blurted out, sounding almost panicked. "If I'd known. I wouldn't have said all that crap to

hert

Lysander just gave a lazy shrug. "Doesn't matter. She's not into you, anyway."

Crispin blinked, taken aback. "Well, shit. That was straight to the point, he thought.

But then he noticed how serious Lysander looked, and his curiosity got the better of him. "So, uh... how's it going with her! Making any headway?"

Lysander let out a frustrated sigh. "She hasn't fallen for me, if that's what you're asking. He was being blunt. Even though he was her tutor now, he believed Elara clearly hadn't developed any feelings for him.

In his eyes, it was obvious her heart was still hung up on Asher. Lysander knew well he might just be a pawn in her little game to get a rise out of Asher,

1

But as long as he could be of some use to her, he wasn't going to complain. Being close to her was enough for him, at least for

HOW.

Crispin followed Lysander's gaze over to where Elara stood gracefully in the crowd, her eyes locked in their direction.

The way she'd been calling out earlier, he'd almost believed she was one of Lysander's biggest fans. Now, though, it was clear Lysander was the one doing the admiring

some scandalous secret, while the ones involved were

group chat was on fire with speculation: [Could

head over heels for Asher, practically throwing herself at him, and

it was Lysander-better than Asher in every imaginable way-who'd somehow ended up

out of his gym clothes, Asher stormed out, frustration written all over

was one thing, but being so thoroughly upstaged by someone he'd never considered a threat? That was a whole different

to say something to make him feel better, but they were just as stunned as Minutes ago, they would've sworn that

mind? Is he seriously into Elara' How could he even look at

something else-jealousy, maybe. She'id always figured that no matter what Elara Asher would

in, it was like the rug had been yanked out from under

Deest

enough. If we'd cheered him on today, then who knows. As Elara stepped out of the gym, her friends

a slight nod.

They'd seen the way Lysander had looked at her, with something more than just casual interest, and now their

knowing smile on her lips. "No,

pursuit of Lysander had everything to do with stuff that

had no clue. After everything with Asher, she wasn't about to make any assumptions. The last thing she wanted was to be the

their curious faces, Elara shrugged. "Relax, it's just that our families know

all nodded, acting like it suddenly made sense, but one of them couldn't resist asking. "So, is it true your family's,

kept by a rich old guy, huh?" Elara cut in, deadpan, not even flinching as

group looked a bit sheepish, probably thinking about the rumors they'd heard-how she'd

"You can think whatever the hell

Like I need some guy

classes, Elara

she walked in, she felt all eyes on her, but she was used to

turned around with a sarcastic grin. "We

was one of Asher's teammates, clearly trying to get a

lips curved into a lazy smile. "Well, you lost the game, not me. Why shouldn't I be

You think you're special just because Lysander gave you some attention,

"Aw, don't tell me you're pissed he didn't

with frustration, and he snapped his mouth shut,

came back into the classroom

gained a las Grugged on the wit the most grannaly

T