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

were buzzing like they'd just uncovered some scandalous secret, while

speculation: [Could it be true?

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

now, it was Lysander-better than Asher in every imaginable way-who'd somehow

gym clothes, Asher stormed out, frustration

but being so thoroughly upstaged by someone he'd never considered a threat? That was a

better, but they were just as stunned as Minutes ago, they would've sworn that Lysander would never give Elara

lost his damn mind? Is he seriously into Elara' How could he even look at her twic he know

a mix of shock and something else-jealousy, maybe. She'id always figured that no matter what Elara Asher would never

now, with Lysander suddenly stepping in, it was like the

Deest

pampered lifestyle, somehow.catching Lysander's eye. Daphine muttered under he breath. Maybe we just didn't try hard enough. If we'd cheered him on

a slight

like, dating? They'd seen the way Lysander had looked at her, with something more than just casual interest,

small, knowing

everything to do with stuff that happened before she traveled

she wasn't about to make any assumptions. The last thing she wanted was to be

"Relax, it's just that our families know

them couldn't resist asking. "So, is it true

rich old guy, huh?" Elara cut in, deadpan, not

they'd heard-how she'd been seen

think whatever the hell you want. It

ridiculous. Like I need some guy to take care of me! Please, she

with some girls from other classes, Elara

on her, but she was used to that by

a sarcastic grin. "We lost the game,

clearly trying to get

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

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

out a soft laugh. "Aw, don't tell me you're pissed

face tightened with frustration, and he snapped his

minutes later, Asher came back into the classroom

the wit the most grannaly set the how

T