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

on fire with speculation: [Could it be true? Was Lysander actually into

at him, and he didn't even give a damn. He couldn't be bothered to look

every imaginable

Asher stormed out, frustration written all over

so thoroughly upstaged by someone he'd never considered a threat? That was a whole different kind

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

seriously into Elara' How could

face was a mix of shock and something else-jealousy, maybe. She'id always figured that no matter what Elara Asher

now, with Lysander suddenly stepping in, it was like the rug had been yanked

Deest

nerves-Elara, with her 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 today, then who knows. As Elara

a

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

knowing smile

had everything to do with stuff that happened before she traveled back in

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

their curious faces, Elara shrugged. "Relax, it's just that our families know each other, so we've stayed

right!" They all nodded, acting like it suddenly made sense, but one of them couldn't resist asking. "So, is it true your family's, like, seriously rich? We kind of

sugar baby being kept by a rich old guy, huh?" Elara cut in, deadpan, not even flinching as she faced the

sheepish, probably thinking about the rumors they'd heard-how she'd been

softly. "You can think whatever the hell you want. It doesn't change anything

thing was ridiculous. Like I need some guy to take care

other classes, Elara headed

her, but she was used to that by now. She casually took

front of her turned around with a sarcastic grin. "We lost the game, and you're still in such a damn

clearly trying to get a rise out of

smile. "Well, you lost the game,

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

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

with frustration, and he snapped his

the

gained a las Grugged on the wit the most grannaly set the how of the

T