After Death, Love Unveiled (Elara and Lysander)

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"

Before 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 body when everything went down. A few days of him being MLA didn't bother her in the slightest. Lysander gave her a small nod, appreciating her understanding-

Elara, eager to dive back into the lesson, smiled. "Alright then, let's get to study.

As Elara stepped into the study with Lysander, her mind was a whirlwind of questions that had been piling up for days. She needed answers, and she needed them now.

While she 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 about how she was holding up.

But seeing her now, in person, she looked fine. Better than fine, actually. All the shit he was going to say to comfort her felt completely unnecessary.

Just then, Lysander's phone buzzed. He glanced down and saw a text from Crispin: Yo, don't forget the basketball game on Thursday!!

Cupter 19

Crispin always acted like Lysander might flake last minute, even 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, I'm in.]

Once the class wrapped up. Lysander broke the silence. Tll be at your school this week."

"Huh?" Elara looked up, clearly confused.

"There's a basketball game," he said, like it was no big deal.

It was at Crestview Senior High's gym. Elara's eyes lit up the second she heard that. "Oh my god! I'll totally be there to cheer for you!"

Lysander just nodded, but inside, he felt a rush of something he hadn't expected-happiness, maybe.

For the longest time, whenever he saw her, she'd been glued to Asher's side, acting like Lysander didn't even exist. Now, hearing her say she'd come to support him felt really good.Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.

The 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 Kennedy on campus the other day. Damn, that guy's fine, someone whispered.

"Fine? Get outta here. He doesn't even hold a candle to Asher, another girl snapped back.

Asher was basically a walking perfection poster-straight A's, top athlete, and stupidly good-looking. The guy had more fans than anyone, no question.

But lately, Daphne had been in a bit of a funk. Elara had mentioned something about Asher's dad being a gambler, and that had rubbed her the wrong way.

Daphne knew 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 didn't define the son

And Asher was near flawless. At Crestview, he was practically a god, and being linked to him was still a major badge of honor for her

Elara was lost in her book, completely tuning out the noise around her.

There was a time when, if Asher had a game, she'd be the first to rally the troops to cheer biggest fan-practically overflowing with enthusiasm

Now, looking back, it felt almost embarrassing.

him on. Back then, she was his

support

Rumors had started swirling that she was involved with some older guy, and before she knew it, when people went to sup Asher, they forgot to invite her.

From somewhere in the crowd, someone was gushing, "I heard 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 he did." another voice chimed in.

Sitting next to Elara, Asher overheard the chatter about Lysander, and his mood soured fast.

He glanced at Elara, still completely absorbed in her book, and irritation flared up inside him. 'Seriously! She's not even gonna come cheer for me! he wondered.

He couldn't hold back. "You really think burying your head in that book all day is gonna make a difference?"

Elara looked up, amused that he suddenly cared about her studying. With a smirk, she teased, "Oh. definitely. I'm not some

natural-born genius like you, so I gotta put in the work. What? Can't handle me leveling up

Asher shot back, "Why the hell not?"

Elara's smile turned sly. "Well, I've got the looks and the cash. If I end up beating you and Daphne in grades. how are you two

gonna handle that?"

Asher blinked, momentarily thrown off, then laughed. "Yeah, you've improved, but let's be real you barely broke the top 200. The competition ahead is brutal. You might drop next time. You really think I'm worried about you overtaking me?"

In his mind, it was already a miracle that Elara had made it into the top 200. The idea of her surpassing him was laughable. Lysander, maybe-but Elara? Years of hard work couldn't be outdone just like that.

Elara's smile didn't waver. "You never know. Life's full of surprises."

"Whatever," Asher muttered, standing up. Im off to get ready for the game."

In the corner, Daphne had been watching the whole exchange, her nails digging into her palms. Elara's supposed to be some sugar baby, yet she still has the nerve to flirt with Asher. She doesn't find that pathetic? she thought. Despite her thoughts, Daphne plastered on a sweet smile and walked over to Elara. "Hey, Elara! We're all heading to cheer for Asher later. Wanna come?"