CHAPTER TWENTY FIVE

LARA

I was walking down the hallway, a slight bounce in my step. The past few weeks had been nothing short of amazing. Hades and I were finally in a good place, and I felt like nothing could ruin my mood. That is, until Hector decided to step in my way.

He leaned against the lockers, blocking my path, with that smug grin plastered across his face. “Well, if it isn’t the school’s charity worker,” he sneered, his tone dripping with mockery. “Tell me, Lara, what’s it like slumming it with Hades? Are you trying to save him or something? Because, newsflash, you can’t.”

I stopped in my tracks, narrowing my eyes at him. “Excuse me?” I said, my voice sharp. “What I do and who I care about is none of your business, Hector.”

“Oh, but it is,” he said, crossing his arms. “You’re dragging our school’s reputation through the mud by parading around with someone like him. It’s pathetic, really. You’re way out of his league.”

My fists clenched at my sides, but I refused to give him the satisfaction of seeing me upset. “Funny, Hector, coming from someone who spends his days tearing other people down to make himself feel important. Maybe you should focus on your own sad excuse for a life instead of worrying about mine.”

His smirk faltered for a moment, but he quickly recovered, leaning in closer. “I’m just saying, don’t come crying to us when he lets you down. People like him... they don’t change. They don’t deserve someone like you.”

I stepped forward, closing the distance between us, my gaze unwavering. “You don’t get to decide who deserves me. Hades is twice the person you’ll ever be, and if you can’t handle that, then stay out of my way.”

Hector opened his mouth to respond, but I didn’t give him the chance. I brushed past him, my head held high, refusing to let his words sink in.

As I reached my next class, I felt my phone buzz in my pocket. Pulling it out, I smiled as I saw a text from Hades.

Hades: “Lunch later?”

My heart felt lighter instantly. Hector could say whatever he wanted. I knew what I had with Hades was real, and nothing was going to change that.

Lara quickly typed back as she walked, her fingers flying across the screen.

Lara: “Of course. Meet at the courtyard?”

Hades: “Yeah. Can’t wait.”

Lara: “Me either :)”

I couldn’t help the giddy smile that tugged at my lips as I locked my phone. Everything about Hades made my day better, even something as simple as a text.

“Wow, that’s a grin if I’ve ever seen one,” Gianna’s voice cut through my thoughts. I turned to see my best friend falling in step beside me, an eyebrow arched in curiosity. “Care to share what’s got you glowing like that?”

I laughed, trying to play it cool. “Oh, just Hades. He asked me to meet him for lunch later.”

Gianna smirked knowingly. “You two are sickeningly cute, you know that? It’s almost gross.”

“Shut up,” I said, nudging her playfully. “How’s Marcus, by the way? I haven’t seen you two apart much lately.”

Gianna shrugged, but her cheeks turned pink. “He’s... fine. Annoying as ever, but fine. Don’t change the subject, though. You’re seriously falling for Hades, aren’t you?”

I paused, biting my lip. “I think I am. He’s just... different. He gets me.”

Gianna smiled, but before she could respond, we both stopped in our tracks.

Up ahead, near the main entrance of the school, a small crowd had gathered. I squinted, trying to see what was going on. My heart dropped when I spotted Hades. He was standing next to a pair of cops, talking to them with his hands shoved deep in his pockets.

“Is that... Hades?” Gianna asked, her tone laced with concern.

My pulse quickened as I watched the interaction. The cops didn’t seem aggressive, and Hades wasn’t in handcuffs, but something about the scene made my stomach churn.

“I don’t know what’s happening,” I said, my voice barely above a whisper.

Before I could think twice, I took a step toward the scene, my mind racing with questions. Why were the cops talking to him? Was he in trouble? And why did he look so calm?