Chapter 22: Chapter Twenty One

Eros

The hallway of Emerald Crest Academy hummed with the lively buzz of chatter and laughter as students waited for the first-period bell to ring. Though the clock read only 7:50 a.m., it felt as though the morning had dragged on for hours. An unshakable lethargy weighed me down, though I couldn’t quite pinpoint why today felt so different.

Leaning casually against my locker, I half heartedly focused on my phone, typing out a reply to a text from one of my cousins. Yet my mind kept drifting back to Athena. Ever since she’d asked for my help that day, her guarded expression had been etched into my memory, and her name lingered like a puzzle demanding to be solved, tugging at the edges of my curiosity.

Something about Athena Sanderson felt... off. It had been days since I’d last seen her at school, and the odd part was that no one else seemed to notice or care. Not her sister. Not even the teachers. No one. I’d considered the possibility that she might be sick but dismissed the idea of asking anyone. Privacy was important to me, and I respected it in others. I preferred not to stick my nose where it didn’t belong.

Just as I was about to push off my locker and head to class, two familiar voices stopped me in my tracks. Chloe McIntosh and Lila Kinley—key members of Scarlett’s inner circle—had paused nearby, deep in conversation. Curious, I lingered just out of sight, straining to hear what they were saying. I froze, pretending to be engrossed in my phone as they began talking—about Athena. 

“I still can’t believe it. Did you hear about Athena Sanderson?” Chloe whispered conspiratorially, her tone theatrical. “Serena told me her mom caught Athena stealing! Can you imagine? Serena’s mom said she took some expensive jewelry—family heirlooms or something—and then ran off in the middle of the night!”

Lila gasped, her brows knitting together in disbelief. “What? No way! That doesn’t sound like Athena. She always seemed… you know, so proper.”

Chloe scoffed, tilting her chin up with an air of superiority. “Proper? Please. That girl always had secrets. She fooled everyone with her innocent act. Serena said Athena even had some mysterious boyfriend no one knew about. Guess she needed the jewelry to fund their getaway or something. Typical.”

Their words hung in the air, a storm of rumors swirling around a girl who couldn’t defend herself. I stayed rooted to the spot, my mind racing. If even a fraction of what they said was true, something far bigger was at play. And I was determined to find out what.

I felt a wave of unease wash over me. Athena’s absence suddenly felt more complicated—and far more troubling—than I’d imagined.

“I don’t know, Chloe… Serena can exaggerate sometimes. Are you sure that’s what really happened?” Lila asked, her voice tinged with uncertainty. “Athena doesn’t strike me as someone who’d do something like that.”

“I’m telling you what Serena told me, and she would know—her mom was the victim!” Chloe replied, rolling her eyes dramatically. “Honestly, I’m not surprised Athena disappeared. You pull something like that, you don’t stick around to face the consequences. She’s not just the daughter of a murderer; she’s a thief too.”

“I don’t know... Athena always kept to herself, but stealing? That just doesn’t sound like her,” Lila muttered, shaking her head. “I doubt she’d risk her future by doing something so reckless.”

“Please,” Chloe scoffed, her tone dripping with disdain. “People like her don’t belong at Emerald Crest. Serena’s mom trusted Athena like family, and this is how she repays her? Running off with some guy, like some kind of fugitive. If you ask me, good riddance.”

“I’m finding it hard to believe,” Lila admitted, her frown deepening.

“Oh, don’t let her innocent act fool you, Lila. She’s always been hiding something. Serena said Athena even had a secret boyfriend. Maybe they’re off somewhere now, living it up with the stolen loot,” Chloe added with a smug smirk, her words laced with contempt.

From my spot near my locker, I listened to their conversation, my brows furrowing at the mention of Athena’s name. Unexplained emotions stirred within me—curiosity, irritation, and an unexpected flicker of protectiveness I couldn’t quite name. 

My jaw tightened as their words echoed in my mind. Before I could stop myself, I stepped away from the lockers and approached them with a calm but commanding presence.

“What’s this I’m hearing about Athena?” I asked, my voice even but firm.

Both Chloe and Lila flinched at my sudden appearance, their eyes widening in surprise. Chloe’s cheeks flushed briefly, though she quickly composed herself and donned a confident expression. Lila, on the other hand, faltered, clearly caught off guard.

“Oh, it’s nothing. Just… you know, rumors,” Chloe said, brushing it off with a dismissive wave of her hand.

Rumors?” I repeated, raising a brow, my tone challenging. “Accusing someone of theft isn’t just a rumor—it’s a serious accusation. Don’t you think you should be a bit more careful about what you’re spreading?”

“We didn’t mean anything by it. It’s just what we heard…” Lila said softly, her voice barely above a whisper, as if afraid to speak too loudly.

“Well, it’s not exactly a rumor if it’s true. Serena’s mom wouldn’t lie about something like that,” Chloe snapped, her tone sharp and defensive.

I leaned in slightly, lowering my voice, but the edge in my tone made it no less intimidating. “And you know for a fact it’s true? Or are you just repeating Serena’s words because it makes for convenient hallway gossip?” My tone was cold, cutting through Chloe’s bravado.

Chloe stiffened, her confidence faltering for just a second before she crossed her arms, her tone turning defiant. “It’s what Serena told me. Why? Didn’t think you were the type to care about gossip, Eros.” she said, her confidence unshaken.

“Gossip has a funny way of twisting the truth,” I countered, my gaze narrowing. “And you’re acting like you know the whole story when the person you’re talking about isn’t even here to defend herself.”

Chloe faltered under the weight of my stare, her confidence wavering. Lila shifted uneasily beside her, clearly regretting being part of the conversation. But Chloe, stubborn as ever, lifted her chin in defiance.

“Oh, it’s not just Serena. Her mom has proof—missing jewelry, Athena disappearing without a word. It looks pretty bad if you ask me,” Chloe replied with a smug smile. “If she was innocent, she wouldn’t have run.”

“And if you’re wrong?” I shot back, my tone cutting. “What happens when you spread lies about someone who can’t defend herself? What happens then?”

“Look, I’m just saying what I heard. If Athena didn’t want people talking, maybe she shouldn’t have disappeared like that,” Chloe snapped, her voice rising with irritation.

“Or maybe,” I replied coldly, stepping closer, “people shouldn’t jump to conclusions about someone they don’t really know. Did it ever occur to you that there might be more to the story than what Serena’s spoon-feeding you?”

Chloe’s eyes narrowed, her bravado slipping under my relentless glare. “I’m not wrong. Serena wouldn’t make this up, and neither would her mom,” she insisted, her voice tinged with desperation.

“Wouldn’t lie, or maybe it just suits her to twist the truth?” I pressed, taking a deliberate step closer. “Maybe Serena has her own reasons for spreading this.”

Chloe glared at me, her jaw tightening, but she didn’t respond. Lila glanced between us, looking torn, and then spoke up hesitantly. “Maybe we shouldn’t jump to conclusions, Chloe. We don’t really know what happened.” she said softly, her tone cautious.

Chloe hesitated, her confidence visibly shaken. She glanced at Lila, then back at me, clearly unsure of herself. Finally, she scoffed, trying to mask her discomfort. “Whatever. Believe what you want. But don’t say I didn’t warn you when the truth comes out.” she hissed, her voice dripping with bitterness.

“Let’s go, Lila,” she added sharply, turning to leave.

“Hold on,” I said, lifting a hand to stop them. My voice was calm, but it carried a weight that made them freeze in their tracks. “I’ve got something to say, Chloe. Come closer.”

Chloe turned back with a scowl. “What?” she asked, her tone petulant.

“Come closer,” I said, waving her over with a calm, deliberate gesture.

Her brow furrowed in suspicion. “Why?”

“Just come,” I repeated, my voice firm but quiet, making it impossible for her to refuse.

She hesitated for a moment before reluctantly stepping closer, her movements tentative. As she did, I leaned in, my voice low as I whispered something in her ear. 

Her sharp intake of breath and the way her body tensed told me my words had hit their mark. When I pulled back to look at her, her face was pale. I couldn’t help the smirk that tugged at my lips.

“Next time you spread rumors about someone, remember—you’re no saint either,” I reminded her, my tone laced with quiet authority.

Chloe straightened, flipping her hair with forced defiance before turning on her heel and walking away, dragging a visibly uncomfortable Lila with her. I watched them disappear down the hallway, my mind racing.

The mention of Athena’s name, the accusations, the whispers about a mysterious boyfriend—it all left me with a gnawing sense of unease. My fists clenched at my sides as frustration and concern battled in my chest. I didn’t believe a word of what Chloe said, but something about it unsettled me deeply.

There was more to Athena’s story—I was sure of it. And for the first time in a long while, I had to confront a truth I’d been avoiding. I was genuinely worried about someone else. Athena.

I didn’t know what it was about her that pulled me in, but it was a feeling I couldn’t understand, a connection I couldn’t ignore. Why couldn’t I shake this feeling, this inexplicable need to uncover the truth?

“Athena… what happened to you?” I muttered under my breath, my thoughts swirling with questions and possibilities.

The shrill ring of the bell broke through my reverie, snapping the moment like a taut string. Students scrambled to their classes, the hallway quickly emptying. I lingered for a second longer, my resolve hardening. I squared my shoulders and strode down the hallway, my steps purposeful.

I needed answers—and I wasn’t going to stop until I found them.