Chapter 56: Chapter Fifty Five

Scarlett 

Whispers buzzed like static through the hallway of Emerald Crest Academy. The growing closeness between Athena and Eros hadn’t gone unnoticed—certainly not by me, and definitely not by the rest of the student body. 

Eyes trailed after them as they passed, catching fleeting moments: the way Eros leaned in when Athena spoke, the subtle softening in his usually indifferent expression whenever she was around.

Across the cafeteria, I watched them—my gaze sharp, unblinking. The lunchroom buzzed with its usual chatter, but all eyes kept drifting toward one particular table. Their table. 

Eros leaned in again, laughing quietly at something Athena said, completely unaware of—or perhaps unconcerned with—the stares they attracted. I felt my jaw tighten.

I stabbed my salad with far more force than necessary, my manicured nails drumming irritably against the table. The whispers swirled around me like vultures, thick with envy and curiosity. And I hated—absolutely hated—that he had chosen someone as plain and insignificant as Athena over me.

“She’s getting way too comfortable,” I muttered, lips curling into a sneer. “Eros barely glanced at anyone before she came along.”

“She thinks she’s somebody now just because he talks to her,” Monica hissed beside me.

“Maybe she’s just using him,” added Miranda, her twin, flicking her hair over her shoulder, her voice low but pointed. “You know how girls like her get when a guy like Eros gives them attention.”

“Pathetic,” I snapped. “She needs to be reminded of her place.”

My girls—Tasha, Brielle, Monica, and Miranda—all nodded silently. None of them dared speak while I simmered with rage.

“She will be reminded,” I said coolly, pushing my chair back with a sharp screech. “Meet me in the second-floor girls’ restroom after last period.”

As I walked away, my mind was already racing—planning, calculating exactly how to put Athena back where she belonged.

When the final bell rang, its echo carried down the marble corridors like a signal. Minutes later, Athena entered the restroom, unaware of the ambush waiting inside. The moment she stepped in, the heavy door slammed shut behind her.

I stood by the sinks, arms crossed, lips curled into a cold smile. My girls fanned out behind her, silently blocking the exit.

Athena paused, eyes narrowing as the tension in the air hit her. “Can I help you?” she asked, voice even as her eyes scanned the room.

I stepped forward slowly. “Actually, we wanted to help you. Seems you’ve forgotten how things work around here.”

“Excuse me?” Athena raised a brow, unimpressed.

“You’re getting too close to Eros,” Miranda chimed in, twirling a lock of her hair smugly. “People are starting to talk.”

Athena gave a dry chuckle, but there was no amusement in it. “And? What Eros and I talk about is none of your business.”

I stepped closer, voice sharp. “It becomes our business when people start mistaking you for someone important. Just because you’re a charity case doesn’t mean you deserve his attention.”

Athena’s gaze hardened, her fists clenched at her sides.

“Back off, Scarlett." she said coolly. "I’m not scared of you.”

I smirked, eyes glinting. “You should be. You don’t belong here, Athena. And you sure as hell don’t belong anywhere near Eros. He’s not for girls like you.”

Athena’s voice was steady, her chin slightly raised. “And what exactly is a girl like me?”

“Someone who should stay in the background,” I replied coldly. “Keep dreaming if you think you can steal attention from me.”

Her fists clenched tighter. “If you’ve got a problem, Scarlett, say it to me—not through your little entourage.”

My smirk faltered. I hadn’t expected this. Defiance—not from her. After everything I’d done to her—the anonymous notes, the subtle threats, the not-so-subtle ones—I’d expected her to crumble. Honestly, I thought she’d be too scared to even show her face at school again.

I hadn’t even done half as much to Heather, and that pathetic girl had packed up and left Eldoria without looking back.

Was it Eros? Was he the reason she was suddenly so bold? Maybe she felt invincible knowing he had her back. I’d seen the way he looked at me lately—those cold, piercing glares of his. He hated me. That much was clear. And those glares… they were the kind he usually reserved for his father. I’d seen that look before. More than once.

Miranda stepped forward, breaking the tense silence. “You think you’re brave now, huh?”

I held up a hand, signaling her to wait. My eyes didn’t leave Athena. “Let’s see how brave she is when she’s on the floor.”

Tasha lunged forward, hand outstretched to shove her—but Athena moved first, stepping back with sharp precision.

“I’m serious,” she said, voice calm yet razor-sharp. “Touch me, and you’ll regret it. Every one of you. I’m not the same girl who kept quiet the first time you pulled this crap.”

My eyes widened, just slightly. Even Tasha hesitated now, her hand dropping to her side. There was something in Athena’s gaze—a fire, fierce and unwavering—that none of us were prepared for. It was unsettling. It was real.

Monica tried to save face. “You think you’re tough now?” she spat, her voice rising.

“No,” Athena said, stepping forward, tone icy but controlled. “I know I’m done being pushed around. If you really want to test how tough I am—try me.”

A heavy silence followed. The kind that pressed in from all sides, thick with tension. No one moved.

Then I let out a laugh—forced and shaky. “You think you’re tough?” I repeated, but my voice lacked its usual venom.

Athena didn’t even blink. “Try me.”

And in that moment, I realized I’d already lost. Not the fight—we hadn’t even fought. But the power? That was gone.

I scoffed, stepping back. “Whatever. She’s not worth it.”

Without another word, I turned and walked out, my girls trailing behind me. But the fire in Athena’s eyes burned in the back of my mind long after we left that restroom.

******

Athena

They turned and walked out, muttering among themselves, pretending it was their idea to back down. But the truth was unmistakable—I had stood my ground, and it had rattled them. The moment the restroom door clicked shut, I exhaled a shaky breath. 

My heart was still pounding, adrenaline surging through me. But then—slowly—a smile spread across my face. A triumphant, breathless grin.

I’d done it.

I won.

Later, I spotted Eros leaning against his locker, one hand tucked casually into his pocket, the other flipping his car keys in a lazy rhythm. I practically skipped toward him, my smile still stretched wide. His usual brooding demeanor was in place, but something in the way his eyes flicked toward me made my grin widen even more.

“You look like someone who just won a war,” he said, eyeing me with a knowing smirk.

“You could say that,” I said, practically glowing. “You won’t believe what just happened!”

He turned to face me fully, intrigued by the fire in my voice. He pushed off the locker slightly, a slow smirk tugging at his lips. “Try me.”

I dropped my bag beside him with a thud and leaned in. “Scarlett and her little gang cornered me in the restroom.”

Eros immediately straightened, the lazy rhythm of his keys stopping. That wiped the smirk off his face. “What did they do?”

“Nothing,” I said, the pride in my voice unmistakable. “Because I didn’t let them. I stood my ground. Told them if they ever tried to lay a finger on me, I’d make them regret it.”

He blinked, then chuckled—low, warm, impressed. “Seriously?”

I nodded, grinning. “Dead serious." I replied, chin lifted with pride. "And you know what? It worked. They backed off. I think I actually scared them.”

Eros laughed, a real, genuine sound that made my chest feel lighter. “You’re full of surprises.” He held up his hand. “Well then—”

Our palms met in a satisfying high five, and I couldn’t help but laugh again.

“I’m proud of you,” he said, his voice softer now, his eyes steady on mine. “They won’t mess with you again.”

“Thanks,” I said, my voice dipping into something quieter. “Honestly, I didn’t think I had it in me… but it felt good. Like, really good.”

“You’ve always had it in you,” he said gently. “You just need to remember who you are.”

For a moment, I looked at him—really looked—and something shifted between us. Something unspoken but undeniably real. And though we didn’t say it out loud, we both felt it. Something had changed.

“You know,” he added, that smirk returning, “I kind of like this version of you.”

I smirked, playful and bold. “I’m just getting started.”

Our laughter echoed through the hallway—louder, bolder than the whispers that used to trail behind me.

And this time, I walked beside him with my head held high. Not just because of Eros…

But because I had finally found my voice.

******

The next morning, murmurs trailed behind me through the school hallways—not the usual mocking whispers I’d grown accustomed to, but curious ones laced with surprise… and maybe even a hint of respect.

“Did you hear what happened in the bathroom yesterday?”

“Scarlett actually backed down?”

“She didn’t even slap her?”

“Maybe Athena’s not as soft as everyone thought.”

I kept my head high, doing my best not to let the sudden attention rattle me. It felt strange—being noticed for something other than fading into the background of Eros’ spotlight. There was a shift in the way people looked at me now—not with disdain, but with curiosity.

When I stepped into World History for the first period, Scarlett’s sharp glare found me from across the room. But this time, there was no sneer, no whispered insult—just a stare, tense and uncertain, like she was thrown off balance.

I slipped into my seat, feeling my pulse finally settle. So this was what it felt like—to reclaim your power.