Chapter 15 Rumors
IRIS
I step out of the philosophy lecture hall with my bag slung lazily over one shoulder, my notes half-stuffed into my binder and my head still spinning from Socrates' endless questioning. My mind is already drifting to lunch and the escape that might bring when I spot Daisy waving at me from across the quad.
“There you are!” she grins, falling into step beside me. “Why do philosophy classes feel like someone’s trying to rearrange my brain cells?”
“Because they are,” I mutter, rubbing at my temples. “I’m convinced Socrates was just bored and liked annoying people.”
She laughs. “Well, speaking of people who enjoy annoying others…”
I give her a sideways look, brows raised.
“Guess who everyone’s been talking about?” she says, wiggling her eyebrows dramatically.
“Not this again…”
“Us! Well, specifically you and Adrian.” She leans in like she’s sharing a secret. “Word is, the Lycan prince’s little school crush has people whispering.”
I groan. “Oh great. That’s exactly what I needed. Attention.”
She elbows me. “Come on, it’s not the worst thing. We’re popular now!”
“I don’t want to be popular, Daisy. I want peace, quiet, and a nap.”
She snickers. “Too late for that, Miss Mystery Mate.”
I don’t bother responding because I suddenly feel a very familiar, irritating presence behind me.
“Well, if it isn’t my two favorite ladies,” Adrian’s voice drawls, smug and smooth like always.
I stop walking and sigh before turning around. “Don’t you have anything better to do?”
“Nothing more entertaining than this,” he replies with a grin, walking up to us. “You look extra grumpy today, Iris. That philosophy class really sucked the soul out of you, huh?”
Daisy chuckles, looping her arm through mine. “She’s always grumpy. I think she likes you, she just won’t admit it.”
“Is that so?” Adrian smirks.
“I don’t,” I say flatly, ignoring the warmth creeping into my cheeks.
Daisy mock-pouts. “You never flirt with me, Adrian.”
Adrian turns to her dramatically, reaching out to wrap an arm around her shoulders and tug her in. “Ah, Daisy,” he says in that low, teasing tone of his. “If I flirted with you, I’d break hearts campus-wide. You’re far too dangerous.”
Daisy laughs, practically glowing. “You’re ridiculous.”
“And charming,” he adds smugly.
I roll my eyes. “Both of you are exhausting.”
Adrian shoots me a wink. “You love it.”
I don’t bother answering. I just start walking toward our next class, the two of them chatting behind me like they’re in some comedy skit.
Halfway across the path, Adrian calls out, “So what do you say we ditch the dining hall and get real food today?”
Daisy immediately perks up. “Yes! Oh my God, yes. Can we go to that place by the park? The one with the weirdly perfect burgers?”
I shake my head. “That place is expensive.”
Adrian shrugs. “So? I’ll pay.”
I stop walking just long enough to turn and give him a look. “You’re not buying my lunch.”
He grins. “Too late. I already decided.”
“I’m not going,” I say, turning back around.
“But-” Daisy starts.
“Go with him,” I mutter, waving a hand over my shoulder. “Enjoy your ‘weirdly perfect’ burgers.”
They both burst out laughing behind me.
Adrian calls out, “Don’t be jealous, Iris! I’ll save you a fry!”
I raise my hand without turning around and flip him off over my shoulder.
More laughter.
And even though I’m annoyed, I can’t help the small tug at my lips.
He’s insufferable. But the kind of insufferable that keeps showing up and somehow, keeps worming his way into moments I didn’t plan for.
I don’t know how Daisy managed to talk me into this. One second we were heading to class, the next I blink and we’re sliding into a booth at one of the most overpriced lunch spots in town.
I swear, she must’ve slipped a spell into my water or something. Adrian, of course, looks like he’s just won a bet, way too pleased with himself as he sprawls across from me.
“I still have work to do,” I mutter, placing my bag beside me and pulling out a thin stack of books and my journal.
“Not during lunch,” Adrian says immediately, leaning over the table and snatching the books from my hands like I just offended him.
“Hey!” I reach for them, but he holds them out of my reach.
“Lunch is sacred. Work can wait.”
“My assignments are due, Adrian.”
He ignores me, flipping through a page lazily before dropping the books on the seat beside him like they’re in time-out.
“Is she always this boring?” he asks, turning to Daisy with mock seriousness.
Daisy laughs. “Only when she’s stressed. Which is always.”
I cross my arms. “This is why I’m the one helping you pull your GPA up.”
Adrian smirks. “Touché.”
Before I can throw another jab, the waitress arrives with our food; three burgers stacked with ridiculous toppings, two baskets of fries, and three tall milkshakes that look like they were made to ruin diets.
“Finally,” Daisy beams, digging in like she’s been starving for days.
Adrian grabs a fry and pops it into his mouth. “Told you this place was worth it.”
I pick at my burger slowly, watching them eat like they’re on vacation. I try not to enjoy the milkshake, but it’s good. Damn good.
“So,” Daisy says between bites, “is your brother single?”
Adrian nearly chokes on his fry.
“What?”
“Zeus,” she says, grinning. “Is he single?”
Adrian laughs, full and loud. “If Zeus ever got a girlfriend, I’d be scared for her.”
“Why?” she asks.
“Because he doesn’t have it in him to love someone.”
I blink, a little surprised at how blunt that is. “And you do?”
He turns to me, lips quirking up. “Absolutely.”
I scoff. “Please. You’re a walking flirt.”
“And yet,” he says, smug, “people still fall.”
“Only because they haven’t figured you out yet,” I mutter, sipping my shake.
He leans in a little. “And have you?”
“I’ve got you figured out to the last strand of that cocky hair.”
“Is that so?”
“Mm-hmm.”
Before he can reply, a voice cuts through the chatter of the restaurant.
“So the rumors are true.”
We all look up.
Archer.
Standing right beside our table, arms crossed, jaw clenched, and looking like he’d rather be anywhere else than watching the three of us share fries and laughs.