Athena's sneakers echoed faintly against the polished floor of the corridor. She had her bag hanging lazily over her shoulder, the golden sport jacket hanging open over her white shirt. Her ponytail swayed with each step, two strands brushing her cheeks, softening her sharp presence into something almost too innocent.
Eyes followed her as whispers tickled the air.
"She's really bold after what happened…"
"Doesn't she feel ashamed?"
"She doesn't even care, look at her walking like nothing touched her…"
But Athena didn't falter. Not once. The old her might have shrunk under those looks, chewed herself up over every word. But now, no. Pretending not to hear, not to care, was armor. And she wore it well.
She was halfway down the corridor when a hand suddenly caught her wrist. Her body jolted, breath catching as she was tugged into a dark classroom.
The door clicked shut.
Before she could turn, her back hit the cool wall, and a palm pressed beside her head, caging her in.
Her heart skipped, then dropped.
That scent. Then the smirk, that always get under her skin.
Eryx Draven.
His face hovered inches from hers, eyes glinting like he'd just found his favorite game. "Relax, princess," he said, his voice low, lazy and dangerous. "I didn't drag you in here to eat you alive… unless you want me to."
Athena felt her heart raced at his boldness. She had always had a thing for bold guys actually or is it just him? Shut the fuck up Athena and concentrate. Her throat tightened, but she forced her expression flat, rolling her eyes. "What do you think you're doing, Draven? Let me go."
Instead of moving, he leaned closer, his lips brushing near her ear but not touching and Athena felt her breath hitch. "Mm, see, that's the thing. You throw words around like little blades… sharp, reckless. And then you walk away as if they didn't stick."
She shifted against the wall, trying to steady her breath. "If you're here about the cafeteria, don't. I'm not interested in your commentary. Don't take anything I said too seriously."
That earned her a chuckle, deep and smooth, as he dragged his gaze deliberately down her figure, stopping at her boobs before meeting her eyes again. "Not take it seriously?" He tilted his head, his smirk widening. "Sweetheart, you told me..." he lowered his voice, slow and taunting, "that you'd make me beg between your legs."
Athena froze, heat crawling uninvited up her neck. "I didn't..." she started, but his laugh cut her off.
"Oh, you did," Eryx teased, tapping his finger against the wall beside her head, like a gavel sealing her guilt. "Word for word. And you said it with such conviction, too. Damn, Athena… if you could see your face right now."
Her jaw clenched, eyes narrowing at him. "I was angry. I didn't mean it. You think too much of yourself."
He leaned even closer, their noses almost brushing. "Maybe. Or maybe you think too much about me." His lips curved wickedly, his voice dropping into a whisper meant to curl heat down her spine. "Tell me, would you still make me beg… or was that just your mouth running wild?"
Athena's fingers tightened around the strap of her bag. She tried to look unfazed, but her pulse betrayed her. "Don't flatter yourself, Draven. You're not that special."
"Oh, but I am." His grin sharpened, his eyes locking on hers with unbearable confidence. "Special enough that you remember what you said. Special enough that you're here, pinned against a wall, and you haven't shoved me off yet. Tell me, what's stopping you?"
Her chest rose and fell in shallow defiance. "Because if I hit you, you'll cry like a child."
Eryx laughed, rich and unbothered, brushing his thumb across her chin like he was testing how far he could go. "Nah. You want to keep me right here. Admit it, Athena, you like this little game."
Her eyes burned into his, refusing to give him the satisfaction. "The only thing I like," she said coldly, "is silence. So either step back or I'll give you some."
But his smirk only grew darker, his voice brushing her like velvet. " I'll let you go for now."
He released her, a teasing smile playing on his lips. "My eyes are on you Athena.
With that he left.
The door clicked shut behind him, leaving Athena alone in the empty classroom.
Her back was still pressed against the wall, her breath uneven. She slowly raised a hand and placed it against her chest, feeling the wild thump of her heart. It was beating so fast it almost hurt.
"Damn it," she muttered under her breath, dragging her palm down her face. "What the hell is wrong with me?"
Pushing herself off the wall, she adjusted her bag strap and walked out of the classroom.
The moment she stepped into the corridor, she bumped into two figures.
"Sorry..." Athena started, but her words trailed when she saw who it was.
Leo.
He flashed her his usual bright grin, the one that always made him look like he had a hundred secrets and found all of them funny. And next to him stood another boy Athena hadn't seen before. Taller, calm, with sharper features. His dark hair fell neatly into place, his deep amber eyes carrying a quiet weight that made him stand out without even trying. His beauty wasn't loud like Leo's, it was the kind of beauty that made you want to look twice, but still, Leo's beauty was undeniable.
He is the opposite of levi, golden and warm, his grin boyish, his whole face alive with mischief. If Levi looked like a winter night, Leo looked like sunlight.
Athena's instinct was to ignore them, but Leo beat her to it.
"Hey, Athena!" he greeted in that overly familiar tone of his.
She sighed but answered anyway, "Hi, Leo."
Leo's grin widened. "Meet Levi, my boyfriend."
Athena blinked and turned her gaze to the quiet one. Levi's brows furrowed instantly, shooting Leo a look that clearly said not this again.
She blinked once at Levi, studying him properly.
Levi let out a small breath and turned his attention to her instead. His voice was deep but soft as he raised a hand and waved casually. "Hi. Athena, right?"
Athena tilted her head slightly, surprised he knew her name. But then she remembered. Of course. Everyone probably knew her now.
"Yes," she answered simply.
Leo leaned against the wall with his grin still plastered on his face. "Guess who's trending now," he said in a singsong tone, clearly teasing.
Athena shot him a glare sharp enough to cut. "Yeah, that's me. Congratulations to you."
Levi chuckled under his breath, and Athena noticed the slight twitch of his lips, amused but calm.
Levi nodded politely. "It's nice meeting you. I hope we get to know each other better in the future."
Athena gave him a small nod back. "Sure."
She muttered under her breath as she shifted her bag strap. "At least someone here sounds more reasonable."
But both of them heard it.
Levi's lips curved into a soft smile. He didn't say anything, just let the amusement sit on his face.
Leo, on the other hand, gasped dramatically and placed a hand over his chest. "Excuse me? Did you just say I'm not reasonable? Wow. That hurts. That really hurts, Athena."
Athena looked him dead in the eye, her tone calm and cutting. "If the shoe fits, Leo."
"Oh, it fits alright," Leo fired back without missing a beat, leaning closer with mock offense. "But don't pretend you don't enjoy my unreasonable charm. I'm practically carrying this school's entertainment on my back."
Athena arched a brow. "Is that what you call it? Entertainment?"
"Yes," Leo said confidently, his grin unwavering. "Free of charge too."
"Then I think you should start charging yourself," Athena replied smoothly.
Levi chuckled again, clearly enjoying the banter.
Leo clutched his chest dramatically again. "Ouch. Ouch. She's got claws. Levi, did you hear that? She's bullying me."
Athena smirked at him, victory written all over her face. "Good. Then my work here is done."
She walked past them with a calm stride, her ponytail swaying with each step.
"See ya," Leo called out, still grinning.
Athena paused, turned back at him, and gave him a little wave with a small smile.
Leo froze, his eyes widening in disbelief. "Wait, did you just smile at me?"
Her smile stretched wider, sharper now, and she shot back a clear, "Fuck you."
Leo's jaw dropped, then he burst out laughing as she walked away.