After Athena's and Leo's sweet little banter. She went to the locker room and unlocked her locker, and the first thing she saw was a big note pasted inside.
"Know your place."
Written in what looked like a red ink or blood.
She scoffed and rolled her eyes, not even surprised. She didn't need a genius to tell her who was behind this.
Without hesitation, she tore it out.
Just then, Felicia came bouncing in with her usual hyperactive energy.
"Hiii!" was the first thing that came out of her mouth before she literally jumped on Athena's back with a wide grin.
Athena furrowed her brows, caught off guard. Still, she forced a small smile onto her face. She wasn't sure they were close enough for this kind of back-hugging thing, but Felicia didn't seem to care.
As much as Athena had to admit Felicia was fun and carried a kind of trustable vibe, she still liked her own space. She wasn't used to this kind of closeness from anyone not even Oliver.
Felicia tilted her head, peeking at the paper Athena was holding.
"What's that?" she asked curiously.
Athena slid the paper behind her and muttered, "Nothing."
But Felicia wasn't the type to shut up just like that. Quick as lightning, she snatched the paper from Athena's hand.
"Felicia." Athena's voice came calm but sharp. "Give it back."
"Chill." Felicia said, holding it out of reach with a grin.
Athena gave her a look that screamed I'm not joking. But instead of grabbing it back, she just sighed and let it go.
Felicia finally glanced down at the note, and her eyes went wide.
"What in the name of hell is this?" she blurted.
Athena scoffed again, rolling her eyes. "Exactly what you see."
Felicia shook her head, whispering, "It's definitely Adrianna."
"Obviously." Athena snatched the note back, crumpling it in her hand like trash.
Felicia still didn't press too much on it, just wrinkled her nose before shrugging like she'd expected no less.
Felicia leaned against her locker like she had all the time in the world. Then her eyes suddenly lit up and she nudged Athena hard enough to make her stumble.
"Look, just look at those freshers!" she whispered loudly, pointing not-so-discreetly at a guy a few steps away. "Damn, they're so fine. I mean—do you see that one? The way his jawline could slice bread?"
Athena blinked at her, then followed her finger lazily. The boy was just fixing his locker combination like it was the most important thing in the world. Athena raised a brow. "He looks like he's fighting for his life against that locker, Felicia. How's that fine?"
Felicia gasped like Athena just insulted her entire bloodline. "Excuse you, he's hot, okay? You have zero taste, Athena. Zero."
Athena chuckled under her breath, shaking her head.
But Felicia wasn't done. She pointed again, this time at another boy across the room. "Okay, okay, what about him? His hair, my God, it's giving movie star. His name's Justin, I overheard earlier. Don't ask how, I have sources."
Athena turned her head slightly, gave him a glance, then looked back at her locker. "He's brushing his hair with his fingers like it owes him money."
Felicia slapped her arm lightly, whisper- and. yelling at the same time, "Are you blind, or are you just committed to being difficult?"
Athena smirked, enjoying the way Felicia was going crazy.
Felicia then pointed at yet another boy, this one tall with broad shoulders. "Okay fine, last one. That's Max. MAX. Do you see the biceps? Girl, if he flexes too hard, this whole locker room is collapsing."
Athena rolled her eyes and shut her locker with a small bang, making Felicia flinch. "Calm down before you faint. Yes, I get it, they're good looking. Happy? But I don't care."
Felicia narrowed her eyes dramatically. "What do you mean you don't care? Are you not human?"
Athena sighed, looked back at her locker, and said casually, "I have a boyfriend."
Felicia froze like someone just pressed pause on her. Her eyes widened, and her mouth dropped open so wide it could've swallowed a fly. "...You what?"
Athena turned her head, one corner of her lips curling up in a smile. "You heard me."
"Oh my God," Felicia whispered, then suddenly started grinning mischievously like a cat that found milk. "Tell. Me. Everything."
Athena shut her down instantly, holding up a hand. "No."
Felicia clutched her chest like Athena just broke her heart. "No way. You're blushing, my love." She even reached out dramatically, cupping Athena's face like a mother would.
Athena slapped her hand away lightly, still smiling. "Stop."
Felicia pouted but her eyes sparkled. "Athena, you're killing me. You can't just drop the boyfriend bomb on me and then act all mysterious. I deserve answers!"
Athena shook her head, amused at Felicia's theatrics, and picked up her water bottle. "Not today, Felicia. Not ever, maybe."
Felicia gasped again. "Oh, it's serious. That smile, God, you're doomed."
Athena gave her one last smirk before walking off, leaving Felicia chasing behind her, muttering, "No way I'm letting this slide!"
Felicia trailed after Athena like a detective on a case, still buzzing with curiosity. "Athena, wait! You can't just leave me hanging like that. A boyfriend? Since when? Why didn't I know? Why don't we know?!"
Athena sighed, walking toward the sports field with her water bottle still in her hand.
"Felicia…"
"No, don't you 'Felicia' me," she cut in, pointing a finger dramatically. "Do you realize how huge this is? You, of all people, Miss Ice Queen, Miss 'I don't care,' you have a man?"
Athena bit her lip to stop a laugh, shaking her head. "You're insane."
"I'll take that as a yes," Felicia said proudly, jogging a little to keep up. "Tell me everything. What's his name? How tall is he? Is he hot? No, don't answer that, I already know the answer is yes. Nobody says 'I have a boyfriend' with that smug smile unless he's drop-dead."
Athena finally chuckled, her lips curving. "You're too much."
Felicia clasped her hands together like she was praying. "Please, I'm begging. I won't sleep tonight if you don't tell me something."
Athena gave her a side glance. The mischief in Felicia's eyes was too much, she wasn't going to let this go. Finally, Athena sighed in defeat, a smile tugging at her lips. "Fine."
Felicia gasped dramatically and almost tripped. "Oh my God, you're actually going to tell me. This is the best day of my life."
Athena shook her head, laughing softly. "He's… tall."
Felicia squealed, grabbing her arm. "TALL. Yes! Go on, my queen."
Athena rolled her eyes but continued, her tone calmer. "His hair is dark, a little messy sometimes but… it suits him. And his eyes…" she paused, her smile lingering. "Sharp. Intense. You know the type that looks right through you?"
Felicia clutched her chest. "Stop, you're making me jealous already. Is he older? He gives me older vibes. Tell me he's older."
Athena chuckled, keeping her pace steady. "He is."
Felicia groaned like she'd just heard the sweetest gossip of her life. "Older, tall, messy dark hair, sharp eyes, Athena, he sounds illegal. What else? Please don't stop."
Athena's smile deepened. "He's strong. Confident. You can tell when he walks into a room, he doesn't need to say a word, people just… notice."
Felicia's jaw dropped. "Okay, so he's literally main-character energy. Do you realize what you're saying? He sounds like the guy every girl secretly fantasizes about."
Athena laughed again, shaking her head. "You're too dramatic."
"No, I'm realistic," Felicia corrected, pointing at her. "You're just trying to downplay it. You said he's confident, strong, sharp eyes, older, tall—girl, are you sure he's even real? Or did you pull him out of a romance novel?"
Athena smirked. "He's real."
Felicia narrowed her eyes at her suspiciously. "Hmm. What about his body? Don't hide that part from me."
Athena hesitated, then spoke with a small grin. "Let's just say… he works out. A lot."
Felicia clutched her head, groaning. "This is so unfair. UNFAIR. Why does he sound like a dream and he's yours?!"
Athena laughed, the sound soft but genuine. "I didn't ask for your approval."
Felicia gasped, shaking her head. "I don't approve. I envy. That's different."
Athena gave her a playful side glance. "Well, too bad."
Felicia stomped her foot dramatically as they reached the edge of the sports field. "Athena, you've officially ruined me. I'm going to picture him all day now. Older, strong, tall, sharp eyes, messy dark hair. God."
Athena just smiled, shaking her head, clearly amused but not giving anything more.
Felicia leaned closer, whispering with a sly grin, "You're smiling again, my love. If this guy is half as good as you're describing, I don't blame you."
Athena finally let out a small laugh, but turned her head, pretending not to care. "Enough, Felicia. Go stretch before you twist an ankle from excitement."
Felicia giggled, still grinning mischievously. "Fine, fine. But this conversation isn't over."
Athena just shook her head, her heart still racing a little not that she would ever admit it.