Chapter 69
Ellie POV
I didn’t mean to fall.
One second I was gripping the edge of the table, trying to force my vision to cooperate, trying to breathe through the tightness in my chest after Dominic walked away-
And the next, my knees buckled.
The floor swung up toward me and the past few days of nothing but energy drinks didn’t help me.
For a moment, an absolutely stupid moment, I thought arms caught me because Dominic had come back.
Maybe because he seemed like he was trying to care. In his own messed up way.
Warmth shot through my chest. It was confusing, I wasn’t sure whether to push away, then the voice came.
“Ellie? Whoa-hey, easy. I’ve got you.”
Lucas.
Huh.
Not who I was…expecting.
I blinked up at him as he shifted his hold. I was met with concerned eyes, and that light flowing hair haloed against the bright lights of the library. Honestly, he looked like angel, something he probably knew cause he crocked a cocky eyebrow.
If I wasn’t already so dizzy, I might have felt something.
He guided me into a chair at the nearest table. My head lolled for a second, and I straightened too fast, wincing.
Lucas crouched in front of me, bracing one hand against my shoulder, eyes scanning my face like he was cataloguing every possible symptom.
“You look like you’re about to keel over again,” he said quietly.
“Probably,” I muttered. “I dare say I’m a bit tired.”
He huffed out a breath, a half laugh, half exasperation. “You know what I mean.”
I rubbed my temple, trying to blink the world back into focus. “I’m fine. Just… tired.”
“You fainted.”
“I almost fainted.”
He lifted a brow. “You fully collapsed.”
I frowned. “Debatable.”
His mouth twitched like he was trying very hard not to smile. “Ellie, you’re exhausted. At least take a nap.’
“I-“I was going ot refuse, but…he, they, everyone, was right. “Yeah…I should.”
He gave me a look, something warm and surprisingly gentle, and that was somehow worse than any teasing.
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Silence settled for a moment and he leaned back, offering me a soft smile. “Well, glad you’re not hurt.”
“Lucas…” I exhaled slowly, guilt prickingly me. “Thanks for…that.”
His eyes softened. “You look like you have more to say. If you do, then tell me.”
I hesitated, staring at my shaking hands. It felt humiliating to admit any of it, but I couldn’t hold it anymore.
So I told him.
About the anonymous conduct warning. The threat of expulsion. Karina. The midterm that could ruin everything. The pressure. The fear. The exhaustion grinding me to dust.
I expected judgment or disbelief. Instead, Lucas sat down beside me, leaning forward, elbows on his knees. His voice was steady.
“Ellie… that’s insane. Why didn’t you tell anyone?”
I laughed, but it sounded thin. “Who exactly would I tell? The principal who signed it? The girl who wants me gone? The guy who wants me back as a house wife? My sister?”
He only nodded at the bitterness in my voice.
“Okay,” he said slowly. “I’m seeing the dilemma.” He paused, “Let me help you study.”
My stomach tightened. Immediately I shook my head. “No. I can’t. Not with… everything going on. And especially not with you and Dominic-”
“Forget Dominic.”
Easy for him to say. Dominic had a way of making himself unforgettable even when I desperately wanted him out of my head.
I swallowed. “Lucas, I’m under an anonymous report. If I’m seen with either of you-”
“So what?” he interrupted gently. “Let me help.”
“No,” I said again, more firmly. “It’s safer if I just… handle this alone. For me and you.”
He studied me for a long moment. Not pushy. Just… thoughtful.
“I’m sorry,” I blurted before I could stop myself.
He blinked a few times, a few blonde hairs swaying into his eyes. “For what?”
“I never said it before but…the Alpha Ball,” I said quietly. “For snapping at you. For ditching you, how everything
went. I didn’t mean to make things-awkward, or practically jump on you. I didn’t- I wasn’t-.”
Lucas leaned back slightly, considering me. For a moment I braced for discomfort or resentment.
Instead, he shrugged, easy and unguarded.
“Forgiven,” he said lightly, “We were both a bit… messed up.
Now it was my turn to look confused, “You were…drugged too?”
“Yeah,” He nodded, “But still. I did kind of chicken out with you.”
My heart skipped a full beat. “What?”
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He gave a small smirk. “I mean, if I hadn’t-who knows how the night would’ve ended?”
Heat rushed to my face so fast I nearly choked. “Lucas, not funny-”
“I’m kidding,” he laughed, holding up his hands. “Mostly.”
“Mostly?” I echoed.
He grinned wider. “Look, the point is, we’re good. I’m not holding anything against you. I just don’t like seeing you tear yourself apart like this. This is important and I want to help.”
I opened my mouth to argue again, but he was already rising.
“Before you protest,” he said, pointing at me, “I’m not helping you study. I’m just going to bring you some materials from my family’s private library. Notes. Books. Maybe a few practice tests.”
“Lucas-”
“Don’t worry. You don’t have to talk to me. Or thank me. Or even make eye contact until this thing is over.” He tapped the table. “I’m not hovering. Just assisting.”
“That still sounds like hovering.”
He smiled. “Then consider it discreet hovering.”
He stood and I watched wide eyed. “I’ll drop them off in your locker.” He moved past me to leave, but as he did, his hand brushed lightly along my arm. It lingered, yet was quick.
My breath caught.
He noticed and his mouth curved. “I hope you know I still care Ellie-”
My hand snapped up, catching his wrist to his surprise.
I glared up.
“Why?” I asked. “Why are you helping me? I hope you know I’m not like some of the girls around here. I have no interest in you-”
“First off, relax. Second, I know Ellie,” He chuckled, pulling his arm away gently. “I’m doing this because I want to. Use my study guides or throw them in the trash, regardless, you’ll see them soon.” Then he walked off leaving me stretching my head.
Hm. I would definitely owe him after this.
I started to gather my nothes about as carefully as I could gather my thoughts right now, when something made me look toward the window.
My stomach plummeted.
Dominic, Vivian, and… Karina… were walking past outside.
What were… they doing together?
Karina and Vivian waere talking animatedly, hands moving. But Dominic wasn’t looking at her.
He was looking at me.
Straight through the glass. Straight at the spot where Lucas’s hand had just been.
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I stiffened.
His jaw tightened. His eyes narrowed. A muscle ticked in his cheek.
I met his glare, then suck out my tongue.
Jerk.
I expected a reaction, but he just tore his gaze away and kept walking.
A shakey breath shivered out of me, because for one split second, he looked really furious.
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