Chapter 17
"Wait, Emory, you have siblings?" Duke asked, surprised. His eyes flicked between Zinnia and Hazel like he was reassessing everything.
"How is that your business, playboy?" Emory shot back, already done with him.
"Hazel, let's go," Emory and Zinnia said, each grabbing one of her arms and pulling me toward the building.
"Hey, stay away from her," Kenzie snapped angrily, stepping into Duke's path. "She's not the kind of girl you should toy with."
Duke smirked, unfazed. "Seems you're interested in her. You'll only get her after I'm done."
"Just you dare," Kenzie snarled. The threat hung in the air for a second before he turned and walked away, hands shoved deep in his pockets.
As soon as Aubrey entered the building, the whispers started. Everyone stared. Most of them mocked her behind their hands.
"Aubrey!" Stormy called, waving from near the lockers. Stormy was one of Aubrey's few real friends.
"Wow, Stormy you've gotten so beautiful," Aubrey said, forcing a smile.
"Thanks. Hi, how have you been?" Stormy replied.
"Good, but someone ruined it," Aubrey muttered, glancing toward the hallway Hazel had disappeared down.
"Seems you've met Hazel?" Stormy guessed.
"I already hate her," Aubrey said flatly.
"Wow, it seems you two are friends," Hazel remarked, appearing out of nowhere. She'd spotted Aubrey and Stormy together from across the hall.
"What's it to you?" Stormy snapped, stepping slightly in front of Aubrey.
Aubrey bristled as Hazel smirked. "Aubrey Koward more like Coward."
"Hey!" Aubrey snapped.
Hazel leaned in, voice low enough that only they could hear. "Let me warn you. Your friend isn't who you think. She might even be spreading rumors that she and Kenzie are dating."
With that, she walked off toward the lecture hall, leaving Aubrey pale and Stormy scowling.
Meanwhile, Emory was heading back to class when she heard her name.
"Emory…" Levi called, regret heavy in his voice. He looked like he hadn't slept in days.
Emory turned, eyes cold. "What? Here to remind me I'm a golddigger?"
"No, I… I'm sorry," Levi stammered.
"Sorry?" Emory laughed, but it sounded mocking. "You're apologizing?"
"Yes. I shouldn't have believed that video. Please, forgive me," he said.
"What do you mean? Did your parents tell you the truth?" Emory said with a bitter laugh.
"Please, I was emotional then. My mom showed me the video, not my dad. If it were him, I'd have deleted it instantly." Levi trailed off, but Emory cut him off before he could finish.
"I don't need an explanation. You didn't listen to mine back then. Leave me alone. I'm glad you know the truth now, so can you stop bothering me?" Emory said, blinking hard to hold back tears.
"Emory, please," Levi pleaded. Then, to her shock, he dropped to his knees in front of the gathering students.
Gasps echoed through the hallway.
"I disowned my dad. He took my card. All I have left is you, my mom, and my friends," Levi said, looking up at her.
"What do you mean?" Emory asked, stunned.
"He planned it. He told my mom he'd disown me unless she showed you the video."
"Is that why you foolishly left home? Where are you staying? How are you getting here? Working?" Emory fired off the questions, her anger cracking.
"I had no choice. He said if I wanted you back, I had to leave," Levi admitted.
"What if I don't forgive you? How did you live without money?"
"Mom gave me a card. I still have about a million. Please, just forgive me."
"Just stand up," Emory said, glancing around at the crowd forming.
"No," Levi said stubbornly. "Not until you forgive me."
"Students are watching," Emory hissed.
"Let them watch. I won't stand until you forgive me," Levi insisted.
"Okay, I forgive you. Stand up," Emory said, exasperated.
"Give me a kiss so I know it's real," Levi pouted.
"Levi, I said I forgive you. Why? Ask Sasha for a kiss. I'm not your girlfriend," Emory said.
"You'll be my girlfriend again," Levi insisted.
"Levi, stand up," Emory repeated.
"No, not until you agree," he said.
"Fine, I agree. Now stand," Emory snapped.
"A kiss?" he pressed.
"No kisses," Emory said, then sighed and gave him a quick peck on the cheek. "Now stand."
"Okay… 'for now,'" Levi said, getting up with a grin that was pure trouble.
"Oh wow, sis, what's going on here?" Hazel appeared with Zinnia, both of them raising eyebrows at the scene.
"It seems someone's in love," Hazel teased, nudging Emory.
"Right, sis," Zinnia added, grinning. "Very public display."
"Yeah, Emory, Hazel's right. What are you doing?" Zinnia said playfully.
Emory's face went bright red. She shoved Levi's shoulder. "Shut up, both of you. You're not helping."
Hazel checked her phone and groaned. "Crap. We're already late for class. Professor Langley will kill us. Move it, lovebirds."
She grabbed Emory's wrist. Zinnia snatched up Emory's bag from the floor. The three of them bolted toward Lecture Hall B, shoes squeaking on the tile, leaving Levi grinning behind them.
They burst through the doors of the lecture hall, breathing hard. Professor Langley paused her introduction and gave them a pointed look over her glasses.
Hazel winced and pulled Emory and Zinnia into a row near the middle. As she moved to sit, Hazel glanced back over her shoulder. She could feel someone's gaze burning into her before she even turned.
The three of them collapsed into seats: Hazel, then Emory, then Zinnia, all trying to slow their breathing.
From the back row, three pairs of eyes tracked their every move.
Levi slid into a seat, still smiling like he'd just won the lottery.
Duke walked in right after, smirk already in place. He ignored the empty seats up front and headed straight for the row behind Hazel. He dropped into the chair directly at Hazel's back. When she stiffened, he leaned forward and gave her a small wave.
And Kenzie, arms crossed over his chest, sat motionless in the corner of the back row. His expression was unreadable, but his gaze never left Hazel. It burned straight through the back of her head, ignoring Duke completely.