HIS SCENT IS A MOON LIT LIE

Chapter Thirty six

Elara's POV

Adrian stood at his locker, his eyes now fixated on whatever was inside it. He was pretending like nothing was wrong, like he was not just staring at me with a mischievous smirk. He acted like he had not just destroyed someone else's life.

Anger burned through me, my breath shaky and my legs moved faster than imagined.

I slammed the locker door shut, gaining the attention of the students in the hallways, probably including Maya and Ethan.

As expected, Adrian did not flinch. He calmly turned, one brow raised. "Hello to you too Elara."

"You think this is funny?" My voice cracked as I struggled to stop myself from breaking down. "You think any of this is a joke?"

Adrian leaned against the locker, casually. "I am going to need you to be a bit more specific sweetheart."

Gritting my teeth in anger, I clenched my jaw tight. "You saw Jordan get arrested. Gabriel Cross pointed at him and the police took him in front of everyone."

Adrian grinned. "Sounds interesting but are you trying to insinuate that I had something to do with it?"

I hissed loudly, stepping closer. "I know you did. I remember seeing you alone with Gabriel Cross in the music room and last I checked, you are madly obsessed with tormenting Jordan so yes, I know you set him up."

Adrian chuckled, he shrugged nonchalantly. "As much as I would love to take credit for his downfall, this one was not me. I mean, I can not even lie, that was satisfying but you if you are looking for the villain, you have got the wrong guy."

I stared at him, my eyes accessing him. Something in his tone did not feel like a lie. There was a feeling of sincerity laced in his tone, plus mum was the one who called the cops on Jordan so I was supposed to be questioning her instead.

"I swear if I find out you had anything to do with this. I will came back for you." I sneered.

Adrian gave me a mocking salute as I rushed out of the hallways.

Marching towards the exit, my footsteps fast and furious, Gabriel Cross stepped in my way, his eyes full of warning.

"Leaving school grounds without a reasonable excuse is punishable Elara. Do not think I will make an excuse for you just because I am friends with your mum."

"Move out of my way." I retorted.

"Think about your actions Elara. Do not make reckless decisions."

I did not even bother to glance at me, brushing his shoulders aggressively, I pushed past him and just like that, I was out of school.

The walk home felt like hell.

My fists clenched so tight my nails pierced into my palms, the anger twisting thought every part of me as I drew closer to the house.

My breath shaky and my thoughts screamed one single word. "Why?"

Our house finally came into view, my legs powered by rage as I arrived at the front door.

Yanking the door open and slamming it behind me, my dad was still on the same couch I had left him since morning.

His eyes widened at the sight of me.

"Elara?" He stood up hastily, worry spread across his face. "What is wrong? Why are you home?"

Right now, the last thing I wanted to do was talk to dad. My voice came out loud and commanding. "Where is she?"

"Who?"

"Mum!" I screamed.

As if she had heard her name, mum appeared, her expression full of confusion.

"What are you doing home young lady? You left school without permission?" She scolded.

"Why would you call the police on Jordan?"

The room went silent.

"You heard me!" I hissed, stepping forward. "You called the police and told them Jordan was a suspect in grandpa's case. Why the hell would you do that?"

Mum sighed, she crossed her arms and spoke in a bored tone. "Elara, go back to school. You do not understand what you are talking about."

"No!" She was stunned by my sudden response so i pressed further.

"You have been keeping secrets from me for the past few weeks and I have done nothing but accept them. Now, you have crossed the line."

"Elara--" She tried to explain herself.

"Did you just magically return to grandpa's house and find something that linked Jordan there or did you plant it?"

Her mouth dropped open. "Excuse me, are you accusing me?"

Tears of frustration pricked at the corner of my eyes as I continued. "You have been hiding things! Going behind everyone's back!"

Dad stood frozen, the look of confusion was evident on his face, his eyes kept glancing between us.

"I will not let you disrespect me just because of some boy next door!" She snapped.

"That stupid boy next door is currently in the station and that is all thanks to you mother. Or was that your pathetic way of trying to separate the both of us?"

Mum rubbed her temple. "Elara, if you are so sure he is innocent then just let the police do their job! None of this concerns you, none at all. You should be in school like the rest of your friends."

I could not stand to hear mum continue to defend herself. My mind kept drifting to Jordan, the urge to check up on him was there.

I began to walk away, turning a deaf ear to my mother's defensive words, every single word of hers sounded biased.

Storming into my room and grabbing a hoodie. I was going to head to the station just to see Jordan.

After changing into the hoodie, I twisted the doorknob.

It did not budge.

Gulping a lump down my throat, I twisted it again.

Nothing.

Then I heard the sound of my mother's voice on the other side of the door.

"I am not letting you leave Elara, not until Jordan is proven innocent. I will lock you in here for days if I have to."