HIS SCENT IS A MOON LIT LIE

Chapter Thirty Two

Elara's POV

Jordan's anger was something that refused to settle in, it was hard for me to comprehend. I could not forget nor explain it. It was not just about Adrian, there was something deeper behind the way he looked at me, the way he lost complete control.

Mum stood by the door with the "I saw everything" type of expression, her arms crossed, lips curved into a frown and her eyes sharper than a blade.

Stepping into the house with my hands raised in mock surrender. "Okay okay, I know how this looks but i swear we were only just talking. About school stuff."

"Right." Brows raised at me, mum pointed out. "Detention is part of school now huh?"

The question stung causing me to blink. "How did you even...." Then it suddenly clicked. "Of course, Gabriel Cross."

"It is Mr Gabriel Cross to you." Mum corrected.

"I knew it! He was in my school for a reason! You sent him, didn't you?" The accusation slipped out before there was any filtering. "Is he like a spy?"

"He informed me.." Mum trailed off. "That is what a responsible adult does when a child is headed for trouble." Her tone was calm yet accusing.

Silence fell between us, the room felt smaller, tighter and suffocating.

Talking to my mum now felt like a chore, maybe it was because she was always complaining about everyone and everything.

Although things were not always that way. Mum and i used to be able to talk about a lot of things without making each other feel uncomfortable or rather without having to point blaming fingers at each other.

Now, it was like we were slowly drifting apart and it all happened when....

"Ever since that boy moved into this neighborhood." Mum started. Her tone was now laced with disappointment. "You have changed, everything around us has changed." She blurted out.

Her voice trembled, not in weakness but in fear, that was what it was.

Stay away from him.

That was what she really wanted to say or perhaps, she even did, but the words slowly blurred in my ears.

I did not respond, maybe it was because she was not entirely wrong.

A lot had changed but it was not just about Jordan.

It was about me too.

So, I said nothing. Just turned around and walked away with chest feeling hollow and empty.

Stepping into my room, I sank into my bed, the comfort easing a bit of the emptiness I was feeling.

Shutting my eyes close, there was only one person who could ease the feeling of tension.

I carefully whispered into the silence.

"Jordan?"

No response, just silence.

For a second, panic washed over me. Maybe, this was not the right way to communicate to him. I still had no idea what this mind-link stuff was.

"Jordan, are you there?"

Suddenly, a soft, familiar voice echoed in the air.

"Elara."

Relief swept over me like a warm breeze. "I was just about to give up." A nervous laughter escaped from my lips.

"No, I am here. I will always be here."

His words sounded more than just mere words, it sounded more like reassurance.

"I am sorry. For today. I should not have acted out at all."

"It is okay." I answered. "I did not know you felt that way."

Jordan did not respond. Maybe he could not or he probably was not ready so I didn't push further, instead I changed the subject.

"Gabriel Cross. I was trying to tell you about him the other day. I think something about him is off. He and Adrian were alone before class today."

His reply came slow, careful. "Just try to stay away from him, do not entertain any of his questions."

That made me sit up straight. "Do you know what he is or what he wants?"

"I can not say, just try to be careful around him. He is obviously up to no good at all."

There was a pause from my end, I shivered. "What about Adrian, what are you going to do about him?"

It was Jordan's turn to sigh. "I do not know but do not worry about that Elara, I got everything under control."

Just as I was about to respond, a knock on my door made me jolt, then it flew open wide.

"Were you just talking to yourself?" Maya smirked. "Elara, I thought you stopped doing that or has your imaginary friend finally started responding?" She stepped into the house with her usual flair.

Behind her was Ethan. He stood awkwardly, his hands stuffed in his hoodie, eyes watching me with concern.

"I was just thinking out loud." A nervous chuckle escaped from my lips.

Maya threw herself on my bed like she owned it. "Sure. Looked like a full-on conversation to me."

Ethan stepped closer. "Are you okay?"

I nodded then proceeded to apologize to him. "Hey, I'm really sorry about my outburst the other day."

He nodded. "Same, I am sorry too. I overreacted, I should not have acted out of place."

It wasn't a grand apology but it felt real.

Maya popped a bubble gum and applauded. "Okay, cute reconciliation moment aside. I thought you were grounded, why did your mum let us in?"

Wait, she did?

Maya noticed the questioning look on my face so she continued. "She told us you probably needed your friends. You must have really messed up today, huh?"

There was a twist in my stomach, that did not sound like my mum at all.

Then I remembered dad's words about a lead on grandpa's case.

Ethan checked his phone and exhaled. "I gotta go. Work duties."

He gave me a small smile and gently patted my shoulder. "Don't think too hard, El."

I nodded, watching him walk to the door and disappear down the hallway.

Once Ethan was gone, my attention drifted back to Maya. I leaned in slightly, a smirk tugging at my lips. "Hey Maya, how about we play cop and uncover some secrets?"