Claimed by the Villainess’s Brother

Chapter 15

The front lawn was packed with students, captivated by the spectacle of their peers modeling for the school website’s promotional pictures. Teachers were making half-hearted attempts to herd them back to their classrooms, but the crowd was too absorbed to take much notice.

I stood off the side, desperately trying to keep a calm, serene expression on my face. Elena, on the other hand, seemed completely at ease. She looked excited, even enthusiastic about the whole thing, as if this were a thrilling adventure.

I sent a side-glare toward Lucas, who stood nearby, looking effortlessly gorgeous and composed. Beside him, Luna stood, poised and graceful as always. They were wearing the same uniform, but somehow, they managed to make it look like designer wear.

At least Lucas wasn’t glaring at me. He wouldn’t even look at me now, the petty jerk.

It was strange, but for siblings, they didn’t act like most brothers and sisters I knew. I’d mostly seen them side by side in the cafeteria or standing next to each other in other places, but they didn’t interact the way I imagined siblings would. No teasing, no bickering, no shared inside jokes.

It was always Luna doing the talking while Lucas just… listened. Not that he seemed particularly interested. In fact, he looked distant most of the time, like he was physically there but mentally checked out. Most siblings I knew were either super close or constantly at each other’s throats. But with Luna and Lucas, it felt like there was an invisible wall between them.

The student athletes, including Jonathan, were wearing their respective sports uniforms, posing with ease. They were just about to finish up, and I felt the knot in my stomach tighten as my turn approached.

Caught up in my own worry, I didn’t notice Luna had moved closer until her voice cut through my thoughts.

“So,” Luna began, her voice deceptively sweet, “how exactly did you manage to get my brother to model for these pictures?”

I blinked. “What do you mean?”

Luna arched a perfectly sculpted brow. “Lucas despises media exposure of any kind.”

My blood turned cold.

I glanced at Lucas, who was now surrounded by the other boys.

Of course, it made sense.

Lucas wasn’t even on social media. That detail had completely slipped my mind in my haste to get back at him.

“You must have some serious persuasion skills, Coline,” Luna continued.

“He didn’t seem that bothered when I mentioned it,” I mumbled. “I figured… he’d be okay with it.”

She gave a light, almost amused laugh, though it didn’t reach her eyes. “Strange. Lucas has always been quite adamant about avoiding cameras.”

“People can change.”

Her smile didn’t falter, but her eyes narrowed slightly. “Yeah, but not my brother.”

I tried to keep a calm, serene expression, but irritation gnawed at me. She was making me feel even worse.

“Why are you even talking to me, Luna?” I asked, unable to keep the edge out of my voice.

Luna’s smile was all sugary sweetness, but I knew better. “Why, Coline, didn’t you know? Elena and I are friends.”

Elena, who had been quietly standing by my side, listening to our exchange, peered around me with a tentative smile. “Yeah,” she said warmly. "Hey, Luna.”

“Hi, Elena,” Luna replied, her tone dripping with false warmth. I had to force myself not to roll my eyes. “Are you having fun?”

“I’m actually a bit nervous,” Elena admitted.

“Don’t worry. I’ll make sure to guide you, so make sure to stick close to me.”

“Um, no, she won’t,” I quickly cut-in. “She’s my best friend. She’s promised to stay by my side because I’m feeling nervous too,” I lied smoothly.

Luna couldn’t almost hide her disdain. “I see."

I forced a tight smile her way.

She had to know her plans to humiliate Elena during the photoshoot were now in jeopardy because I was here, ready to shield my friend. I’d even checked the shot list to see which specific ones Elena would be in, so I could plan for each. There was no way Luna’s scheme would succeed.

Luna smiled, but her eyes glinted with something cold. “Well, it doesn't really matter now. I’m sure the photos will turn out… memorable.”

Memorable, my ass, I thought grimly.

The teacher called out our names for the group photo, and I went back to feeling like I was about to hurl. I stepped forward, trying to calm the nerves twisting in my stomach. Elena, Luna, Lucas, and a few others were already in place by the fountain, waiting for me to join them. All the eyes on us only made it worse.

I moved into position next to Elena, making sure to box Luna out. But no matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t shake the tension in my shoulders or the stiffness in my smile. Or the feeling that something was off. The photographer noticed immediately.

“Relax a little,” the photographer urged, his tone kind but critical. I forced another smile, but I knew it looked stiff.

A hand rested on my shoulder. Startled, I glanced to the side and found Lucas next to me, his voice low as he whispered, “Smile.”

“This is all your fault,” I hissed.

He didn’t reply, but just gave me that maddening half-smile. Determined not to let him win, I took a deep breath, relaxed my shoulders, and focused on the camera, doing my best to let go of the tension and simply smile.

“Perfect, just like that,” the photographer praised, snapping away.

The photographer called for additional poses, and I shifted awkwardly, acutely aware of Lucas’s hand, which he had yet to remove.

I tried to subtly dislodge his hand, shifting my weight or moving slightly away, but it was no use. His hand stayed on me, sliding to my back or resting casually on the side of my hip. It was like he was daring me to react and make a scene in front of everyone.

I bit the inside of my cheek, refusing to give him the satisfaction.

Refusing to let him see how his touch was making my body go electric.

But Lucas was only part of the problem.

I kept one eye on Luna, who was standing on the other side of her brother. She was smiling sweetly at the camera, but I didn’t trust her for a second.

“Okay, everyone, a bit closer,” the photographer called, adjusting his camera.

I swallowed a gasp when Lucas’s hand slid back down to my lower back, pulling me just a fraction closer to him. My skin prickled at the contact, and by a sheer miracle I pulled it together and was able to force my expression to remain neutral as the camera clicked.

“Now, can everyone move a little closer to the edge of the fountain?" the photographer instructed. "One more shot, and this time I want big, genuine smiles. Look like you're having fun!”

I glanced at Elena as we moved, and she grinned at me. I smiled back at her.

At least one of us was having fun.

That’s when I realized what had been nagging at me.

I looked at the fountain and then to the teacher holding the shot list.

The list hadn’t mentioned anything about us standing in front of the fountain. We should have been at the statue of St. Therese.

I noticed, then, the photographer glancing at Luna’s way. As everyone moved back, I noticed the edge of the fountain was slippery. I noticed Luna sidling up next to Elena, her expression still sugary sweet. Her hand brushed against Elena’s arm in a way that seemed casual, but I saw the intent behind it.

I opened my mouth to shout a warning, but it was too late.

Elena slipped, her feet skidding on the wet stone at the fountain's edge. She flailed, arms reaching out as she stumbled backward, right toward the water.

My heart leaped into my throat.

Instinctively, I lunged forward, grabbing Elena’s arm just before she could fall into the fountain. My grip tightened as I yanked her back to safety, my muscles straining as I used all my strength to keep her from plunging into the water.

Elena gasped, her eyes wide with shock. The other students gasped too, a mix of confusion and concern rippling through the group.

"Elena, are you okay?" Jonathan asked, rushing over.

"That was dangerous," another chimed in. "We shouldn’t be so close to the water!"

The teacher seemed flustered, flipping through the shot list as if trying to figure out how the group had ended up by the fountain in the first place.

As everyone crowded around Elena, I bit back a wince. My shoulder throbbed painfully from the sudden strain. I must have pulled a muscle, but I didn’t want to draw attention to myself.

“Are you okay?”

I closed my eyes briefly. Of course, he would notice.

Shooting Lucas a quick glare, I muttered, “I’m fine.”

I watched Luna slink between Jonathan and Elena, her face a picture of fake concern. “Oh my gosh, Elena! Are you alright? That looked so scary!”

The sheer audacity made my blood boil. I had to fight the overwhelming urge to strangle her right then and there.

Elena, still shaken, nodded weakly. “I’m fine… Thanks to Coline.”

Luna’s eyes flickered toward me and I caught them for just a moment. She knew I was onto her, and I wasn’t going to let her get away with anything.

“Well, I’m so glad you’re okay,” Luna cooed, her voice syrupy sweet, though the cold anger in her eyes betrayed her. “It would’ve been terrible if you’d fallen in.”

My jaw clenched. “It would have been. But fortunately, Elena didn’t fall,” I said, emphasizing the last part.

“Okay, everyone get back in position!” the photographer was shouting. “Just… just move forward a bit, to be safe.”

Taking Elena’s arm, I gently pulled her closer to me as we looked at the camera. Someone had taken Lucas’s place beside me, but I didn’t bother to look for him. I was still seething from Luna’s little stunt.

The group photos finally over, I walked up the front steps of the building to head back to the classroom. My shoulder still ached, though it was starting to feel a bit better. Elena had disappeared with Jonathan, who had managed to convince her he needed help with some student council business, but I was certain he just wanted to check on her after the near-incident by the fountain.

Loud squeals made me glance back. Luna and Lucas were posing together in front of the camera, and it seemed the crowd watching had doubled. The twins were so natural in front of the lens and undeniably striking, commanding a sense of reverence from everyone around them.

When Lucas finished his turn, I caught him looking at me. Irritated, I quickly turned away and kept walking.

Honestly, I didn’t know if it was wise, but after what his sister did, I was thinking I should try to avoid him for the time being.