Claimed by the Villainess’s Brother

Chapter 11

Elena and I sat on the bleachers, trying to cool off after an intense game of volleyball in PE class. I could see the sweat glistening on Elena's forehead, her cheeks flushed from exertion. She turned to me, raising an eyebrow in curiosity.

“How come you’re not even sweating?” she asked, fanning herself. “You look like you just walked in here.”

I grinned. “I don’t like getting sweaty, so I just do the bare minimum on the court. Just enough to get by.”

Elena laughed. “You’re kidding, right? How do you manage that? Everyone else is running around like crazy.”

“It’s all about strategy,” I said with a wink. “I stay in a spot where I don’t have to move much and avoid the ball.”

“But don’t you get bored just standing around?”

“Not really,” I replied, brushing off the lint from my PE shorts and leaning back on my hands. “I keep an eye on everyone else. It’s like people-watching, but with a bit more action.”

Plus, I needed to make sure no one bullied Elena by throwing the ball her way when she wasn’t looking, I grimly thought to myself, which had happened more than a few times whenever there were flying projectiles involved in PE class.

Elena nudged me playfully with her shoulder. “So, any tips on how I can avoid getting hit by the ball even when I’m standing around like a statue?”

I chuckled. “Just stay alert and keep moving. If the ball comes your way, try to let it hit someone else.”

Elena laughed, shaking her head. “This is volleyball, not dodgeball.”

“With how those girls play? It’s practically dodgeball.”

“And you make it sound so easy to dodge them.”

“It’s all about practice,” I said with a grin. “And maybe a little bit of luck.”

Suddenly, loud cheers from the other side of the gym made Elena and me look over. The boys were playing basketball, and Jonathan had just made a slam dunk. The sound of cheers and applause echoed through the gym, and I could see why the girls could barely focus on volleyball. They were all watching the boys' game.

Jonathan and Lucas were in the same team, and they were a formidable duo together. If I didn't know any better, I'd say they made quite the team. It was almost baffling, considering that the two were barely friends with each other.

Maybe they were just good at setting aside their differences when it came to sports.

We watched for a few more minutes as Jonathan and Lucas dominated the game. Jonathan’s slam dunks and Lucas’s assists were mesmerizing, and it was hard not to get caught up in their excitement.

And it was hard to take my eyes off Lucas.

I didn’t know if it was an act or not, but he was truly so different from Luna. I had expected him to be like his sister, who naturally looked down on everything and everyone. But Lucas wasn’t like that. He didn’t have a cruel expression. He was friendly and easygoing, and although he didn’t hang out with anyone in particular, he got along well with everyone.

Yet, sometimes, there was an unsettling coldness in his expression, as if he was trying too hard to present only his best side. He wasn’t exactly detached, but there was something about him that made people wary, something subtly menacing beneath his charm that made people wary even when they felt drawn to him.

It was like coming face to face with a panther, sleek and captivating, yet exuding an unpredictable danger.

I sighed and glanced over at Elena, who was intently watching Jonathan. A teasing grin tugged at my lips. “Can’t keep your eyes off Jonathan, can you?”

Elena’s cheeks flushed as she looked away quickly. “I—uh, I wasn’t—”

I laughed softly. “It’s okay to stare, you know.”

“Oh, come on, it’s not like that. I’m just, you know, watching the game.”

“You know, there’s no shortage of people who would gladly be locked up with him in the same room,” I told her in a gentle tone. “And you’re the one he’s treating like you’re the apple of his eye. So I say sit back and enjoy the perks. In fact, that’s probably the most important thing to do.”

Elena laughed it off, but her smile didn’t quite reach her eyes. “Oh, come on. He’s just being nice.”

I knew better.

Despite her attempt to deflect, it was clear Elena had feelings for Jonathan, just as he seemed to have for her.

“If you’re still feeling guilty over what happened the other day…” she started, trailing off.

I shook my head, a pang of regret tightening in my chest. . “I can’t help but feel guilty, Elena. I could have done something—.”

“I wish you’d stop interfering,” Elena quietly said. “I know you’re trying to protect me, but I don’t want you to get hurt either.”

Her words hit me hard, and I felt a lump in my throat. “Aren’t you scared of staying in this school, Elena?”

She shrugged. “Scared? No. The outside world is way crueler. But it’s not only wealth, attractiveness, or talent that can determine your value out there. It’s also the network and brand that I’ll be able to harness by being a St. Therese graduate. So I’ll take all I can get by staying here.”

“But, why aren’t you angry?” I asked, frustration leaking into my voice. “You have every right to be angry.”

She shook her head. “That may be true, but it won’t change my circumstances. Being angry won’t change anything. Why waste my emotions on what I can’t control?”

“I told you I’m here to help you. Just say the word and I’ll make it happen.”

She gave me a sad smile that made my chest ache. “You became my friend despite everyone’s warnings. You’re always on my side, no matter what they say. That’s enough for me.”

“Elena—.”

“The only thing I want right now is for us to stop talking about this.” She took my hand and squeezed it gently. “Would that be alright?”

I let out a resigned sigh. “Fine.”

As the game ended, students gathered around Jonathan and Lucas to congratulate them. I was about to ask Elena if she wanted a drink from the vending machine when I noticed Luna standing at the edge of the court, signaling Lucas to come over.

My body went solid.

Why the hell was she here?

And why the hell was she staring at Elena like she was about to do something horrible to her?

Lucas walked over to Luna, and they began talking in low voices. Luna’s gaze shifted toward Elena, and Lucas’s head turned in her direction too. I watched them, feeling a growing sense of apprehension. Then, a cruel smirk crept onto Luna’s face as she patted Lucas’s arm and pointed toward the exit, as if telling him they should go.

Panic surged through me. Without thinking, I leaped from my seat and rushed over.

“Hey, Lucas!” I called out breathlessly, coming to a stop next to him. “Wait. I need to talk to you.”

Luna looked surprised to see me, but if Lucas shared her surprise, he didn’t show it.

“I need to talk to him first,” Luna said, surprise quickly turning to irritation.

Ignoring her, I grabbed Lucas’s arm. “I’m sorry, but it’s kind of urgent.”

Luna glared at me. “Whatever it is, it can wait. We’re in the middle of something important.”

I met her glare with a determined look of my own. “I’m sure it is, but this can’t wait.”

Lucas’s eyes sliced to mine and I noted that they looked amused. Then he looked at his sister, “If our class president says we need to talk, then we need to talk,” he told her.

Luna’s eyes narrowed. “Fine,” she snapped. “But make it quick.”

“It won’t be quick,” I warned. “So, why don’t you just go back to your class?”

Luna’s expression darkened with clear irritation. But a glance at her brother had her huffing before she turned on her heel, leaving the gym.

“Alright, Coline,” I heard Lucas say. “What’s so urgent?”

Damn it.

I winced, suddenly realizing I hadn’t fully thought this through. My eyes darted back to Lucas, who had one eyebrow raised in mild amusement.

What now?