After Luna's retreating figure disappeared from his sight, Cassius turned to leave.
"Cassius!"Nova's voice stopped him.
He turned and paused as she approached.
"Why are you looking at me like that?"He asked when he noticed her intense glare.
"Do you still love me?" She asked suddenly.
Cassius frowned. "Why would you ask that?"
"Just answer me, Cas."
"Of course I do."
"Then why didn't you do anything when your stupid friend Luna embarrassed me in class?" Nova demanded.
"What did you expect me to do? Step between two girls?" He replied calmly.
Nova scoffed.
"But you always stepped in when Mary Elizabeth and I argued back then…"
Cassius's expression hardened."Why are you bringing her up?"
"I can't believe you're already friends with that Luna girl," Nova continued angrily.
"You've changed a lot, Cassius. You did nothing while your psycho friend bullied me!"
"You know I changed because of your mistake, Nova."
"You always blame me! I only told you she was cheating on you. Your jealousy made you chase her out that night. How is that my fault?"
"Because you made it up!" Cassius snapped.
"And you believed it immediately," Nova fired back. "You already suspected her!"
"Just stop, Nova!" Cassius ran a hand through his hair. "I changed because of the guilt. I listened to your lies and drove away the woman I loved… along with my unborn child."
"How do you even know the baby was yours?" Nova cut in coldly.
His eyes darkened."Because I was the only man she had ever been with."
His voice softened."The guilt haunts me every day. Becoming a better person… That's my punishment. My sacrifice for hurting Mary Elizabeth."
Without waiting for her response, he turned and walked away.
"Damn it…" Nova muttered bitterly. "He still loves her. After everything."
Luna tossed restlessly on the couch where she was taking an afternoon nap.
Though her eyes were closed, tears streamed down her cheeks.
"Shut up!"
A voice echoed in her dream.
"You think I wouldn't find out about Logan? You went behind my back!"
"You're a liar, Mary! I loved you, cared for you and this is how you repay me?"
"Leave. Go to the man who got you pregnant."
"Cassius… please stop her… don't do this to me…"
Luna turned helplessly, tears falling faster.
"Please stop her!!!!"
She jolted awake with a scream, breathing heavily, sweat covering her skin.
Cora rushed over from the fridge and held her shoulders.
"Luna! Are you okay?"
"Water…" She whispered.
Cora quickly handed her a glass. After drinking, Luna's breathing slowly steadied.
"Was it sleep paralysis or a nightmare?"
Cora asked gently.
"…Flashbacks," Luna replied quietly."Horrible flashbacks."
Her expression hardened instantly.Why were her emotions stirring again just because she shook hands with Cassius?
She didn't love him anymore.All she felt… was hatred And vengeance.
"Has Snake been contacted?" She asked.
Cora nodded."I'm confused about something,"
"What?"
"You once told us your ex-boyfriend…the one you want revenge on,was a terrible person in high school."
"He was," Luna replied.
"But the Cassius I see now doesn't match that description. He seems kind… intelligent."
Luna let out a small chuckle."He was intelligent and dangerous. The real question is… what changed him?"
"So you were good back then while he was bad," Cora mused. "Now you've turned dangerous seeking revenge, and he's become the good guy everyone admires."
"Interesting reversal."
Luna nodded slowly."No matter how much he's changed… I will still get my revenge."
"And it might even be easier now that he's a good guy," Cora added.
Luna smirked."It would be more fun if he were still bad. I'd push him until his old self returned. Once a bad boy… always a bad boy."
"What about his friend, Dacio?" Cora asked.
Luna grinned mischievously.
"Are you interested in him?"
"Please. We're not compatible," Cora rolled her eyes.
"Dacio isn't bad, you know."
"Are you trying to matchmake us?"
"No. Pairing you with my ex's friend sounds stressful."
Cora hesitated."Honestly… when I first saw him, I wanted to check him out. But when I realized he was my classmate, I changed my mind. I don't date schoolmates."
"Funny," Luna said. "Dacio has the same rule."
"Really?" Cora asked, unable to hide her small smile.
"That logic is stupid."
Larisa walked out of her room, clearly half-awake.
She grabbed cold water from the fridge.
"What do you mean?" Cora asked.
"He just hasn't met someone hot enough to break his rule," Larisa said lazily. "And you…"
She paused, drinking her water.
Cora narrowed her eyes. "Say it."
"You haven't met someone irresistible enough either."
"Excuse me?" Cora scoffed.
Larisa smirked."Give me a few days. I'll break his rule myself. I bet I can make Dacio date me."
"What?!" Cora exclaimed.
"That sounds entertaining," Luna laughed.
"Luna!" Cora protested.
"What? I want proof."
Larisa sat confidently on the couch"One week. I'll seduce the calm handsome guy."
"How much are we betting?" Luna asked excitedly.
"I'm not joining this," Cora muttered.
"That means you like him," Luna teased.
"Absolutely not!"
Larisa grinned."A hundred thousand dollars. If I win, I take everything. If Cora wins, she takes it."
"And me?" Luna asked.
"You're on my side," Larisa said. "We split fifty-fifty if I win."
"Deal."
Cora sighed dramatically."…Fine. I'm in."
"What's the time?" Larisa asked.
Luna checked her watch."Past five."
Larisa stood.
"Perfect. I still have plans tonight."
"Going somewhere?" Luna asked knowingly.
Larisa smirked."Oh yes. Tonight is going to be fun."
She walked toward her room while Luna burst into laughter and Cora simply shook her head.
"Crazy girl," Cora muttered.