~ELENA~

I shove my books into my bag and march to the courtyard, Gianna and Valentina trailing behind me like they’re going to the movies.

Sure enough, Nico is still there, standing like some dark prince who owns the whole damn school. When I get close enough, he pushes off the lamppost and closes the distance between us in three long, easy strides.

“Care to explain,” he says, voice low but sharp, “why random girls are bribing you with pastries to get my attention?”

“Oh, so you saw that?” I fold my arms, refusing to let him intimidate me. “What, are you stalking me now?”

He smirks. “I don’t need...