Saving the Villain

Everyone in Section F couldn't focus in class, as the trio, Maxen, Cosette, and Luke, were far more interesting to watch. Although they were discreet, Cosette wasn't braindead not to notice these watchful eyes. Still, she kept her sentiments all to herself and tried to focus on the class.

A shallow breath slipped past her lips as she was writing in her notebook. However, her writing speed gradually slowed down as she had been very distracted after lunch.

Cosette didn't think Luke would transfer to a no-name school and give up the academy. This reaction was to be expected. The real Cosette would never transfer if she was still here. So, even Conrad and everyone in the Blac residence were surprised at her abrupt change.

And Luke transferred because of her. If Cosette stayed away from him, this would never happen. After all, the real Cosette had always kept things to herself and was aloof to the point Conrad doesn't even think of inviting her to an elite gathering. Not that Conrad attended one in the past.

So, it was the reason the real Cosette didn't become friends with the Quinns, despite having the same circle of friends. Well, the real Cosette didn't have friends — she never considered the relationships she had as friends. For her, they were all connections.

Cosette glanced at Luke and pursed her lips. He was still in a terrible mood, doodling in his one and only notebook.

'So, I guess...' she smiled and thought she still ended up with the inevitable. 'I really hoped Maxen and Cosette will not be part of The Devil's Den since we only appeared in volume 2. But well... it can't be helped. I already tried my best not to interfere much with the story aside from taking out the villain.'

Staring at Luke's frown, her eyes softened. Although Luke could be quite annoying and put her in a difficult position, she couldn't get mad at him. Deep in her bones, she knew Luke was a kind person, and he was acting this way because this guy had always craved attention. Sadly, Asher gets everything because he was the heir.

That was the main reason their relationship got strained. It was misunderstanding after misunderstanding.

'Just a little patience,' she thought and her gaze eventually caught Luke's attention. A sweet smile turned up on her face when Luke returned his gaze.

'And a little understanding. It won't hurt, anyway.'

Luke's frown faded as his brows elevated at the smile she was giving him. He pressed his lips into a thin line and looked away, hiding the blush on his cheek

'Did she fall for me now?' he wondered and snuck a look at her once more. This time, however, Cosette had already shifted her focus and continued writing in the notebook. He frowned, but still planted his hand across his chest to feel his racing heart.

It felt the same as he felt yesterday when they were in the pool area of their mansion. There was just something in Cosette's smile that was so special and sincere, and it was contagious.

'Gosh...' he scratched the back of his head as he bit his lips to stop himself from grinning like a fool. 'Why do I feel so happy, as if she just accepted my proposal?'

Meanwhile, as Luke tore the page of paper to write properly, Maxen glanced at her. As soon as he did, he caught Cosette looking in Luke's direction and the latter blushed. When Cosette chuckled weakly and shifted her focus on her notebook, Maxen caught the type of smile that was plastered across her face.

'This girl...' he thought and sighed, understanding why Luke was blushing like a fool. It was not like Cosette's smile was flirtatious. Her smile was sincere that matched her beautiful eyes.

'I bet he misunderstood her,' he thought, thinking he never misunderstood Cosette's intention — well, sort of. But not romantically. More like he didn't want to believe her pure intention in the past.

'I'm going crazy with that guy,' he thought, ruffling his hair in distress. One thing Maxen was certain, he would have to interact with Luke more than he would ever wish in this lifetime.

He disliked the guy, but Cosette was kind to him and already considered him a friend. It was not like Maxen was jealous — maybe a bit. But the point here was, just like what happened during lunch, he was certain that wasn't the last time. There would be more times he would act out of impulse and Maxen feared it.

He didn't want to act as if he had the right or act super annoying. He didn't want to become territorial or make her feel uncomfortable.

'I hate this...'

Cosette accepted the story — backstory — would change for a bit and she might get tangled more in the first volume. Luke was in a good mood because of Cosette's smile, drawing hearts in the corner of his notebook. And then Maxen was in a gloomy mood.

And with that sort of mood the three of them bore, the class ended.

RIIING!!

"Cozie, do you have plans after this?" asked Luke as soon as the school bell rang.

"Huh?"

"Do you want to date?" he suggested with his lips stretched from ear to ear. "We can go to our house."

"Luke..." Cosette scrunched her nose slightly while putting her things back inside her bag. "Don't we have tons of homework? I don't usually hang out somewhere after school."

Luke frowned but didn't push his luck this time. "Alright. Then, do you want to take a ride with me? I can take you home."

"I'm riding the bus with..." Cosette trailed off as she saw Maxen rise from his seat and walked away. "Max, wait for me!"

She gasped and sprung up out of habit, rushing to follow Maxen, or he would leave her for sure. Luke, who was surprised by this, blinked countless times. However, before he could process Cosette's action, a hand grabbed the back of his collar and dragged him with her.

"Luke, Max will leave us if you idled like that!" Cosette complained as she looked back, dragging him while Luke barely kept up with her with his upper body bent over.

'Did she come back for me...?' he wondered, eyes on her back, unbothered by how he was being dragged. He didn't even notice Cosette swiftly took his bag and was carrying it in her hand.

A subtle smile slowly reigned over Luke's face before he held her hand that was holding his collar. Cosette looked back on instinct, only to see his smirk.

"Cozie, why are you panicking?" Luke guided her hand down, jogging until he was beside her, keeping her hand in his grip. "Is this some sort of drill? Goodness. That rude jerk. Tch."

Cosette's eyes went round when Luke picked up his pace while holding her hand. He looked back at her and grinned arrogantly.

"Faster, or we won't catch up to your friend."

And with that, Luke held her hand securely, running and walking since Maxen seemed to be purposely walking faster. They would stop from time to time and slow down, but all the way, he never let her hand go. The reason they were in a hurry might be something Luke didn't approve of, but it was alright.

Cosette wasn't like everyone else. Although she had always made clear Maxen was her friend and seemed to have favored him more than him, she still returned to him, even when she was in a hurry. And honestly, that was good enough for Luke.

At the very least, he didn't feel like he wasn't just a second option who could be left behind just because there was a better one. He felt like... he was equal. He was also her friend whom she would cherish, just as how she cherished other people.

******

In the end, Luke and Cosette caught up to Maxen and, in silence, they walked to the bus stop. It was the usual routine Cosette and Maxen had, but this time, they had a company. Luke didn't complain, though, nor did he berate Maxen... much.

pA n,dan(-)0ve1.c0m With that being said, the three of them rode the bus home. Both Maxen and Luke got off at the bus stop she would get off and walked her home. It baffled her, but she didn't mind.

"Uhm…" Cosette pivoted on her heel and faced the two of them as soon as they arrived at the gates of her house. But she instantly frowned when Maxen spoke.

"I will go now." Maxen waved as he faced the other way while Luke smiled at her.

"My ride will be here soon. I don't want to spend another second with him." The second Luke finished talking, Cosette's under-eye twitched when a speeding black sedan suddenly stopped behind him. "See you tomorrow~! Or I will text you later!"

And before Cosette knew it, Luke already jumped inside the car, which instantly sped away. Meanwhile, Maxen was already walking away. She tilted her head when the car abruptly stopped and then moved in reverse, halting beside Maxen.

"What the…" Cosette trailed off watching the back passenger seat open and then Maxen was pulled inside by surprise. "… did I just witness an abduction?"

BEEP BEEP!

She snapped her eyes when another car honked at her, and her face brightened up. It was Conrad's car.

"Papa!" she skipped her steps to the side, pretending she didn't see Luke abduct Maxen just now.

****

Author's Note: There will be a mass release (5 chapters) on May 20. :)