A Red Queen AU

-Part Eight-

Mare's POV:

*click* Good Morning, students. The day has begun, please report to first period now. You have five minutes. *click*

I still fucking hate that thing.

I walked- well, more like jogged to Julian's class. Which, surprisingly turned out to be my favorite class of this year. I mean, other than athletics. I freaking love athletics. Now that I think of it, maybe the only reason Julian's class is my favorite is because the gym is right underneath us, and I can hear the sound of dying souls from up here.

But hey, that's just me.

But in all seriousness, Julian wasn't a bad teacher. He always made his class smile and laugh, all while teaching us stuff that was actually fascinating. He talked a lot about the world before ours. About the angels and gods that lived in the sky, and how they ruled with kind and loving hands.

I'm pretty sure Julian was spouting nonsense at that point in the story. It all came from this stupid book.

Class after class was the same. Stuff I didn't really care about, and thinking about all the stuff I could be doing instead of this.

Until lunch. Until fucking lunch.

So, I was eating pizza with Farley and that brat Cameron, as I do. When suddenly, Mr. Perfect Smile, Cal Calore, comes up to me with a very confused guy behind him.

I almost choked on my fucking pizza.

I was about to ask what the fuck he wanted, but the rat beat me to it. "Hey, Maaaaaare!" He said cheerfully.

I smiled a phony smile back at him. "Hey Caaaaaal! Quick question, do you value your life?"

He pointed at me and laughed. "That's a stupid question, Maare! Anywho," I internally cringed. "I really need to talk to you." He glanced at my friends. "Privately, if possible."

I put my finger in my chin, as if I was thinking. Then I shook my head. "Nah, I'm good." And turned back to the table.

"I was prepared for that answer. So, just so ya know, I am going to stand here until you say yes." He said. I sighed and turned back to him, only to find that he was staring into Farley's eyes very widely.

Suddenly she screamed, "MARE GET HIM THE FUCK AWAY FROM THIS TABLE! HE'S FUCKING CREEPING ME OUT." Everyone was staring at us, so I quickly grabbed Cal's arm and walked away. I pulled him into a tight corner by the hallway, and sighed.

I rubbed my temples. "What do want from me, Calore? I've already agreed to help you with your stupid love life. What more could you want from me?"

He looked at me and smiled. "Well, I just wanted to introduce you to Lucas." He gestured to the confused looking kid who had followed us.

I nodded at him. "Hey." I said. Lucas ruffled his hair and waved awkwardly. "God, you are so random!" I told Cal, laughing. "Do I want to know why I should meet him?"

Cal laughed with me. "Well, since you are dating my brother, you've got to fit into the Calore brand, Mare. So who you hang out with reflects on us. And those friends of yours, they're just not cutting it." He said. "So, this is Lucas, your new best friend!"

All laughter the on my face had vanished. I stared at him in anger and complete shock. Was he for real? "Cal, I swear to God if you don't say you're joking right now-" He interrupted me with a fit of giggles.

I rolled my eyes as Cal put a hand on my arm. "I am completely joking, Mare. Gosh, how big of an asshole do you think I am?"

I laughed. "Quite a big one, jackass." I shoved him on the last word. "Seriously, why is he here?"

"Oh, literally no reason. Here, kid." Cal said, handing Lucas some money.

Lucas grabbed the money and smirked. "You know I'm older than you right?" He said. "But thanks for the money, rich boy." Lucas walked away with a smile intact.

"OHHHHH he got you GOOD!" I told Cal playfully.

"Shut up." Cal muttered.

"Never." I said. Suddenly, Cal looked at me and became serious, and I felt a rush of emotion float through my body. "I really do want to thank you, Mare. I screwed up. Big time. And you were willing to help me. After all of the shit I did to you. Thank you so much, Mare."

Then, without warning, he took my hand in his, and smiled faintly.

I collected myself and grinned back. "No problem."

Cal's POV:

For once in my life, I am jealous of my brother.