The Nerd Who Stole The Quarterback (Astra and Zayne) novel Chapter 151

Chapter 151

Chapter 151

ZANE

The wrought-iron gates of Harrington Academy rose out of the darkness a few minutes later.

The entire campus had transformed into something straight out of a gothic fever dream.

55 vouchers

Warm amber floodlights bathed the century-old stone buildings, sharpening every arch and spire until the Gothic architecture looked almost alive. Gargoyles crouched along the rooftops, their shadows stretching long and menacing across the walls like they were waiting for the right moment to crawl down.

Hundreds of black candles, electric, smartly, floated beneath the archways, flickering softly in the night breeze. Crimson banners embroidered with silver ravens swayed from the towers, while deep red roses twisted through ivy on the ancient columns. Somewhere in the courtyard, a string quartet played a haunting melody that curled through the air like smoke.

It didn’t feel like a school anymore.

It felt like the setting of a vampire novel where someone was definitely about to lose their throat.

Students moved across the grounds in clusters, fully committed to the Gothic Nobility theme. Victorian ladies glided past in sweeping gowns. Men wore tailored frock coats, capes, and antique-looking masks. Two guys dressed as rival vampire dukes dramatically bowed to each other before cracking up. Even the principal had been talked into standing by the entrance dressed as a nineteenth-century undertaker.

I almost respected the commitment.

I parked near the main entrance and killed the engine.

For a moment, neither of us moved. The only sound was our breathing and the distant strains of the quartet.

I glanced over at Astra.

She was staring through the windshield, fingers twisting together in her lap. Her breathing was slow almost too careful.

She still wouldn’t look at me.

“Nervous?” I asked quietly.

“A little.”

I studied her for another second.

God, she was beautiful.

I climbed out before she could reach for the handle and circled the car. By the time I opened her door, she was already looking up at me.

“You know,” she murmured as she took my hand, “I can open my own door.”

“I know.”

“Then why do you keep doing it?”

I shrugged, a small smile tugging at my lips.”Because I wanted to.”

Color climbed into her cheeks.

27 O

KIKA

|||

O

10:36 Tue, Jul 21

Chapter 151

N

She stepped out, silver heels clicking softly against the pavement and almost immediately, heads turned.

55 vouchers

Not because we stood out, wealth was the default at Harrington. Tailored suits, couture gowns, vintage jewelry… everyone looked expensive.

No. They were looking at her.

I watched their eyes track her every movement. Some with admiration. Some with envy. A few with something darker.

A familiar irritation stirred under my skin.

Before it could sharpen, Astra’s attention drifted somewhere beyond the crowd and she stopped walking.

I frowned. “What is it?”

She didn’t answer.

Her gaze was fixed toward the academy gates.

I followed it.

A clown stood just outside the entrance.

White face paint. A faded, stretched red smile. Bright orange curls spilling from beneath a battered hat.

He wasn’t performing or moving.

He was just… standing there.

Watching.

The moment his eyes met mine, he stiffened. Then he turned and melted into the crowd without a word.

Weird.

Probably some creep taking Halloween a little too seriously.

Still…

I felt Astra tense beside me. Without thinking, I slid my hand to the small of her waist.

“Hey.” My voice dropped low, just for her. “Eyes on me.”

She looked up.

“Don’t worry about him.” My thumb brushed lightly against her side. “He’s gone.”

Her shoulders eased, just a fraction.

I kept my hand exactly where it was.

“Come on, Trouble.” I nodded toward the entrance. “I’ve got you.”

I guided Astra through the towering stone archway, the moment we stepped into the courtyard…

“Astra!”

Three familiar voices rang out at once.

23

21

ว

O

D

KIKA

|||

O

10:36

Chapter 151

Chloe, Priya, and Elizabeth hurried toward us, skirts sweeping across the stone.

55 vouchers

Chloe looked every inch the gothic duchess in sweeping burgundy velvet trimmed with black lace, pearls woven through her dark hair. Priya shimmered in emerald silk with a delicate gold mask that framed her warm brown eyes, while Elizabeth’s elegant black gown caught the candlelight with intricate silver embroidery.

All three stopped dead.

“Oh… my God.”

Priya’s jaw dropped. “Astra.”

Chloe pressed both hands over her mouth. “You look unbelievable.”

Astra blinked, cheeks flushing. “You’re exaggerating.”

“We’re absolutely not,” Priya said, reaching out to gently smooth one of Astra’s curls. “You look incredible.”

I folded my arms, unable to hide the smug satisfaction rolling through me.

Welcome to my problem.

“Well, well.”

A familiar voice cut across the courtyard.

“There they are.”

Tyler, Jaxon, and Lionel strode over with the rest of the team behind them. Every one of them was dressed like they’d stepped out of a dark aristocratic portrait-frock coats, polished boots, waistcoats, masks pushed back on their heads.

Tyler looked at me, then at Astra. His eyebrows shot up. “Damn, Prez, you look hot…” He glanced back at me.”… Respectfully.”

Jaxon barked out a laugh.

Lionel smirked. “Good save.”

Tyler nodded solemnly. “I value my life.”

Astra laughed before she could stop herself. The bright sound hit me straight in the chest.

Tyler grinned at her. “You really do look amazing.”

| I just looked at him.

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify