The Elusive Prince

Chapter 43: Just A Normal Sunday Night

Merideth

After that very confusing talk, that I still did not know whether or not he was joking, we went to the dorms after 2 or so hours of just basking in the moonlight and talking about pretty much anything that comes to our minds. Whether that may be about the new book I was reading, how his meet with his friends went, and at some point we even went to the forum to look at the never-ending slew of threads and posts still under that tag.

Apparently, since quite a lot of people saw us leaving together, with me getting dragged away, there were a couple of more recounts and claims on there that would've been awkward to look at with the person-you're-not-dating with but it wasn't the case for us at all which was weird but I'll take indifference over awkwardness any time of the day.

Granted, Cassian didn't bring the whole courting thing again for the rest of the night, thankfully, because I still don't know how to respond to that. I never really had an experience in this field, even though Kairo and I were considered flirts. It was confusing and definitely made me flustered so I was okay about not talking about it.

Finally arriving on the dorms, I was expecting a couple of teasing heading our way when almost all of our classmates huddled up in the living room saw us enter but was surprised when we didn't receive a peep out of them as they greet us like it was just a normal Sunday evening. I shrugged and waved back before telling them that I would go ahead and shower then join them for some quick study session. Cassian did the same and we both headed up the stairs, parting only on the intersection where the boys and girls side was divided.

Taking a quick bath, I changed into more comfortable clothes and grabbed my remaining homework due tomorrow. I was never the one to procrastinate but things happened so here I am.

Heading down, I was surprised to see Cassian coming out of the boys side the exact time as I did and I couldn't help but chuckle.

"Great timing huh?" I teased and he just gave me a small smile before joining my side as we head downstairs.

"By the way, it seems that your little talk earlier really brought them to their senses because they didn't even say anything. I'm impressed with your skills. You should run for the student council or something." I joked as we start bounding down the stairs.

"I don't think I'm leadership material enough though. But well, our classmates are smart and they probably are still talking about us now for all we know but they're smart enough not to push us any further." he said and I just nodded, amused. Who knew Cassian's word would make those hell spawns behave? Truly commendable I must say. Sir Hexford should take lessons from him.

Going down the stairs together would've been dangerous if not for the fact that my classmates were scared (or just embarassed) of angering Cassian again. We joined them in the living room peacefully. Sitting down beside Hailey who was poring over her notes on aide etiquette and trying to teach Shiloh on the side who just looks lost, I started doing my own homework too.

Cassian didn't sit beside me thankfully, and chose to sit beside Levine and Kellen on the side who was trying to groan silently on the side over maths. It was not their best subject and they sometimes didn't pay attention so now they suffer the consequences.

Glancing around, I noticed that a few of us were missing, so I tapped Hailey, who was busy tutoring Shiloh while doing her own work, on the shoulder.

"Where's Yuma and Amity?"

"Oh, they went to have a private study session with Luna and Sumire on one of the study rooms. They said they were falling behind on Literature so they went to the study room for some peace and quiet. You know how Luna gets when she's around Kellen." Hailey teased and Kellen who was absently scribbling on his notes whined at the accusation.

"But it's true. When you're together, you can't focus because all you ever think about it mischief. I'm sure Amity wants them to focus. Especially since they need to actually read a couple of passages on the book given to us by Sir Grant to make a report on." Helena said, not glancing up from her phone, watching a cooking video intently.

"Why are you even here Helena? I thought you were done?" Kellen mocked and finally let go of the pen on his hand and flopped on the couch behind him.

"Can't I just enjoy seeing you suffer? Besides, I don't want to be holed up in my room just yet." she said and continued watching, filtering out Kellen's whine in favor of the macaroon video she was watching.

"Come back here Kellen, you need to finish these equations or else Miss Braivy would have your head." Kairo hissed and dragged Kellen back on the floor where Kairo was sitting at. He went back to mumbling about how math was the evil out to get him.

Minutes passed and I was already done with the homework for Literature and stretched a little before going to check my Biology notes, since our teacher told us that we might have a surprise quiz sometime this week. Better study now when I still have time.

The rest were either revising and reviewing too while some however (Kellen) was still not done and spent the rest of the time that passed groaning about the homework instead of actually doing it. I don't even know if he can finish that before bed time, judging by the way he was spinning his pen around and mindlessly looking at the ceiling instead. Someone wanted to help him finish it though and offered.

"I could help you with the equations Kellen. I'm done anyway." Cassian's soft voice suddenly filtered through the groans of anguish from their side and I mentally scoffed when I heard Kellen gasp.

"Really? Thanks man. See I told you guys Cassian was great."  he sing-sang and plopped her workbook on Cassian's lap who took it gently.

"Yeah you think everyone is great when they tutor you in Math's Kellen." I threw at him mindlessly and didn't notice the sudden silence from them. I glanced up and saw them looking at me with a strange look and I raised my eyebrows at that.

"What?" I asked and I just know they wanted to say something but refrained from doing so.

"Nothing really. Hey Mori, can I borrow your Biology notes? I forgot to copy earlier." Layla said and I just gave her my notes, still a little lost. The others went back to reviewing too and it was almost as if there was nothing but I know there was something, I just can't put my finger on it yet. Well it doesn't matter really, as long as they don't annoy me then that's fine.

Standing up, I decided to get a glass of milk on the kitchen, since Layla has my notes anyway, I can go grab a snack. Hailey offered to get it for me when she saw me standing up but I just waved her off and went to get in myself. She was still tutoring poor Shiloh so I don't want to bother them. Besides, this way I could sneak in a couple of cookies in with the milk.

Seeing as everyone was busy with their work or in their rooms, the kitchen was empty. Perfect for my plans really.

I went ahead and grabbed the milk from the fridge then ultimately deciding that I'll have hot cocoa instead. After all, I didn't get to savor it the last time.

Heating water up, I went to grab my secret stash of cookies and took three out. I didn't want to go overboard with it, lest Hailey sees me and confiscate my jar again. Humming a little, my mind suddenly drifted off to the pianist from last night. I still don't their identity and I still don't know if they saw me eavesdropping during that time. I might have to ask around but won't that be suspicious? And if the pianist really did see me, why didn't they confront me? Unless they don't care at all? Well, that was possible, it might also be Kairo that time but I doubt it. It's not like him to play anything with so much sorrow but I could be wrong. Whatever, I'm not going to dwell on it anymore. If they don't want to mention it then I won't, simple.

After that little debate I had in my head, I sighed and nibbled on the cookie absentmindedly. I was lost in thought that I didn't notice the water boiling already and someone switching it off. I only came back to my senses when a familiar voice filtered through my ear.

"Sneaking cookies again? You know Hailey will hunt you down for that." I flinched a little at the sudden voice but relaxed when I realized that it was just Kairo smirking at me a little and pouring himself a cup of the water.

"Hey! That's mine!" I said and shoved the cookie in my mouth and glaring at him.

"I know. You're were going to make hot cocoa right? I want one too so let me make it for the both of us." he said and proceeded to make the hot cocoa.

"Marshmallows?" he asked while looking around for it. I just nodded in affirmation and he handed me the steaming hot cocoa not a minute later.

"So...Cassian huh?" he said suddenly then innocently sipped on his mug. I threw him a look from my own mug and he just smiled.

"I'm sure you noticed that the others were a little petrified from Cassian's speech earlier, so now they won't even mention it." he laughed a little and asked me for cookies. I gave him one with a roll of my eyes and he just smiled.

"Yeah I know. Who knew Cassian could do that?"

"Certainly not us. I was about to burst out laughing when you guys left and they just sat there, dumbfounded. Don't worry, i got in in video so you can join the fun too." he smirked and I just scoffed because of course he has it on video.

"How did you even tape it? Pretty sure they noticed."

"That's the thing. They didn't and it was hilarious. I'm going to show it to them someday, for blackmail purposes." he said and whipped out his phone to show me.

It was indeed funny, seeing them this subdued and shell-shocked. Who knew the rowdy Elite Class could be this frozen someday.

"I'm sure Sir Hexford would die of laughter when he sees this." I said as soon as the clip finished.

"I know right. I might show it to him before we leave his supervision. You know as a gift." he said mischief lacing his voice. I just laughed and sipped on the hot cocoa again.

We just stayed like that for a few minutes, just sipping on the hot cocoa. Kairo was about to say something when someone entered the kitchen.

"Oh hey Cassian! Kellen finally got it?" Kairo greeted then proceeding to snatch the empty mug away from my hand and washed it.

"Yeah. It took quiet a while but he finally gets it. I just left him to answer the last few ones. What you doing here?" he asked as he went to fetch water. Kairo, seeing Cassian turning his back away from us sent me a teasing look and I just scowled at him.

"Nothing, just talking. Well I better get going now. Kellen, Levine, and I were supposed to review a little for Biology. I'll be off then, talk to you later Mori." he said and sent a kiss my way which I replied with a glare. He just laughed and sauntered of, leaving Cassian and I alone. He stayed silent until he finished drinking water then turned around to face me. I don't know what he wanted to say but it certainly wasn't this.

"So, we have a test in Biology sometime this week right? Want to study together?"