The Elusive Prince

Chapter 44: Small Talk

Merideth

Going back to the living room, where everyone was currently reviewing for the upcoming Biology test, I sat down and took the notes that Layla borrowed from me, which she thankfully finished copying from. I sat down on my seat from earlier but this time Cassian was sitting beside me. I can feel the discreet looks our classmates were trying so hard not to throw on us, but decided to ignore that since we only have a little time left before Sir Hexford comes down for bed.

I plopped my notebook on the table and Cassian did the same. I looked at his notes and saw that it was good enough for some light review so I went back to my own and chose to ignore those around us.

Getting lost on the nervous system and its functions, I didn't notice time pass by and I only knew so much time has passed already when Cassian tapped me on the shoulder the same time Sir Hexford came into view, along with Amity and the others not present on the living room from earlier, ready to clock out for the day.

I stood up and let Hailey put my notes away and sauntered off to the scanner where some were already at. Thankfully, since everyone was tired from either reviewing or their individual activities from earlier, the line wasn't held for long and soon we were all done and off to bed. Deciding to grab a glass of water before heading up, I went back to the kitchen and quickly drank the glass of water.

As I was about to put my cup away in the cupboard, I felt someone reach a cup inside too and saw that it was Cassian. Nodding at him a little, I was about to go out the kitchen but stopped when he decided to call me. 

"Wait Merideth." I stopped on my tracks and turned around to look at him.

"About our conversation earlier, you would let me do it right?" he asked, apprehension laced within his voice. I almost quirked my eyebrow up in confusion but realized that he was talking about earlier and instead gave him a small smile.

"Of course Cassian."

"We won't be awkward right?" he asked and I just chuckled, amused. He was acting all confident and shameless earlier but now he was as shy as a lamb, how endearing.

"Not if you won't make it one." I said one last time before finally heading out the kitchen, not letting him have another word in.

Today has been draining both physically and mentally and I don't really want to talk any longer. I just want to flop in my bed and fall into sleep and wake up hopefully refreshed tomorrow.

I was in a hurry to get to my room that I didn't notice someone lurking on the entrance and what they could be thinking about what they heard but oh well, that was future me's problem, for now I was off to dreamland.

~~~

Sleep welcomed me just as fast as this day went and before I knew it, it was already morning and this time, I was woken up by Hailey instead of just my body.

Hailey seemed surprised that I wasn't grumbling when she woke me up but brushed it off with a smile and told me I would probably have a great day today.

Well, she wasn't so wrong about that because today, unlike the past few days or week, has been anything but normal. Nothing significant happened today and it would've bugged me out if not for the fact I was just thankful that today was calm.

We went to classes, had a couple of tests, heard some grumbles over our workload over dinner from my classmates and didn't even feel tense when a surprise quiz in Math suddenly happened. Today has been going fine and dandy, well except for the couple of stares and whispers that followed me everytime I was not inside our room that is but oh well, nobody really confronted me or anything and it doesn't really matter if there were whispers following me since when did it never? Those things were to be expected if you were a well known Princess and I don't really care what they were whispering about since nobody would really have the gal to approach me about it so over all it was fine.

Our classmates too were surprisingly mellow and didn't even bother Cassian and I when they saw us sharing notes together which was weird but definitely not unwelcomed. Kairo was throwing teasing glances our way though but I doubt the class noticed.

Lia joined lunch the next day and before she could say anything, was dragged by Ava and Reiss aside and when they came back she just asked for my day and about the coming mid-term exams and that was that. Mid-way our coversation, I eyed her warily because just last Sunday she was dying to tease me and now she won't even say a word about it.

Judging by the way Sumire was squeezing her hand under the table from time to time, sneakily too but I still caught it, they probably told her not to mention anything earlier. I almost laughed in disbelief at what they were doing but stopped myself and just smiled instead and went on with eating.

"What's the smile for Mori?" Ava suddenly asked as she was playfully shoving Reiss away from biting on her lunch.

"Nothing really. You guys are just amusing."

"Amusing?" they asked confused and I just smiled.

"Yeah. Who knew a few words from Cassian could stop you from being annoying brats? Should I send him a gift?" I said teasingly and I swear they went red after that, even Hailey.

"See what I mean by amusing? Ya'll are even red now how cute." I added which made them whine in protest.

"You know you could still ask me right?" I said after a few beats later and they just threw me a very apprehensive glare.

"Yeah right, I doubt that." Sumire almost snorted and they just nodded.

"I'm serious. We're still friends that share stories together anyway." they were still not convinced by that. "Look, the whole reason why Cassian and I were annoyed was because you guys were pushing us to admit to something we didn't do. But now that you're all mellowed out and will actually listen, I don't mind you guys asking." I said and popped a cherry into my mouth.

"Okay so...is there something going in between you two or?" Hailey started, a little scared.

"Well no." they deflated. "At least not yet." and now they looked like over eager puppies on sugar rush.

"What does that mean? Does that mean anything?!" Reiss burst out and does resemble a excited puppy at the moment which grabbed the attention of the table beside us. She just smiled at them and went back to look at me, uncaring. I don't know if I was going to regret (probably will) letting them loose like this but I guess I'll deal with the consequences of my choices later.

"Well I'm not particularly sure yet. He vaguely told me he wanted to court me but at the same time not? For now, we're just friends."

"How is that even possible?" Lia said.

"I don't even know myself so I guess we'll see what happens?" I said hesitant and chewed on another cherry.

"But you let him right? I mean the courting thing." Hailey said and gnawed on her bottom lip worringly.

"Well yeah I guess? There's nothing wrong with that right? Besides, as I have said, I'm not really sure yet if he was kidding or not so now we're just friends who are getting to know each other."

"Why does this feel like a whole Kairo scenario again?" Sumire asked and I just chuckled.

"Yeah no."

"But it is! I mean you always say you and Kairo are just friends then proceed to flirt like there's no tomorrow. You're not bluffing us are you?" Ava asked and gave me a look. I rolled my eyes at her.

"Oh please. You can have Kairo for all I care. Besides, who I end up with is not your problem. Unless of course one of you guys harbor any sort of feelings to that person then that's going to be a problem." I eyed them and they proceeded to make choking noises but I know one of them was faking.

"Okay if you're really worried about my non-existent love life..." I paused and looked behind them and saw Kairo, who was coincidentally sitting across from our table. I waved him over and he pointed to himself and walked to our table. He slid beside me and gave me a smile.

"What's up?" He said and took a small bite out of my lunch,  just let him.

"Oh nothing, they were just asking about Cassian and I." he gave me a look and my friends looked a little panicked.

"And? Shouldn't you have called him instead?" he asked, clearly confused.

"You're probably right but he's busy with his friends so maybe not." I said and glanced at the table where Cassian was in with his friends that I don't know, laughing. They must be the one from last Sunday.

"So what am I here for then?" Kairo asked and looked at my friends.

"They were worried about what you felt about it."

"About what?" I knew Kairo was hopelessly confused most of the time and it was cute not gonna lie, but moments like this makes me want to slap his head in.

I gave him a pointed look and he looked lost for a few seconds before brightening up.

"Oh you mean you and Cassian! I think you look cute together honestly but why are you asking me?" He said confused. I can feel my friends look bewildered and I couldn't help but cackle internally.

"Oh nothing. Go back now, I'll talk to you later." I said and pushed him gently off the seat. He looked lost as he scratched his head but decided to return to his table but not before giving us a smile and taking my apple away.

"So as you can see, you're getting worried for nothing." I smiled and they looked out of it which made me laugh.

"I felt like I've been played. Wait I'm getting dizzy someone hold me." Reiss said dramatically and held on Ava who wasn't looking any better.

"Stop being so dramatic Reiss." I rolled my eyes at them with a smirk and they just glared at me.

"Shut it. I'm not asking for your opinion right now." she snapped back and fanned her face. What a drama queen, I should make her the lead role for a play this year.

"Rude. Well, if you don't want my opinion, I'm just going to go. See you in Biology later. I need to study, ciao!" I didn't let them answer anymore and stood up.

There was a test later and I need to skim over the material one last time before it and maybe get some peace and quiet while we wait for class to start.