The bell rang for Study Hall class Cady walked towards to. It was a last day before the Winter Break and she was anticipating to spend times with her friends. Through the days tutoring Aaron, they developed close friendship as whenever she wasn't hanging out with Janis, Damian and Jeremy, Aaron would agree to join her in after school hangout drinking bubble tea. Even in study hall, it was generous of Mr. Cassius Norbury to let her tutor him.
As she entered the classroom, she saw Mr. Norbury by his desk and the only students there were her friends, the Platinums, Aaron and Shana.
"Hi, Cady. You're just in time," Cassius smiled as the bell rang, "take your seat."
Waving to Regis while ignoring Shana, she sat next to Aaron who smiled back to her.
"You better got your assignment done," she started, playfully, "I'm not really lenient."
"Don't give me hard questions, miss Cady." The dark-haired dreamboat chuckled.
The two were focused on the tutoring they were not aware of Mr. Norbury monitoring them from the distance. Well, they weren't the only ones he was attentive of. His perceptive eyes laid on Janis, Jeremy and Damian. Janis was seen rolling his eyes as Jeremy and Regis glared to one another. A good-natured Damian was helping Karl with his assignments as the ponytailed blonde boy struggled to understand English Literature. His gaze paused as they met Shana's. Her pupils trembled, but immediately turned away. Based on Cassius' observation, he could deduct that Cady hasn't mentioned her blonde boyfriend she would also tutor Aaron OUTSIDE the school. Then again, it was her choice not to speak of her appointment to Regis George. And he is respecting any reasonable decision his mother's favorite student makes.
"Thanks for helping, Damian." Karl let out a relieved sigh, "you're a real life-saver."
"Ah…, you're welcome." The large boy stuttered, nervous as Karl held his hand.
Greg seemed to gaze on the clock, slowly getting a bit impatient for the school hour to end. The "gossip columnist" of Platinums have been anticipating for the tutoring sessions with Temu Park.
Ignoring Regis' eyes, Cady continued to tutor Aaron. Their interaction was enough to make Platinums' leader tense. Especially, when she was smiling to the North Shore's Dream Boat. The awkwardly intense tranquility ended as soon as Shana was summoned by cheerleaders for their practice and she was excused. The hour was fleeting so quickly, it was only a matter time the bell rang, signaling the end of school hours.
"Cady," Janis whispered to Cady as Aaron got his bag ready, "brief conference after school."
Cady nodded with less expression change and got her bag. Aaron glanced for several seconds, inspecting her. He was worried of her depressed state after the Halloween party, well, Aaron was worried that she and Regis might have argued during that eventful time. As Cady walked off the Study Hall first, the brunette dreamboat decided to face Regis.
"Hey, Regis."
The blond sex god looked up from his desk and saw Aaron.
"I know it's not my place to ask," Aaron began in polite manner, "did something happened between you and Cady?"
"…what are you talking about…" Regis' eyes narrowed.
"She wasn't in good mood since Halloween," he replied, "did you two fought before?"
The dark-haired boy have spoken without malice. It was the question that brought Regis a flashback of the eventful day he had a sexual intercourse with Shana. And after that, he hadn't seen Cady throughout the Halloween night. When he asked Greg and Karl for her whereabout, the blonde klutz replied he doesn't know. But Greg seemed anxious, answering that she just left the house because something must have happened back in her home. This was even confirmed from the text message between him and Cady after the party.
"I took her back home," Aaron added, decided not to tell the entire truth, "she seemed stressed."
Regis felt his stomach churned. No one told him that Aaron was the one who escorted her out of the party. So, he assumed she left on her own.
"But, I'm glad she's doing ok." The dark-haired boy smiled.
Regis remained still as Aaron, Damian, Janis and Jeremy left. He then turned his attention to Karl and Greg.
"…you didn't told me she left with Aaron." Regis spoke.
"Umm…, you didn't ask if she left by herself or with someone else.." The gossiper of Platinums answered.
Karl, who has been quiet all along, began to intervene.
"You didn't seem to care about her, too."
Greg quickly turned to Karl, eyes widen in shock and jaw dropped, disbelieved. Regis remained silent at Karl's remark. How dare the dumb blonde spoke to his leader that way…, but as much as he was upset, what Karl said was a painful truth. He never did, once. Until recently.
"Maybe she should be happy if she dated someone who is more like Aaron or Mr. Norbury," Karl blurted out again, "unlike some man-whore."
With that, the Smith boy rushed out of classroom. Both Regis and Greg knew how much Karl is attached to Cady, as if she was an older sister figure to him. However, it was a first time he had ever shown anger to Regis George.
"Umm…," Greg spoke, "…I'm busy for a while… tutor session…. Catch up with you at 5, in usual place?
Greg Wieners didn't look back to hear his "friend's" answer, nor seeing him nod. For he had quickly grabbed his belongings and left the classroom, leaving Regis to ponder.
And Mr. Cassius Norbury, who have witnessed the brief conflict between Platinums, did not spoke and resumed back to his work, his unreadable but lightless eyes on his papers.
After the brief conference with Janis, Jeremy, Damian, Cady was feeling restless. She couldn't wait for a moment to break Regis George. But the time seem to ticking slowly. And the more she was obsessed with him, the more she was losing herself. She wanted to rest. Just for once. But, that means she would let Regis win. And Cady NEVER wanted that happen.
Feeling tired, the auburn-haired girl walked to the direction where the cafe was located. Entering, she could hear a soft tune of ballad pop song from the radio, sang by "HEATHERS", the trio of good-looking young men with same surname despite lacking relation between them. But it did fit to the atmosphere as Cady walked up to the counter, ordering for tall-size of bubble milk tea. Since the beginning of school year, she has been taking a liking of the cafe near the North Shore High School. After the order and purchase, she was waiting by the empty table a meter far from ordered spot, tapping her fingers in a rhythm of the song.
Upside of the plan, is that Cady had fed Regis more Kalteen Bars, causing him to lose his former slim body. Downside is that due to his frequent visit to the fitness center, he has grown masculine parts. Even still, Cady hoped for new plan to sabotage his reputation.
After getting her ordered bubble tea, she held the tray of her drink and turned find for her seat until her eyes spotted a familiar student teacher on a seat next to the empty space working with his laptop.
"Mr. Norbury?" Cady called as she approached.
Cassius looked up and saw her, smiling as usual.
"Oh, hello, Cady! You came here often?" He blinked.
"Well, I'm a regular here." She smiled back.
"That's a coincidence," Cassius' smile brightened for a second, "I love drinks and desserts here. Come and sit here, if you're looking for a seat."
"Thank you." She gladly accepted his offer.
As she take a seat next to him, Cady sees his laptop screen. Apparently, other than teaching schedules, he was writing several essays with neat formats, visiting research websites to support his options and for the resources.
'So, that must be what college or university students do…, seemed like a lot of work…' She mused in her thought while sipping er bubble tea chewing on tapioca pieces, growing curious of campus life.
"Imagining your campus life, Miss Heron?" Cassius chuckled as she let out small yelp.
"Ah, was that obvious?" She asked timidly.
"Everyone around your age imagine their life… everyone who has dreams." He answered.
"So… your dream was to be a teacher, I guess…?"
"Yes…," he nodded, "I started as a tutor before, English and Math. Soon, I tutor others for history and science…"
"…You're happy with now, then?" She asked.
"Of course." He answered as he turned to glance at her with his usual smile.
Cady's green eyes gazed back, scrutinizing his facial features. Despite young age to be a student teacher, he had no baby fats. Cassius had sharp jawline, eyelashes crooked in elegance every time he smiled, but something in his eyes got her off guard. There was no life, nor a light from them. And lacking clarity. Clouded with messy mist of negative emotions inside.
"You know, Mr. Norbury…," she began carefully, "I've been wondering… you always smile and have been so good to us, but your eyes seemed tired… and upset."
Her words caused the student teacher to stiffen, the curl of his lips faltered a little.
"…My friends… told me what happened… we both have bad school experiences…, I find it admirable you're putting up a best smile to be optimistic and strong…but you should often rest from everything…," she then smiled to him, "I'd be glad to have a nice counseling with you."
She then excused herself back to counter. And minutes later, she came back with two cups of latte, plate of sandwich. Cassius glanced at them, then his eyes moved back to her.
"Miss Heron, are you flirting with your student teacher?"
"Nah," she giggled, "I'm just playing favorite among teachers."
Within seconds, Cassius Norbury let out a soft, hearty laughter.
Little did they knew, Shana was walking with other cheerleaders chatting until she stopped and spotted the two inside cafe together. Same went for Regis George who parked his car by the street, his eyes caught upon Cassius and Cady smiling and chatting. Needles of unknown yet unpleasant emotions stabbed their hearts to see Mr. Norbury and his favorite student was enough to darkening Shana and Regis' mood.
In the building of North Shore High School, Janis was working on her art pieces for the school gallery fair and Jeremy was helping his sister. Although his friends came to help, they were most likely goofing off and ended up kicked out by Ian siblings. The siblings and Damian were too busy setting the art pieces they didn't notice Aaron approaching.
"Hey, Jeremy. Janis. Damian."
The three jumped in surprise, turned around to see him.
"Oh..! Hey, Aaron…," Janis greeted back, "what's up?"
"I'm just here to talk to you both…" Aaron replied.
Jeremy raised his eyebrow at the Samuel boy's tone.
"About…?" Janis questions.
"Cady." Aaron answered, arms crossed.
Tensed up, the Ian siblings stood still. Aaron's frown deepened, catching that they are indeed aware of something—no, INVOLVED—with Cady's gradual change. And he won't let them escape from his…interrogation.
Meanwhile, Cassius and Cady exchanged their goodbye after leaving the cafe. The student teacher rode off the street as Regis' "girlfriend" walked the street with ease.
"Cady…"
She flinched, turned around to see Regis and Greg standing couple of feet away from her. Initially surprised, she put up a sweet smile on her face.
"Oh! Hey, Regis," she waved, "I haven't seen you since after school. Where were you?"
"I was getting my suit for Spring Fling." He replied.
"But… it's still a winter…" Cady blinked.
"I know," Regis cut her off, tone soft at first, "it was to see which suits that fits me…I was thinking of three different types…but none of the suit doesn't FUCKING fits!"
Greg tensed by his tone and Cady felt terrible for letting him forced to hang out with Regis.
"What happened…?" She asked, trying to sound concerned for Regis.
"Regis couldn't fit to any other sizes of suit he picked." His sidekick replied too quickly.
She was inwardly smiling, fully aware of the reason why. But then, she decided to play innocent.
"Regis, about that Kalteen bar I have you…" she began.
"Yeah, why?"
"Did you eat them before you work out or play any sports?" Cady asked, tilted her head as he nodded.
"Oh my god…," Greg then looked at Regis, "maybe you're growing your muscles. From that bars and workouts."
Cady wanted to applause for Greg's natural acting skills in this situation, but she continued to mask her facade smile.
"Exactly," she added, "what Greg said could be true. You burned the carbs through that diet bars, and when you work out, the fats were replaced with muscles~!"
Greg quickly nodded, relief all over his face as Regis's eyes softened, believing in their words, but concern and insecurity remained in them.
"But…, my outfit routines…. I wouldn't fit any of my other clothes."
"Don't think too much about that," Cady said, "you can always buy new ones around your size. Maybe tone down on the Kalteen bars, too! We can shop now, if you want to. Sounds good?"
Regis nodded. Meekly.
"So, what if you're no longer slim? I like you better with a bit of muscle and tall height." She smiled, proceeded to lead the duo on her way to shopping mall.
Greg was first to follow, feeling less anxious as Cady always seem to calm the authoritative atmosphere Regis often provoked. The blond haired leader remained silent, then a small smile curled from the lips with a hint of blush across his cheeks as he went after her.
Back in the school building, Aaron had been listening to Janis and Jeremy. He could feel his blood boil at every detail they have feed on his head.
"You two are using Cady to…WHAT?!" He stormed towards them and grabbed Jeremy by his collars.
Alarmed, Damian attempted to pull Aaron back as Janis rushed between them to prevent further physical violence, while Jeremy seemed indifferent.
"She agreed to it…!" Janis blurted out.
Her words were enough to cause Aaron almost dropping Jeremy. He released his grip on Janis' older brother's collar and glanced at her with widen eyes of disbelief.
"Since when…?"
Damian nervously gazed at both Jeremy and Janis, wondering if they are letting him explain to a popular boy with a heart of gold…a true side of his love. Watching Aaron's shocked and—almost—heartbroken eyes could make anyone feel sympathy.
"…since Halloween." The large boy finally confessed.
After dragging Regis from department to department of shopping mall, Cady finally was able to have a time of herself until the tutoring hour with Aaron at his place. Spotting him by the doorsteps, she cheerfully waved her hand.
"Hi, Aaron," she paused as soon as her bright emerald eyes saw Aaron's darkened but sullen ones, "is something wrong…?"
He simply gazed at Cady. Her doe-like eyes were blinking with confusion. Aaron's memories rewinding back to Halloween party. The night she shed tears. It was the day she have witnessed a heartbreaking betrayal Regis had done. And the day he took Cady to Janis and Jeremy's home. He should have known earlier. He should have stopped them from using her to ruin Regis' life. He should have been with Cady more.
"Aaron…?" She carefully approached him.
In that moment, Aaron pulled her in his arms, close. Gentle but firm, his sudden embrace bewildered her. Yet, at the same time, it gave her peace.
"You can talk to me anytime…," he began, voice soft, "I can always listen to you other than your math tutoring. Anything…, just remember that.. I'll be there when you need someone to talk to…"
Cady didn't let out a single word. But she responded back by returning the hug.