Chapter 11

Cassie's POV 

What a mess. 

I should have known that the only reason for Ledger to kiss me would be to keep up with the ruse. I was stupid to delude myself into thinking that he was actually interested.

That was a problem for another day, however, because another situation was before me. 

Ledger moved to stand beside me, wrapping his hand around my waist. “What are you all doing here?”

“About that…” Ledger began, drawing my attention. “The student council and the team were supposed to meet for a meeting today. I totally forgot about it.”

Oh. Right. It was almost time for the masquerade ball.

“Looks like the rumours about you two being together were true.” A voice said from the back of the group. 

It was only then that I noticed the Student Council president, Alison Andrews and Professor Owens who was also the head of the Press Club. 

It was Alison who had spoken. She looked amused.

“Well, that's enough standing around then. Let's grab the tables and place them together.” She instructed.

As everyone moved to follow her instructions, Professor Owens approached us, glancing from Ledger to me and then back to Ledger. Her eyes were narrowed. “Don't go around causing trouble, Ledger. Don't put her future at risk.”

Ledger's mouth twitched before settling into a smile. “Don't worry, Professor.” He answered, shifting his gaze towards me. “I intend to protect her with everything I've got.”

I looked away from the intensity of his gaze, turning to the Professor instead and smiled. “Don't worry, Professor. I'll make him into a model student in no time.”

Ledger chuckled, but I paid him no mind. 

“Well, that's that then.” She answered. “It's a good thing you're here. Sheila was unable to attend due to a family emergency… she's alright.” The Professor added after seeing the look of concern on my face. Sheila was the student president of the Press Club. “But we need someone to fill her spot. Since you're already here, you can represent her till she returns.”

Oh.

“Oh, that's brilliant. The meeting won't be boring with you here.” Ledger blurted out. 

This earned him a disapproving stare from Professor Owens. “She'll be working, Mr. Rivers.” 

Ledger simply grinned. “Of course, Professor.”

She sighed. “Well, that is all. I'll take my leave. Be careful with that one, Cassie.”

“Yes, ma'am.” I answered respectfully. 

As soon as she was gone, I faced Ledger, annoyed. “Can you at least pretend to be a good student?”

“Alright, alright. Don't frown so much. You'll get wrinkles.” He replied, placing his hand on my shoulders and propelling me towards the others. 

I sat flanked by Ledger and the team. Once we were settled, Ledger intertwined my hand with his.

A few eyes settled on it.

“Alright, let's not get distracted by the new couple.” Alison began. “We have a lot of preparations to…”

“Before that…”

I didn't have to look to recognize that voice. It was Jade.

“I don't think she should be here.”

“Who?” The President asked, a single brow arched. It didn't take a genius to know who Jade was referring to. 

“The slut seated in between the snow bears.” She announced, venom dripping from her words.

I scoffed. “That's rich coming from you.”

“What did you say?”

I opened my mouth to speak, but Ledger beat me to it. “She didn't stutter. Don't dish it if you can't take it.”

Jade's gaze turned sheepish at that. Interesting… “She was never interested in joining the student council and she's not a member of your team, so why is she here?”

“That's enough.” Alison ordered, her voice hard. “Cassie is here as a representative of the press club. She'll be covering the masquerade ball. So, I suggest you watch what you say if you don't want to be mentioned as someone that tried to disrupt its preparation.”

Wow. 

I hadn't expected Alison to step up for me like that. Jade went silent after that.

“Pretty cool, right?” Ledger whispered into my ear, sending a shiver up my spine. 

I made the mistake of turning to face him, and his gaze trickled to my lips almost immediately. 

I suddenly remembered the kiss we had shared earlier. How his lips felt on mine, the… Dangerous line of thought. Abort!

I snapped my gaze away instantly and my eyes fell on Otto. He looked like he had been watching us silently. Once he noticed he had been caught, he looked away. 

Whitney came to take our orders and the meeting went on smoothly from then on. While I had tried my best to focus on the discussion, Ledger has busied himself with playing with my hair, playing with my fingers, rubbing my palm and practically just using me to keep himself amused. 

My heart kept fluttering with every little action he took. 

‘Get a grip, Cassie. He's just acting. Your relationship is fake.’ I told myself over and over.

While I was having my inner battles, I noticed that a couple eyes kept glancing in our direction. Otto, Jade and Freddie. Freddie's gaze was more curious than anything else. But Jade and Otto were different.

Otto was watching me in anger, but there was something else in his eyes. Something akin to… yearning? 

I scoffed. That was ridiculous. 

Jade regarded me with pure hatred and jealousy. I had no clue what she had to be jealous about. She had gotten what she wanted, hadn't she? What more did she want? Did she simply hate to see me thriving? How had I not seen that before? How did we get to this point?

“If you grip that pen any tighter, it'll break.” Ledger said beside me. 

When I glanced his way he looked concerned. If Ledger was concerned then I must have looked a sight. I lightened my hold on the pen, sighing lightly as I did so.

“What's troubling you?” He asked, his worry apparent.

“It's nothing. Forget about it.”

Ledger looked like he wanted to say more, but the voice of Alison cut him off. “Alright, that will be all for this meeting. Classes begin in fifteen minutes. Have a great day, everyone.”

I didn't wait to hear the rest as I got to my feet and left for the door. I didn't have to look back to know that Ledger was trailing after me.