Chapter 14

Author’s POV

Somewhere in the academic wing.

“Okay, let’s take twenty, then we’ll run the act from the top,” Zeke called out.

A ripple of groans followed.

“Quit your grumbling, people,” he added with a grin. “We’ve only got three weeks left before the performance.”

Typical Zeke. Always trying to keep things light, even while running one of the most demanding productions of the year. As one of the department’s major directors, he had just enough charm to get away with it.

The theatre space was packed. Thespians from freshman to senior year filled every corner, brushing shoulders, warming up, scribbling notes. The Masquerade Play was just as big of a deal as the Convocation Play, and participation wasn’t optional—every theatre student was expected to pitch in.

“Good thing the convocation play’s ten months away,” someone muttered nearby. “Imagine jumping straight into that right after this.”

Zeke pretended not to hear the complaint. 

“Great job, everyone. If we continue at this pace, we'll be ready in no time.” He said before turning towards Silas. “One sec, I wanna see someone. Jade, wait.”

Jade, who had been about to leave—probably to get some lunch—now slowed to a stop. “Yes?”

Zeke smiled warmly. “I wanted to say great job on the way you played the role. I'm glad the news didn't affect your performance.” 

Jade frowned. “News? What news?”

Zeke's smile faltered. Crap, he thought to himself. “Huhh, nevermind. Forget I said anything.” He added awkwardly. “By the way, I haven't seen Cassie here in a while. Y'all used to be inseparable, I hope all is well?”

Jade’s jaw tensed. “Things are a little tense between us, but we're working on it.” She stated. They weren't working on it, but no one had to know that. She hadn’t even had a chance to spin a proper story yet—Otto had been useless on that front.

“I see. Well, I won't keep you any longer. I hope you work things out.” Zeek said pleasantly. 

A practiced smile appeared on Jade's face then she left. 

“You almost screwed things up there.” Silas commented. 

“I know right. Guess Ledger is caught up in something messy again.” Zeke answered with a smile.

“Isn’t he always?” Silas said, rolling his eyes. “Come on. Let’s bounce.”

***

Zeke’s offhand comment stuck in Jade’s head longer than she wanted it to. What news? What had he meant by that? Something about it bothered her.

Before she could ponder on it further, the sound of a notification reached her ears. Jade took out her phone and checked it out. It was a text from Otto.

Otto: We need to talk.

Jade's mood soured instantly. The last thing she wanted was to spend more time with him. The situation had already gotten more dire than she had intended. Already, rumours were already circulating about them being together.

That was far from what she wanted.

You: What do you want, Otto?

She hit send. It was better to make her distaste known. She didn't want him to think they had some sort of relationship or something.

Otto: There's something important that you need to know. We have to work together. Come to the bleachers of the Basketball court.

Jade sighed. Nothing seemed to be going her way these past few months. “Damn it, this had better be as important as he makes it seem.” She muttered before making her way to the court.

It didn't take long for her to find it. When she finally approached Otto, she noticed that he was really tense. His leg was bouncing impatiently as he waited. 

He perked up as soon as he saw her. Hopping onto his feet, he rushed towards her, grabbed her arm and pulled her towards the seats. “Jeez, calm down, will you?”

“Shut up, and listen!” Otto snapped. “Ledger and Cassie are gonna campaign to be Masquerade Monarchs.”

Jade's heart sank. “What? They are gonna campaign? Together?”

Otto frowned. “Yes, together. Are you more bothered by the fact that she's campaigning with him than the fact that she's campaigning at all?” He asked.

He hit the nail on the head. True, Jade had always wanted to be Masquerade Queen. Her parents had pressured her into it, but the idea had only become interesting when she had decided to try to convince Ledger to campaign with her.

“That's not… That's not possible.” Jade mumbled. “I asked him several times and he refused.” She perked up. “Besides, Cassie wouldn't do that to me. She knows how much I need this. She said she would support…”

“Quit rambling!” Otto cut in. “Cassie does not care about you! Not anymore! Ledger made the announcement himself and she was in the locker room with him.” He told her. 

His voice became quiet. “She really seems to have moved on. We need to fix this. We need to do something…”

“We?” Jade asked, shooting him a glare. “No, ‘you’, need to fix this. There is no we, here! This is all your fault.” She yelled vehemently, shoving a finger in his face. “Your inability to keep it in your pants led us to this moment. I lost my best friend because of you!”

Just as Otto braced himself to respond, a microphone feedback was heard, and Jade had to cover her ears at the noise. “What the hell?” She queried.

“Ah… ah… Is this thing on?” The voice of Ledger came through the Court's speakers.

“Jeez, bet you've always wanted to say that, haven't you?” Came Cassie's voice.

Jade and Otto exchanged glances as a commotion was heard outside the court. 

“What's going on?” A voice asked.

Another voice spoke up. “Who knows? Isn't that the Captain of the Hockey team?”

“Yeah, it sounds like him. He's always pulling stuff like this. Who knows what it is this time.” 

The voices got louder as Jade and Otto headed towards the hallway. 

“But who's the chick with him?”

“Sounds like Cassie.” Another answered. “She reads the morning news sometimes.”

“Oh, yeah… Apparently, they're dating.”

“Oh, for real? Thought those were just rumours.”

Jade suddenly screamed, unable to listen to any more of it. 

“The hell? What's wrong with her?”

Otto watched her silently as she disappeared down the Hallway.