Chapter Four: Mouse

Rhea's POV

All I could think about was the way he had looked at me after the water washed the foundation off my face. How did he know I had foundation on?

I rolled onto my side and pulled the blanket tighter around myself. I barely slept that night. Every time I closed my eyes I saw his face.

By morning, I already felt exhausted. Funny enough, I didn't have that dream overnight, just my mind disturbed by what happened the previous day.

When I arrived at school, the stares and whispers started. Which was expected because of what happened yesterday.

I tried not to let it get to me. When I got to my locker and opened it, a folded piece of paper fell out.

I caught it before it hit the floor. There was nothing written on the outside. I stood there for a second, my heart turned uncomfortable instantly and then I opened it.

Class 14. Free period. Don't be late. —J

I stared at the words, my heart skipping.

He wants to see me? Why? Did he have questions?

His expression didn't reveal much yesterday, and deeply, I had been truly curious about what he thinks of my real face.

I sat through two classes without hearing a single word, just anticipating meeting him. Even though the circumstances was somewhat unfortunate, I was hugely glad that I was meeting him one-on-one again.

And maybe, I could apologize properly today. When lunch hour came, I folded the note into my pocket and went.

Class 14 was near the back of the building. Nobody went there unless they had a reason.

The door was slightly open.

I pushed it and stepped inside. The chairs were up on some of the desks. The door clicked shut behind me.

My eyes found his at the far end of the room. My heart flipped. I fidgeted immediately, already nervous under the weight of his eyes.

He was sitting with one ankle over his knee, blazer on, completely unhurried. I looked somewhere else for about two seconds and then looked back at him because I couldn't help it.

He stood up.

I kept myself rooted even though everything in me wanted to step back. He didn't come toward me. He stayed where he was, hands in his pockets, and looked at me with that same expression.

"You pissed me off. That makes you indebted to me. Actions have consequences." he said directly.

My heart sank at the realization of why he had called me here. I gulped and tried to explain but he beat me at it.

"Your punishment is simple. When I need something done, you do it. Something fetched. Something carried. Somewhere I need a person without it being me. You become that person."

I stared.

What registered in my brain was that I was going to be around him regularly. For years, he had never once looked in my direction and now, he wasn't just looking, he was arranging for me to be nearby on a regular basis and I had to stand here and keep my face completely neutral about it.

"F-For how long." I managed.

"Until I say otherwise."

My stomach turned over. Maybe I need to explain a little bit.

I opened my mouth, "N-Naomi threatened me, you know that right? And I had no choice but to…"

He raised one hand.

That was enough to make me shut up.

"You had the chance to say no. Giving in to her lame threats is now going to cost you more than throwing that egg did."

My brows shot up slightly behind my glasses. Does he think being around him is going to be a hassle for me?

The fact that I was standing here, exchanging words with him, was making my chest flutter in ways it hadn't in fifteen years of my life.

The room was quiet. He spoke up again;

"You're good at being invisible. That's the only reason you're useful."

As much as it should have sting, it didn't much since it was coming from him. But then, I looked at the floor and pressed my lips together. I don't want him to see me less.

Then my brows twitched… wait he saw my face yesterday. Why isn't he making any comment about it?

I raised my head up to meet his eyes. "Can I ask you a question?"

He stared at me, as if debating the right answer before he finally said, "No."

My eyes widened. "You didn't even…"

"Go back to your class, mouse. I will call you when I need you."

I blinked.

Mouse?

"My name is Rhea."

His expression didn't change when I said that. "You don't tell me what to call you. Leave now." his voice sharpened just enough to make me move.