Closer to perfection (academic rivals)

chapter 11 ♡

C A E L A N
(disclaimer- this is basically chapter 9 from Caelan's point of view, so events are repeated, however this shows his point of view and thought process!)

Clutching the mini carton, I walked to my first lesson- French. Fortunately I sat next to Heather. I bubbled up with excitement. Would Heather be a bit less mean if I gave her the carton? Would she think of me as a man and not just her rival? Would she even potentially see me as a lover and we could date and kiss and get married and have our own successful business and be known as a power couple with two kids and a cat? Maybe that was a bit far. My mind continued to trail into thoughts, absorbed by my daydreams. They all came to an end when I saw them across the hall through the classroom window.

Ivan and Heather. He held a strawberry milk carton, identical to the one I was holding, and he passed it to her. Attempting to read her expressions, I paused in the middle of the hall as they shared a lengthy conversation. Her overjoyed satisfaction gave me a heartache. It was gorgeous. But her happiness wasn't because of me. Her emotions weren't directed to me. I should've been the one to give her it. I opened my carton and went into class.

"Do you like strawberry milk Caelan?" a classmate asked. Was that one of Heather's friends? Chloe? Or Cleo? I saw Heather looking my way. Oh shit.
"Yes I do actually!" I smiled at her. Heather, would you be interested if we shared common interests? We liked the same drink? Instead, Heather scoffed.
As the girl left my table, I slumped. Seriously Heather, what will it take for you to look my way?
When class began, Heather nudged me. I flinched.
"Can you pass this to Ivan?"
She handed me a note. I forgot to mention. I do sit beside Heather. But on my other side is Ivan.
I took the note and passed it to Ivan, pretending to have no interest in the note or its contents.
When Ivan received the note, he chuckled and proceeded to write a note in response and send it back to her through me. The note passing continued for the whole lesson. I focused on my work.
Midway the lesson, however, Ivan nudged me.
"Yo Caelan.. you okay? You seem to be putting a lot of pressure on-"
Was he pretending to be concerned? After what he'd done to Val he thinks he can act like he cares about me?
"I'm fine."
Heather frowned.
"What's up with you Mr Chemjong. You shouldn't be so aggressive with Ivan. He's trying to help."
Mr Chemjong. Really? Can't even address me by my name anymore Heather? Am I really that shameful? Heather, you need to stop hurting my pride.
I felt fingers touching mine. Heather's? Her fingers were shards of ice, chilling my skin. Was she a temptress? What was she doing, warming up to me after she didn't even address me by my name. I brushed her pretty fingers away.
"I think you two should focus on your work."
Heather rolled her eyes at me.
"Ha. You're saying that as though you haven't been focusing on your girlfriend," she snorted.
Girlfriend? What was she on about..
"My girlfriend huh? That's right, I am focused on her." I stared at her longingly, my passionate desire spilling out of my eyes and craving for her attention. She only looked away, pretending nothing had happened.