Closer to perfection (academic rivals)

chapter 13 ♡

H E A T H E R
Caelan and I sat in English before we were called out.
"Heather, Caelan. Mr Kennedy would like to speak to you both." notified Miss Simkins from the front of the classroom. I flinched, looking at Caelan, who seemed as unfazed as ever. It was no surprise after what happened, but I couldn't help but feel nervous.
We left the classroom, leaving behind the murmurs and curious whispers of our classmates.
"Scared?"
I scoffed. "I really have nothing to lose." Lie. "It's not something to wrack your nerves over." That's certainly the opposite of what I was thinking.
I could tell that Caelan saw right through my white lies.
"Well, I don't suppose the reason for us being called out is something that affects us too much. At least there isn't a specific "villain" among us." He shrugged.

We stopped in front of Mr Kennedy's office.
"After you my lady," he gestured towards the door. This guy cannot be serious right now.
"Right." I knocked on the door.
An ominous voice boomed back. "Come in."

"Good afternoon, sir." the two of us greeted him.
"Ah Heather and Caelan. My two star students. I'm sure you're aware of why I called you here today."
Mr Kennedy swivelled around on his chair to face us like some cartoon villain in a show.
Caelan and I nodded.
"That video recorded unfortunately reveals information between a few agencies and their alliances, which we have received complaints from the owners of the targeted agencies and companies."
I gave a sigh of relief. We were called out because of the videos and the companies, not because it did something bad to our reputation.
"We have been looking into who recorded the video, but we haven't found anything yet. In the meantime, I'd like the both of you to step away from further drama and rebuild your relationship as the school captains."
"Of course," Caelan agreed.
"This is for your reputations. The video taken is quite misleading, and it presents a rivalry between you two."
"Ah." I forgot about what our classmates and peers would think. I was so focused on what Mr Kennedy would say that I forgot about everyone else..
"So I've set up a program for the two of you to become closer." He whips out a whiteboard.
"This is a brief plan of what the two of you shall do for the next few months."
Caelan and I read the whiteboard.
"Volunteering together, signing up for the same campaigns and events.." Caelan mumbled as he went down the list.
I stared at Mr Kennedy's words. Running organised charity events, creating advertisements to help promote keeping the school environment clean, attending each others clubs and...
"Hanging out.. outside of school? What- why- sir is this really necessary?" I struggled, at a loss for words.
Caelan looked dumbfounded.
"Sir, you can't be serious?"
"Look, complain all you want but if your classmates see you together outside of school, it presents an idea that you two don't only stay together because you're the school captains. It tells your peers that you're good friends and it also helps you two grow your bond."
Was this man having a laugh?
"And what about clubs? It's going to be pathetic if one of us is terribly bad at the club, I mean- Caelan goes to the swimming club. I haven't been in a swimming pool since year 7."
"Well, you'll have to work together to overcome that. I trust that the two of you will find a way."
He stood up and ushered us out of the room.
"Hope you have fun!" He slammed the door on us.
"Sir wait-"
Caelan turned back around to the door.
"Seriously.." he muttered, before looking over at me.
I slowly slumped down onto my knees against the door. This cannot be happening right now.
"AUGHHHHHHHH" I buried my face is my hands. "I HATE SWIMMING."