Cold and Charisma (BoyxBoy)

Chapter Thirty-Eight

Archer's Perspective

"Senior Sunrise is a major event, not just for us as a council but also for us as seniors," I said, pointing at the whiteboard. "It's the last time we can truly come together as one class and have fun. So, as the student body , it's our responsibility to create an event nobody will forget."

The students in front of me, uniforms crisp and hair perfectly styled, erupted into a polite cheer. Hands shot up, eager to ask questions about the event I'd carefully planned.

"Oh! Oh! I think we should start campaigning for tickets online instead of in person!" one girl said, smiling. "She has a point! It would reach a wider audience." another added on, nodding his head.

This was the life I'd promised myself I'd return to. No drama, priorities straight, and most importantly—no Riley to distract me. This meeting, after yesterday's assembly ambush and the weekend's chaos, was exactly what I needed: a reminder of my place at Saint Arthur's.

It was a stark contrast to the way I used to pathetically pine over a boy who hated me. The reminder that I used to beg on my hands and knees for him—struck me that I had done the right thing by stepping back.

A month ago, if he'd come first, begging for an apology, I probably would have given it. No questions asked. I'd have smiled down at him, hand itching to cup his face, ready to give him every apology he'd begged for.

But people change. And sometimes, too late. I had forced myself to turn my life around after that weekend, something I'd been putting off for a while. Now that I was back on track, I couldn't let it slip away again just because a fuming Riley showed up demanding my attention.

My mind—adamantly made up at the time—didn't even let myself feel an ounce of guilt. I tried convincing myself, for the first time ever, that Riley's commitment issues no longer mattered to me—because for once, I decided to put myself first.

At first, I felt free. Even at the start of the meeting, I savored detaching myself from him, instead of feeling guilty for pushing him away. But now, that satisfaction felt a little hollow.

The students were already brainstorming, excitement buzzing in the room. One by one, they filed out. One boy lingered, still filing papers into his bag.

"That was a great meeting," he said, eyes on his bag. "You really surprised all of us with the whole Senior Sunrise thing. I knew it wouldn't take long before you came to your senses."

I paused, eraser in hand, and raised a brow. "Excuse me? Haven't I always been a great addition to the council?" I joked, trying to ease the knot in my chest. I knew exactly what he meant.

"Well, sure," he said, pushing his glasses up. "But after you started hanging with that no-good Lachkov kid, you stopped prioritizing your duties. Now that you're back to yourself, it's like nothing ever happened."

"So," I said, eyes widening, "you're saying I've been slacking off because of... Riley?" The treasurer nodded. "That's not true..." I paused, surprised. "... is it?"

"Sorry, Wilson. Everyone on the council saw it," he said, zipping his bag. "You'd leave meetings early, saying something important came up. Priscilla would watch you run to the soccer field to drive the kid home." He shook his head, chuckling.

"Good thing he's out of your life now... I think? Never mind. I don't care about him. I'm just glad you're back. Welcome back, President Wilson." His pat on my back stung, a reminder of how blindly in love I'd been, neglecting my own duties.

I opened my mouth to fake-laugh, maybe even agree, until he added, "The kid was a freak anyway. Came from Russia with his whore of a mother, has no friends, and is a bitch to his teammates. Shocker they even put up with him." he snickered, as he slung his back over his shoulder.