Chapter 38
COSETTE
“We have to take a photo.”
Was it cheesy? Yes.
Will the guys be annoyed that I’m making them participate in this? I hope not.
It wasn’t that bad, really. It wouldn’t hurt them to wear Crouse merch for College Shirt day at our school, and sue me if I was excited that we’re all going to the same university after graduation. Despite the two Azuls apparently using their connections to get in.
I might actually be getting corrupted because why am I lowkey finding it romantic? It doesn’t help that they’re opening opportunities for students in need of scholarships in the process.
Nero pulled out his phone, interrupting my train of thought as he extended his arm out to take a photo of us four wearing different tops with some variation of ‘Crouse’ or ‘Crouse University’ on them.
Once the photos were taken, I let out a silent cheer before placing a kiss on each of my guys’ cheeks, wanting them to know how much this means to me that they’re humoring me.
I wrapped an arm around Nero’s as we made our way to the school building from the parking lot, with him handing me his phone so I could look at the photos he took and send them to myself through messages.
“We’re the cutest polycule I know,” I joked, making Nero huff out a chuckle, since we were the only ones in this kind of relationship that I know of.
The guys and I went through the usual routine before heading to class, them accompanying me to my locker and us hanging around there as we waited for the bell to ring.
Until Miss Jackson, the school’s principal, approached us, sending me into a silent panic.
“Miss Evangelista, can I talk to you, please? My office,” she said, and I replied with a hesitant nod, following her as she led the way.
Once we reached the principal’s office, she motioned for me to sit, telling me to get comfortable before she closed the door for our privacy.
All sorts of possible violations I might’ve committed went through my head.
Did someone report our relationship to the faculty?
Sure, I wasn’t being discreet with the fact that I’m dating three guys nowadays, but I didn’t know it would be that obvious. I didn’t think people would notice, too in their own heads thinking about their own problems and businesses.
“Are you okay? You look kind of… nervous,” Principal Jackson spoke up, and I nodded, forcing a smile.
“You don’t need to be. I just wanted to talk to you about some things. Nothing serious.”
Yeah, but I’d really appreciate if you just told me outright.
There was a pause, with her trying to read me, while I just stayed rigid in my seat, a polite smile plastered on my face.
“O-kay? Well, first, I want to congratulate you. I see that you and Nero, and the two transfers you made friends with got into Crouse.”
Did she make a tone change when she said ‘made friends with’ or am I insane?
Is she thinking I’m whoring my way through the guys in the school?
Am I overthinking this?
“Mm-hmm,” I hummed, smiling still as I hoped I looked like I’m nodding in thanks.
She looked at me weirdly then, and it seems she finally took pity on me as she continued, telling me exactly what she’s actually speaking to me about.
“I’m pretty sure you know that you’re one of the top students in your class, right, Cosette?”
I nodded again, my shoulders relaxing a bit, glad that the topic’s taking a turn to academics.
“I’ve called you here today because final grades are coming, and you’re in the running to be class salutatorian.”
My eyes went wide, my heart racing for a completely different reason as I straightened in my seat.
“Me?” I asked, pointing to myself, clearly not acting very salutatorian-ly at the moment.
“Yes.” Principal Jackson chuckled. “I just wanted to notify you so you can have the chance to prepare a salutatorian speech. But let me clarify, there’s three of you who are very close in your grades, and you’re all told the same thing. So, manage your expectations, still.”
With a wide smile, I nodded, because even getting so far as to be a contender already felt so good.
“Any questions?”
I shook my head ‘no’, apparently too stunned to speak, and I thought we were done, but Principal Jackson continued.
“Now, I have one last question for you, Cosette. And this is off the record.”
Crap. Is it time to panic again?
“Andy. Do you have any idea what happened to her?”
My stomach twisted, my chest feeling constricted as I heard her name.
I tried not to think about her.
Not to look at her locker every time I would pass by it.
Not to scan the room every time I get to whatever classroom I’m in because I haven’t seen her come to school since homecoming.
“No. I have no idea. We had a fallout, and… I don’t have contact with her anymore,” I mumbled, the words leaving a sour taste in my mouth.
Not once did I think Andy and I would reach a moment in time where we’d be like this.
To be honest, when I found out about getting into Crouse? Apart from wanting to know if my guys got in, in one moment, no matter how quick it was, I wondered if Andy did too.
It was our dream university.
“That’s unfortunate, Cosette. I’m sorry. The faculty and I have been worried, and I wanted to conduct a home visit, but no one was at their house,” Principal Jackson said, my ears barely registering the words.
“I just thought you had some information, but I understand now that that’s not the case. Rest assured that this will be the last time I’ll ask.”
“It’s okay. If I find anything, you’ll be the first to know, Principal Jackson. Thank you… for wanting to check up on her.”
Reaching a stalemate between us, Principal Jackson took a deep breath and stood from where she was sitting, making me follow her lead.
“That’s all for now, Cosette. I appreciate your time. You can go to your class.”
With one last polite nod, I find my way out of the principal’s office, and head to my first class of the day.
Nero was the first to ask me what the visit was about the moment I sat down, so I left out the last part about Andy.
“She just wanted to inform me that there’s a chance that I could be class salutatorian.”
I thought Nero would be impressed, congratulating me.
Instead, he flashed me a smirk, matched with a raised eyebrow as he asked with so much cockiness, “Oh, she’s just telling you now?”
It was what I needed to get out of the stupor I was in after the Andy thing, because my head whipped to look at Nero, and in his face, I saw everything I needed to know.
My new boyfriend is also a contender for salutatorian.