•Meave Grey•

•Past•

The poster's up. Right in the great hall, overlooking the students down, fixated squarely on the balcony of the floor above.

I wish to hide. I wish to dig a hole so deep that no voice or no eyes could reach me. Calling it overwhelming is an understatement in itself. Students are gawking at me like they've just noticed that I go to this school with them.

But it was I who wanted it. I had braced myself all the way to school but the minute I stepped in. Oh boy, I didn't prepare myself enough.

Lydia arrives at the school as well, stopping next to me, her eyes catching the same poster just like the rest of us.

My frame, sporting the lilac gown adorns the poster announcing the theme to everyone. It's charismatic, a fairy version of me that I could have only dreamt of.

Lydia's eagle-like eyes keep tracing every inch of my gown, it's beauty, unaware it was her brother's efforts to give life to that creation. He helped me stand out, a direct sight for everyone to see, especially Miss Lawrence.

"Nice work," she says and I know it's addressed to me.

I expel an inaudible sigh, feeling relieved that Lydia didn't notice the background of the Beaufort Collection where I'm posing for the photo. Ruby and I got lucky that James reached her before she had asked Lydia for help and alerted her that we wanted access to her family's collection. Thus, Lydia would never suspect James' involvement. While the gown is similar to one of their collection, the piece is different thanks to my design.

The fire in my nerves is extinguished completely the minute Lydia walks out of my vicinity.

A message pops up, pushing down my mother's.

Did you like it?

A small smile forms on my face as I walk through the corridor. James— pretending to not have my number on his phone—had asked me for my contact last night so he could share the pictures. It was when I learned he had the Master Tailor take our pictures while I wasn't looking.

His gallery is filled with our candid pictures.

Yes.  I text.

I almost put both of us in that stupid poster.
It was really a close call.

I keep my giggle to myself as I think back to when he suggested that idea and I told him I'd hit somewhere so hard he wouldn't be able to recover soon.

Looks like my threat did a number on you considering you never listen to me.

I think your autocorrect is running wild.
It's typing gibberish instead of thank you.

You didn't let me pay for the dinner, remember? (eye-roll emoji)

Good thing apocalypse is like millions of years away. Plenty of time for you to thank me.
(wink emoji)

(Laughing emoji)
Alright alright. Thank you

Hey Maeve?

Hmm?

Don't thank me yet.
Instead spend some time with me.
Whatever place or time you like.
That's the thank you I want.

I pocket my phone since I've reached my class, Mr. Sutton has begun the lesson already as I've arrived a little late.

........

Finding my second period free, I haul my feet to the courtyard, finding a spare bench to study for exams.

I'm half an hour into my book but at the back of my mind, I can't shake off the words Ruby said to me in the first period. She and Lin had wanted to see more pictures and I showed them. They saw James and me looking too comfortable in the ones we're crammed together. Ruby suspected James' intention for me after he had offered us help.

She indirectly brought up the memory of her being locked in the bathroom when the rumor of her dating James was at its peak and blew up the entire Maxton Hall.

I shudder.

It was Ruby's way of a friendly reminder for me to not open that door. And I agree with her. Soon enough, I'll find a way to return the kindness James showed me so my obligation to him will end and I won't have this voice in my head telling me that I took advantage of James' fondness for me to help my cause. It doesn't matter if he keeps implying he forced it on me.

My phone rings, making me jump.

I check my phone and missed calls from my mom start to show up. Since I've been ignoring her constant messages, she has started ringing. I put it on silent and get back to my study.

Three pairs of shoes stop right in front of me.

I glance up, finding Bex and Rory and a third person I may or may have not seen around here. Although she's wearing our uniform I don't think I share any of my class with her.

"You're Maeve Grey, aren't you?" the middle one asked, shorter than Bex and Rory. She has blonde her, tied into a high pony, curtains bangs hanging at her either side of the face.

I nod my head, my eyes darting at all the three of them. I just don't know Bex and Rory as my classmates but also as spokesperson of James 'Fanclub'. They hang around with their group often, at school, at parties and god knows where.

But the third person—

"I'm Eliane Ellington," she introduces herself. "I study a year below you."

Okay, that's why. But her name rings a bell. I blink, taking a good measure of Elaine's frame.

She goes on when I say nothing. "I wanted to stop and tell you how beautiful you look in that gown." She passes me a smile that I find too good to be true. "But I think it's what's behind you is far more interesting."

I pinch my eyes in confusion.

"I've been to the Beaufort Collection so many times and I remember inch by inch of that place," she says. "That's where the photo was taken, right?"

I don't take my eyes off her but don't answer her either.

Her frustrations grow as Rory and Bex exchange look with each other before daggering me with sour expressions.

Eliane clears her throat, her fists balling at her sides. "How well do you know James? Is he your friend? He never mentioned you to me."

"He doesn't need to," I say, not having a problem to answer that one. "We're not that close to calls us friends. I barely know anything about him."

Bex and Rory sharpen their eyes on me but Elaine looks scary calm. "Not close enough to be friends," she says, "but close enough to visit the private Collection of Beauforts that only VIPs have access to." she points me a suspicious look. "I know he was there yesterday and it can't be a coincidence."

She says with such assurance that I know lying would do no good to me.

I understand Rory and Bex planning to torment me—if my involvement with James is what they are after— for whatever little amount of time we've left here but what the hell is her business? Is she part of their clique, too?

"Lydia came up with the theme and her brother volunteered to help in her place," I keep my voice steady. "It's a favor for the Gala. That's it. Nothing more and nothing less."

For a few seconds, she doesn't speak. Neither does the other two. "So, schoolwork, is it?" Elaine deadpans.

I nod in agreement but her scrutinizing gaze keeps hovering over me.

After what seems like an eternity, she turns away from me, my classmates throwing a questioning look at Elaine. Usually, seniors and juniors don't blend together but the way Elaine dismisses both girls a year older than her, I'm surprised. Finally, she walks away, taking them as well.

I snap my book shut no longer in the mood to study. The third period is about to commence so I drop my head back, staring at the blue sky, thinking over but nothing in particular.

I let my mind wander for a while as I trace the clouds with my finger in the air until my thoughts settle down. A little less than two months and I never have to look back at this school. Ever.

I check my phone to see the time but my mother's missed calls keep piling up even though she knows I'm at school. I grunt under my breath when another call pops up on the screen.

Giving in, I pick it up and grimace, not letting her say even hello. "What?"

..............

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