CORN AND CHEESE
2 Years Ago
What have I done!
What have I done!
What have I done!
I've made a mistake. He... He won't let me go. He saw me. His eyes definitely locked into mine. A shiver runs down my spine. But... But I have to report this. This is big. If he's caught, I'll be gone too. What should I do?
I come to an abrupt halt, my heart racing. What I've done will ruin her life. I've aided that bastard Darren in such a heinous thing. I have to contact the police.
With trembling hands, I extract my phone, balancing my laptop against my torso. I punch in the emergency number, but before I can press call, a hand clamps onto my shoulder.
"Who?" I ask, holding my breath. Are they sent by him?
"Sir, Mr Knightley has sent us to bring you back home. Something has happened," the bodyguard informs me with a stoic face. A sigh of relief escapes me. They're sent by my father.
"Please hurry, Sir. Time is of the essence," his associate adds with urgency. I give a curt nod and follow them towards the black SUV.
But wait—when did we get a black SUV?
Hesitation grips me as they swing open the door. "I seem to have misplaced my Stylus."
"We'll retrieve it for you, sir," one offers kindly.
The other's eyes are on me. "What's that on your shoulder?" I ask, keeping a nonchalant face. His eyes waver for a second, and seizing the opportunity, I thrust the door into his face and sprint away. The driver and the one on the passenger's seat are too slow to notice before I'm gone.
They thought I'm a dumbass. Every Knightley guard has a custom-made suit with our signature K cufflinks. They aren't professional kidnappers or hitmen; I'm sure of that. They must be working for Darren.
My legs pump furiously as I dart into an alleyway beside a hotel, heart pounding in my ears. If they lay hands on me, I'm dead.
I'm about to dial for help when suddenly my phone is knocked from my hand. A firm grip catches my collar, and I'm spun into a headlock.
"Plea-please," I choke out the plea as the grip tightens around my neck.
"Shh... Stay quiet," the voice, soft but firm and assertive, commands me. A girl.
Footsteps and shouts fill the air, but when they are far enough, she lets go. Where did she come from in this dead-end alley?
"Thank—" I start, but she gestures for silence.
Dressed in all black, her outfit is sleek, high-collared, and meticulously designed—clearly expensive. Her face is fully covered with a black mask. Though we are in such a state, her scent is still calming and soothing. And her voice- it's sugar. Who is she?
"Who are—" I begin once more, but police sirens interrupt me. A swarm of officers are gathered near the hotel. When I look back, she's vanished, leaving only a purple bracelet behind.
✯☾ ........................................................ ☽✯
Two and a Half Months Later
The doorbell's continues ring drills into my skull, and I want nothing but to kill whoever is here in mid-afternoon.
I haven't been to school since New Year's. My parents have received numerous calls, but I can't bring myself to face anyone anymore. Wren is gone—vanished because of my actions.
A soft knock interrupts my thoughts. "Who?" I ask, my voice barely audible.
"It's Mom, dear," she replies. Her voice remains as gentle as ever. My parents don't understand why I've skipped school since the semester began, but my threat of doing something unthinkable if they force me has kept them at bay. My father is heavily disappointed, while my mother is forcing me to attend therapy everyday.
"Someone has come to meet you from school," she continues. My blood runs cold, and I freeze in place. Who could it be?
"Excuse me, Logan. May I come in?" The soft voice, too familiar in my memory, pierces the silence.
"Ye-Yes," I stammer, and the door creaks open. The epitome of walking spring steps into my room.
"Hi, Logan, I’m May. You might not know me, but I’m the Event Committee’s Chair. Actually, Founder’s Day is in half a month, and as you know, only the Elites of Sophomore Year are allowed to hold the ceremonies. Angelina and Layla had to give out the favor badges, but Angelina is… in rehab. So, I was thinking if you could come back. Michael said he’ll manage between briefing and escort, so you won’t have to worry about briefing—just focus on favor badges. So, are you coming back?" May lists reasons why I should return, while her voice wraps around me like a warm shawl.
But when she finishes and asks the question I dread, my head nods on its own. Before I can take it back, her dark brown eyes gleam with joy, and she bids her goodbye, leaving me with a heart racing faster than ever.
Before I can utter another syllable, the door shuts, leaving me in solitude again, enveloped by the silence of his room.
The Next Day
Why am I here? I don't know. What will I say to her? I have no clue.
Before arriving, my sole focus was on what I'd tell her when we met. But now, standing here, I can't shake the fear of someone discovering my secret.
I'm not officially back at school yet. My purpose today is to see her, to ask: Was she the one I met that night?
I pull my hoodie higher, ensuring no one can recognize me. Students pass by, but there's no sign of her—until I finally catch a glimpse of her brunette. She's walking with her friend—a blond girl with dark blue eyes. Grade 11. Rose Knightley.
What's she doing with my cousin?
No one in the school knows that Rose Knightley is my distant relative. My granduncle's son's daughter to be —a far-fetched relation.
Her father owns Knightley Real Estate.
I never imagined Rose befriending juniors. In our family, she's a loner—neither liked nor liking anyone. My interactions with her have always been minimal, but pleasant.
I stride toward them, clearing my throat to catch May's attention. "Hello, May."
May's eyes meet mine, and a small smile graces her lips. "Hello, Logan. You came."
"Not exactly. I'll officially return next Monday," I inform her. Her expression glooms, but I press on. "Today, though, I'm here for another matter. Can I have a moment with you?"
I feel someone drilling holes into my head from the side. Thank goodness Rose and I agreed to act like strangers in school.
Not exactly talking and agreeing, but more like mentally? I don't know. We just don't talk to each other during school.
"Sure," May answers, and I motion for her to move somewhere more private. I'm not pursuing anything with her— I just don't want anyone knowing where I was that day.
"So," May tucks a strand of her brunette hair behind her ear, "what do you need?"
Her cheeks flush pink. Is she shy?
"I'm not sure if you're comfortable discussing it, considering you were wearing a mask," I say, my feet twisting nervously.
Why am I acting like an elementary school girl confessing to her crush?
Confusion crosses May's face, but my next words stun her. "You know, on New Year's, we met near Hotel Placid."
Her eyes widen, and she takes a few steps back before fleeing. I'm too stunned to run after her, and she vanishes. I run to catch up, only to find Rose standing on the same spot as before, looking worried and confused. As I pass her, she grabs my biceps.
"What did you do to her?" Rose's tone is threatening.
"Nothing. We were just talking," I reply, annoyed.
"It didn't seem that way. She came to me, saying she felt unwell and was heading home—her actual home, not the dormitory. Tell me, what did you ask her?" Rose's frustration is palpable.
"I asked about New Year's," I begin, but Rose smacks the back of my head. I step back, enraged. "Why did you hit me, Rose?"
"Because I've never met anyone as clueless as you!" she exclaims.
"What do you mean?" I'm genuinely puzzled.
"You don't know who she is?" Rose asks. She palms her face when I shake my head in confusion. "She's the youngest daughter of M/Tech."
M/Tech—the massive technology company. But how does that connect?
Rose reads my expression and answers before I can ask, "Didn't you watch the news? Her elder sister died on New Year's. May blames herself; she thinks if she hadn't snuck out that day, her sister would still be alive."
"What?" I'm both shocked and feeling like a idiot. Here I was thinking that she'll be happy after she gets to know that the boy she saved was me. But the day, which is both dreadful yet special to me, is nothing but a nightmare for her.
Monday
"After the Chief Guests are seated, Logan and Layla will pin the Favor Badges. Is that alright?" May's voice remains calm, but her eyes dart frantically across the room. The atmosphere is weighing heavily on us. Arianna, who's suppose to sit with the Chief Guests, has no business being at today's meeting. Her presence alone seems to cast a pall over the room.
Everyone hums or nods in agreement, and as soon as the meeting adjourns, I rise from my seat and exit alongside Layla, Tina, and Michael. Staying here won't do any good—knowing the Golden Ranks are in a mess right now.
After school
"May?" I call out as she tries to slip past me, ignoring my presence. Her deliberate avoidance is grating on my nerves.
"Hmm?" She feigns nonchalance, but I know she's avoiding any mention of what happened on New Year's. So, I switch tactics.
"You asked me to return, and I did." I step closer, meeting her eyes. May stands several inches shorter than me. Her scent envelops me—not the calming fragrance from New Year's, but something spicier, sweeter.
She nods. "And?"
"And I'd like you to thank me." My lips curl into a smirk.
"Thank you," she says, sidestepping me.
"Not like this." I hurry to intercept her, nearly tripping over my own feet. She raises an eyebrow.
"I'd like to take you on dates. Ten, to be exact."
May rolls her eyes, but she doesn't walk away.
"Okay, what about seven? Five? Please. It's because I'm genuinely interested in you."
I expect a straightforward rejection or a 'Fuck Off' but her reaction surprises me—cheeks flushed, eyes wide.
That Night
"May Albrecht. Daughter of Rainer Albrecht, Owner of M/Tech. Age 15. Rank 26. Best friends with Maria Heineken and Rose Knightley. No prior dating experience. Has a crush on someone." Rose lists everything about May from the other side of the call. "Done? Now make sure I'm not forced to attend Aunt Lydia's Reception."
"I'll make sure of it," I say, jotting down the details. "But first, is her crush the reason she bolted like that when I expressed interest in her? Could it mean she dislikes me?" I ask, my voice hushed. I’ve been feeling low since May ran away today. And finding out she has a crush on someone doesn't exactly lift my spirits.
"She's my best friend, so I can't tell you any—" Rose begins, but I cut her off. "I'll make sure you don't have to attend Uncle Gaston and Aunt Rue's gender reveal party too."
I understand why Rose wants to avoid these events. My Great-grandfather had six boys and a girl, so our family is quite big and filled with granduncles, uncles, and aunts.
"Rank 7," she states before abruptly ending the call. Her words take a moment to sink in, and then it hits me. Me?
May has a crush on me? What are the odds? One in a million?
Though I'm baffled, I can't wipe the grin off my face. This is absolutely fantastic!
Since that day, I start working on my grand plan.
After a few coincidental intentional run ins and small talks, May finally agrees to go on dates with me. Our conversations started small—about favorite books, quirky hobbies, and childhood memories. Because of those, I learned that she loves stargazing, so I changed one of our dates into a stargazing night.
"Knock knock,” she chirps, her words slightly slurred from the single beer she’s had. I hadn’t expected her to get tipsy so quickly.
“Who’s there?” I ask, my lips curving into a gentle smile. I rest my head on my folded knees, the cool grass beneath me.
“Love,” she says, her eyes searching mine. My breath catches.
“Love who?” I reply, my voice soft, almost a whisper.
“Me,” she answers, her vulnerability hanging in the air. “Can you love me? Because I already do. More than before.”
My heart plummets, and all I want is to kiss her right now. But not yet, not today. Someday, though—I promise myself that much.
Year-Ending Ball, New Year's Eve
The Year-Ending Ball is in full swing, the grand hall adorned with twinkling lights and shimmering decorations. But my heart is racing like it will explode any moment. I clutch the edge of my tuxedo jacket, feeling every bit the awkward teenager my parents told me to behave like. I didn't knew I had it in me, until now.
I stumble toward May, dodging couples twirling on the dance floor. My palms are sweaty, and even though I've rehearsed the speech a billion times, it still feels less. May looks radiant in her midnight-blue gown, and I can't help but twist my tongue into knots.
"Uh, hey," I begin, my voice cracking. "May, you remember that today's our last date, the 15th date of our deal, right?"
May tilts her head, her lips curving into a gentle smile. "Yeah, Logan."
I take a deep breath, my heart pounding. "So, um, I've been thinking. About us. And stuff." I gesture vaguely, nearly knocking over a champagne flute. "I mean, I want to start something new. Not dating, but something more. More like... more."
May's eyes widen, and my brain short-circuit. I blurt out, "I like you. Like, really like you. And I can do anything for you to give me a chance. I mean, I'd climb mountains for you, even though I'm terrified of heights. And I'd fight dragons, even though they're not real. And—"
Her laughter interrupts me, warm and melodic. "Logan, you're adorable."
I scratch the back of my head, cheeks flushing. "Yeah, well, I'm also clumsy. Like, I tripped over my own shoelaces last week and face-planted in the cafeteria."
She steps closer, her fingers brushing against mine. "Logan, I like you too. I've liked you since you've spilled grape juice on my science project in freshmen year and walked away after handing me a handkerchief and saying sorry without looking at me."
My heart stops. "Really?"
She nods. "Really. So, maybe we can be more than dates. Like, officially."
I grin, forgetting the other half of the speech. "Yeah, May. Definitely."
And as the clock strikes midnight, I lean in, my lips meeting hers—a sweet collision that feels like fireworks exploding in my chest. The Year-Ending Ball has long faded away, leaving only May, laughter, and the new memories. No place for the horrible memories of last year remaining.