Elvie
"Professor Reed filed a disciplinary complaint against Asher."
That was the topic of discussion in school today. Everyone was whispering about Asher facing the school board for an offense that wasn’t disclosed yet.
But my mind was more focused on the reason behind it. So far this wasn’t the first time Asher had faced the board, mostly when he gets into a heated fight with his teammates or opponents and they all get sorted out on a lowkey. But hearing Cassian filed it himself had me worried.
So far there was no news about Asher getting into any sort of fight. Why would Cassian he do that? Did he find out what happened between Asher and I?
Did someone tell him? I hadn’t told him anything about Asher cornering me or the mean things he said. The last thing I wanted was to drag Cassian into my mess.
Does this has to do with me or was it just about school rules?
Between remembering Cassian’s touch from last night and the shock of what he did to Asher today, my head was spinning.
"Elvie!"
Gemma’s voice broke through my thoughts, pulling me back to reality. I blinked, feeling the cool wind on my face, and realized we were already outside the school gates. I had walked all the way there without even paying attention.
Gemma stopped and looked at me, her eyes full of worry. "Hey... are you okay? You’ve been staring into space since we left class."
"Yeah, I’m fine. Just didn’t sleep well last night," I said, forcing a small smile.
And it wasn’t even a lie. I really hadn’t slept well. Every time I tried to close my eyes, the ghost of Cassian’s scorching hand on my skin kept waking me up, leaving me aching and restless in the dark.
Gemma gave me a skeptical look, raising an eyebrow. "Right... Well, you know that whatever is happening to Asher, he actually deserves it. He’s been such an asshole. Honestly, maybe this is just payback for what he did to you."
I swallowed keeping my mouth shut. I hadn’t told Gemma what Asher did. Spreading it around would only make me look weak, and I hated feeling helpless. I had already made the mistake of letting my guard down around Cassian. And now a knot of suspicion was growing in my stomach making me to think it was the reason Asher got summoned by the board today.
"Honestly, Professor Reed doesn’t take any nonsense," Gemma continued as we walked to the bus terminal. "He’s strictly by the book, and he’s doing the right thing."
I forced another stiff smile. "Yeah, I know, right?"
"And by the way," Gemma added, nudging my shoulder, "How are things between you two at home? Are you guys getting along any better?"
If only Gemma knew what was actually happening behind closed doors. If she knew how close we had come to completely shattering every boundary on his bed last night, she would lose her mind.
"Yeah, as usual," I said trying to sound completely unbothered. "We’re still, you know... getting to know each other. It’s normal."
Getting to know each other or getting to each other’s skin.
"Anyway," I started to change the topic, "I was thinking about visiting Mrs. Eleanor at the bookstore. Do you want to go with me? Maybe we could grab some coffee."
Gemma beamed. "Sure, why not? Let’s go!"
**
While getting back home, I had made up my mind. I was going to confront Cassian.
It wasn’t that I was worried about Asher facing the school board but I needed to know if Cassian had filed that report because of me, or if it was just a pure coincidence.
When I pushed the front door open, the first thing or rather person that I was met with was Cassian. He was seated on the couch with a laptop balanced on his lap and his phone pressed to his ear.
At the click of the door closing, his eyes flicked up, locking onto mine.
"...I will be expecting your call this weekend," he said, his voice deep and calm. "Right. Thanks."
I set my bag on the couch, together with the brown paper bag I got from Mrs. Eleanor’s shop. I’d picked up a few books to read so as to keep my mind busy whenever I get bored.
Cassian ended the call, set his phone down, and pushed the laptop aside. He leaned back, his dark eyes tracing my face.
"Hey," He tone sounded amused as he said it.
"Can I talk to you for a moment?" I replied instead.
He lifted an eyebrow, his gaze attentive. "Sure."
I sat down, keeping my posture rigid. I didn’t want to beat around the bush or let my courage fail me. I took a quick, steadying breath, looking straight into his eyes.
"Did you... did you file that disciplinary report against Asher because of me?"
A smile touched Cassian’s lips as he leaned back. This made me more convinced that there was indeed something he knows.
"Why do you ask that?" he asked smoothly.
"Because it doesn’t make sense. Everyone on campus is talking about it. Asher gets into trouble all the time, but it’s always handled quietly. Now suddenly you file a report yourself? I need to know if it has something to do with me."
His eyes lingered on me for a while before he nodded. "Yeah. It has everything to do with you, Elvie,"
I gasped, the air catching in my throat as my hands clutched my knees. He knew.
"I did what I felt was right. I won’t tolerate anyone looking down on you, Elvie. Not on my watch."
I sat there, completely taken aback, my lips parting to say something—anything but no words came out. Only the chills that ran down my spine at his words and the set of his jaw as he said it. But why? Why would he take that step for me?
"I know you’re young, Elvie. But you shouldn’t let anybody step on you or make you feel small. You are smart, intelligent and capable of being great more than you could imagine."
I didn’t know why but tears welled up in my eyes, blurring my vision. This was unexpected.
No one had ever said things like this to me. No one had ever stood up for me or taken my side. Ever since I was in Norman’s house, my life had been nothing but endless demands, and constant degrading remarks. I had learned to not to expect anything from anyone; I didn’t know how to handle someone shielding me.
"Why the fuck are you crying now?" Cassian hissed anger shimmering in his eyes.
Before I could stop myself, a ragged sob broke from my throat. I squeezed my eyes shut, hiding my face in my hands as the tears spilled over. I wasn’t crying because I was sad—it was the overwhelming, terrifying shock of being seen, of having someone step into my corner for the first time in my life.
"Elvie, hey—stop." The leather sofa dipped as Cassian moved closer. His voice was no longer sharp or irritated.
I felt his large, warm hand settle gently on my shoulder, his thumb rubbing small, grounded circles through the fabric of my sweater.
"Maybe... maybe if I hadn’t left, all this wouldn’t be happening," I choked out between shuddering breaths. "I’m just unlucky. I’m sorry... I’m so sorry."
"Hey," he said softly, his fingers moving up to brush the hair away from my face. "Look at me."
I opened my eyes, my vision blurring more with tears as his hand moved to my cheek, his thumb gently wiping away the damp trails on my skin. "You are not unlucky, and you have nothing to apologize for," he murmured, his eyes intense and grounded. "You can be free with me, Elvie. I’m right here."
His touch was electric, burning against my skin, but wiping my cheeks wasn’t enough anymore. Even in my vulnerable state, a desperate, quiet part of me wanted more than just a light touch. I wanted him to wrap his arms around me, to completely shield me from everything outside this room.
As if he could read my mind, Cassian reached out, his hand sliding behind my back to pull me against his chest.
I didn’t try to pull back. I buried my face against the warmth of his shoulder, letting out a long, shaky breath as I clung to him. His arms wrapped firmly around me, holding me tight against his solid frame.
"Everything is going to be okay," Cassian whispered into my hair. "I’ve got you. You’re going to be fine."
I knew it was dangerous. I knew he was my professor, that I was staying under his roof, and that everything about this was wrong on paper.
But right now, locked in his arms, surrounded by his warmth and the steady comfort of his voice, none of those rules mattered. All that mattered was the calm beat of his heart against my cheek. And for the first time in my life, I knew I wasn’t standing alone.