Chapter 109 PERSISTENTLY
MERRIELYNN.
It had been three weeks since Cormac decided to declare me as his girlfriend.
And, honestly, everything felt like it had turned upside down.
News spread through the school in no time, and it wasn’t hard to see why.
Every morning, Cormac would show up outside the dorms, either leaning casually against his car or sitting behind the wheel, whistling while waiting for me.
It didn’t matter how many people were watching, he would usually help me with my bag and open the passenger door for me before going around to get in. By the time we got to the school parking lot, heads would already be turning.
And as if that wasn’t enough, Cormac made sure he was sticking to my side like glue.
During lunch, he would ditch his friends and admirers at his usual table just to sit with me. Then it’d be just us.
I tried to tell him he didn’t need to do that, but he never listened. “I’m right where I need to be,” he would say.
Walking me to every single class became normal and he would always wave off my protests, telling me he just wants to spend time with me.
Of course, all of this attracted attention from everyone, including Cormac’s ex.
Every time I passed Juniper, she would always throw me that death glare. It was the kind of look that bothered me—like she was itching to have me murdered in my sleep.
I figured seeing me with Cormac made her hate me more than she already did easily.
Even though I tried to shake it off, a small part of me couldn’t help but wonder how long this version of Cormac would last, because another thing I noticed was that he and Valtor weren’t around each other as much as they used to be anymore.
I was sure that it had something to do with our 'relationship', so I didn’t ask.
Being Cormac’s ‘girlfriend’ was exhausting enough.
I didn’t like the whispers that followed me in the halls, or the way some girls shot daggers my way, like I’d stolen something from them.
And I wasn’t exactly sure how to feel about Cormac himself.
Sure, he was making real effort to do everything right, but it didn’t mean I was convinced he deserved the title he had already claimed for himself.
And recently, he had one goal, and that was convincing me to go away with him for spring break.
He started again after school one day.
“It’s just three weeks,” he said.
“And that is is a long time,” I countered.
“Come on. Three weeks would be over before you know it,” he insisted, crossing his arms.
I knew it was either his offer or the foster home for the break, and I did not want to go back to the foster home.
I sighed as I picked up my bag. Refuting because I didn’t think I was ready to spend the entire holiday with him.
By evening, Cormac was at it again.
He continued trying to convince me as he piled my plate with food. “Just think about it,” he said with that charming grin. “We could work on the auction, get ahead on planning… Plus, we’d have the time of our lives. Make some good memories. What do you think?
I rolled my eyes but let him keep going.
“And,” he added, leaning closer with a mischievous look in his eye, “I could give you a lot of orgasms.”
“Cormac!” I exclaimed, dropping my fork with a clatter.
“What?” He shrugged, completely unbothered. “I’m just trying to list all the perks.”
“You are unbelievable,” I muttered, shaking my head.
But deep down, I couldn’t believe I was even considering it.
Three weeks with him? Away from everything? It sounded ridiculous.
And yet... maybe not.
Staying over at Cormac’s place had almost become a routine.
Every Friday, I’d somehow end up here, spending the weekend and leaving late Sunday evening to head back to the dorms. And then we’d do it all over again the next week like a ritual. I wasn’t sure when it started feeling normal, but it had.
After dinner, Cormac was supposed to drop me off. As I ate, he came and sat in front of me and from the hopeful look in his eyes, I could tell that he was not about to drop the topic of me spending spring break with him again.
“Will you consider it atleast?”
I didn’t answer immediately, in fact, at all.
But when I got back to the dorms, I told Emorie all about it.
She was standing in front of her mirror and brushing her hair when I decided to start the topic.
“Emorie,” I called, breaking the silence.
She hummed in response, still focused on her reflection.
“Cormac wants me to go away with him for spring break.”
That got her attention. She turned to face me with eyebrows raised. “For real? Like, just you and him?”
I nodded, letting out a sigh. “He’s been trying to convince me all week. Says we could work on the auction, have fun, whatever. I don’t know if I should.”
Emorie jumped on the bed as small smile appeared on her lips. “Why not? I mean, what’s stopping you?”
“It’s three weeks, Emorie. That’s a lot of time to be... with him. I don’t even know what this thing between us really is.”
She shrugged. “Maybe that’s why you should go. Three weeks could give you some clarity. Besides, you’ll be away from the foster home, which you hate, and let’s be real—being pampered by Chaos for a few weeks doesn’t sound like the worst thing in the world.”
I frowned, hugging my pillow closer. “I just... I don’t know if I trust him yet. Like, he’s trying, but what if it’s all just an act?”
Emorie rolled her eyes. “Mere, the guy’s been bending over backward for you. If he’s acting, then give him an award already. My opinion? I don’t think agreeing would hurt at all. ”
Her logic annoyingly made sense.
Later that night, I grabbed my phone and typed a quick text to him.
'Guess I'll be taking you up on your damn offer.'
And then I hit send.