Chapter 35 Forced Together
Maddie Pov
The auditorium was packed with students for the new semester assembly. Everyone was still tired from winter break and not really paying attention to what the teachers were saying on stage. I sat with Elara near the back trying to stay awake while Professor Davis droned on about academic expectations and campus rules.
"This is so boring," Elara whispered next to me. "Why do they make us sit through this every semester?"
"No idea," I whispered back. "I just want to get to class."
Professor Davis cleared his throat into the microphone and the feedback screeched through the speakers. Everyone winced and covered their ears. "Now for some exciting news," he said like he actually thought we'd care. "We have our annual Freshers' welcome program coming up in two weeks."
A few people clapped but most just stared blankly. The Freshers' welcome was a big party where upperclassmen helped new students feel included. It involved games and food and dancing. I'd never been to one since I transferred midyear.
"This year we've selected two exceptional students to lead the planning committee and mentor groups," Professor Davis continued. "These students will be responsible for organizing activities and making sure our new pack members feel at home."
I slouched in my seat. This had nothing to do with me. I was terrible at organizing things and even worse at being social with strangers.
"Our group leaders for this semester are," Professor Davis paused for effect like this was some kind of award show. "Maddie Vale and Calix Hawthorne."
My entire body went cold. Ice filled my stomach and spread through my chest. This couldn't be happening. This had to be a mistake.
"What?" Elara said way too loud. Several people turned to look at us. "Did he just say your name?"
I couldn't respond. Couldn't move. Couldn't breathe. My name and Calix's name together. Paired up. Forced to work together.
"Maddie Vale please stand so everyone knows who you are," Professor Davis said from the stage.
I stayed frozen in my seat. Elara nudged me hard with her elbow. "Stand up," she hissed. "They're waiting."
Somehow I managed to stand even though my legs felt like water. Everyone in the auditorium turned to look at me. Hundreds of eyes. Hundreds of students staring. I wanted to disappear into the floor.
"And Calix Hawthorne," Professor Davis said.
I couldn't help it. My eyes found him across the room. He was sitting near the front with some of his friends from the sports team. His jaw was so tight I could see the muscle jumping. His hands gripped the armrests of his seat. His whole body looked stiff like he was carved from stone.
He stood slowly. His face was blank but I could see the anger in his eyes. Could see how much he hated this. Our eyes met for just a second across all those rows of seats. The bond flared hot and painful in my chest.
Then he looked away. Sat back down. I sat down too.
"Wonderful," Professor Davis said like he didn't notice how neither of us looked happy about this. "You two will receive your assignment details after this assembly. Please see me at the front."
The rest of the assembly was a blur. I didn't hear anything else the teachers said. Just sat there with ice in my stomach and my heart pounding too fast. This was a nightmare. This couldn't be real.
"Are you okay?" Elara asked quietly. "You look like you're going to be sick."
"I might be," I admitted. "This is bad Elara. This is really bad."
"Why?" Elara asked. "I mean yeah working with Calix might be awkward but it's not the end of the world."
"You don't understand," I said. My hands were shaking so I shoved them under my legs. "We can't be near each other. We have to stay apart."
"Why?" Elara asked again. "What happened between you two?"
"Nothing happened," I said quickly. "That's the problem. Nothing can happen. Ever."
"That makes no sense," Elara said but she stopped pushing when she saw my face.
The assembly finally ended. Students started filing out of the auditorium. I stayed in my seat hoping maybe I could just hide here forever. Maybe if I didn't go talk to Professor Davis he'd forget about the whole thing.
"You have to go," Elara said gently. "They're waiting for you."
"I can't do this," I said. My voice came out shaky. "I can't work with him. I can't be around him."
"Why not?" Elara asked. "Seriously Maddie what's going on? You've been acting weird about Calix since the beginning of the year."
"It's complicated," I said. That was the understatement of the century.
"Then uncomplicate it," Elara said. "Just go down there. Get your assignment. Do the stupid welcome program. Then you never have to work with him again."
She made it sound so simple. Like it was just a school project. Like my entire body wasn't screaming at me to run in the opposite direction.
I stood up on shaky legs. Started walking down the aisle toward the stage. Each step felt wrong. Felt dangerous. Felt like I was walking toward something that would destroy me.
Calix was already there standing in front of Professor Davis. His back was to me. His shoulders were tense. His hands were shoved in his pockets.
I stopped a few feet away. Didn't want to get too close. Didn't trust myself to be near him.
Professor Davis looked up and smiled when he saw me. "Ah Maddie there you are. Come closer I don't bite."
I took two steps forward. Still kept distance between me and Calix. He didn't turn around. Didn't acknowledge I was there. Just stood there rigid and silent.
"Now then," Professor Davis said and pulled out some papers from his folder. "You two will be working together to plan the Freshers' welcome program. This includes organizing the party planning mentor groups and making sure all the new students feel included."
"Can't we have separate groups?" Calix asked. His voice was cold. Flat. "Split the responsibilities."
"No," Professor Davis said cheerfully. "The whole point is teamwork. You two will work together on everything. First meeting is tomorrow at four in classroom 3B. I've already selected the other committee members. They'll be there too."
"I have practice tomorrow at four," Calix said.
"Then skip it," Professor Davis said. "This takes priority. It's an honor to be selected as a group leader."
An honor. Right. This felt more like a punishment.