Chapter 9: Acquaintance Party

Elisse's POV

We went out of our dorm room. It's 6:30 pm already. We only have half hour to wait. At exactly 7, the party will start. We went down to the first floor. The party's venue is on the Assembly Hall. All students are here. They are all stunning and wearing gorgeous dresses and tuxedos.

Venice, Suzy and I sat at a vacant table. The other students are dancing already. I don't want to dance because I don't even know how. They all stopped when the big door opened. We saw the very beautiful Princess Jewel. She's wearing a silver dress with glitters. Her hair is also braded like mine. Actually, we really have the same hairstyle.

She's so elegant.

And she's with Prince Kaizer who's wearing a white tux.

"Princess Jewel is really beautiful!" Said Venice.

"Absolutely." Suzy said.

Princess Jewel and Prince Kaizer was heading to our table. Why are they always together? Ah! Maybe because their families are close. All Royal families are probably close to each other.

"Elisse! You're so pretty! Oh, we have the same hairstyle. The people would really get confuse when they see us together." Princess Jewel told me.

"Haha, but you really look elegant, Princess Jewel." I told her.

"We are all elegant." She says.

Prince Kaizer and Princess Jewel sat at a table just near ours.

"They're so sweet. I envy them." Said Venice.

"What's so sweet about that? They are just pretending. They don't really love each other, for sure." Suzy said.

"Shut up there, you're always bitter." Venice told her.

"You're a harsh vampire." Suzy said.

"Oh. Excuse me, I'm still here." I told them. They looked at me at the same time.

"Seriously. We're in the middle of an argument." Suzy said to me.

"Yes, keep silence lady." Venice said.

Harold approached our table. Woah. He was wearing a red tux. So handsome.

"Gosh. My Hubby." Venice whispered to Suzy and me.

"Hi, Elisse." Harold greeted me.

"Ah. You're the one he's looking for." Venice said disappointedly.

"Can we dance?" Harold asked me.

Crap. Venice will really resent me.

"Uhm, all right." I said.

I'm really sorry Venice. I think it would be embarrassing if I refuse.

He pulled me to the dance floor.

He put his hands on my waist and I put my hands on his shoulders. We danced as the orchestra began playing a slow music.

I don't know how to dance but still, I am trying my very best just not to stamp on his feet.

I can't take my eyes away from him. His face is like a god.

A charming Prince indeed.

We stopped for a moment. Then, he lean to me.

I did not know what he was going to do but he was slowly leaning towards me and my world seemed to stop. I just closed my eyes.

"I'm falling." He whispered to my ears.

"Huh?" I asked. I think I heard it wrong. Apologies.

He smiled at me. "I'm falling for you, Elisse."

***

I was just staring at nowhere. I couldn't move. Wake me up. What happened? I hope I was not dreaming. After he said 'I'm falling for you, Elisse' eh, I suddenly left and went back to Venice and Suzy. I was terrified there. But is that true? Geez. I will strangle myself later.

"Soon to be Queen of Ruby Kingdom." Suzy said to me. I gazed at her.

"Just eat there. And it's impossible for me to be Queen." I said.

"Really? Both of you were the sweetest couple dancing earlier." Suzy added.

"Shut up, okay? We're not a couple." I told her.

I just ate. There are a lot of food here. It will just be wasted if there'll be leftovers.

Eat.

Eat.

Eat.

Eat.

Eat.

Choked.

"W-water! E-ehem!" I told Suzy to get me some water. She immediately gave me a glass of water.

"There. Just eat slowly, will you?" Suzy told me.

"Apologies." I said.

I looked at Venice. I noticed that she was been quiet and did not bother talk to us.

"Venice, is there a problem?" I asked her.

She did not answer. Suddenly she stood up and walked away.

"Venice!" I shouted.

I would have followed her if Suzy just didn't stopped me.

"Let her go. Maybe she's just tired and she wants to rest." Suzy says.

***

The party has finally ended and it's already 11 pm.

Suzy went back to our dorm room first to check on Venice so I was left alone at the party earlier. I was about to go to our dorm room when I suddenly remembered that I still had to go to the fountain. I'm getting sleepy.

A few students was left here at the Assembly Hall to clean and fix everything. I think no one noticed that I was going out. I went out and saw Harold sitting in the fountain. I suddenly lost my sleepiness when I remembered what he said. He stood up when he saw me.

"You have come." He says.

I just smiled. I didn't expect would really wait for me here.

"I'm sorry if I'm late. I almost forgot this." I told him.

"It's fine, as long as you're here." He says.

The two of us sat on the fountain. It's quiet here. All we hear is the sound of the wind. Some students are already in their dorm. I think Harold and I are the only ones outside this time.

I suddenly felt cold. I don't even have a coat yet.

I felt Harold put his tux on me.

"Thank you." I told him.

"Better?" He asked.

I just nodded as a response.

I looked at the water. It's so clear. I can even see my face. I touch it and suddenly, I saw a girl. She looks like me. But she's wearing a black dress. I immediately removed my hand from the water. What was that?

"Are you okay?" Harold asked.

"Ah, yes. I just something in the water." I answered.

He suddenly grabbed my hand.

"Elisse, about what I said—"

"Oh, that was fine. I won't avoid you, if that's what you're thinking." I told him.

"Good to hear. I just can't stop my feelings for you." He says.

"It's kinda confusing. We just met each other. How come you caught feelings for me eventually?" I asked.

"It doesn't matter if we just only knew each other." He says.

Silence.

Silence.

Silence.

"Hahaha. Okay." That's all I said.

Silence again.

Still quiet.

Silence...

"So, what's your favorite number on the clock?" I asked him. I don't have a topic anymore. I'm sleepy.

"Haha. Are you sleepy? All right, I'll take you to your dorm room." He says.

Harold suddenly lifted me up until we reached my dorm room. We went in and he laid me down on my bed. Venice and Suzy are asleep.

He kissed me on my forehead before he left.

"Good night, beautiful."