Chapter 27

A short while later, their food arrived, filling the air with savory aromas that mingled with the faint scent of rain carried in through the open windows. The dining hall fell into a contemplative quiet as everyone savored their meals. Leroy, seated beside Ariel, cast occasional glances her way, which she pretended not to notice, lost in her own thoughts.

"NOAH!" Mr. Williams's booming voice echoed from the other end of the room, cutting through the subdued ambiance. "IT'S STARTING TO RAIN, WE NEED YOUR HELP WITH THE STAND."

Noah sprang to his feet, nodding at his grandfather as he made his way towards the kitchen door.

"I'm sorry, I've got to go help. I guess I'll see you tonight..." His gaze lingered on Ariel, his expression carrying a mix of emotions that left her speechless.

Ariel gulped down the last of her coffee, nodding in response, her mind swirling with unanswered questions. Noah seemed hesitant to leave, a sudden boldness overcoming him as he took her hand and pressed his lips to it before hurrying off, leaving Ariel flustered and blushing.

Lost in a whirlwind of emotions, Ariel sat in silence, her attention drawn to the rhythmic drumming of rain against the windowpane. When she finally gathered her thoughts, her eyes met Mr. Warner's, and there was something peculiar in his demeanor, almost as if he knew more than he let on.

"Ahem, well if we're all finished..." Mr. Warner's voice broke the moment, a hint of amusement dancing in his eyes as he avoided meeting Ariel's gaze directly. Taylor's teasing remark added to the awkwardness, prompting Ariel to stand abruptly, causing a minor commotion at the table.

"I am finished, Mr. Warner. And if you'll excuse us..." Leroy interjected, his hand gently guiding Ariel away from the table before any further conversation could ensue.

As they made their way across the dining room, narrowly avoiding collisions and mishaps, Ariel felt a mixture of relief and apprehension. Once outside the chaotic atmosphere of the dining hall, she thanked Leroy for his intervention.

"Don't mention it; it was as much for me as it was for you," Leroy replied with a casual shrug.

As they reached his room and he retrieved his coat, Ariel couldn't help but peek inside. His room was a reflection of a busy mind, with scattered clothes, a neglected guitar in one corner, and papers strewn about. Leroy's explanation about finding his coat only added to the casual chaos of his space.

Locking his door, Leroy rejoined Ariel, and they resumed their walk down the empty hallway. Ariel's thoughts drifted to the festival, wondering about the weather's impact on the upcoming events.

"I wonder if the weather will change in time for the festival," she mused aloud, a flicker of hope in her voice.

As they stepped outside into the cool evening air, Ariel couldn't help but entertain a fleeting wish—festivals can't be rained out, can they?

As they walked, Leroy's voice cut through Ariel's hopeful thoughts with a dose of reality, "Oh, sure they can, but they won't. It's just a shower; I even saw some sun breaks."

Ariel shot him a moody glare, her arms crossing as they continued their stroll. After a brief silence, Leroy's voice broke the quiet again, this time with a hint of amusement, "So, what do you think of the festival?"

Sighing, Ariel uncrossed her arms, "I think Noah is going to propose. You know, with the moon Magnolia and all..."

Leroy's hand landed gently on her shoulder, offering reassurance, "Eh, don't sweat it. You can always tell him no, and if he won't get the message, I can always deliver it for you."

A small smile tugged at Ariel's lips, "That won't be necessary, but thanks, Leroy."

Observing her expression, Leroy prodded further, "I know I tease you a lot, but do you really like him?"

Ariel paused, considering the question, "He's a nice person."

Leroy's knowing gaze met hers, "You don't really like him," he concluded.

Ariel nodded in agreement, grateful for the understanding, "He must, though... really like me, I mean," she added, seeking confirmation.

Leroy shrugged innocently, "Well, sure, with all that kissy hand stuff."

Ariel raised an eyebrow, sensing there was more to it, "You know more than that, something happened at this morning's meeting."

Leroy attempted to deflect her inquiry, "I don't know anything."

Unconvinced, Ariel persisted, jabbing a finger into his arm with each word, "Yes- you- do- Leroy- tell- me-."

"Hey!" Leroy protested, pulling his arm away, "That's my bad arm."

Ignoring his complaint, Ariel leaned in, determined, "Come on, it can't hurt that much. I only pulled on it a little bit."

"Hey!" Leroy protested again, "You're the one who did this to me?"

"Yes, now spill or I'll give you a demonstration," Ariel threatened playfully, hands on her hips.

Leroy, now walking slightly away from her, shook his head, "You know, you can be a little scary sometimes... kinda like somebody else I know."

Ariel's eyebrow twitched at the comparison to Jasper, but she stayed focused on her quest for information, "Just tell me already, Leroy, what happened with Noah this morning?"

The monk, clearly trying to evade the topic, shrugged nonchalantly, "Who says it has to do with Noah?"

"Because I know it has to do with Noah," Ariel insisted firmly.

Leroy met her gaze with a penetrating look, "Okay, answer me this first. What is going on between you and Jasper?"

Taken aback by the sudden shift in focus, Ariel halted, "What do you mean? I'm the one asking the questions here. This is about Noah, not Jasper."

A wry smile played across Leroy's lips, "Sorry, touched a nerve."

Ariel rolled her eyes and resumed walking, frustration evident in her voice, "Leroy, please just answer my question."

"You answer mine," he replied stubbornly.

She unlocked her door and turned to him, exasperated, "I don't even understand your question!"

Leroy's eyebrows furrowed critically, "Hey now, don't even try and pull that trick. You know what I'm talking about, something happened yesterday with Jasper and you know it."

Ariel walked into her room, her annoyance clear, "Who says it has to do with Jasper?" she asked mockingly, leaving Leroy standing in the hallway with his curiosity piqued.

Leroy shot her a playful look and leaned casually against the door frame, "Mocking me, huh? Alright then, come here, and I'll poke your arm while I tell you, I just know..."

Ariel, still rummaging through her suitcase, muttered under her breath, "I didn't poke your arm then," shooting him a dark glance.

With a smirk, Leroy's eyes wandered around the room, "Nice place, by the way."

Rolling her eyes, Ariel quipped without looking back, "Just as nice as yours, you mean."

"I didn't show you my room," Leroy replied suspiciously.

Ariel shot him a smirk over her shoulder, "Mocking me and snooping on me, what's next?"

Indignant, Leroy crossed his arms, "I might not give you your coat if you don't tell me what's going on between you and Jasper."

Ariel, still searching for her coat, sighed in exasperation, "I might step on your foot if you don't tell me what happened with Noah."

From the doorway, Leroy's voice rang out, holding her coat up, "And I might not give you your coat if you don't tell me what's going on between you and Jasper."

Ariel sat up, her attention fully on the monk, who looked rather pleased with himself.

"Hey, where did you..." Ariel started, then paused, noticing the mischievous glint in Leroy's eyes.

"I thought girls were supposed to be neat," he remarked teasingly, eyebrows raised.

Suppressing a grin, Ariel retorted, "And I thought monks weren't supposed to judge."

Just as she reached for her coat, Leroy lifted it out of her reach.

Annoyed, Ariel bit her cheek, knowing what was coming next.

"Not so fast. One answer for one coat. What's going on between you and Jasper?" Leroy's tone was firm, but there was a playful edge to it.

Crossing her arms, Ariel looked away, her frustration evident, "There is nothing going on. I can't imagine what you're thinking of. If you're talking about last night, believe me, that was not a date."

Leroy leaned in closer, his tone serious, "You know something you're not telling me."

Turning her back to him, Ariel searched for another coat, her mind racing with thoughts of payback against Leroy.

"There is nothing," Ariel insisted, facing him again.

But Leroy wasn't convinced, "Interesting, but actually I was talking about the cold, endless silence that has sprung up between you two."

Ariel met his gaze, a hint of resignation in her voice, "When hasn't there been cold, endless silence between us?"

"It's worse now," Leroy pressed on.

Ariel shrugged, "He's been in a bad mood, I don't know..."

Leaning closer, Leroy's eyes narrowed, "You know something you're not telling me."

Ariel sighed and resumed searching for her coat, her mind racing back to the events of yesterday.

"I told you, I fell behind," Ariel said slowly, looking over at him.

Leroy wasn't buying it, "You don't fall behind. I don't believe it; you're faster than me most of the time."

Ignoring his skepticism, Ariel continued her search, peeking under her bed and then sitting up abruptly, hitting her head on the nightstand, "Ouch."

Curious, Leroy asked, "What's that?"

Quickly grabbing the photo from the floor, Ariel tried to deflect, "Oh, that? Nothing. But hey, we've been gone long enough, the others are waiting. Give me my coat, and let's go."

Handing her the coat, Leroy's curiosity got the better of him, "Who is this? She looks kind of familiar..."