Celebration day

Friday morning, the atmosphere is festive around the West Castle campus. The first day of the school anniversary festival has begun.

During everyday classes, West Castle Highschool allows its students to dress freely. Nevertheless, there was a conventional school uniform for grand occasions. Today, all students wore theirs to celebrate the commemoration of the founding of their establishment.

They wore a navy blue blazer embroidered with the school emblem and silver buttons, a white shirt, and a crimson tie. Boys wore grey dress pants, and girls pleated grey skirts. A golden pin attached to their collar distinguished the different grades and classes.

Every student lined up in front of the large stage, facing the large front garden. Around two thousand youth were present, ranging from the first year of middle school to the third year of high school. Guest and parents, much less, were seated on podium seats, placed on both sides.

The event begins with the principal speech, followed by numerous student and teacher representatives, including Lily Lambert and Ryan Doyle.

After the different speeches, the celebration officially begins, and the youths scatter to the various booths they built throughout the campus while guests organize themselves to visit the premises.

Before regrouping with their classmates, Lily Lambert and Ryan Doyle accompany a group of important guests, the Norton Enterprise's executives, to tour the campus.

They were present today at the request of Andy Norton to his father. And it was Andy Norton's roundabout way to help Doyle with Lambert.

Nonetheless, Doyle was delighted to be with the blue-eyed beauty, and he took advantage of their pairing to attempt to reduce the distance between them, engaging in small talks whenever he got.

Hours later, after accomplishing their assignment, the two return to their class's booth.

"We are finally done! How are you hanging, Lily?" Ryan happily addresses Lambert.

"I'm doing okay," Lily gives a bland response, continuing marching.

Approaching the stand where their classmates were, Doyle quickly recalled that he and Lily were exempt from taking care of their class's booth because of their duties as representatives.

"Lily. Since both of us are free until this evening, how about hanging out and see what's around?" Ryan suggests Lambert.

Lambert turns her head toward him and pauses with an emotionless expression. "We will see," Lily simply replies with a smile and rejoins Carter behind the counter.

"Good morning, Eli," Lily enthusiastically greets Carter.

"Lily!" Eliana answers her high spirit with a happy smile and a tight hug. Both continue their joyful interaction, prompting Doyle, slightly upset, to retreat discreetly.

Not far from where their classroom stand was, he perceives Maxwell and Andy Norton, discussing casually. He froze in disbelief.

Doyle considers Maxwell as his enemy. He is the one who always foils his plan, hindering his progress toward Lily Lamber's affection. As such, he requested Norton's help to counter Maxwell.

Frustrated by Lambert's indifference and frustrated by the casual exchange between his nemesis and his supposed ally, Doyle's shock turned into anger.

"Just you wait, Maxwell! Lily will be mine," Ryan reminisces his conversation with Jared Thompson. His visage expresses a sinister look.

____

In the afternoon, Maxwell and his class open their candy stands. Linda Blair, the science teacher, is briefing her students, organizing their repartition, and assigning their responsibilities.

In the end, Alex Maxwell, Eliana Carter, the volunteering Lily Lambert, and three other classmates were responsible for the first shift.

Later, their small both welcomes its first customer with Lambert and Carter at the counter while the other work in the back. Their sweet shop quickly becomes popular and successful, thanks to both flowers of the West Castle campus. Many customers line up to have a chance to catch a closer look at the two beauties.

Despite the rush of clients, the youths still enjoy running their shop. Often chatting, laughing, and altogether having fun.

When their shift ended and they finally had a break, the inseparable Lily and Eliana were chatting together.

"Say, Eli! Are you and Alex, perhaps?" Lily asks hesitantly, curious about her friend's relationship with her crush. "I see both of you often together," she elaborates, suspecting something between them.

Carter understands her meaning and keeps smiling. "We are not going out. But, are you going to hate me if I do have a relation with him?" Eliana asks back.

Lily stays silent for a moment, then gives a bright expression. "Anyone would say I'm naive, but if it's you or Vy, I would not mind." She declares with confidence.

Touched by her friend's silly declaration, Carter lets out an amused chuckle and tightens her embrace on Lambert.

"Eli, I confessed to Alex," Lily reveals to Carter, slightly blushing.

"Wow! Really? What did he say?" The overjoyed Eliana exclaims loudly, grabbing Lambert's hands and urging her to tell more, and Lily starts to explain everything to the invested Eliana.

The bond between the two beauties is strengthening over talking about their crush. As they continue their friendly conversation, Maxwell appears with two canned drinks. "Here you go, girls!" He hands one to each.

"What were you talking about?" Their complicity intrigues Alex, looking at the two flowers sitting close to each other, inseparable.

"Badmouthing you!" Eliana jokes.

"You girls are cruel!" Alex humors her by playing sad.

"Instead of sitting there, how about strolling around and grabbing a bite," Alex suggests the two.

"Why not?" Eliana agrees and stands. "You coming, Lily?" She turns to pull up Lambert.

"Where are we going?" Lily rises from her seat.

"There are many food stalls near the gymnasium. My company is also running an audition there, so I would like to drop by." Alex says and leads the way.

____

Near their destination, Maxwell and the two girls line up to make their purchase at a snack stand when someone suddenly jumps on Maxwell's arm.

"Yuna!?" Alex almost shouts from the surprise.

Yuna Shin clings on Maxwell's arm, satisfied with her little mischief. "Hehe! Did I startle you?" She says with a cheeky expression. "I was close by when I saw you."

"You cheeky little brat!" Alex responds and scuffles her pink hair. "You dyed your hair for real," He remarks, a bit surprised.

"Yeah! You told me that I looked cute in it, so I decided to go with it. Though, Eomma scolded me all night because of it."

(____ TL : Eomma : mom ____)

"How reckless. But, you indeed look cute!" Alex pinches her cheeks.

"Hehe! Thanks!" Yuna giggles with delight before noticing Lambert and Carter. "Hello, Nunadeul!" She greets the two with a small polite bow.

(____ TL : Nunadeul : sisters, used to call older girls ____)

"Hello!" "Hi, there!" Lily and Eliana answer her greeting with a smile.

They continue their conversation before a tall young man, similar to Yuna and older than Maxwell's group, approaches and incrusts himself.

"Nugu?" He speaks in a foreign language, glaring at Maxwell when he notices his closeness with Yuna Shin.

(____ TL : Nugu? : Who? ____)

"My senior!" She explains. "And his girlfriend?" She says in the form of a question, peeking at Lambert and Carter.

"Ppalli hae!" The young man groans toward Yuna, ignoring Maxwell and his group.

(____ TL : Ppalli hae : Make it quick ____)

"Al-ayo!" She talks back and fiercely pushes the young man away.

(____ TL : Al-ayo : I know ____)

"Sorry, Oppa! Eomma forced my brother to come, so he is a bit grumpy!" Yuna apologies in the young man's stead.

"I do not mind," Alex gently responds.

"Well, Oppa. I just came to say hi! So I'll go back now," Yuna tells Maxwell. "Oh! And make sure to see me tomorrow! Bye-bye, Oppa!" She leans closer to Maxwell's ear and says softly, then walks away as swiftly as she came, not allowing Maxwell to place a single word.

"Make sure to see me tomorrow!" Lily mimics the whirlwind girl to mock Maxwell.

"How shameless of you to seduce your junior." Eliana also takes part in teasing Maxwell.

"It is not as you think! She is performing with her friends at tomorrow's show. And she just wanted to invite me." Alex clarifies, wondering to himself why he felt compelled to oblige.

Before he carries on, he notices the girls clumsily hiding their green sentiments, making Maxwell snicker. "She is my cute junior. But you two are my cute classmates, so do not be jealous," Alex shamelessly delivers, exasperating the two.

____

Inside the large gymnasium, Alex Entertainment's staff reorganized the place. They prepared the building to accommodate an audition. Partitions walls enclose a spacious area where candidates perform.

When Maxwell, Lambert, and Carter enter, they see several students and aspiring actors seated on the lined-up chairs, waiting for their turn.

Maxwell leads his group behind the scenes, also separated by wall dividers.

"Good morning, Young Master, Misses!" Kayla Mathias welcomes the group.

"How are things going, Kayla?" Alex inquires about the situation.

"We started earlier this afternoon, and we have auditioned a dozen of candidates up to now," Kayla explains the situation. "Ah! She is up now. I think you would be interested in this!" She says and guides the group to the enclosed audition area.

They quietly enter and see Ivy Lambert enacting a personage in front of the casting team. And they silently watch in a discreet corner to not disturb her performance.

Maxwell's group was impressed by the girl's acting, and felt a strange sense of proudness. Lily, in particular, was mesmerized by her sister.

When Ivy finishes, the casting crew have a satisfied expression on their face. Still not done with the audition, they thank Ivy for her performance. They promise to make a call when they make their decision. Then, allow her to leave.

Vy greets the crew back and exits the area, where she meets with her big sister and her friends.

"Sis!" Ivy calls in surprise. "Alex and Eli too! Did you come to watch me?"

"Vy! That was awesome!" Lily replies to her sister.

"You did great! I am sure our casting team was impressed," Alex praises Ivy.

"Thank you, everyone!" Ivy gives a wide bright smile.

While Ivy and her friends still celebrate her achievement, Kayla Mathias approaches Maxwell. "Excuse me, young Master! I just received a call from Mathiew. The operation was a success. And we can advance to the next phase." She tells Maxwell, making him excited with the news.

"This calls for a celebration too!" Alex exclaims.

"I have another good news for you, Lily. Do you have time this evening?" Alex says with a wide smile.

Lily Lambert looks at Maxwell full of anticipation and curiosity. "Sure! But what is it?"

"I told you I will help you with your dilemma, remember?" Alex reminisces Lily, who remembers quickly. Maxwell was talking about her situation with Julie Morel and her big sponsors. She nods, indicating her understanding.

Alex turns toward Carter and Ivy Lambert, keeping his merry expression. "Eliana! You should also come."

"How about me, big bro?" Ivy pouts and puffs her cheek, feeling left alone.

"Hahaha! Why not? The more the merrier." Alex replies with a laugh.

"Kayla, I will let you take care of our other guest. Then, gather everyone at HQ around 8 PM. I will meet you there," He instructs Mathias, who promptly leaves to execute his order.

"But what's happening?" Eliana inquires, a little confused about the situation.

"I caught wild beast that was pestering Lily, so I want to show it to her. The same one happened to have tried to bite you before." Alex talks in a riddle, confusing Carter even more.

Alex laughs and casually says, "You will understand later."

____ End of Chapter 25 ____