Elliot's POV:

Damn feelings. I hate them.

I always catch myself staring at her in class. Just like the rest of the guys do. So what if her stupid blonde hair shines like gold. And those eyes. Those stupid beautiful eyes. Big deal, they seem to sparkle like emeralds.

'That's right, I don't see anything in her,' I thought to myself. Suddenly, my thoughts were interrupted by an elbow in my ribs. "Quit staring at her, Elliot, it's rude," Leo whispered. "I wasn't staring, you idiot!" I retorted. Guess I said it too loud. "Boys, do you need to leave the room?" inquired Mrs. Kate. "No ma'am," we replied in unison. I looked over to Leo, hoping he was looking this way so I could stare him down for that. How dare a servant correct his master like that? Then again, Leo would probably go on his rant about what a 'true servant' should do to 'improve' his master. Whatever. Wait... was Ada just... giggling at me? I could feel the hot blood rush to my face. 'Stupid Vessalius girl,' I thought to myself, redirecting my attention back to Mrs. Kate.

I left the room as soon as the teacher dismissed us. Heading straight for the dorm, I stormed off, leaving Leo to return alone. At the time, I simply didn't give a damn. I slammed the door shut behind me upon making my arrival. "Ugh, stupid, stupid, stupid!" I shouted, slamming my head on the wall.

Ada's POV:

I tried so unbearably hard not to look at him. As always, it was a challenge. As we sat in class, Mrs. Kate lecturing us on some history lesson, I began to fidget. I simply couldn't hold it any longer, so I decided to sneak a peek at Elliot, just to see what he was up to. Little did I expect him to be staring back. Our eyes met for only a fraction of a second. How deep were those cerulean eyes...Before i could lavish in them but a second longer, they were torn away from me. 'Is he...blushing?' I thought to myself. Only a mere two minutes later did I hear that gruff voice: "I wasn't staring, you idiot!" I turned to see the target of his anger. Unfortunately, it was poor Leo. Mrs. Kate fussed at them a bit, but at the time, all I could think of was containing a laugh. A giggle slipped passed my lips, and one knew I would regret it. He turned to glare at me, those same ceruleans burning with anger and irritation. Once class ended, I was about to apologize when he bolted out the door, not looking back.

I met with Oni-chan after school at the Rainsworth manor. Sharon had taken me out shopping prior to this, to calm my feelings. "That dress is very lovely, Ada!" exclaimed Oz. I smiled; Oni-chan could always cheer me up. "It will be perfect for the ball." The ball. The source of all my terrors. Latowidge Academy was holding a ball. All my friends were going, and of course I planned on going as well. Only one problem remained: I hadn't been asked yet. However, Oz didn't have to know that. Sharon, interrupting my thoughts, dragged me off to her room to play with my hair, "No time for chit-chat, let's go do something fun!"

Elliot's POV:

"Elliot, how long are you going to laze around on that couch?" whined Leo. Giving just a glance, I stayed otherwise still. He sighed, "Is it too difficult for you to just ask-" "It would ruin my reputation as a Nightray!" I shouted. However, my words meant nothing to me. I was simply dying to ask her to the ball, but my pride overran my heart. I actually wanted someone else to ask her, just to keep from doing it myself. I got up once Leo left the room, and stepped outside for a breath of air. I wandered into the school gardens,"Looks like I got my wish came true after all," I thought to myself. One of the nobles from a smaller duke house stood kneeling before her, and one had to be stupid as hell not to realize he was asking her hand for the ball.

Be careful what you wish for.

I was far from happy about this. I wanted nothing more than to chuck something at his stupid face. Before I knew what I was doing, I sent a book flying for his head. Might as well have written "Elliot Nightray threw this," because who else would have "Holy Knight Volume XVI" at hand?! The two of them looked in my direction, Ada looking me straight in the eye. "Oh, God," I thought, "what the hell did I just do?" The guy walked away, leaving her where she stood, even in spite of her turning to call his name, begging him to come back. Once he was out of sight, she slumped down to the ground, bowing her head. She turned her head slightly to glance at me, and even though we were only about thirty yards apart, it felt like miles. However, I could see the hurt look in her eyes as she stared at me. She sniffled, standing up and walking away, almost running. I had to hold myself back to resist the urge to chase after her. Or maybe I could catch that brat of a guy and beat him into asking her again.

Anything not to see such a sad face.