Recap: The last challenge was an escape room, after they had succeeded in escaping - they ended up in a ballroom.

Before the Ball

Elide laughed at Lorcan's playfulness. Yes - Lorcan's playfulness. A rare sight indeed.

A professional baker had come in and explained to them the tedious art of cake decorating. She had created a masterpiece.

Lorcan and Elide created a mess.

After the lady left, Elide began to copy the actions of the professional. Apparently, Lorcan had gotten bored and thought it was a good idea to put a ball of fondant down her shirt.

Food coloring was soon met on his face.

This had soon turned into a game of how much Lorcan could annoy Elide without her exploding.

Which later turned into a game of how many places Elide could get chocolate ganache on Lorcan.

After wasting so much time fooling around - they rushed to make the final layer.

The bell rang - and in a hurry - they set the timer wrong.

Which would later cost them much more than the cake?

Lysandra screamed with joy as she saw the beautiful assortment of dresses.

After everyone was released from rooms, firefighters had when in to see other victims - those who hadn't made it.

The good news was that they all came out.

The bad news was that this was a major detriment in their prestige.

The authorities said that Arobynn would finish this season, and then would be put in a rehab center. The new coach was still to be decided.

So while the teachers and administrators were freaking out, the students would be attending a New Year's Eve ball.

Aelin thought it was a bad idea to leave them all in a room pretty much unsupervised. After all, the ball would definitely include some actions that certainly broke rules like; adultery, drug deals, and dress codes.

Definitely dress codes, which brought them here.

Elide blushed at the dresses laying flat on Lysandra's bed, "These dresses are… A lot to take in."

Lysandra laughed and nodded, "Just imagine Elide, when Lorcan sees you in one of these dresses."

Elide's face turned even redder, "These dresses aren't even for me, they are for you guys - the contesters to try."

Manon rolled her eyes, "We gotta make our Elide look fab-u-lous." She made sure she paused between each syllable.

Elide turned to Aelin, "Are you alright?"

Aelin had been awfully quiet - probably because of her declaration, she sighed, "Do you think I said something wrong?"

Everyone was confused, Lysandra asked, "You told him you loved him. You spoke from the heart - and that is the rightest thing one can do."

Aelin's shoulders hunched, "It just feels weird. I feel so bare, so vulnerable. I thought it would get some weight off my chest, but it just seems like he will hurt me more - like I'm at a risk."

They all nodded, they all went through the same feeling.

Elide curiously, asked, "But why now? Out of all the times you were with Rowan, why now?"

Aelin's mind drifted before she spoke, "I think it might be because for once, I spoke from the heart."

"What the hell..." Aedion drifted off as he looked at his reflection. A poor and sad image of him being choked by his own tie, "How does one wear this?"

Dorian shrugged, "That's why I picked the bow tie one." He tapped his head, "It's called smart thinking."

"Dude, that's not gonna impress Manon."

Dorian glared at Aedion, "In the famous words of Patch Cipriano, 'I don't dress to impress. I undress to impress."

Aedion looked perplexed.

The door slammed open.

And in came a sweaty, and late, Lorcan.

"Emrys made me stay an extra shift." He apologized.

Aedion scrunched his nose, "I don't care where you've been. Right now, I want you to take a shower."

Dorian put an arm to his face, "I second that, and use extra soap. Did you just go through a trash compactor?"

Lorcan scratched his head, "I went out to throw out the trash and let's just say that there was a not-so-pleased pack of raccoons."

Aedion and Dorian just shoved Lorcan into the bathroom.

Aedion counted; himself, Dorian, Lorcan... He couldn't find Rowan.

Rowan watched the cars race by as he contemplated what to think. When he asked that question, he didn't expect such a soulful response. For that was Aelin and since when did Aelin expose her intentions to anyone? Aelin's response was bare, he could tell because for once her eyes showed vulnerability.

He had yet to decide if he would do the same.

Lysandra clapped her hands, "So, I've coordinated the colors so that the dates will be matching in colors." Squealing, she revealed the dresses.

"This is my dress." Lysandra presented proudly her garment.

It was gold colored, had a deep v neckline, floor length and it was slit at the front.

It suited her personality well. Sexy and sparkly.

Lysandra took another dress from the bed and gingerly gave it to Manon. Lysandra wasn't sure what her reaction would be so she stood a good 3 feet away from her.

Manon stared at the dress, analyzing every aspect. Then she smiled.

That was more than Manon expected.

The dress was lace, with an off-shoulder neckline, black - just how Manon liked it, and it flared out - adding a dramatic look.

Lysandra was very satisfied.

Elide picked up another dress on the bed - her eyes widened, "Is this mine?"

Lysandra nodded.

Elide turned beet red. It was a sweetheart neckline with jewels embroidered at the top and in the center. The bottom was the stunning part, it's wide, peach ruffles set a princess-like tone.

Because Lysandra wanted Elide to feel like one.

"I'm going to fall in this." Elide rolled her eyes.

Lorcan squinted. He was dripping wet, as he examined his suit disapprovingly.

"Why do I get a pink tie?"

Aedion objected, "It's not pink, it's peach."

Lorcan glared at him, "It's the same thing, bonehead."

The door creaked open, a silvered male crept in. All eyes were on him.

Rowan smirked, "Pink is a good color on you, Lorcan."

Aelin rubbed the velvet - playing with the change of scarlet. The girls got ready - they only had a half hour left.

Aelin tried to distract her worry with some dramatic red lipstick, the same shade as her low-cut, high slit, long-sleeved dress.

Her face looked like Miranda Sings.

Frustrated, she wiped off the 15-minute contour and tried to apply the artistry again.

Her phone buzzed:

Ms. Ashryver, you have an imported item in your room.

Aelin didn't feel like disturbing the girl's talk session - after all, they looked so happy. So she went down a hallway, bore the cheesy love song being played in the elevator, and went to her room. She looked around, and a package was on her bed.

Aelin didn't feel like trying her makeup on again, so she stalled and opened the box.

Inside the box, was another box. It reminded her of those clay, plump dolls that could be lifted to reveal a smaller doll.

The 2nd box was light pink - an almost romantic color. Uh, oh.

Aelin emptied to contents of that box and 12 individual flowers fell on her bed.

There was a note.

Aelin picked up the piece of parchment, it read:

I am a coward Aelin, I waited for you to say the word. Because I'm an idiot and I didn't realize that you were hurting because of my idiocy. You were hurting because I was too stupid to realize that everything I've done my whole life, was to be with you.

The day these flowers die, is the day my perpetual love for you will end.

Aelin looked at the flowers again.

1 flower was made of plastic.

Rowan was pacing across the room - becoming more anxious by the minute. They were all ready - they were waiting for the announcement that would allow them to go. It was a bad idea; sending those flowers. He wanted to go back in time and punch himself for thinking that it was a good idea. What if she threw it out? What if she thought it was too cheesy? Lord, he had put so much thought into it. There was no turning back now.

Especially when the loudspeaker blared. The beginning of a gamble.

When they entered the ballroom, it was nothing like an average school party. For one, there were chocolate fountains and a beautiful assortment of fruit - one that Elide and Lorcan were making while monitoring the room. There were bouquets of flowers - ornately decorated. And of course, hearts - it was Valentine's ball.

Or just a lame excuse to keep the kids away while they cleaned up the rooms - either way, they had chocolate!

The girls came into the vast room first. Strange because the movies usually had the men downstairs and the ladies walking down a staircase looking so beautiful that the guys would begin drooling.

"Damn." That was all Aedion had said when they first saw the girls in their dresses.

Lorcan kept his mouth shut and stuffed his hands in his pockets. Damn him indeed. The girls were stuffing their face with chocolate, not caring that to their boyfriends, they looked like cavemen.

Just as a lady should.

This was the awkward part of any ball. Where people are drifting in, no music is played, and there is small talk.

Lorcan was never good with small talk. It made him feel nauseous. If one was not talking about a plan to murder someone or a plan to steal something - why would one need to talk?

So to avoid the human society he stood in the corner. Looking fine as hell. His hands were in his pockets and his hair was loose. He was frankly bored until Elide strolled through.

Oh yeah, he was definitely not bored.

She was wearing a sweetheart neckline, peach with a silver embroidery dress, that was fluffed out at the bottom. A necklace was placed around her neck. Her hair was put up in a crowned bun at the top. Her limp made her sway - like a princess.

If she was a princess, what did that make him?

Aelin gorged herself in chocolate. She ate so much, she wanted to take a nap. Deep down, she knew why she ate so much - it wasn't because she loved chocolate. Though she really did. It was because it distracted her from the undeniable tension between her and a certain green-eyed male a few yards away from her.

Aelin glanced to the side and found the green-eyed boy looking at her.

They met eyes. Shoot. She quickly looked away and pretend to drink her definitely alcohol infused drink.

That's what you get when you leave teenagers alone in a room.

Rowan was becoming increasingly agitated at the glass in his hand. God, he needed to work up the courage to talk to her. He wanted to hit his head against the wall, what they had was real. The reason why he was mad at her was pretty much forgotten. Screw this, Rowan set his glass aside and walked the small space in between them. The small space between their love.

"Hey." Rowan awkwardly put his hands behind him and glanced around.

Aelin looked down - her hair covered her face. He couldn't see her reaction.

"Hey."

Gods, Rowan forgot how lovely her voice was. Sarcastic and ready to kick your butt. They had been separated for two days - but he wanted to hear her voice even then.

Rowan knew the woman before he was killing him. He didn't mind.

Rowan saw Aelin's shoulders shaking. She clutched the table with both hands. She was trembling.

Agh! A little voice in his head said, "Great. You said one word and you already screwed up."

Aelin spoke again, "Are you serious?"

Rowan's eyes widened with caution.

Aelin continued, "You made me feel so guilty, and all you have to say is, 'hey'? Are you joking?"

Uh, oh. This wasn't going in a good direction.

Aelin tilted her head. He could see that she looked distressed.

Aelin's head snapped up. She began howling with laughter and clapping her hands. Her face was red with joy.

Rowan shifted his weight.

Aelin looked at him. She gave him a knowing look along with her signature smirk. You should have seen the look on your face.

Once Aelin regained her composure she said, "Are you serious? You think I could stay mad at my buzzard? Aelin walked forward so that they were only a deep breath away from kissing. Aelin brought her hands up and pinched his cheeks. As embarrassed as he was, to have his cheeks pinched in front of his friends, he knew only Aelin could do such thing to him. Only Aelin could make him feel this stupid.

The dumbfounded Rowan finally spoke, "Thank god. I can't stay mad at my fireheart for long either. Are we good?"

Aelin came ever closer and whispered in his ear sensually, "Of course. After all, I love you. Though I'm still going to make you pay - tonight that is."

Rowan smiled and stole Aelin's lips.

From across the room, Dorian whistled sharply. Elide and Lysandra began clapping. Lorcan was nodding. Manon was shouting, 'whoo!'

And Aedion came in the middle of Rowan and Aelin, looking dead serious and put a yardstick in between them.

While everyone was dancing in a peaceful bliss - something inside the kitchen was brewing - something to be feared.

Author's Note: (me: hiding in a dark corner so the writing gods don't punish me for updating)

Me - being a little sheepish and having no lame excuse…

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