Disclaimer: This chapter contains: party and mentions of alcohol. Drink responsibly
Cecily
We had paid the taxi driver and the twins were just readjusting their clothes the sound of music was already reaching our ears.
"Very Low Key," Tony commented with a grin.
"Shut up T, Lily and Dustin had probably tried very hard," Gabriel grinned and poked his sister's side "Ready for your surprised face?"
"GASP!" Tony dramatically slapped her hands on her cheeks.
"A1 Acting"
"You guys are weird when you get along…," I shook my head and we entered the boarding house and greeted the others in the common room who jumped up from behind the sofas with a "Surprise!"
"Lily…you are crazy!" Tony hugged the dark-haired girl and kissed her forehead "You too Dusty" who also received a peck on his forehead.
The room wasn't too crowded…just the second years and one or two first years had been brave enough to join the party.
Everyone was happy and chatty…enjoying the finger food Dustin and Liana had made…and Vivian…she had provided us with a good fruit punch and jelly shots.
She was standing with Bubbles, Carole and Tristan.
"You like it I'm so glad," Lily who was happily jumping around the twins giggled.
Our little group got together in a corner, with a chair for Gabriel to sit on. T and Gabe were eating the food while Liana and Aaron waited eagerly for their critique. I was sitting on the ground leaning onto Andrew, who managed not to make eye contact with anyone…what was the deal with him today…
"Yes, Lil' it's very nice …thank you for your effort…you too Dusty," Tony smiled and munched on a quiche "These are good…Aaron, you made them."
"Yup…with Liana's assistance," Aaron said humbly as he was.
"Lia you outdid yourself…" Gabriel leaning on a chair for a change.
"Jello anyone?" Vivian came to us with her platter, smiling widely.
"Yeah sure," Aaron took one and drowned it "I was craving for something sweet…this tastes funny though…well I'll take another one…"
"Anyone else?" Vivian smiled "Andrew?"
My dear friend was busy on his phone to notice anyone…so I took one for each of us and stared at Vivian long enough that she went away, a bit annoyed.
"Yo idiot," I hit his shoulder and he answered with a 'What?'
"Cheers mate," I said handing him the shot. He sniffed then made a face.
"No C, I doubt that he'll drink it," Tony said, she just had joined us on the floor, drinking out of a bottle of orange juice, and tapping her feet to the beat of the music.
"You?" I asked holding the green glibber out to her.
"No…I don't like it…," she shrugged and drank her juice "The bottled orange juice is the only stuff that isn't piped Andy…just for your info…"
"Thanks for letting me know Mun… I'll stick to it tonight," he smiled, then looked like he was hit by a dart and got back on his phone.
"All right you lazy bums," Lily said waving her fingers "No more sitting around…this is a party…we should dance…Andrew stand-up. Be a man…ask someone for a dance…"
"Actually I have to make a call…excuse me," he said and basically fled out of the room.
"You're a wimp Woolfe," Lily yelled back at him then turned to us "Dancefloor now girls!"
She dragged us away. While we were moving with the beat, Lily moved over to Tony and asked.
"Why did you tell Andrew about the drinks?"
"Because I know that he doesn't drink," she said, "and I respect that…"
"and you're not drinking…because?" Lily asked
"Honestly, I can't really handle it…I tried it in LA…and, believe me, you don't want to know me"
"I'll ask Noah for a video" Lily laughed at the beat of the thumping music.
"A Video of what?" Vivian snaked up on us. Gosh, that girl was weird.
"Tony…drunk…she isn't drinking" Lily said.
"Boo...noo fun," Vivian said, "Look everyone is having something…"
I looked around…it was true…slowly and surely…the mood in the room was getting lighter, as the room got warmer and the bodies sweater from the dancing.
I know I could handle my liquor …I shrugged and chugged. Marlon is coming home tomorrow…I smiled.
Tony
"I almost forgot it was your birthday…remember that one year when you were in Paris and we all went out for ice cream?" Vivian said leaning over to talk to my brother. Gabe, himself was busy and engaged in a conversation with Liana.
"Sorry Vivi, I don't exactly remember that we celebrated that year"
"Of course you did, Papa paid for it" Vivian nodded to herself.
"Yes, and your mum didn't let us have two scoops" I joined the convo because Vivian was annoying me. Was she blind? Gabe clearly was talking to Liana…
"Really…you reckon?"
"Yeah,…she was always pestering us two about the amount of food we ate…" I said, "You know Madame Bourbon is always looking after everybody's appearance."
"Yeah…I really don't want to talk about Maman right now" Vivian said, probably crunching her teeth.
"Come to think Viv'" Liana asked with a slightly heavy and much deeper voice "I actually never met your mum, she lives here in Sydney right….she didn't want to come see the Gala or other performances?"
"Well…she's…a busy lady…" Vivian bit her lip "Anyway…are your parties usually this boring Antonia?"
"Oh no, they're actually super fun…last year I accidentally fell into my pool…maybe it could be this year it could be you, but let's say harbor instead of pool…and replace accidentally with deliberately pushed."
"Ha ha very amusing" Vivian rolled her eyes and scooted away to Bubbles and Carole who were taking part in a Twister game.
"Well…that was a bit meanie," Liana said with a glare….and to my surprise, she was looking at me…at the wall behind be to be exact …but still my direction, as f she was dizzy or disorientated.
"You okay? Lia" Gabriel asked a bit concerned.
Cecily laughed "She'll be alright Gabe…just keep her away from those Jelly Shots for now"
"She's drunk?" Gabriel said a bit worried and immediately put his arms around her to catch her just in case.
"Yup, sure is…and by the looks of it everyone is getting a bit tipsy" Cecily mentioned to Aaron who, slowly but surely, had turned red in the face and Lily giggling like crazy and them kissing, then loudly arguing… then kissing again.
"I think you had enough mate" Andrew had seen it too and took a red cup away from Aaron and replaced it with a bottled water.
" Thaaaaank DUUUDE!" Aaron slurred and patted Andrew on his back " Yarr the best…always lookin out for ma!"
"Yeah…okay…." Andrew returned a pat and shot a glance towards me mouthing a help before I could intervene or do anything else Tristan appeared in front of my sight and blocked the view.
"Hey, Miss. World" he said taking my hand and putting a kiss on it.
"Hello Tristan" I rolled my eyes and tried to pull my hand away, but he had a pretty strong grip, while he was ensuring that our fingers were tangled.
"So…would a beautiful girl like you would dance with me?" he now pulled me closer
"Tristan I really don't want to…"
"Oh I insist, it's bad luck to refuse an offer like this"
"Says who"
"Me…" he winked "Let's call it a bonding exercise…I mean we do have important dance assessments tomorrow…"
That was true, tomorrow midday we had some assessments in and our pieces of the coup would be decided.
I hesitated and looked around. More people were starting to come in, first years…they were all over the place, dancing, eating and having fun. I saw Gabriel and Lia talking to Lily and Aaron, who was clearly enjoying himself. Cec' was busy texting and videotaping the Party to Marlon and Dustin curiously looked over to… Vivan and Andrew, sitting in that armchair eagerly in conversation. Wait, let me correct myself…Vivian was not directly sitting on the armchair….the term Andrew's lap was probably better.
"Fine, this once…" I sighed and let him lead me to the dance floor…where the music was blasting.
Dustin
I was feeling incredibly warm and comfy…must be the alcohol…well…I looked at the scene of the ongoing party…it was almost midnight and the well nice evening had developed. Besides the dancing first years, there were some passed out in the corner…the food was almost done…but the drinks were still ongoing…weird…and everyone (besides Andrew, Gabriel, and Tony) had some to many.
Gabriel, for obvious reasons, he was still on pain meds…Tony was stuck to her orange juice bottle…However, I wasn't sure if it was too clever to leave it open like this…and Andrew …well not his thing apparently….
"Dusty?" Liana said tapped on my shoulder hard and glared at my hairline "Come on we wanted to play truth or dare…quickly now hurry"
Why was she glaring though?
"Gabriel! You too, chop chop…you're so indecisive…gosh!" she frowned and scolded.
"What did I do?" Gabriel, who was talking to Andrew at the moment was caught off guard.
"Nothing that is the point!" Liana nagged and sat down with a big huff, then stood up again and pushed Gabe with quite a force down.
"What?" Gabriel merely blinked and sat down as well "Lia, tell me, what did I do…."
"Like you wouldn't know...you thief" Liana complained and sat down.
"Gabe…she's the angry drunk," Andrew, who sat down next to him, said amused.
"But what did I do wrong" Gabriel still confused at everything.
"Oh, everything!" Aaron piped up sitting down, he was red all over the face and arms… "Everything is wrong!"
"You've been saying this all over" Vivian who was busy guiding Lily onto the ground, without doubling over. Lily was even Bubblier than usual.
"But it's true!" Aaron loudly exclaimed and got lost in his thoughts.
Vivian shot him an annoyed look, then she caught my gaze "Help me?"
I shrugged "Oy guy's common let's play a game…"
"I love games!" Lily said happily and pinched Andrew in his arm.
"I'm also in" Bubbles and Carole joined our circle "Tristy…are you coming?"
"Kinda busy here Bubs," Tristan said. He was cornering Tony and talking to her, she was trying to ignore him…but failed in doing so.
"Come on T…I won't bug you anymore if you come!"
"You're not actually believing what you are saying" Tony sighed but sat down anyway, however far away from Tristan.
"Spin the bottle" Lily exclaimed happily and took an empty bottle and spun it
"Carole! Truth, Dare or Pash?"
"What is Pash?" asked Vivian
"That's Aussie for Kissing" Andrew explained
"Truth!" Carole said
"Sooo Carole…is it true that it was you who'd flunked that one essay because she copy-pasted it from the internet," Lily asked
"Yes," Carole turned red "But in my defense…I had a lot of things going on and completely forgotten about the assignment"
She spun the bottle "Tony!"
"Truth" Tony shrugged and received a BOOOORING from some of the participants.
"So tell me are you and Noah dating now and ….physically active"
"Ew nooo" Tony looked disgusted "He's like my brother"
"All right fair enough…."Carole shrugged "I just shipped it"
"Like FedEx!" Aaron yelled out loudly.
"Anyway…." Carole wanted to give the bottle to Tony but she shrugged.
"You have another go…."
And so she did and the bottle pointed to Vivian.
"Viv, ruth, Dare or Pash?"
"Oh…that's easy Pash!" she said simply and leaned over to Andrew, who was totally taken aback.
Vivian leaned deeper into the kiss as Andrew tilted back, she stopped his movement by gripping and pulling at his shirt. Alright, now they were kissing for so long it was uncomfortable. Tristan wolf whistled and there was an ohhh in the room. I saw Tony's lip making a small line like she had bitten into something sour…and I don't know why but I felt for her…I didn't like it either.
She turned around to get her bottle of orange juice…that was weirdly having more liquid than before…maybe she diluted it with water.
"Well…" Vivian, wiped the corner lip with her thumb, of her after she so generously let Andrew breath again. He was gasping for air "That was fun…who's next…."
The bottle flipped on Tony again and I saw Vivian's eyes deviously glinting.
"Truth, Dare or Pash? But you already used your Truth too bad"
"Dare" Tony glinted back.
"Alright I dare you to empty that bottle of orange juice in less than 5 seconds"
Weird dare, she was probably hoping that T would choke or something.
Well….and the bottles kept spinning. Tony went easy on Bubbles with her Truth question. And it spun and spun.
Bubbles confessed and embarrassing detail of her first dance recital…Carole took dare and went outside to perform the Chicken Dance on the nearest road crossing with Stella ( the first year) videotaping her. Stella pashed that random first-year boy, who ended up sleeping after a big round of jello shots. Vivian dared Tony to chug down another bottle of orange juice in less than 30 seconds…weird I know…but Tony did it anyway…and slowly started enjoying the evening more and more…she was even humming. Lily drunkenly sang 'I will always love you' with a Pen between her teeth and Tristan bend over to Pash Tony, of course, who, surprisingly, let it happen but made a face. It was Tristan's turn now.
"So…Aaron…true"
"TRUTH!" Aaron yelled out before Tristan spoke any further "Imma tell you a truth…I am ABOUT to unveil a conspiracy…the REAL deal…why…do we have to…BUY BOTH Shampoo and Conditioner? I mean really…the economy is trying to sell us out…. SELL US OUT"
"Okay…" Tristan shrugged but let it slide.
Aaron spun the bottle and it landed…on me.
"DUSTIN, My beautiful feather earring wearing pal, my bud ….my fashionista friend…imma give you a combination that involves TRUTH! A little dare for you little daredevil and lots of PASHING!" Aaron declared, to which Lily applauded "YAY PASHING!"
"Imma dare you to KISS the most beautiful girl here in the room," Aaron said, "and let's note that I said girl and purpose because of y'all know that I'm GORGEOUS!"
All eyes on me, I started sweating…all of our girls were good looking…but, to be honest…I knew who the prettiest one was…I couldn't help it…she was just…I couldn't explain…maybe it was the alcohol in my system making myself a little bit bolder than usual…I didn't have experience with kissing…but I still leaned over…to Vivian.
Carefully put both my hands to cup her face and gently, pulled her towards me so that our lips met. She surely was surprised at first…but to my surprise…leaned in on the kiss and returned it…surely it was the alcohol…but why was it so sweet then. I could smell her perfume, vanilla, and coconut and taste the berry-like taste of her lipstick. She sighed into the kiss before releasing to catch her breath. I looked into her clear blue eyes, and then saw her biting her lip as if she was considering something…the next thing I knew was her hands around my neck pulling me into another, a more heated kiss and everything around me, every noise disappeared.
Andrew
This was getting uncomfortable to watch. Dustin and Vivian's pash turned into a full fletched make out session.
"Game's off everyone" I stated after a while, where we were all watching the two of them eating each other's faces. The all grunted and the game was dissolved, more or less happily. Lily was still fascinated listening to Aaron lead the conditioner vs shampoo debate and Lia was passed out on Gabriel's lap, happily snoring, he wasn't sure what to do and decided to stroke her hair also getting loopy. Cecily was good, smiling, taking pictures and photos…probably to blackmail everyone tomorrow but she too decided to stand up.
"T…it's almost midnight…you want to get the cake?" she asked Tony who was the only one still sitting.
"T?"
Tony, who seemed sleepy, jolted as if she was hit by a spark and tried to stand up with wobbly knees and as soon as she stood, her knees gave by. Quickly I moved to catch her which she commented with a "Whoops" and a giggle?
"You're drunk…" I noticed, the smelled
"And you're blurry" giggled Tony "Funny right…I only drank out of the orange juice bottles….even this one Vivian gave me"
She waved the bottle in front of my face giggling.
"Can you stand? Alone?" I assured myself that she could then checked the bottle and immediately smelled that the juice was piped…with something strong. I sighed and threw it into the next bin. Then turned back to Tony, who was just approached by Tristan.
"You sure are a lightweight Barrington…" he grinned
"I am still capable of punching your nose Tristan!" she said and shot him an annoyed look.
"Nobody is punching Noses tonight Munchkin" I sighed and intervened.
"Can't I break his nose…just a little?"
"I'm taking you outside…!" I decided, shook my head and put one arm around Tony to support her. She clearly wasn't too drunk, maybe a little fresh air would help clear her mind.
"Gosh, Woolf…go away you had all your chances!" Tristan complained.
"You too bud!" Tony said "Good kisser but no thanks" She patted his cheek and moved so we could go outside.
We passed Aaron and Gabriel, dancing the pas de deux and Lia and Lily cheering or yelling them on while Dustin and Vivian were still snogging in their corner.
"C'mon T, "I said pulling her with me outside into the fresh air, we walked a bit to the park near the harbor and sat down on the lawn, where I tugged a loose strain behind her ear.
"Ugghh…this feels horrible" Tony groaned and pulled her legs closer to rest her head on her knees.
"I suppose you didn't plan on getting drunk?"
"Nop, honestly...I don't even like alcohol that much…" she took a few breaths then raised her head
"And you're okay with Dustin and Vivian eating each other's faces?"
"As far as I am concerned I'm not together with either of them…so"
"But you…and her…were kissing and all….and the…"
"Well, you and Tristan pashed as well…"
"You're not really trying to say that I, in any way, encourage Tristan's attempts?"
"He seems very eager about it… I mean didn't he broke up with Bubbles just to partner up with you?"
"They weren't together…"
"But snogging all over the place…"
Tony remained silent and looked at me with a raised eyebrow and a look that if I knew her correctly was saying something along the lines ' like you and Vivian'-
But then she pushed back her hair and groaned "Ugh….my head…"
"Close your eyes and lay down on the lawn…don't talk for a few moments…"
"Oh blimey…will I be able to do that" she let out a snarky comment.
"Shut up…Mun" I grinned and as she laid down, I watched the harbor lights.
"So…besides all that super extra training….do you think you'll manage to schedule time for me as well" she mumbles…but I heard her loud and clear.
"Wha…what do you mean?"
"Jen" mumbled Tony "Has asked me if I could perform some songs at their wedding...and she's love if you could accompany me with your guitar"
"Oh…" I hated that my voice sounded disappointed "Sure we'll schedule something….as soon as we know our soli…"
"Shall we head back…it's almost time?" she said and I nodded and we made our way back to the boarding house.
Right, when we were in front of it a bell rang, twelve times…midnight.
"Happy Birthday Munchkin!" I whispered and saw her smile at first…then it faded as if she'd remembered something.
"What's wrong…?"
"Just…a memory…of my last birthday party…" she mumbled "I remembered I escaped that one as well…went for a walk…"
"Speaking of which…I have something for you" I cleared my throat and pulled out the box "I saw this and well…Happy 17th Mun"
I couldn't read the look on her face, she was surprised, taken aback and was blushing a little…avoiding my eyes…but took the box and opened it.
"It's…it's so"
"I can return it if you don't like it"
"But I do…" Tony said and turned around, putting her hair on one side "Would you?"
I took out the chain and carefully put it around her neck and secured it. She turned around and as I anticipated it… the stone perfectly was laying between her collarbones. She gently touched it.
"Thanks so much Andrew"
"Glad you like it…it matches the color of your eyes…" I said and she smiled and said
: "and my new favorite jumper!"
Yes, that was right…she was still wearing the jumper I had given her.
"I should really go lay down….my head feels like it's exploding…" Tony mumbled "Sorry...about that"
"No worries"
"All right, thanks…and g'night Andrew" she yawned then got on her tip toes to quickly peck my cheek, before she made her way into the boarding house.
The spot where her lips had touched my skin tingled…unlike the pash between me and Vivian.
Marlon
"Ughhh my head is hurting!" Tony complained and laid her face onto the cooling metal of the café's metal table, Cecily next to me laughed and patted her best friend's hair, that she had tried to put in a neat bun.
"Keep yourself hydrated Babes' nothing cures a birthday hangover like water and lots of medicine.
"But before you take the meds eat!" I said and shoved the plate with a sandwich towards the hangover seventeen-year-old.
"Ugh…food?" she cried out "No…I barfed it out this morning."
"Na, you're no excuses when you're with me kiddo," I said and held the plate in front of her nose, so she finally ate the sandwich and shot me one of her famous glares.
I looked up and caught Cecily's gaze.
"Don't worry she'll be fine…" Cec' said and gripped my hand "She's just grumpy because we have this assignment."
"I am not grumpy!" Tony munched in a very grumpy mood still munching her food.
Our tour had ended last night with our return to the boarding house…and what a return it was. The first and second years apparently…okay, I knew about it because Cec' had kept me updated, but blimey…the boarding house would look much nice if it would have been set on fire!
We're just waiting for any sort of bomb to blast…you know like
Year 1 is expelled or year 2 isn't allowed to participate in the coup…normal things Miss Raine would come up.
My fellow year mates were still sleeping, probably, that's what Luke was doing. We had the Gala tonight but I just had to see Cecily. Who was perfectly fine and had no hangover whatsoever, my girl, she must have some Russian gene in her body.
"So you really don't remember anything from yesterday?" Cecily inquired now looking at her best friend taking her meds.
"Nope…everything is blurry….I think I can recall something…but that's just weird…I mean Dustin didn't really had a very long pashing session with Vivian ….had he"
"He had," Cecely said then grinned "So…what do you remember what happened afterward…"
I smirked and recalled a text.
Andy just has taken T outside. Wish them good luck- xx
"Nope…nothing…but I guess… we should better go see if Dustin is doing okay…"
"Why that"
"Because he kissed Vivian…and I don't want Dustin to get heartbroken…I really don't" Tony stood up "I'll go and see if I can find him…see you in class."
She had just grabbed her bag when Aaron and Lily both joined the table. Lily looked perfectly fine but was very quiet too quiet and Aaron looked like he'd been thrown into a grinder.
"So….how terrible was it…?" he asked shyly
"Well,…it depends do you want details?" Cecily grinned
"I'm not sure what to answer…"
"Well besides your lovely TED talk about the shampoo versus conditioner discussion…you pretended to be a chicken that was ready to save the world…I recall the name chicken man and that you invented a theme song for yourself"
"I just wanna die in a hole…." He muttered and rested his head in his hands "I need to be concentrated for the coup…."
"Yeah sure you do," Lily seemed to be a bit annoyed by that statement "You should better get going then."
"Yeah..yeah…you're right….before classes…kay see you guys!" Aaron said and ran off.
Lily's face slammed full of disbelieve.
"Trouble in Paradise?" Cece asked, to which the dark haired girl huffed, stood up and left without another word.
"So….Cec' you didn't tell me how was Ms. Lake…how did the pics turn out…"
"It was…fun…" Cecily smiled "I never thought I'd like the idea of modeling…but she made it super fun with music and all…but…I'm kind of excited and anxious for when the pictures are going to be released…you know…my face in all these advertisements for the academy…"
"You are pretty, why not" I shrugged.
"I know that" Cece grinned then faltered "…weird….I've always liked photography but ever since I have been at the Academy…I kind of lost touch with it."
"Yeah…you get pretty caught up with it…." I agreed "But I've decided for me that it's worth it…ever since Russia…I am precisely sure that it's what I want to do… not because my parents want me to do…"
"Yeah…about that…" she faltered "Can I be honest with you Marlon…"
"You always can be" I sincerely said
"I'm not so sure about that…do I really want to be here…I mean…I feel kind of indifferent about the whole coup situation…while everyone is freaking out….hell even Aaron is freaking out and that dude is always chill…and ever since T has been training with Noah, she's kind of serious too… and I've been just average in classes…and I hate comparing myself to them….it makes me…"
"Sick?" I concluded
"Yeah…" she nodded "and I don't want to break under self-pressure"
There was a long pause, where no one of us spoke. Cecily gaze was upwards, following a seagull flying above the harbor. She'd told me the story about her sister…how she had…cracked under pressure and expectations till it was just too much for her too bare…"
"Please tell me immediately when it's becoming too much for you," I said and gripped her hand tightly "I'm there for you."
"I wish…that I could have been there for her too Marlon…" she said biting her lips, pushing away tears "It's just…just…"
"I know…," I said and hugged her.
Dustin
"You sure you're okay," Tony asked once again, which was nice of her to ask…but what do you say if you're not sure if you're okay or not. The end of last night had been super awkward. The party had ended abruptly when the third years came back from the tour and Miss Raine came in and started yelling. It was then when Vivian and I had stopped…you know…our session of making out…then she jolted away…not to her room….I tried to follow her and we hadn't talked ever since….what the hell was going on with me… I mean…yes, I liked her…for reasons, I wasn't sure about…but I'd never do something like this…blame it on the alcohol…which I luckily seemed to digest just fine.
I had woken up early, showered and was now in the studio early to prep for class when Tony, or a washed out version of hers, joined me.
"I am…you on the other hand look like you been chewed and spit out"
"Spit out is right…I've been feeling nauseous even though I'm sure that I puked out my meals from the last week this morning."
"Haven't eaten anything else yet?"
"Nope…just a salt cracker and water," she said and looked as if she wanted to hurl just by the sound of that "I'm stupid…I know what booze does to me…why did I do the stupid dare…."
"Well, that's one way to avoid pash in the game" I shrugged, which brought our conversation back to the elephant in the room.
"Dusty…did it means something to you?" she asked putting her hand on my arm.
"T…I honestly don't know…yes…but…I'm…"
"Confused?" she nodded "I'm sure about that…maybe you just need to talk Vivian about it…"
"But you don't like her…"
"But you obviously do and I'm ready to look past my differences for your sake…because you are my friend, Dustin"
"Thanks, T…I guess I talk to her after class…."
And that's when the others arrived. I noticed everybody looked a bit washed up, except Andrew and Gabriel, the only ones who didn't touch the drinks. However, Andrew was clearly avoiding everyone, even Tony who went to him, probably to thank him for the necklace she was still wearing. Yeah, I noticed it.
I watched them, she gestured to her neck and smiled faintly…but Andrew waved it off and concentrated on his warm up. What the heck? Tony was thinking that too and looked confused and shuffled away…back to me.
"He's being weird?" I asked her
"Yeah, I wanted to thank him for the gift….Cec' told me he'd given it to me…since I can't recall the evening…but he waved me off and…well…" she shrugged than sighed because Tristan was approaching.
"Sooo, dance partner," he said smirking "You look lovely."
"Ugh…Tristan…please…"
"I thought you enjoyed last night…I most certainly did" he said with a smile and Tony seemed to overthink, she tilted her head slightly then asked.
"Tristan…be honest…why are you interested in me…you haven't been before" Tony sighed and to my surprise, Tristan managed to give a good answer.
"Well…I'm not entirely sure…I think I like you because you're so confident and so…ugh…why are you-?"
"Because I am thinking of giving you a chance"
"Wait…what?"
"Don't get your hopes up. I think it's important for us as dance partners to get along…you know with the coup coming up and all…so I am willing to go on two dates with you…not promising anything"
"Really that would be so cool Antonia and-"
"But there will be rules…to unnecessary touching, kissing and all this stuff…okay…we need to figure out how to work together okay?"
"Yeah got it…um…I'm going to warm up back there…care to join me?"
"I'll be there when the class will start," Tony said and surprisingly Tristan went away.
"Okay…what was that?" I asked her and she just shrugged, twirling her ankle.
"I'm giving him a chance…but don't worry I'm still not interested in any kind of relationship…however, I want to have a good connection with my dance partner…I was honest about that…and-"
"SECOND YEAR!" Miss Raine came into the room, followed by Zach and Vivian.
"I am very disappointed in your actions of last night! There will be severe consequences following your immature actions….I had almost made up my mind that none of you would participate in the coup…but I've decided differently….next week Friday you will spend your afternoon at a local High School doing some work and assisting their dance teams...Dustin Summers, Lillian Anderson…you two as planners of the party will have detention in the following weeks as well."
"Miss Raine that is unfair!" Tony spoke up "It was my birthday party…so shouldn't I be punished."
"I am not agreeing with the idea of detention for us…but Tony is right…shouldn't it is us" Gabriel said.
"We have a reliable source that has told us who organized the party" Miss Raine said, "Furthermore, I am not willing to give you a last-minute critique on your pieces…class is dismissed we will see each other in the afternoon class where you will be marked."
With that, she and Zach left the studio. There was quiet in the room and everybody was staring at the person who most likely was the quote reliable source.
"You told Miss Raine that it was our idea?" Lily said in disbelieve and hurt.
"I had no other chance…she asked me"
"You could have lied…" Lily said, "I would have done the same thing for you."
"But I am not a liar…it was the right thing to do"
"That's it!" Tony was making her way towards Vivian rapidly and it was only Andrew who stepped in between them to stop Tony.
"Listen closely Vivian," Tony said "I didn't like you before but now you are definitely on my last nerve"
"I don't need you to like me Antonia" Vivian shrugged and smirked "Like I'd care"
"Oh, I'll make sure you'll care…or not…whatever…but I'll ensure you one thing…after what you did I'll make sure that you out of all people will not be representing us in the coup…I chose to ignore you before but you have me as your enemy and I'll make sure even if I don't place…I'll have a higher score than you any day…"
Vivian looked as she wanted to say something but couldn't …everyone was looking at her. She turned on her heel and ran out of the room.
"Was that really necessary?" I heard Andrew say to Tony who shot him a glare
"Maybe you should go and kiss her boo boo" she shrugged then went in the corner where Tristan was standing.
It was not even a millisecond later when I realized that it was me who was going after Vivian. She was outside on her phone; she wasn't crying but her eyes were red.
"Yes, Maman I've done what you suggested…not I don't have class right now…the teacher dismissed – yes I'll be in the studio…no, I am not crying…of course not…yes, I'll fix my make-up. Will I be seeing you tonight at the Gala? ...Yeah, I'll make sure to talk to Monsieur Barrington…Yes, Maman…Au revoir"
She hung up and took a huge breath, then she saw me.
"What do you want Dustin?" she avoided looking at me.
"Just making sure your-"
"I am okay!" she cut me off.
"No, you're not…your crying"
"Allergies…" she shrugged "Bother with your own stuff…"
"Viv…"
"Really…Dustin stop bothering me with nonsense…I really need to focus…"
"But we need to talk about what happened yesterday!"
"Nothing has happened…okay? It doesn't change a thing…"
I guess now I know what a broken heart feels like.
Don't worry I'll have not forgotten out second years... a chapter focusing on them will follow
