Flashback Part: 11
She thumped on the bed, "So how's the practice going?" Delia asked as she cleaned her little bed,
"No practice today," Hilary said limply.
"Why didn't you go today?" Margot asked,
"I slept after returning, I was tired." Hilary said lowly, missing the dance practices slowly.
"Hmm, good night," Margot drifted in sleep.
Hilary's mind paved over many things, especially over how Freshers was approaching and the practice that was left unfinished.
Flipping sides and feeling sleepless, she took her phone and checked his chat which showed him offline.
-Are you sleeping?
The reply didn't come. 'Maybe he's really asleep'. She thought. Feeling cringed and nausea in this sleepless state, she glanced at her two friends who were asleep. She called Vri who was usually awake. Texting her to meet her on terrace, she got up and slowly headed out, tapping her feet carefully.
The corridor was deadly silent. She climbed upstairs and Vri was already there.
"Phew, I can't sleep," Hilary whined and Vri nodded.
The girls noticed the red moon in the wine grey sky.
"Somehow, it was an awesome party," Vri smiled,
"Yeah. I'd this idea of pizzas ever since the boys won," Hilary giggled.
"Did you managed to effort?" Vri asked,
"I'd saved some money," Hilary sighed. She remembered that it was originally for the date which Ryan refused and postponed until the practice went smooth.
"Nice. Are we competing?" Vri asked suddenly with a small smile,
"What?" Hilary blinked, "Oh! Yeah sure. Ryan and I are trying," Hilary said,
"The practices are kinda emotionally unstable. Its little warm or something." Vri said with a resisted flush.
"Its Vincent, right?" Hilary smirked.
"Whatever," Vri breathed out.
"It happened. You won't believe, but I think actually that Vincent is good," Hilary said thinking deeply,
"I've seen him, he's gotta pretty infatuation on you," Hilary said,
"Why should I deny? I think I like him." Vri chuckled,
"Wow!" Hilary threw her fist in air and the girls laughed,
The night was clear and dustless.
A minute later, the girls climbed down, heading to their rooms,
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-Yep.
Hilary's phone vibrated. She didn't enter her room, and stood in the corridor, texting him back,
- Why? O.0
- I'm at Dance hall. ;)
-Whatt? Seriously!
- Hm.
- What are you doing there? 0_0
- Practicing..
- Alone?
- Yep. I'm not perfect like you, right.
- Boy, its late.
- Its fine. Rafael is down at M-hall.
- Good to know you're not alone XD
- Nothing's gonna happen if I'm alone.
- What if someone like Nainika kidnaps you XD XD
- Ouch. My gf is too protective of me now.
- Because my bf is damn gorgeous. I can't afford loosing him to someone. xP
- Hey, are you serious?
Hilary flinched. She didn't text him immediately.
- As much serious as you're. Nothing.
- I'm serious.
Hilary gulped in. She texted,
- Drop the jokes now. ;P
- Whatever. What are you doing now?
- Nothing. I was deciding a song for our practice for our dancing in my mind.
- Which one?
- Not sure yet.
- Say.
- Um... Body back. Its good.
- Its feminine. 0.*
- Hahaa. You listened it?xD
- Yesterday night. Got in recommendation.
- I'm going to sleep now. Good luck practicing.
Hilary slowly kept her phone in her pocket and unlocked the door and entered in the dark and calm room and closed the door carefully. Slowly, she walked towards her bed and slept.
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The next day was horrendously tiring with Freshers preparation going on. The lectures has to large enough mercilessly, the hematology lab evilly took everyone's blood, the dissection got the corpses glinting in eerie. The First years felt tired so much.
Everyone headed to dance hall for practice and it was congested to practice. Ryan and Hilary looked tensely at how everyone has flooded the hall. They definitely couldn't practice in this aura.
Hilary glanced at Sar and Annie who stood in one corner, mindlessly staring and gnawing at each other, flirting and teasing stares and mumbling sweet words. Hilary gulped imagining her and Ryan in that positions. The practises were roughly going on and it seemed crowded a bit.
Wordlessly, disappointed, their shoulders hunched down and they trailed their feet downstairs, not sure where to head. They just has today, and literally this was getting depressing that they wouldn't perform good.
"What do we do?" Hilary asked dejectedly as they reached the ground floor, stopping her feet.
"No idea," Ryan sighed worriedly.
"Where do we practice?" Hilary whined,
"Hey kiddos, what'cha taken you down?"
Ryan swerved at the call, "Uh Daniel," Hilary said,
"Sir," he said in a fake smile,
"Sorry, sir." Hilary said shaking her head.
"Aren't you practicing?" Ryan cocked an eyebrow,
"I don't need to practice. Kitty and I are already done." Daniel shrugged, smiling in confidence.
"Wow,"Ryan said sarcastically. Hilary gave a mocking laughter for a second.
"What about you?" Daniel asked, taking his phone out as it vibrated,
"No idea," Hilary answered with a breath.
"I'll see you," Daniel left, talking to someone on call. Kitty had called him because they knew that the Dance hall was crowded and so they decided to practise on the usual isolated terrace taking small speakers. Daniel's excitement couldn't get higher for having her to hold her and make her his rightful partner, who was gorgeous and scary at same time.
After Daniel left, Hilary looked wearily at Ryan.
His eyes narrowed at her and he cruelly glared at her for second, his expressions calming the other moment. Hilary wondered about it. There was slight regret in his face.
"What is it?" Hilary asked. Ryan rolled his eyes, "Just go to your room and sleep, you must be tired," Ryan said calmly.
Hilary blinked, wondering why he's saying that and if he meant it or was being sarcastic. Her senses screeched upon the realization. He was referring about yesterday and her absence at practice. They'd missed a day.
"No, I'm not," Hilary pouted angrily, staring at him.
"Why didn't you join yesterday's practice?" Ryan asked straightforward, almost accosting her.
Hilary thought for a minute. She didn't want to say it was Margot.
"I-I had the monthly backache," she said cautiously, remembering Delia suddenly.
Ryan gawked at her for few seconds, "Oh, I'm sorry." Ryan looked curiously at her. "Hmm," Hilary nodded,
"Can you play now? Can you even practice today?" Ryan asked.
"I'm okay. Its nothing." Hilary smiled, determined.
"Are you comfortable?" Ryan asked in suspicion.
"I'm perfect!" Hilary barked, and frowned, "Stop thinking that," she said, feeling flushed.
"Whatever," Ryan scratched his head.
She couldn't believe she'd to lie that bad.
"Hey love birds, what are you arguing about," a cautious sweet voice asked,
Ryan flinched mentally, "Its nothing, Rafael." Ryan said with dull expression.
"Oh," Hilary said, "Sir, have you seen Simra ma'am?"
"Oh she's sick today. She's at home. So she gave me the hall's keys," Rafael played with the keys.
"Um, can we probably use the M-Hall for dance practice?" Hilary asked. Ryan smirked at her in admiration. That WAS a good idea,
"Its called MUSIC hall. You've dance hall upstairs," Rafael said,
"Just give the keys, Raf. You want me win tomorrow or not?" Ryan interrupted.
"I think I can't. It's for instrumentals, you can't dance there." Rafael argued,
"There's enough space," Hilary appeased, "I promise we won't disturb any instruments there." She implored.
He thought for a while, "O-Okay," Ryan grabbed the keys and unlocked the hall.
"Just don't disturb us, I'm anyway locking it, don't mind," Ryan said jadedly and the Intern didn't argue,
Hilary smiled and walked inside the M-Hall.
Ryan locked the door,
"Finally we get to practice," Ryan said indignantly,
"Yeah," she smiled at him, he didn't notice. She stared him softly throughout till he checked some song and connected the phone with the cable,
Some music was starting, she wasn't even excited. Her low eyes drooping down stared weakly at the ground,
"Come on," he said as he subconsciously and instinctively held her hands,
Her head barely wobbled, lost in unknown thoughts.
"Hilary?" He asked,
She blinked and looked at him, "Ah? Sorry, I just waved off," she said with fidget, which he felt in his hands,
"Are you okay? Is the backache still pestering?" He asked curiously.
She felt the slap of heat, "No no, it's not." Hilary nervously said, "I'm okay," She looked him for response.
"You sure?" He asked, "Do you need a painkiller in drip?" He asked,
"I'm fine," she said reassuringly, "Trust me,"
"Okay..." he said,
"The song got stuck, check once," She said. He nodded and left her hands and walked to replay the song.
The practice went perfect, with cool and quick pace. Ryan was far better than he was when they started and Hilary had to occasionally admire him. He smiled,
"We're doing lot faster, you know," Ryan said incredibly.
"Yeah," she smiled with a visible hint of disturbance,
"We are smooth, we'll rock tomorrow," he chuckled,
'WE are smooth, that sounds good,'
"We will," she sighed,
'Being with you is enough,'
He rolled her hand gently and she spun softly, thinking again how tomorrow would go.
He sighed after the song ended,
"Done," she said,
She picked her bag, "You're leaving?" He asked confusedly, because he wanted to spend some time with her.
"Yeah, we're done, right?" She said,
"Yes, but; oh, alright," He guessed that she was weirdly nervous, so he didn't argue.
She turned and glanced at him, "Just wish me luck for tomorrow. I don't want us to lose," she said,
"What's wrong? You were good, great. You rather wish me luck," he said,
"You'll be awesome, trust me." She barely laughed and walked out. Ryan stood there alone, staring the floor silently and retrospectively.
Shrugging the weird feeling aside, he plugged his wireless earphones in his ears and played some loud music, plugged his phone in pocket, took his bag and strode out.
He was thinking instinctively why she was nervous. Nonetheless, he brashly tried to ignore and walked towards the garden, rather than going to hostel. There was a small fountain in the middle and tender delicate turf with flowers in rows at sides.
He lied on the turf, serenely enjoying the songs and the soft cold breeze. The weather seemed to be replacing towards the stormy aura and grey clouds briskly came within next minutes. His T shirt felt cold and he was beginning on the verge of catching cold, so he left the garden and rushed through the nascent violent storms to his hostel.
Ryan ran inside the hostel building, sneezing. He badly crashed with Vincent the moment he sniffed the cold,
"Hey, what's wrong?" Ryan said,
"You've got a red nose, take rest," Vincent said,
"Whatever." Ryan got off and rushed to his room.
He changed into warmer clothes, pulled out a heavy blanket from a suite, closed the balcony door, window and switched off the lights, shut his phone off, drank a cup of hot coffee and dozed into a warm sleep. The dark grey blue light came in still since it wasn't even sunset.
His room was peaceful, and a thing about him was that he could sleep beyond limits if he was tired or just felt not good.
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Hilary was doing the same. She took a hot bath in the stormy weather, and wore a heavy woolen top and sweater and thick comfortable trousers and dozed off into a sleep. Margot and Delia who were watching a cartoon movie, got motivated to sleep from her. They too made themselves comfortable and got into their beds for having a peaceful sleep. Margot checked the kitchen once and locked the door properly before dozing off.
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"Are you okay now?" Rafael spoke on phone,
"I'm having low fever for now. I'll try to attend Freshers but no promises," Simra said dimly,
"Take care. Text me by night if you're coming or not," he said,
"Thanks, sure." She sniffed the cold, "How's Ryan and others?"
"All are busy in practice." Rafael rolled his eyes,
"Have you decided the song, Raf?"
"Turn back time, I thought that. You think it's okay for the couple's dance?" He asked cautiously.
"Perfect. I'll let you know by tonight if I can come," She smiled hearing the song's name.
"Sure."
"What about the auditions?"
"I think Bhavya and Ezabella were selected,"
"Okay, make sure you don't lose the recordings," Simra said,
"Stop worrying, first take care of yourself. We are doctors. What's that called if WE get sick?" He scolded amiably,
"Haha, that day I'd few injuries. I had to delay my surgery," She feigned a sad smile,
"Is it really needed?" he rolled his eyes, "Do you really want this?"
"I ardently want to. I've waited years for this,"
"The spectacles will miss you," he laughed,
"I won't. My eyes will be free," she laughed,
"Good, hey, I almost forgot, I dealt with my uncle who's eyes specialist treating a similar case,"
"Was it successful?" She asked curiously,
"It was awesome, the iris's color beautifully evolved." He said, with a laugh,
"If that was only possible," she laughed, "I'd have caught your uncle in the first place," She paused a little, gulping the cough.
"You're lucky Simra, you've got a protective cousin." Rafael said with a bare laugh.
"What's lucky in that?" She asked with a crazy frown.
"Ah, nothing. I was-"
"Were you referring to Ryan?" She asked in a low voice,
"I was..." Rafael said calmly.
"I forgot him already," she blew the air in exhaust,
"No you didn't. The reason why you still asked about the junior Ryan clearly meant that you didn't forget Ryan Laurence's mysterious death." He said clearly, giving a sarcastic tone on the word 'mysterious'.
"Phew." Simra let out a audible sigh, "I'll not blame Nain, she was just being protective and caring of me..." She paused, "I'm lucky to have her, Raf. Laurence was... well, he was good, but everyone just parts. That's how life ends."
"Hey," Rafael nervously smiled, "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to upset you. I just sensed you're missing him, so I thought to ask and appease," Rafael surely agreed that Nainika did a good job in preventing Simra getting close to Ryan because he was infectious, with everything, but managed to stay symptomless and daringly healthy.
"Nope, I'm not missing him,"
"You're,"
"Nope,"
"You're,"
"I don't miss dead people." Simra said little loudly. She still missed Ryan's friendship, because their group of four was good, which included Shav. However Rafael was a little distant from Ryan, infections being the reason. He felt nasty and scary.
"Dead people... huh. I'll not argue." Rafael said little angrily,
"What about Ryan Finlay? Will he also part our college family like that? I wouldn't like to see a pretty Hilary becoming another Simra who is scared of losing friends,"
"No one would part, and no one would become an other Simra," Rafael stated clearly. They paused and in another second, they both bursted in laughing,
"D-did you even realized what you said?" Simra laughed loudly.
"I didn't," he laughed,
After a few seconds when their laughing died down, "Hmm," she breathed in, "Raf, no one would become Simra!" They bursted in laughter again badly,
"Anyways, just make sure you come tomorrow." He said,
"I'll try." She said,
"You're saying that you'll try to forget missing Ryan Laurence, and if you could, you'll come. I can't believe he gave you a fever even after death." Rafael said curtly,
"Bacteria give us fever, not humans."
"In this case, Ryan Lawrence is a dead bacteria who still had the audacity to give you fever," Rafael argued.
"I got fever due to cold,dude."
"Anatomy's museum gave him a curse and he died. You agree?"
"He was a fucking tornado who could have bombarded the museum himself. I'm not believing the museum theory." She smirked tersely.
"He was also a fucking bacteria who gave fever to you and Shav after his death. I didn't touch his corpse, thankgod," Rafael retorted with reason.
"Fever! Damn it. You should stop reading those supernatural novels, Rafael!" She scowled
"You stop reading those cringy romance novels?"he suggested
"They are not cringy, kindly agree," She smiled sarcastically.
"Not cringy, cringest!" He laughed. She sighed.
"Did you completed the novel that I gave you?" Simra asked,
"You're changing the topic," he chuckled.
"You didn't. " she said in serenade,
"I liked how Jade and Richard fought in dreams," he said with a sarcastic smirk,
"Ooo, so you did completed after all?" She feigned a surprising tone,
"Yeah. And you're coming." He said, "I'll let my uncle have your iris beautifully evolved, Simra. Into your favorite hazel brown." He sang in a sweet voice.
"Aww, really. I wish you could. I'll come. Mostly. It's really the fever and running nose." She sniffed the cold.
"Phew, fine."
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"Let's just see the auditorium once," Shav said as she and Rafael along with other Interns made their way there.
"The flashlights are checked," he noted,
"The seats are adequate?" She asked,
"Yeah, more than enough,"
"The aisle is wide enough," Oli remarked, "Its good,"
"The ceiling's ribbons are fine. Painted wood coffee ceiling was built only this year," Shav said staring at the beautiful ceiling,
"The music system is perfect, I've checked all the songs, playback music, like you've said," Nainika said to Rafael.
"The award cups are placed in the drawers under stage," Shav said, "I've taken the keys,"
Rafael nodded, "The piano peacetime will be played after the couple's dance competition winners will be announced, and immediately after it, those two will be called for their cups," Oli said
"I'll just note it," Nainika took her phone, "Its first Ryan and Hilary and then Bhavya and Ezabella," Nainika mumbled,
"Wait?" Shav and Rafael frowned tensely, "Who said its Ryan and Hilary?" He asked,
Nainika blinked for the thought, "Sorry, it was just an assumption," she said a little edgy,
"Are you going to be fair in the judge?" Oli asked, "There are other participants as well,"
"I'll be fair, promise," Nainika said,
"Sure?" Shav asked,
"Promise dude," she sighed,
The auditorium was very large with blue coloured seats arrangements going above along with stairs on two sides leaving the stairs as an aisle in the middle of two rows. The stage was large and in front of the entrance door with fresnel spotlights and 3D presentation on the background wall. The PowerPoint for it was prepared wisely by Misty.
"You think the couple dance will be accommodated on the stage?" Rafael asked,
"Yeah, hope so. It looks large enough for now, but I'll have red carpet floored on the aisle, just in case the space doesn't suffice." Shav said, still thinking.
"Dance on stairs can can be dangerous," Nainika thought.
"One second," Oli said, "The stage seems large enough. If it's not, we can have an another stage prepared tonight at the back," she looked at the large space that was still left, stairless and plain, behind the seats.
"You mean, we can utilize the space behind the seats ending?" Rafael asked,
"Yeah, preparing it as stage wouldn't be much tiring," Oli said,
"I'll call those workers, and we'll look at how the decor can go,"Nainika dialed the number of a worker probably,
"Wait, that can be done later," Shav said, "What about the drinks? I thought we were using that space for that," she said,
"That's not a problem, waiters will keep serving," Oli said,
"It will get crowded," Nainika pointed,
"Guys the auditorium is HUGE. We all are just 500 students," Rafael appeased,
"Don't worry, we will just instruct waiters to not crowd and they can use the tiny lane along the walls," Shav said,
"I doubt there will be any insufficiency in space. We'll see it tonight," Rafael said,
"Nain, just get the stage prepared at the backside," Oli said,
"Daniel has checked for the food arrangement. The waiters will start lodging in the drinks at seven itself and the dinner will be at ten," Rafael informed,
"Make sure he doesn't allow those strong wines, please. I don't want any complains from any faculty later," Shav warned,
"I know..." he sighed, "Oh I forgot, Misty is going to give the prize to Ezabella and Bhavya,"
"Oh?" Nainika raised an eyebrow, "She was the judge for piano auditions, right."
"Who's going to give prizes for the sports?" Oli asked,
"Its actually supposed to be Simra," Rafael said. Nainika sighed, "That girl is sleeping all through the day and night. She'd the nerve to catch fever at this point,"
"Stop getting angry at your cousin," Oli said softly. Rafael sighed.
"If she couldn't come tomorrow, then?" Nainika asked,
"I think it should be Shav," he looked at her, the girl dully shrugged, "If Simy says so,"
"Hey guys!" Daniel showed up at the entrance door, closing it carefully and walking towards the crowd,
"What's taken you so late?" Nainika shot,
Daniel felt horribly angry at her accuse but he ignored,
"The dinner hall is upstairs, tada" he chanted successfully.
"What!" Everyone asked excitedly,
"Just had Princi convinced by Miss Linn," Daniel smirked, "Its large and awesome, you should see!" he was beyond excited
They all rushed excited upstairs soon first floor, and Daniel unlocked the large white sliding gate. The dinner hall was quite large with cathedral wood brown ceiling, a rows of lanterns hung at its central ridge, coffered at its slopes with cubes and spaces.
Round large 30 tables along with ten chairs around each were placed, all white clothed, with a glass vase at the centre of each table containing teal blue roses; and small lantern hung in the centre of white umbrella at each table. The floor was matted with artificial turf and the two opposite walls were displaying magnificent waterfalls of multiple colors which had a built system at it, to regulate the water flow, providing an absolutely natural and splendid aura, like one were seated in front of a natural waterfall of Nigra. The wall opposite to entrance gate was painted white with roses stuck in the middle, beautifully written with it, "Freshers 2k14,". The roses were absolutely blood red in colour.
"This is wonderful!" The girls said stunningly
"Damn, you're so good, man!" Rafael hugged Daniel. He smirked, "I know it Raf!"
"Will they eat the dinner or just appreciate this decor?" Shav said with tears of happiness.
"I don't know," Oli beamed, the girls hugging in happiness,
"Damn, I wish Simra would come tomorrow," Rafael said sadly,
"I'll get her!" Nainika squealed,
"I'm sure all of them would click pictures leaving the dinner aside!" Daniel laughed out. He closed the switch and it caused immediately the waterfalls to stop revealing the pale walls with pipe works,
"Uh, this works on electricity?" Shav asked,
"Yeah of course. This hall just had the chairs and tables with the ceiling," Daniel shrugged,
"Then?" Nainika asked,
"It was Annie and Sar who did the decor. It was their idea to cloth it all white and hang the lanterns. They spend lot of time in arranging the waterfalls, it was grueling and it took half of the day," Daniel said,
"It means they got a good time romancing around," Nain said with a huge smirk,
"When did you get the permission?" Oli asked to Daniel,
"Miss Linn took the permission in the afternoon itself. I was busy with practice with Kitty, I forgot to inform you guys," Daniel said, "She tired me with practice,"
"Its ten thirty now, you realize?" Shav said with a sigh,
"You know, we had decided the dinner at canteen," Rafael said with a eww.
"Seriously? I'm so glad that that isn't going to happen," Daniel sweatdropped,
"I'm so proud at Annie, she did an awesome job," Nainika smiled beautifully.
"Of course, Annie and Sar did together." Daniel said curiously, "They bought roses from garden and decorated it," they stared admirably at 'Freshers 2k14' written with the roses. "They even bought the vases and kept the blue ones. I just got the permission, nothing to me,"
"But still, thankyou." Nainika smiled at him. He felt a shudder. The girl who badly scared him and gave a black eye was thanking him?
"Actually, Annie and Sar look cute together," Daniel smirked, "They all did it heartily," Less beautiful than me and Ki-
"They are the prodigious couple, after all." Oli winked,
"I'll have to be fair enough for the judge," Nainika said cautiously to herself,
"Yep," Rafael nodded,
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Hilary woke up in the early dawn, feeling a severe backache due to same position unchanged in which she slept. It was five a.m. She saw that the dark blue light landed in her room in the darkness. She instinctively opened he phone.
'FRESHERS 2K14 is here!' The post made her smile on their group.
She felt warm. 'How everything has changed. I thought coming here would be the worst thing and I'll miss everyone. But I guess this is the best thing happened to me'. She got up and prepared a cup of coffee, 'Does Kai miss me? He didn't even replied to my texts. More than 2 months, it has been.' She thought painfully as she showered, 'Why am I even thinking of him? If it's his ego that has pulled him away from me, then it is my good luck. Now it will be my ego that I'll love Ryan even more. Even more,' She sniffed the bare cold,
'I wonder how Tyson and Ash are. Should have called them once.' She wore warm clothes and thick trousers, 'Why am I even worrying about that arrogant guy? He didn't even see me at airport. Is that the love? That you're not gonna even miss me.' She twisted her lips and sat on the chair, 'Wonder what Ryan is thinking about yesterday. I behaved very weird at yesterday's practice. Only because this Kai came out of blue in my thoughts and I nerved out'.
Preparing light breakfast for herself, she thought what she was gonna do. 'Dance hall. I've to practice once more.' She stared at the sandwich, 'Ryan...'
She checked out what she was gonna wear tonight. A black gown popped in front of her as she opened her suit. She smiled. It was jet black with blood red basque waist band and roses imprinted on the midline till the band, double net sleeves till half of the weist length. She had a pair of small ruby earrings and a cute bracelet. She smiled and took out heels. She felt almost heated due to cold.
She was pink due to cold with moistened eyes due to weather. She took her phone and a jacket and strode out, locking the door.
She closed her eyes as she stood in front of the door of the person she realized she ought to say sorry. She exhaled a brief breath and knocked. She gulped. No response came. She waited for a minute more, but seeing there was no sound, she sighed and gave up.
She nonetheless walked out of the hostel building and headed to the farther block at the Dance Hall. She could hear someone music being played. She scowled, 'Might be others are still here for practice,'. She peeped to see who were there.
'Ryan!?'. Her eyes widened and she intuitively smirked. He was practicing on some fast instrumental, all alone, holding the hands of no one, turning the waist of no one. Her face smiled brightly in admiration. 'So cool. That's Ryan, that's him.' Her eyes contained undeniable happiness. He sighed and stopped, the music still beautifully playing, blinking at the floor. Taking a deep breath, he resumed again. 'Now that's called determination.'
She wanted to join him but seeing him intrigued in completing his practice, she stopped. 'Are we really gonna win'. The feeling was priceless.
Ryan saw a glimpse of her and almost frowned but he ignored and finished the song first. He exhaled a breath and drank some water. Wiping the mouth, "Come in, Hilary." He said calmly and paused the music on his phone.
She walked in and stood, gazing him until he acknowledged her properly. "That was awesome," she smiled,
"Thanks. Let's just have a final practice," he said, still not looking to her, speaking formally unlike of him, and browsing his phone. "Yeah," she nodded.
"I'll play Body Back." He walked away to connect the cable, "It had fast moves. We could-"
"I'm sorry." she said suddenly.
"Huh?" He turned and blinked at her. She looked at him, "I had some past bad memories yesterday. I wasn't nervous being with you, no" she shook her head with a guilt-filled smile, "I lied you about the backache as well. It was Margot who told me to not practice out late nights," She said. She laughed in maudlin.
Ryan was almost startled at her open admission of all the things she has just said. His teeth clenched in surprise and brows slightly puckered,
"I'm sorry," she said again when he didn't say anything except pondering about her words still surprised,
"Its fine!" he said. She looked at his ultimate surprised face, "I know I was horrible with the lies." She said rubbing her head and looking around,
"That's okay. You didn't really had to say me the truth, ya know" He smiled gently,
"Really? Why?" she asked with her mouth open,
"Simply." He smiled, "You can't hurt me until you steal my freedom and pride, and... actually no one can do that to me here. All are wonderful people here," He said connecting the cable,
"Is that something about this college that always makes you optimistic?" She raised an eyebrow,
"Yep, the people around here. They all are good. I would protect all of them, even Nainika ma'am," he laughed at the end,
Hilary chuckled too, "I'll not say anything more now. Let's practice now."
"Sure," Ryan smirked and they held their hands, beginning to rock the floor. The heels fiercely batted on the floor, the music reverberated in the cold, the lyrics echoed in the hall, sending dozes of jolts through their nerves.
After full three minutes and few seconds, the song ended, followed by unstoppable panting of them, "We did so quick. I-Is it even needed?" Hilary gasped for breath,
"I don't know," Ryan panted breathlessly, "WE definitely need some slowing. This is not needed. We have gone beyond,"
She held his shoulders, bend her head down and took some breaths, "I wonder what song will be played today. I was thinking about it lately," he said,
She removed her hands, "That's the surprise, we don't even need to worry,"Hilary said with motivation.
"You think so?" He asked,
"You and I... we almost workship songs. Do you think there will be any such song that we don't know?" She laughed,
"You've got a point, Hils," Ryan said,
Hilary shivered at the cold breeze, she lifted her jacket from the podium. "Are we done?" She asked,
"Just slow music, one last time," he said softly.
'One last time? Really... is this the last time?' She felt horrified.
"After that, we won't practice right?" He said,
"But we still have tonight," she said intuitively.
"Oh!" He glanced at her, "Right,"
"Then after that, we may never come to this hall," Hilary laughed, but Ryan sensed the nostalgia,
"After that, I still have date with you like I promised," he winked. Hilary giggled in elation, "Wow, you remembered." She admired,
"We'll be tired tomorrow though." She remembered that it'll be Sunday tomorrow.
"No problem, we'll go now." He offered heartily,
She winced almost, the happiness and surprises was too much to handle, "No no, tomorrow is fine. Tomorrow. Done." She said quickly. He gave a brief laugh.
"Let's start then," the soft instrumental begun, and Ryan admirably smiled at her.
'Mature smile,' she noted.
.
.
.
The preparation were going in full agog and the responsible seniors were hugely busy. The senior girls didn't even has time to decide their outfits,
"Don't worry, I and Daniel will take you girls to shopping," Rafael said, "Let's just complete the preparation first,". The girls gave a doubtful look to the boys.
"Just take care a little that you don't buy very expensive dresses?" Daniel said little jittery.
"You don't have to. Just appreciate us honestly after we dress, instead of staring us incredibly but not uttering a word of appreciation," Kitty said. The boys gave a nervous smile.
"Really!" Oli remarked,
"Simra is going to come in few minutes. She's on her way," Nainika said,
"Cool. Is she good now?" Daniel asked,
"Not really. She looks terrible. Her eyes and skin got paler and she's got more thin," Nainika said,
"Oww," Rafael and Shav said in unison,
"Anyway, don't you dare say she's not looking fine, anyone of you," Nainika warned,
"We won't!" They said quickly.
"Hey guys," Simra strode out of the car and took her black purse and walked quickly towards the prominent group in the ground in front of the auditorium, "How's everything going?"
Everyone stared her in amazement. She didn't look pale at all. She looked just fine, just like how she was.
They briefly and cautiously gave a questioning look to Nainika.
"What is it?" Simra asked,
"Nothing Simy, we missed you," Shav said and hugged her. Slowly the hugs within girls followed and the two males had to sigh angrily for the time they were wasting.
"Hey, Simy, we have got a surprise for you," Oli said,
"What?"
"The dinner hall!" Oli beamed,
"Not now, we have so much to do," Rafael glared,
"Fine, no issues. Let's see the auditorium," The crowd headed toward the stadium,
"Awesome," Simra said examining the hall meticulously, "The backstage is good, just add the 3D. Did you?"
"No, I'll. I forgot." Nainika noted,
"The clothing of chairs is good. White is fine. Give a little spacing though, if that's possible." She said,
"I'll do that," Daniel said,
"I'll check the fresnel, spot and flash lights. Is the music system good?" She asked
"Its perfect, Simra," Oli said,
"Fine. Then... what about the audition. Who's there for caring around the music system?" She looked at the left side of main stage, which had the large music system.
"I've arranged few members for that," Daniel said,
"Good." Simra took out her phone, "I've bought some streamers, pops and balloons. They are in the car. I'll get them," she said,
"I'll get it." Nainika said, "Are balloons to be blowm yet?"
"Of course not. We have the guys for that!" Simra grinned at the boys, whose face turned comically furious.
Balloons got blown by everyone and their cheeks pained by the end of it. Daniel teased Simra and Nainika by bursting few balloons behind them. The girls flinched badly. "Stop that,"
The balloons were put on the front stage and the steamers hung at the entrance. The work was completely fine and done.
They sighed and all lied on the stairs in aisle. They lied randomly wherever they got space.
"Its five forty you know," Oli said staring in the space.
"I don't even know what I'll be wearing tonight," Nainika said, a little horrified,
"I bought your dress from home." Simra said, turning side to face Shav.
"What is it?" Nainika asked curiously
"Magenta colored gown. Remember?" Nainika swerved up, "What? I hate that! Couldn't have brought something better!" She shouted,
"Fine. I will wear that one then. You take my cream coloured gown," Simra sighed,
"That's good," Nainika lied down.
"I'm still thinking if I can go shopping now," Oli said nervously,
"Kitty is continuously texting me. I think I've to take her at the Clothes store for shopping." Daniel said with tensed brows, "Oli, you may join."
"Thanks,"
"Guys, we'll be probably a little late. Just take care that the things go right." Daniel got up, Oli followed,
"What about you, Raf?" Nainika asked, Simra eyed him,
"Me? I'm cool. I'll go with our code." Rafael smiled tiredly.
"Shav, what about you?" Simra asked,
"Ah, haven't thought anything yet." She sighed,
"Do we need to go shopping?" Nainika asked,
"Its fine. I just have to check my suite," Shav said.
"Guys... its six. Let's go now," Simra reminded and they got up. After switching off the conditioner and lights, they strode out and locked the auditorium.
"Keep the keys safe," Simra handed the keys to Rafael.
"I'll."
A/N: Hey everyone, hope y'all are doing good. This chapter was supposed to be posted tomorrow but... I uploaded this on Kitty's request. (She was missing Daniel actually XD *sorry Kitty, that was a joke*)
*cough* Ahmn, Rafael's and Simra's phone conversation was originally only half of it, but I somehow wanted to add some drama in this boring chappie, so I just elaborated. Anyway Ryan Lawrence was from our batch and our infectious friend. If you want to know more (which I'm sure you'd not want to) XD, just ask in review XD XD
Also, I had a stupid smile on my face as I kept on imagination the auditorium and dinner hall! Aww! I'm missing my Freshers now, it was so good! :'(
Anyway, when do you all want Freshers *smirks*, is it fine if I update the next chapter on 20th? Need suggestions, sweeties! Also, thanks so much for the reviews! ^_^