The Beacon dance was looming on the horizon, and I still haven't done anything to try and talk to Aurel. Telling Litura about my issue was simultaneously the best and worst decision I have ever made, on one hand, I had someone I could run to for advice at any point in time but on the other, I had someone constantly breathing down my neck to make sure I actually follow through with my promises.

"Have you asked her yet?" the question, for once not directed at me, being directed at Rán by Medusa instead as we sat in the cafeteria. The dance was the topic of conversation, being two days from now, the question on everyone's mind being who should they ask or why haven't they been asked yet. I was in the latter camp, silently hoping I would not need to ask Aurel, that she would ask me.

"I have actually," Rán answered, taking a sip of her drink before she continued."It wasn't as hard as I thought it would be, granted I think she knew what I was going to ask before I could even form the words. She said yes before I could even finish my sentence" Rán gave a careless shrug as Medusa shot her a questioning look, a look that barely registered as she continued. "What about you 'dusa, anyone caught your eye?"

A rosy blush surfaced on the woman's cheeks. "A-actually, Grant asked me when we returned from the quarry." She gave a light giggle as she thought back on the memory. "He nearly gave up because no one answered the door while we were gone." I couldn't help but smile over my own tray of food, knowing full well the violet- haired woman had been trying to get to know the mild-mannered man for some time now. While I haven't really talked to him much, I thought back to my meeting with him on the cliffside on our initiation day, I could still see the worrying amount of scars on his chest, his wild, untamed mane. Whether it was self-restraint or genuine disinterest, I could admire how he kept his eyes to himself as I sat there in my thin (admittedly a bit too thin) nightgown. Subconsciously I looked down at my small nebulae, never seeing the pattern he admired, wondering if Aurel would admire them so.

"HEY! Remnant to StarScape. Anyone in there?"

I was roused from my thought's with a flick to my forehead, following the finger that placed itself on my nose up to its messy-haired owner. I could only shake my head and look into Rán's flame-coloured orbs.

"I'm sorry, did you ask something?" The deadpan look she shot to me answered my question, I could only shrug in an attempt to draw it out again.

"I asked whether or not you got a date yet." She asked with a raised brow, my silence speaking numbers as her grin grew from amused to wicked. "I fulfiled my end of the bargain, when will you fulfil your's?" Rán asked as she rested her head in her hands, ignoring the confused looks being shot at her by the violet-haired woman by her side. "You don't want to be the only one from our team to go to the dance alone." Now it was my turn to shoot her a confused look, not knowing what she meant by the statement.

She simply gestured towards a scene unfolding behind me, a scene I never thought I'd see. Lance was on his knees, presenting a single, white flower to one of the Gorgon sisters, Euryale by the sight of her almond irises. Despite kneeling the monolith of a man still had a height advantage on the smaller woman, making the situation all the stranger. I saw the girl smile brightly, accepting the flower hugging the man's arm, being physically unable to wrap her arms around the man. As he stood I could see the rest of Euryale's team approaching, suddenly feeling my throat go dry as I locked eyes with the object of my recent affections. I could feel myself drowning in those golden orbs, only being snapped out of my haze by being shoved from behind. I quickly turned around in my seat, reluctantly dragging myself away from those golden pools towards the dying flames of my friend, who was now staring at me with active glee.

"Come on, I've told you before, haven't I? She does like you back, just go for it." I have never seen Rán this giddy, clearly wanting me to hold up my end of the deal I made at the fountain on that day.

"How do I know that wasn't just a sick prank thought up by that sadistic girlfriend of yours?" I could see that my attack hit her where it hurt, her face dropping immediately as she was overtaken by a blush rapidly rising to her cheeks. She became a stammering mess as the other team approached, Stheno placing herself next to Rán, Grant sitting to my left, across from Medusa, Lance and Euryale sitting across from each other next to their aforementioned teammates, leaving the space to my right open for... for.

"Hey Sandy, How's it been?"

If my throat wasn't dry before now it rivalled the deserts of Vacuo, being unable to form even the simplest of syllables, choosing to continue my meal instead. I could feel the girl to my right bump my shoulder, trying to grab my attention. I continued to ignore the blonde, trying to keep my own cool, that is until she got uncomfortably close, whispering into my right ear with delectable slowness.

"Could I talk to you? In private?"

The whisper had blood rushing to all the wrong places, a VERY noticeable blush colouring my face. All I could do was give a nod, not trusting my voice to be steady enough to keep myself calm. Our meal continued without much happening, the only notable event being when Stheno managed to get the entire group rolling with laughter, her usually thin, slit-like pupils expanding to comical proportions when Rán proudly admitted the couple would be attending the dance together. I could only pray for whatever Aurel wanted to go by quickly, not quite knowing why she would want to speak in private.

I returned my tray to the cafeteria, a sense of dread filling me.

I sat on the edge of the fountain, wringing my scales as my nerves were slowly getting the better of me. Aurel sat down next to me, flattening the skirt on her uniform before she turned to me, shooting me a bright smile that admittedly helped a little.

"So, what did you want to talk about?" I managed to squeak out, silently cursing how the strength of my feelings caused my tongue to die in my throat.

"Have I offended you recently?" The question was accompanied by the cutest look of curiosity, an ever-present smile making the girl looking oh-so angelic, the image being strengthened by her overwhelmingly gold theme, gold irises, golden blonde locks, even a hint of some gold eyeliner. Gods, this girl is going to be the death of me

"W-w-why?" My eyes shot to the ever twirling segments of space in my lap, being unable to keep eye contact with the angel in front of me.

"I just get the feeling you've been keeping me at arm's length lately, so I'm trying to figure out why?" The sweetness dripping from her words knocked the air from my lungs.

"If you're wondering, no, you haven't offended me, I've just been working through some things recently. I apologise for making you worry?" My answer made the girl light up brighter somehow, feeling the need to shield my eyes from the glowing girl. Aurel drew me into a hug, idly running her fingers up and down my back.

"If you ever need to talk, my door is always open." The honey-sweet words ghosted past my ear, sending a chill run down my spine, shortly followed by a set of fingers, as if she also felt the chill and tried to chase it.

The girl withdrew from the hug, standing to return to the dorms. I took a deep breath, silently weighing my options, before affirming my choice with a nod. I managed to grab onto Aurel's sleeve, causing the girl to turn towards me, a questioning look on her face.

"Can I ask you something?" I didn't dare look at the cute pout she had when she was confused, lest it absolutely destroy my confidence.

"Sure, what's up?"

"Would you... like to... accompany me to the dance?

An

That's the chapter, as always any and all criticism is welcome. As a sidenote as we get closer to the Beacon dance and the fall of Beacon this story will likely end with maybe an epilogue chapter or two set after.

Stay safe

Peace