Eh, I kind of feel like this chapter is a bit sloppy, but to be honest I got really excited about it towards the end. Anyway, enjoy!
"Yuma?" I ask as we walk home.
"Yeah?" He mumbles, not looking at me. He's obviously distracted.
"What is a…a date?"
"It's usually when a boy and girl go out somewhere together. Why do want to know? Unless…?" He whirls to face me. "You got a date, didn't you? To the dance?!"
I'm taken aback by his outburst. "…Yes…?" I answer cautiously.
Yuma's jaw hits the pavement. He is completely frozen. "My friend got a date?" he stutters to himself.
I lean closer. "Are you all right?"
"YOU GOT A DATE?!" Yuma shouts directly into my ear.
I stumble backwards a bit, rubbing my ear. "Yes, Yuma— I have a date, as I already told you. There is no need to shout."
"Astral! We've got to get you ready! The dance is tomorrow night!" Yuma runs around in circles frantically.
"Please calm down," I say.
"Yuma!"
"Yuma!"
Tori and Cat catch up with us.
"Yes…?" Yuma says uncertainly.
"Will you take me to the dance?" Cat asks.
"No! Take me to the dance!" Tori shoves her aside.
"I asked first!"
"Grrr!"
The girls look like they're about to fight. "Shall we slip away?" I ask Yuma.
"Yes, let's." he agrees.
We bolt down the street.
"Hold still, Astral." Kari tells me as she tightens a tie around my neck. "There; all set!"
I'm careful not to look her in the eye. I do not know if she has forgiven Yuma and me for the water incident. "Thank you," I say cautiously.
"I still don't get how Astral has a date…" Yuma mutters.
I cock my head towards him. "Aren't you coming?"
"Well, I'd just kinda be by myself. I don't exactly have a date or anything."
"I want you to come." I say. "Please. I'd enjoy this event more if my best friend was there with me."
Yuma grins so wide I fear that his smile will fall off his face. "Best friend?" he whispers. He jumps up. "Sure I'll go with you! I'll get ready right now!"
The dance is being held in a large auditorium. Many tables are set up on the side, and they are lined with food and drinks. Most of the kids are in the center of the room, talking with one another or dancing.
She must be around here somewhere… I think, glancing around. The girl who asked me to be her 'date' is probably here.
"Hi, Astral!" pipes up a voice next to me. I turn around to see the girl.
"She's kinda cute," Yuma says telepathically.
I respond by mentally raising my eyebrow.
"Wanna dance?" she continues, gesturing towards the dance floor.
"Um…" I start to say, but Yuma gives me a little push forward.
As she pulls me over, I say what I meant to say before: "I can't dance."
"That's okay— I can't either!" she smiles brightly.
"But, I mean…I don't even know how to dance. How do you dance?"
"Oh. Well, I can try to show you…"
Twenty minutes later, I have figured out dancing. Mostly. But I am still nervous about trying. So we end up staying on the side, by the tables.
"I forgot to tell you," the girl laughs, "but my name is Alexis."
I must admit that I have been enjoying myself tonight. And I have tried many new foods. There are even rice balls, so Yuma has no problem piling his plate with them. I eat a few myself.
I noticed earlier that Shark is here. I wonder why, but I am not going to approach him any time soon.
"Attention, students." Caswell takes the stage. He adjusts the microphone to his height. "Attention, students." he repeats. This time, everybody hears him. They stop what they are doing and look at him.
But before he can even say a word, a huge explosion blasts my eardrums. Shockwaves blow every student and chair backwards against the wall. Smoke is everywhere. I can't see anything.
"Yuma!" I call out for my friend, but evil cackling cuts me off.
"Who's there?" I hear someone shout. I think it is Shark.
Another evil laugh. A tall figure steps out of the smoke. When he gets closer, I realize in horror that he looks just like me.
"It can't be…" I gasp.
"Yes, it is! Recognize me, Astral?"
"Number 96!" I exclaim. "What are you here for?"
"To make your life miserable, of course! But I couldn't do that without…transforming myself first." Number 96: Dark Mist laughs again.
Now I can see him clearly.
He has become human, too.
Guess what? I think that my system has rebooted. I think I can come up with ideas of my own again. I'm good to go! But I'll continue with this scenario because it'd be strange to cut it off and go on to another idea. But thank you, thank you, THANK YOU for your wonderful ideas, even if I didn't use some of them. I can't believe the support you guys gave me! :)
