Chapter 75: A Big Event

The bells ring on another school day, and Lunalei cranes her head back into her chair feeling exhaustion and stiffness throughout her body.

After performing some stretches and yawning she looked out to the class and saw everyone getting ready to go. It was a sunny afternoon and they probably were going to enjoy it. Who could blame them?

She'd love to do the same, but she's still got to work on finding out the Devil's identity, with but a mere few weeks until the deadline passed.

Which coincidentally, lines up with around the time school will be getting out for the year. Was that a hint? Or perhaps she was overthinking things…

She waved out at the students, but paused upon making eye contact with Violet.

She still came to class carrying her same demeanor, business as usual she supposed. But it looked heavier.

They hadn't exchanged a word since then. It was one-sided sentences to facilitate the disguise that nothing had happened.

They crossed gazes and after a small frown appeared on her face, she waved her hand up shyly and then hauled her backpack over her back and headed out the door.

"Later teach." She spoke with mild enthusiasm.

"Violet…!" Lunalei stamped her hands down on the desk but the awkward stares from the students that followed made her stop.

Especially when Erin threw out a snicker.

She composed herself and drew up her teaching instincts to recall that she had to remind the students about one important thing, "O-Oh yeah, don't forget that we'll be hosting the prom at the end of this week. Attendance isn't required."

And having done that, she distracted herself with her paperwork. Lots and lots of paperwork…

She reflected on the echo of her last words with a groan, "Wish MINE wasn't required…"

She'd never been to a prom due to skipping high school for college. It sounded like a load of outdated tedium, but at the same time with how stressful things have been maybe what these kids needed was a little partying.

She hadn't gotten confirmation on who was going, but among her family she could make a few educated guesses.

Serra would be a no-show. It just isn't her vibe.

Leo will likely come with that Lyra girl.

Zelene will stay at home.

And Erin will no doubt be there to flaunt and try to repair some of her reputation, and without Serra around to humble her she might actually succeed.

Naturally, this means Alex won't be far behind.

But honestly, if that's the worst she has to manage, she'll survive. The other teachers will be able to handle the riff-raff.

All these thoughts just for her to realize…she can't distract herself from Violet, and let out a groan of frustration, "Augh, this is bullshit…! I can't let this go!"

She pulled out her phone and, hoping to act fast, dialed up Leo.

"Come on, come on…" After a click she heard his voice on the other end.

"Hello?"

"Hey Leo."

"Lunalei? …When did you get my number?"

"T-That's not important. Look, do you have a moment to talk?"

"...What did Serra do this time?"

"This isn't about her. It's about…me. And one of my students."

"Mmmm…"

"...A student you know."

"Is this about Violet?"

Lunalei recoiled, "...Yeeeeaah." "Dang he's good."

Lunalei leaned back into her chair and stared up at the ceiling, "Soooo, she's been acting funny around you?"

"It's more that she's been rather evasive lately. She'll say hi and chat for a few minutes, then speed off like she's dealing with an emergency."

Lunalei pinched her forehead and groaned, "I knew it…"

"Do you know something?"

"I do. But I'm NOT going to talk about it," She put down firmly, "Just…you've dealt with Serra all your life. How did you ever force her to stay still and listen?"

Leo's canned laughter didn't inspire confidence.

"Dad's the only one who can handle her. I just go with the flow."

"Mrrrr…."

"But for my two cents, you just have to try and talk to her anyways."

Lunalei curled her lip, not particularly excited about that answer, since it was SO obvious. But that's her fault in the end for not seeing it.

"Haaa, alright. I'll try. Anyways, while I got you on the line, are you planning on going to the prom with Lyra, or nah?"

"...Y-Yes, as a matter of fact, I am."

"Good…you two enjoy yourselves. I'll be supervising the event in case ERIN tries anything funny."

"Duly noted. Talk to you later, the bus is almost here."

Leo hung up and Damian, who was within earshot, leaned towards him and whispered, "So what'd Lunalei want?"

Leo tucked his phone away and shrugged with a relaxed smile, "She had trouble with a student and asked me for advice."

"She comes to you a lot I've noticed…" Damian said, rubbing the back of his head.

"I don't mind." Leo said with a chuckle.

"Yeah, I'm aware," Damian then shook his arms and took a deep, tense breath, "Whew…! So, how about that prom eh?"

Leo glanced aside and remarked, "You're interested in going?"

"Yes! I-I mean…n-no-no. That'd be SILLY…! Ha ha…" Damian socked Leo in the arm.

He then sucked his lips in and hung his head with a heavy blush.

He then jolted upright from a firm pat on the back from Serra, who pulled him in closer and gave him one of her famous grins, "Hey Buddy! What's gotcha down?"

Damian's blush only got thicker and he tried to peel away from her gorilla grip while flailing his arms out, "I-It's nothing…!"

Serra blinked a few times and hit him with that blank stare, "Eh? Alright!"

She then did a few hops in place to hype herself up for a marathon run back home.

In the spur of the moment, Damian asked her, "Sooo, what're your thoughts on the prom?"

Leo turned with interest.

"Prom?" Serra's eyes flickered and she chuckled, "It sounds boring. Why ya ask?"

Damian waved his hands up and forced a total ass lie out of his mouth, "Oh yeah, totally boring!"

"...Buuuut…" He grinned earnestly and said following a deep swallow, "M-Maybe it wouldn't be if we went…together?"

Serra then stopped in place and pumped her fists, "Hey, I didn't think about that! Sure! Anywhere's fun with you by my side, Buddy!"

"R-Really? Awesome!"

Serra then bolted out on her run and declared, "Catch ya later!"

As Damian waved her farewell for now, he was stuck in a giggling trance that slowed down as he panned his gaze over to Leo.

Who, at this moment, was wearing a frightening but pleasantly wide smile.

Damian paused and his mind progressed forward like a ticking clock, and once it hit noon his pupils shrank and he grabbed the sides of his head.

"I DID WHAT?!" He screamed at the top of his lungs.

Leo merely shrugged off his realization and admitted, "It was only a matter of time…"

Damian was left screaming internally as every neuron in his brain was frayed.

"I-I just asked Serra out on a DATE!"

"You dumbass! You aren't ready for this!" The other voice in his head berated him.

"I KNOW!" His real voice squealed.

"Hell, I don't think SHE'S even ready!"

"I KNOW!" He squealed at himself louder while punching the sides of his head, an act he'd have to stop while he got on the bus with Leo.

The trip home was a huge blur as he sat paralyzed in his seat with his mouth hung open.

"I…I need help…!"

The moment the bus dropped him off in their neighborhood, he tripped and stumbled his way over to Serra's house and knocked rapidly on the door, "C'mon, c'mon…!"

And when Serra swung it open to greet him he shrieked and nearly stumbled off the steps.

"AAAAAAAH heeeeey…!" He expertly evaded danger and wagged his hands around in exaggerated gestures.

He then tugged his collar and gasped, "S-Say, is your pops home?"

Serra stared blankly, "Eh? Yeah! Lemme get 'em!"

She turned and shouted, "Yo pops! Buddy wants to talk to ya!"

She then patted him on the shoulder and ran back into the house, which only made him tenser.

With a tight swallow he spent the last ten seconds closer to doomsday trying not to faint and fall off the steps.

"O-Okay, focus. How bad could it be?"

He suddenly felt IMMENSE pressure, like he was a combatant in an anime going in WAY over his head.

The light of the world was swallowed up by a vacuum of dark intimidation coming from down the hall.

Serra's dad approached like he was on a jaunty walk through the park, smiling like the best of them.

"So," He whispered pleasantly, "You think you've got the guts to take my daughter to the prom, Damian?"

Damian flicked his fingers up but was curling inward, both body and soul, "I-I may be having second thoughts…s-s-sir…"

The darkness disappeared into nothingness as Mew reached out and ruffled his hair, laughing all the while.

"Well since you didn't immediately faint, that's a good sign!"

Really, Damian's knees were 90% of the way there though.

Mew then backed off and shut the door behind him before gently patting Damian to turn around and sit on the edge of the steps, "Buuuut I can tell you've got some concerns, so lay 'em on me. I'll see what I can do."

Damian took a deep breath and relaxed his shoulders, "Well…how was your prom night like?"

Mew kicked back into a lean and stared at the clouds, "Ahh, that was a great night. At least, that's how I imagined it went."

"Eh?" Damian tilted his head.

With a playful wink Mew sat up and then rubbed the back of his head, "I never went to prom. Kind of had…bigger priorities going on at 16."

Damian nodded, "R-Right, you had to raise Serra and Leo…"

Mew did a hyper exaggerated flurry of arm gestures around himself before exclaiming, "Gimme a break! I didn't get Kairi pregnant THAT early, I ain't Riku!"

Damian was REALLY confused now, but bowed his head, "S-Sorry, sir…"

Mew then crossed his arms and smirked, "Eh, water under the bridge. Just uhhh, forget I said that last part."

"Look, gonna be TOTALLY honest. I wasn't expecting to have this conversation with you for two…" Mew paused, leaned his head back, and tapped his chin, "Maybe four more years."

He then brushed his hands up and shook his head, "Or hell, that Serra would've wanted to go to a prom."

"M-Me neither, sir. When I invited her, it was just…"

"Oooooh, YOU invited her. Heh heh…" Mew closed his eyes and bobbed his head.

"I…don't get what that means…?" Damian admitted.

Mew then turned his head with a smirk, "You're still light years away from understanding females, Damian. I'll just say…you're in a good position right now."

Damian then hung his head and let out the biggest sign he could muster, "Yeah, b-but…am I going too fast? We've been spending time just…y'know, hanging out. And now I've asked her out on a d-d-d-d…"

"Breathe Damian, breathe."

After Mew patted some of the anxiety out of him, he made a remark of, "You're taking this WAY too seriously. Just pace yourself like you always have, and it'll be fine."

Damian stared blankly into this man's face, his earnesty and sincerity being something out of a legend, and told him straight up, "...You know, I thought you'd be a lot more…strict about this, sir."

Mew stared blankly back at him, throwing in a couple blinks and a chuckle in for good measure, "Seriously? Do you KNOW me?"

Damian gestured both hands out, "So you're…NOT worried that I'll try anything funny?"

Mew sucked his lips in and laughed, and popped them out with a carefree remark of, "Oh that's a really good joke, Damian."

Damian's confidence took a hit, but it's not like he was wrong…

Mew patted him on the back and then held him tightly, "If you tried anything funny, she'd break your pelvis."

Damian's face turned obscenely pale and he broke into a cold sweat, and as he slowly creaked his head to face Mew he saw him laughing some more.

"And if she didn't I would!"

Damian gulped.

Mew then backed off with a slightly awkward expression and cough, "Uhhh, sorry. I was just playing around."

Mew then sincerely told him, "But that's cause I like you. And I wish you the best of luck in your endeavors."

Damian saw a lot of his father in Mew's demeanor, maybe a little more than that. But the man helped his shaky legs stand upright and then nudged him down the walkway.

"Now I'd like to keep this up, but I gotta get inside and have a little chat with Leo about HIS girl."

"Of course…" Mew folded his arms and put on a serious air, "It's not too late to back out."

He gave a feathery shrug and nudge of his brows, and for a moment, Damian wanted to take him up on that offer.

But he faced his insecurities, his fears, and knew that if he backed away now he'd never stop running.

And the only place his feet deserved to go was at Serra's side. He NEEDED this moment to face his feelings, and confirm there was a future for them.

He shook his head at Mew and for a moment felt brave. Him affirming his feelings with a smile was uplifting.

But once he had to turn around and start heading back home he froze up a little inside upon realizing…He had to get past his mom too.

Her feelings on Serra were clear, only letting them be friends out of circumstance rather than genuinely liking her.

For him to seize the future he wanted, he'd have to…lie. Lie like his life depended on it.

First thing back home, he opened the door to see his mom standing with crossed arms and a brow raised.

"You're late." She said sternly.

"S-Sorry, I got caught up talking with…Leo." First, smooth things over with a name she liked, and her smile perked up pretty quickly.

"Ah, how is he?" She said, letting him come in. And while his timid demeanor was hidden from her sight, he realized he could wield his name to his advantage.

"F-Fine. He even got his driver's license recently."

"Oh that's wonderful. He always was a responsible adult in the making," His mom then curled her lips and muttered, "Unlike his father."

Damian twitched and tightened his fists, but shook his head and fixed the mistake before it ruined everything.

While he had Leo in her good graces, he struck, "Speaking oooof him, mom…"

He turned and dared to look her in the eyes and swallowed tightly, "U-Ummm, he wanted to invite me to hang out with his friends this Friday in the evening."

If he wasn't firing on all cylinders the whole time, the gig would be up.

Despite this, his mom raised a brow, causing him to cower.

"Well…" She let him off with a shrug, "I suppose your grades have been good lately. And his friends are likely nice and tidy, unlike his poor, poor sister."

Damian's eyes narrowed, but this time she caught him and clicked her tongue, "What's with that look?"

Damian swallowed and squeezed his eyes shut while murmuring, "You didn't have to say that…"

He then quickly remarked, "So can I go?"

"Sure, as long as you're back by 10 PM."

"Ok…!" Which was perfect. He doubted that Serra would have the patience to enjoy the Prom that long. But he had everything in place to make his move, and make it a night she would never forget.

That day came almost in the blink of an eye, and on his way out of the house Damian was forced to stick to plain old clothing to not arouse his mom's suspicions.

He arrived at Serra's house and though he felt like he was dying from anxiety, he knocked on the door and stood back.

But Leo was the one who answered, wearing a rather swanky dark red suit and black bow tie.

"Phew…!" Damian whistled, "You look good, Leo…!"

But then he got even more nervous, poking his head around him, "Uhhh, did S-Serra…"

Fortunately his worries were cleared when he saw her running down the hall in her usual outfit.

Granted, his imagination did run wild imagining her in a ball gown dress, and she looked very cute in it, especially with her earnest smile…

"Ya ready to go to prom, Buddy?!" She shouted, reaching out past her brother to clap Damian's hand.

"S-Sure…!" He shouted with strained excitement.

As they headed out, Mew popped in out of nowhere and waved them off, "Enjoy yourselves, kids! Remember, don't drink, don't be out too late, and don't do the nasty!"

Leo and Damian tugged their collars with a blush, while Serra stared blankly behind her.

Leo then gestured at his new car and asked, "I can drive you both to the school, but I got to pick up Lyra first."

Serra retorted, "I can just run it!"

Damian rubbed the back of his head nervously, "Yeah, but proms are all about dancing, and I-I mean…I don't want to be exhausted before we get there either."

Serra trembled, "But cars are stiff and cramped! Running is a lot more fun!"

Damian however, quickly disarmed her fussiness by mentioning, "Y-Y-Y-Yeah, but if we spend the ride talking, you won't even notice it!"

Serra recoiled, "Huh! …Never thought about it that way!"

And just like that she was leaping headlong into the back seats. Damian signed, but smiled fondly while joining her.

The two chatted it up as Leo made his way to where Lyra was. He had arranged with her father to meet halfway, cause he still doesn't trust him enough to see where they live.

After they rolled up into the parking lot, Serra got out and did some stretches, while Leo looked around for his date.

"Hey! Over here!" Shouted a big man with scruffy features, chaperoning a lovely lady in a fancy suit and tie with long, curled hair, who had to use a cane to see where she was walking.

"Oh right, I didn't realize she was…" Damian murmured, but kept quiet.

Leo was frozen in place as Lyra stopped a few feet in front of him with a wide smile and a light cough.

"S-So…how do I look?"

Leo swallowed tight and then extended his hand in a gentlemanly fashion, "Breathtaking."

She blushed and then tried to reach for his hand, but he guided his own to make sure she didn't fumble.

Then he helped guide her to the car, all while her dad crossed his arms firmly and stated, "Alright you, I expect her to be back here by a certain time. And don't go doing anything dirty-"

"It's ok, my dad already covered that." Leo said.

"Oi, don't be cheeky with me…Have fun, dear."

"I will dad, don't worry!"

With their small crew assembled, the prom awaited them…It would certainly prove to be a night to remember.

Next Time: Dances and Danger