Chapter 59: Gentle Night
I left the infirmary after receiving first aid treatment. Ace boosted my confidence even though I didn’t want to ask Night to the dance anymore. I’m delighted that my ankle isn’t swollen, the nurse already did a check-up on me, and she said it’ll be okay with plenty of rest. It doesn’t hurt anyway, so I can probably dance a little. But where is Night? Don’t tell me he already went to his room to rest? Just when I needed him.
"Noelle!"
Carla ran towards me while Maris waved her hand. "I was so worried about you!" She said as she pulled me into a hug. "Francesca really did something cruel. I can’t believe her." Carla added, and I agreed. I didn’t know someone could do something so evil to other people.
"If you don’t want to go to that stupid dance, it’ll be fine," Maris said.
Carla nudged Maris. "Don’t call it stupid."
"Okay. Then will Noelle still go to that dance?"
I looked at Carla; her eyes twinkled as she stared at me. I guess she really wants to ask Ryzen to do that dance. "I’ll go. But I don’t know where Night is."
Carla’s smile grew wider. "If it’s Night, he’s sitting beside his classmates near the campfire. The music’s already starting." She said with excitement.
"You’re only using Noelle for your own good," Maris said while shaking her head. "If you don’t want to go, we can just stay in our room and hang out." She said as she wrapped her arm around my shoulders.
Carla pulled me back to her side. "No. You only don’t want to go to the dance. That’s why you’re persuading Noelle not to go."
"I admit I don’t want to go to that cringe event."
I laughed as they continued bickering while we were on our way back out to the campfire. Ace didn’t want to go to the dance because she wanted to take this chance to rest well. She’s been losing sleep because of her part-time jobs, so I didn’t force her to go. It’ll be better for her to enjoy this school trip to the fullest, and I know that sleeping is Ace’s favorite thing to do.
As soon as we left the building, other students wore their best clothes. "I think my clothes are too ugly for this event," Carla said as she hid behind Maris and me. "Noelle’s dress really looks so pretty." She said. ’My dress? It’s the most casual dress I have, though.’
"Maybe being pretty is a talent too," Carla said.
"Then, do you want to wear my clothes? I still have a dress in my luggage." I only have dresses, but I think I should start buying other casual clothes like shirts and shorts.
Carla’s eyes sparkled like a child’s. "R-Really? We’re the same size, right?" I nodded, so Carla pulled Maris and me back to our room. "I love dresses too, but I don’t think they suit me. Some of my classmates before said that it doesn’t suit me."
Maris slammed her body on her bed as soon as we got inside. "Whoever said that to you might be jealous." She said while yawning. It’s already 9 pm. If it’s an average day, I’ll prepare to sleep now.
"It’s color pink, though. Is that okay?"
Carla nodded lots of times. She even got help with her makeup from Maris. "Do you want to put on makeup too? Since you’ll be asking Night to the dance."
I shook my head. "I don’t wear makeup."
Carla gasped after hearing that. "Really?! I thought you always wear makeup because of how sparkly your face is."
"My mom won’t let me put some on since it’ll ruin my skin. She said I can use makeup when I’m in college."
Maris nodded. "That’s right. Don’t use makeup since you’re already stunning." I giggled because of that.
After Carla had changed her clothes, we rushed towards the campfire, and Kaoru was already waiting for me outside. "Mila— Noelle," Kaoru said. He almost called me ’milady’ again. I’m so glad he didn’t because it’ll make Maris and Carla feel weird.
"What is it?"
Kaoru pointed to Night which caused Carla to giggle as she pushed me towards Night. "You can do it, Noelle." She said, but Maris stopped her from pushing me.
"Let her do it in her way," Maris said.
I looked in Night’s direction. He’s surrounded by his classmates like usual. Bethany’s all over him again, and she’s holding onto Night’s arm like a leech. Night’s not pushing her away, so I guess he doesn’t hate it. ’I feel scared. I don’t want to talk to him in front of such a huge crowd.’
"Noelle? Are you okay?" My breathing grew heavier as it felt like my feet were glued to the floor, and I couldn’t move. I’m scared, so scared that I can’t move.
"Noelle?"
I can hear Maris and Carla calling for my name, but I still can’t move from where I am standing. "You don’t have to force yourself if you don’t want to go to Night," Carla said as she held onto my arm. That’s until I remembered Ace’s words. That she likes the strong and courageous me.
I did tons of embarrassing stuff before, so what will I lose now? There’s nothing left to lose, and everyone already knows I’m a thick-skinned person who keeps chasing a man all over again. This time, I’m not doing this for myself.
"Noelle?"
I took a deep breath. "You have to ask Ryzen too, okay?" Carla gulped as they watched me walk towards where Night was sitting. Everyone was busy doing their own thing and partying. The song’s still for parties and not a love song for partners.
’Isn’t it too early for me to ask him? But I’m already walking towards him! There’s no way I could go back to where Carla is and look pathetic.’ I keep inhaling and exhaling air. Every step I take feels like it keeps taking my breath away.
When I reached Night, his classmates looked at me, and Bethany raised an eyebrow at me. "What do you want?" Bethany asked. She’s still clinging to Night’s arm, and because of how loud she said those words, some of the students’ attention went to us. ’Oh please, the least I need now is attention.’ That’s when I saw Andy standing beside the DJ near Night’s seat, and he was giving me a thumbs up.
The music changed into a mellow and slow one. Andy’s smiling at me from ear to ear, making me gulp due to nervousness. ’He’s really supporting me with all his might.’ I took another deep breath. "Night," I called his name, and everyone was already staring at me. They must be thinking that Night’s stalker is finally back.
"What do you want from him? Stop being disgusting." Bethany rolled her eyes as she pulled Night closer to him. Her boobs already wrapping around Night’s arm, and it was too much to look at. Is she doing that on purpose? "He doesn’t like you, okay? He just helped you because of Francesca’s fault."
It’s not like I want to be liked by Night anymore. "Do you want to dance with me?" I asked him directly, ignoring what Bethany said. Even if he rejects me, I already showed Carla a courageous person, which will give her the push to ask Ryzen out too. ’I hope she’ll do because it’s not fun to be rejected all the time.’ I thought.
Night stood up from his seat, making Bethany look up at him. She’s still holding onto his arm. "Sure." He said as he reached out for my hand, pushing Bethany away. "May I hold your hand?" It caught me off guard after Night talked to me with such a gentle tone. ’Wow. He’s so good at acting like a good guy.’
"Yes." I gave him my hand, and he gently escorted me to the middle. I can hear everyone murmuring and whispering about what they’re seeing.
"Wow, Night accepted her offer."
"I can’t believe it. But it’s the first time Noelle asked him upfront like that."
"Oh my god. Does Night like Noelle too?"
They’re all whispering with such loud voices you won’t even consider what they’re doing as a whisper. Night placed his hand on my waist as we arrived on the dance floor. And I placed mine on top of his shoulder. "Why did you accept?" I said while averting my gaze. He’s leading the dance even though we’re only swaying, and I don’t know what’s happening. That’s until I saw Carla walking towards Ryzen, which made me focus on them.
I could see how Carla looked down until a big smile formed, and Ryzen held her hand towards the middle near the campfire. ’Oh my god! Yes!’ I thought I was too happy and accidentally stepped on Night’s foot. "You asked me to dance, but your attention’s somewhere else." He said as he forced me to look at his face.
"Stop touching me casually," I said while glaring at him.
I was stunned, no more than stunned, when I saw a smile forming on his face. "Your act will get busted if you glare at me like that."
