Mabella gazed at her reflection in the mirror. For a moment, she simply stared at her own face before turning away and heading toward her wardrobe. Her eyes darted from dress to dress, searching for the perfect outfit for the school dance—A Night to Remember.
“I can’t look too striking. People might start to suspect who I really am,” Mabella whispered to herself with a sigh. She wanted to look beautiful enough to catch Aiden’s attention, but she couldn’t risk revealing her true self.
Running her fingers through her hair in frustration, she pondered the problem until her eyes landed on a dress she had never worn before.
“Ha! That’s it!” she exclaimed, her voice bright with excitement as she rushed toward it. She had always avoided the dress because its color clashed with the shades she usually wore. But tonight, she knew—it was the perfect choice.
The Night of the School Dance
The school gymnasium had been transformed into something magical. Golden fairy lights cascaded from the ceiling, glimmering like a thousand tiny stars. A large banner hung above the stage, proudly displaying the event’s theme: A Night to Remember. The faint scent of fresh roses mixed with perfume and cologne lingered in the air, and the floor was already filling up with excited students, their laughter echoing above the music.
Aiden stood near the entrance, pacing back and forth like a soldier awaiting battle. His hands shoved in his pockets, his lips pressed tight, his eyes scanning the doorway every few seconds.
Marcus and Marcos, seated nearby, exchanged amused looks as they watched their friend grow increasingly restless.
“Can you sit down for a second, Aiden? I know you’re dying to see Mabella, but calm yourself—you look like some creep,” Marcos teased, leaning back casually in his chair.
Aiden froze mid-step, glaring at him. “Say that again and I’ll slap you. You don’t understand how I feel. This is Mabella, okay? I’m nervous just thinking about seeing her.”
Marcus sighed and shook his head. “Relax, she’s not going anywhere. You’re acting like she’s about to disappear into thin air.”
Marcos gave a small nod in agreement. “Still, why are the girls always so slow? Do they have to take this long to get ready?”
Aiden shot him a look of pure disdain. “Wow. You really don’t know anything about girls, do you?”
“Huh? What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Forget him, Aiden,” Marcus cut in. “He’s hopeless—definitely not husband material.”
Meanwhile, Rohan, who had been quietly snacking on the buffet’s finger food, simply observed the exchange with a smirk. To him, the scene was far more entertaining than the music or decorations.
“Hey, guys! Sorry we’re a little late!” Sophia’s cheerful voice rang out as she appeared out of nowhere, immediately looping her arms around Marcos’s neck from behind.
“You’re choking me, woman!” Marcos protested, though he made no effort to push her away. His dramatic tone only made Sophia giggle harder.
“Pretty, right?” She twirled around, her gown catching the soft glow of the lights. Tonight, she wore a deep blue dress that shimmered with every movement. The fitted bodice highlighted her waist, while the skirt flowed elegantly to the floor, making her look striking yet graceful. The rich shade of blue made her eyes sparkle brighter, and her confidence completed the look.
“Not really. You look the same as always,” Marcos muttered, feigning indifference.
Rohan glanced up, raised a thumb in approval, and went back to his plate.
“See? As long as my partner approves, that’s all that matters,” Sophia said with a grin, earning a playful eye-roll from Marcos.
Aiden immediately stepped forward, ignoring their banter. “Where’s Mabel?”
Sophia raised a brow at his eagerness. “So impatient. Relax—she’s with Gianna and Emma. They’ll be here any minute.”
Almost on cue, two familiar figures appeared at the entrance. Gianna was radiant in a pale lavender dress, its flowing sleeves giving her a soft, dreamy appearance, like something out of a fairy tale. Beside her, Emma walked with quiet confidence, her silver gown glittering with each step, sharp lines in the design giving her a chic, almost regal aura. The two girls laughed together, their entrance turning more than a few heads.
“Wow,” Marcus muttered under his breath, unable to hide his admiration. Even Marcos straightened a little in his chair, eyes lingering on them for a moment longer than usual.
But Aiden hardly noticed. His heart pounded as his eyes stayed fixed on the doorway, anticipation twisting inside him like a knot.
Then, it happened.
The chatter in the room seemed to hush, the music fading into the background as if the world itself paused. Another figure appeared in the doorway, and instantly, the atmosphere shifted.
It was Mabella.
The glow of the fairy lights framed her silhouette, her every step pulling the attention of the room. For Aiden, the sight was almost unreal—like a dream walking into reality. His chest tightened, and he completely forgot to breathe.