The day of my most anticipated debut arrived. However, the past week couldn't get any worse. Caspian had been an absolute devil for the entire week since I declared to be his rival.
I had to wake up every day at dusk, taking basic training in Brazilian Jiu-jitsu. Caspian convinced my grandpa, saying it was necessary to learn to defend myself. I was groomed my entire life, not throwing even a punch.
Yet on the verge of losing my sanity after practicing jiu-jitsu, I would have to attend my shooting club in school after that, regretting my entire life. I could imagine the devilish smirk on Caspian's face when I would suffer terribly in an arm-lock.
"Will you come tonight?" I asked Cassidy after the class.
"It's a party for the elite class. How can I attend it?" Cassidy said, smiling at me shyly.
I took Cassidy's hands into mine and said, "My grandpa doesn't care about such things," I said determinedly.
Cassidy couldn't deny it further. I happily went to the shooting club. It was comfortable in the club for the past few days since Eleanor didn't come to school.
The other informed me that ghosting the entire school was nothing new for Eleanor. He would barely attend school once or twice a year. Yet the authority would always overlook it.
"Eleanor must belong to an influential family," I mumbled.
"Indeed. That's why the school hasn't kicked Eleanor out yet," Aidan said, placing his legs on the desk. "My my! Forgive me!" Aidan suddenly cried out as Cristie pulled his ears.
"Have you grown wings since Eris is not here today?" Cristie asked Aidan.
Aidan hastily removed his legs from the desk, smiling at Cristie apologetically.
"How can I, Senior? You are always prepared with the scissors, after all," Aidan said, sighing.
"Are you all coming tonight?" I asked, staring at them.
"Of course," Cristie said, smiling at me brightly. "White Wolves are one of the noble packs. How can we not attend their successor's debut?" she said.
Cristie's words felt uncomfortable, strangely. I couldn't fathom what felt so chilly about her smile.
********
I returned home earlier since Catherine wouldn't stop nagging me over the phone for attending school on such a momentous occasion.
"My Lady, how can you choose to go to school before your debut ball?" Catherine asked with disbelief in her eyes.
"The ball is at night. Why do I have to skip school during the day? Besides, there's nothing for me to do anyway," I answered calmly.
"How can you talk like this, Miss?" Catherine fell from the seventh sky, hearing my words. "Women tend to prepare themselves for months for an occasion like this. The daughters even take years to groom themselves for their debut. Even the men take weeks to prepare," Catherine said.
"What's so good about it?" I questioned flatly. "Isn't it all about getting all dolled up and greeting people with a smile on my face?"
"Why are you making this sound so boring, Miss?" Catherine asked concernedly. "This is not just about meeting people. It's your debut ball!" Catherine yelled, almost tearing my eardrums.
"Got it! Please, don't shout," I said flatly.
"No, you didn't! Please, start getting ready, Miss!" Catherine yelled again.
I came out of the room, almost flying. That woman undoubtedly had a scary temper when it involved her job.
However, it was my first ball. I wondered if it was possible to have my first dance with Caspian. I wanted to die in embarrassment in my thoughts.
Caspian had a fiancee. I felt guilty for desiring him like this. I wondered if Athereld would agree to dance with me. It would be less awkward since I had never danced at a ball. It was better to dance with Athereld rather than some stranger.
I called Athereld. My uncle was at Athereld's place. Athereld had suggested keeping my uncle at his house for more satisfactory treatment.
"Hey, Bailey! Congratulations on your debut," Athereld's voice came from the opposite side of the phone.
"Ah- thanks," I said awkwardly. "Is my uncle there? I tried to call him, but he didn't pick up," I said in a tiny voice.
"Oh? So, you called for your uncle?" Athereld asked. He sounded a bit disappointed. "He's doing great and perhaps busy preparing for tonight's ball. He was beyond excited before I came to the hospital," Athereld said.
My eyes glowed up at learning my uncle would join my debut ball. I couldn't hide the excitement in my tone.
"Uncle is coming?" I almost yelled at the phone. "Ah-I apologize for calling like this. I forgot that you would be at the hospital right now," I said, getting embarrassed.
"Don't worry about it. In fact, this is the first time you have called me," Athereld said gently.
I gulped, thinking of asking Athereld for my first dance.
"Do I have to do this?" I wondered. I didn't want to regret it later.
"Bailey," Athereld called me. "Do you want to say something else? There's a lot of patients in the hospital today."
"Can we dance together?" I abruptly asked, bottling up enough courage. I had never asked a boy for a dance before. Athereld paused for a few seconds as I froze in my place, asking him.
"I feel honored just by your words, Bailey. Perhaps, you will never know how happy I am right now," Athereld said calmly after a while. "However, I do not think I will make it to tonight's party," Athereld said.
I couldn't tell what kind of expression was there playing on Athereld's face. But I felt my ears and cheeks heating up. Did I just get rejected? I wondered.
It was beyond embarrassing. I got rejected even before making a proper request. I had never been asked out by boys before. However, I had never even attempted to win someone over as well.
"I am really sorry, Bailey," Athereld's panicked voice came floating. "Bailey, are you listening? There's a factory that got blasted nearby. There are a lot of wounded workers at the hospital. I deeply apologize," Athereld said.
"You don't have to apologize. It's not a big deal. I didn't mean it seriously," I said, awkwardly smiling, attempting to ensure Athereld.
I shortly cut the call as Athereld apologized a few more times. It was even more embarrassing than getting rejected.
I exhaled deeply, turning to return to my room. I got startled as I saw Caspian standing behind me, shoving his hands in his pockets. His perfectly formed abs were visible under the dark turtle neck sweater, with his blond hair back brushed neatly.
However, Caspian's eyes were cold. I felt a chill down my spine from the piercing gaze on his face. I didn't even notice when he appeared there.
Did I make a mistake again? I wondered. Why would he get mad?