After a long week filled with locker drama, cryptic love notes, and hallway confessions, Saturday finally arrived, the day of the mid-term party.
Excitement buzzed in the air like static. The whole school had been talking about it non-stop, and now it was finally happening.
We spent most of the afternoon at the mall, bouncing from store to store like it was a high-stakes fashion mission. The changing rooms became our little stage, and every mirror was a runway.
"I have a feeling this is going to be the best night ever!" Summer whooped from inside one of the stalls, her voice muffled by layers of fabric as she changed into her next outfit.
We waited outside with shopping bags piling up at our feet, sipping iced coffee and scrolling through party hairstyles on our phones.
When the curtain finally pulled back, Summer stepped out dramatically, of course.
She twirled like she was on the red carpet, the layers of her enormous red ball gown flaring out in a glittery swirl. Rhinestones sparkled along the bodice like tiny stars, and the dress seemed to catch the light from every angle.
"Well?" she asked, hands on her hips. "What do you guys think?"
I raised an eyebrow, smirking. "It looks like you're about to walk into a royal wedding. As the bride."
Eska crossed her arms and tilted her head. "I'm with Terra. It's kind of...a lot."
Summer's face fell slightly as she looked down at the gown, suddenly unsure. "Too much?"
Before the doubt could fully sink in, Pink stepped forward with the confidence of someone who practically lived for moments like this.
"Now, Summer, don't mind them," she said, placing a reassuring hand on Summer's shoulder. "It's bold, dramatic, and completely unforgettable. In other words: perfect. Right, Clary?"
Clary, who had been sitting cross-legged on one of the low benches, gave a satisfied smile and formed a circle with her thumb and index finger.
"Perfecto," she said with a giggle.
Summer's confidence bloomed right back into her face as she looked at herself in the mirror again, turning this way and that. "You know what? You're right. Screw subtle."
She disappeared back into the changing room to change and pack up the dress, humming to herself as she zipped the curtain closed.
Eska leaned closer to me and whispered, "If she trips down the stairs in that thing, I'm not catching her."
I chuckled under my breath. "Neither am I."
And just like that, the countdown to the party had officially begun.
After spending almost the whole day shopping, we met up at a small café beside the mall where we filled our stomachs before heading back to our place.
That night, exactly at 9 p.m., the party kicked off.
The school hall was unrecognizable, transformed into something straight out of a high school fairytale. Streamers of gold and midnight blue hung from the ceiling like cascading stardust. Fairy lights twinkled along the walls, casting a soft, dreamy glow over the room. A crystal chandelier swayed gently above the dance floor, catching the light like it was made of stars.
"Wow... this is nice," Eska whispered, her voice full of awe as she took in the scene.
"You really outdid yourself this time, Pink," I said, glancing at her with admiration as she giggled with excitement.
Before we could say more, the guys showed up, dressed to impress, and ready to dance. Zack offered me his hand with a crooked smile, and I accepted without hesitation.
The music pulsed through the room, hot hip-hop beats thumping like a second heartbeat. The dance floor was a blur of colors, flashing lights, and wild laughter. Students moved in sync with the rhythm, letting go of their usual masks.
Then, as if sensing the mood shift, the DJ transitioned into a slow, melodic tune. The lights dimmed slightly, and couples instinctively paired off, melting into the moment.
Zack pulled me closer, his hands settling gently on my waist. I looped one arm around his shoulder, the other resting on his chest. The rhythm slowed. The air around us thickened with soft music.
We swayed, wordless at first, our bodies moving gently together in time with the music. He looked at me with eyes that were calm.
"You look beautiful," he finally said.
I smiled, heat rising to my cheeks. "Thanks. You're not too bad yourself."
"I try," he said with a chuckle, and I joined in, the moment somehow lighter now, easier.
We talked for a little while, nothing too deep, just small then I wrapped my arms fully around his shoulders and rested my head on his chest. His heartbeat was steady beneath my cheek, grounding me.
I let my eyes wander around the hall, just soaking it all in.
Pink was dancing with Jesse, her hands behind his neck, his arms firmly around her waist. She caught my gaze and smiled with genuine happiness. I returned it with a soft grin.
Summer was spinning in that red ball gown, her laughter echoing softly above the music. The guy with her, tall, charming, with messy brown curls, had to be Daniel Martinez.
Clary was swaying in the arms of someone I didn't recognize. He looked older, confident, with tattoos peeking from under his rolled sleeves. Definitely not a student here.
In the far corner, Rejoice was deep in conversation with Mr. Ray, her arms crossed while he nodded intently.
Eska was leaning by the wine table, sipping something non-alcoholic, chatting with two girls from the theater club.
Jennie and Sofie were tucked away near a column, sharing kisses and whispered secrets.
Mr. Henzel was standing near the door, his hand clasped behind his back as he watched the room with a chilling stillness.
And Charles? He was exactly where I expected surrounded by a cluster of girls at the buffet table, laughing like he hadn't a care in the world.
This is the life. For once, in all these stressful times, a chance and time to be free and at peace.
Soon after, the music faded into silence. The clinking of metal against glass echoed sharply across the hall. We all turned.
Mrs. Adams stood near the center of the room, holding a microphone in one hand and a champagne flute in the other. She tapped the glass to get our attention, her usual confident posture stiff under the spotlight.
"Good evening, everyone," she began, smiling brightly. "I trust the night has been going wonderfully so far?"
A chorus of agreement rippled through the crowd.
"Wonderful!" she said. "Tonight isn't just about celebrating the midpoint of our semester. It's about relieving ourselves of the chaos we've faced..."
I turned to Zack, nudging him slightly. "Why do we always get a speech at a party?"
He smirked. "It's her thing. Let's just hope it won't take all night."
We both chuckled, and then he leaned in slightly. "Hey... do you wanna get outta here?"
I smiled, already nodding. "Yeah, sure."
But just as we turned to leave, a sharp, piercing sound sliced through the room like metal grinding against glass inside my skull.
I stumbling, instinctively clutching my ears as the pain shot through my head like a lightning bolt. The world spun. My vision blurred.
"Terra!" Zack's voice was urgent. I felt his arms catch me before I could collapse. "Are you okay?"
But I couldn't answer. I could barely breathe. My ears rang like a thousand sirens.
And then... silence.
Suddenly, everything stopped, The sound vanished as quickly as it had come. I slowly pulled my hands from my ears, my breathing ragged. The room was still.
I looked up and noticed Zack was standing inches from me, frozen. His hand mid-air, his expression frozen in concern.
I turned, heart racing, the crowd wasn't moving, no one was.
Every student. Every teacher. Every couple locked mid-dance, mid-blink and mid-step as if time had halted.
And I was the only one still awake in it.
I stepped back immediately, struggling to make sense of what had just happened. Then I saw a figure standing few meters behind Zack, partially obscured by the crowd, it was the same woman from the woods during the search.
She wore a loose brown t-shirt that hung over black jeans, and her dark, glowing skin stood out under the warm lights of the hall.
Our eyes locked. She smiled.
Then, without a word, she began weaving through the crowd slipping between frozen silhouettes as if she were dancing around time itself.
I kept my eyes on her, trying to trace her path through the sea of students, but she was too quick, one blink and she was gone.
Then I heard a whisper in my ear from an unfamiliar but sweet voice that said, "Find me!"
I spun around, expecting her to be behind me but nothing, just Zack, blinking back into the present like nothing happened.
I stood frozen, staring at the empty space where she should've been. My mind spiraled and my breath hitched.
Was I going insane?
Then Zack grabbed me gently from behind, both hands on my shoulders. His voice pulled me back like an anchor.
"Terra… are you okay?"
I nodded slowly, dazed. "I… I am."
But then I saw her again, just outside the hall doors where Mr. Henzel stood, slipping away like a ghost.
Without another word, I peeled Zack's hands off me and ran.
"Terra!" he called behind me, but I was already gone.
Out in the parking lot, I skidded to a halt. Cold air kissed my skin, and for a moment, everything was silent but there was no sign of her.
I spun around, searching franticly.
"Fuck," I muttered under my breath, pacing. "Am I going crazy?"
My breath came in sharp bursts, fogging up the night air. I clutched my arms, trying to calm the shivers crawling up my spine.
Then i felt a cold hand resting gently on my shoulder. I jolted and turned quickly, It was Jesse.
His expression was tight with concern, eyes scanning my face. "Hey... you okay?"
"God, you scared me," I said, clutching my chest. "What do you want?"
"I saw you bolt out. You looked freaked out." He took a cautious step forward. "Is everything alright?"
I turned away, arms folded. My voice came out sharper than I intended. "It's nothing. I'll head back inside."
But as I moved, he reached out and caught my arm.
"Something is wrong. I can feel it. Come on, two heads are better than one."
"And why do you even care?" I snapped, yanking my arm free and spinning to face him.
He didn't flinch. "Because I'm worried about you."
I laughed bitterly. "Worried? That's new."
His jaw tightened. "I thought we were starting over."
"Yeah, because that's so easy to do."
"Terra..."
"Look, I don't know what's happening to me, okay? Just back off."
"Why not just spill it? I may have the solution."
"I think I'm going crazy, okay? I mean, ever since my encounter with Nemus, I keep seeing things. All this... it's overwhelming." I turned away, breathing hard. "How am I supposed to survive this madness?"
He was silent for a moment. Then, slowly, he stepped closer, the distance between us shrinking.
"I don't think you're crazy," he said gently. "Just stressed out."
"Says the expert" I shot back.
But he didn't rise to it, instead, he took my hands. His touch was warm and grounding. "Well, one thing's for sure, you're not the only one going crazy."
"What do you mean? Who else do you think is as crazy as I am?"
"Me," my eyes widened at the mention of this. "Ever since the basketball incident, I find it hard to concentrate. That game is everything to me, and now it's on hold with no hope of resolution." His eyes met mine, and he drew near to the point that I could feel his heartbeat. "And I think I'm crazy in love with you."
I gasped. I could not believe my ears. I hadn't even processed my thoughts before he drew near and took my lips on his.