Lyam

When the school costume ball came around, he ended up inviting Elaine. She, however, had no one to go with and decided to stay home. When Liam found out, he was worried—he tried everything to convince her to go, but she refused. He then decided to take matters into his own hands: he told Elaine he couldn't go with her anymore, but she quickly found another date. And so, he persisted until she agreed to go with him... just as friends, of course.

On the day of the party, the school was all decorated with soft lights and flowers; it looked like a place from a fairy tale.

Liam appeared dressed like a prince: he wore a light-colored shirt made of soft fabric, over which was a long, dark brown coat with lighter fabric details that draped like a cape, dark trousers, and leather boots. He had a noble air, but at the same time simple and elegant.

She arrived soon after, and he was breathless: she wore a long red dress that fell in soft layers to the floor, with fabric that shimmered slightly when the light hit it. The top was delicate, and her loose blonde hair, with a braid framing her face, had small, sparkling ornaments. She looked like a real princess.

They spent a good amount of time there: dancing to lighter music, laughing at other fantasies, eating sweets, and feeling that this moment was just for them. But as time passed, their hearts beat faster, and the words they had been holding back seemed to want to escape.

Then they went to a more secluded room, where only the two of them were. The silence was gentle, until Liam began to speak, in a low voice: — I tried, I tried so hard not to feel this way. I tried to get closer to Elaine, I thought that way I would stop seeing you differently... but it didn't work. Nothing compares to being with you. She lowered her gaze and said sincerely: — I also spent all this time trying not to think like that. I was afraid of losing you, of ruining everything we have... but that feeling only grows stronger, even though I want to control it. I don't want to feel this way.