━━ CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN / the fittes ball
episode six, part two.

After the invite to the Fittes Ball, Demi and Lucy had been ordered to go dress shopping. And so, Erin had decided that she would take them. Erin wanted to treat them and it also meant that she could show them both some of her favourite spots in London. Demi didn't mind the company. She had spent so long living with just the boys that having a girl's day felt like a nice change of pace.

Plus, she felt a lot more alive than she had in a few weeks. Sleeping for most of the day had made her feel so much better and even if the anxiety lingered in her gut, it was more manageable. And it seemed that the bruises on her back were beginning to heal a little better now that she wasn't pushing her body to the limits. Demi was happy.

The trio had spent an hour or so browsing and picking up the dresses that interested them. After two stores were duds, they were at the third store (and Erin's favourite) and they had finally had some luck. Both Demi and Lucy had picked up three dresses that they wanted to try on and Lucy was currently in the dressing room.

Erin and Demi were sitting on the comfy couches together, waiting for Lucy to come out. The silence was comfortable and Demi had her dresses on hangers pushed against her chest as she stared up at the ceiling. It was a nice silence but she knew that Erin wanted to say something,

"So, you and Lockwood?" Erin asked, quirking the corner of her lip up. Demi turned to look over at the girl and she couldn't help a small smile spread across her lips.

"Yeah..." She mumbled softly. A grin began to spread across Demi's lips. Even just the mention of him made her stomach fill with butterflies and despite how infuriating he was, she adored him all the same. It had been a mess and she really needed to talk to him about what they were but that was an issue for another day.

"How long ago did this become a thing?" Erin asked curiously as she looked at the brunette. Demi shifted under Erin's gaze, adjusting the dresses against her chest as she pulled a leg up to rest on the edge of the sofa.

"A week ago, I think. I didn't really expect it. It came out of nowhere," Demi admitted. Erin stared at her, disbelief spread across her features. Demi cocked an eyebrow, unsure why Erin looked so baffled by that statement.

"What do you mean? He obviously likes you," Erin stated bluntly. Demi scoffed and shook her head, turning her gaze to the dressing room ahead of them. Her hand moved to tuck some hair behind her ear.

"He was always protective but that doesn't mean he liked me," Demi retorted. Erin shook her head and she shuffled closer to the brunette, nudging her in the side.

"Dem, don't kid yourself. It was clear to everyone," Erin teased and Demi opened her mouth to make some sort of response. But thankfully, Lucy came out of the dressing room with the first dress on.

"Okay, the first dress is on," Lucy stated as she pulled the curtain back. The dress was pretty. It was baby pink and flowy. It went all the way to the floor and it would have looked gorgeous on anyone else but Demi knew instantly that it was not the right one.

"It's nice.." Demi said hesitantly. She didn't want to hurt Lucy's feelings if she liked the dress but when Lucy began to spin around, looking at herself in the mirror she became unsure of it herself.

"It's not your style, Lu. Are you sure you want to wear it?" Erin asked, taking a gentler tone as she watched the girl move around in the dress. It was flowy and Demi would have dreamed of a dress like it as a child but it just didn't suit Lucy.

"I just think that it isn't the best," Demi added. Lucy nodded and she adjusted the dress on her hips before huffing out.

"I think it's a bit too bright," She admitted softly. Demi nodded in agreement as she adjusted the dresses in her lap again. She was beginning to rethink all of her decisions regarding which dresses she'd shortlisted. But she tried not to worry about it for now as she looked back up.

"Well, there we go. Go try on the next one that isn't pink." Erin said with a soft smile. Lucy nodded and she disappeared back into the changing room, pulling the curtains closed. They were quiet for a moment before Erin adjusted her position so that her body was facing Demi again, "Anyway, Dem, I saw how Tony looked at you the first time we all met each other. You were ridiculous to think he didn't like you." Demi met Erin's gaze and the two just looked at each other for a moment before Demi gave in.

She let out a soft huff before mumbling, "I suppose." Erin chuckled at her and glanced at the changing room before her gaze returned back to Demi who had begun to fiddle with the dresses, checking that the colours worked on her skin tone.

"Does this mean you guys are official?" Erin asked. Demi shook her head as soon as the question left Erin's lips which only made Erin's eyebrows furrow.

"No, we haven't, we don't really talk about it," The brunette admitted as she pulled the dress off her lap, knowing that they would be fine. The colour worked and she was just overthinking it. Demi didn't need to overthink anything else.

"Lucy told me that you guys sleep in each other's bed." The smirk on Erin's face was unmissable and Demi's jaw dropped. She looked at the changing room with a look of betrayal before she turned back to Erin. The girl clearly wanted to know more.

"His bed," Demi corrected quietly which made Erin laugh. The smile hadn't left either of their lips since they had started the conversation.

"I think that it's cute." Demi nodded in response to Erin's words, not really sure what else to say. She knew that sleeping in each other's bed was not the most normal thing but she had never considered it cute. It was just nice, there was a sense of comfort in always having him next to her. But maybe it was cute.

There was a beat or two of silence before Lucy came out of the dressing room in a gorgeous knee-length blue dress. It suited her skin colour perfectly and Demi's jaw dropped as she took in the girl in front of her. It was perfect.

"What about this one?" Lucy asked as she twirled around to show off all the details of the dress, "I prefer the colour," She admitted as she looked at herself in the full-length mirror outside of the changing room.

"It's gorgeous," Demi stated, awe-struck by the sight of the girl in front of her. But Demi's reaction was nothing compared to Erin's.

"You look beautiful," She managed to get out, almost too stunned to speak. The smile that spread across her lips was unmissable and Demi wanted desperately for Erin to say something to Lucy. It was exhausting watching them so obviously pine for each other.

"Should I try on the last one?" Lucy asked curiously as she fiddled with the arms of the sleeve, ensuring that it sat right on her body. Even if it wasn't sitting right, Demi wanted her to wear that one. She needed to see Lucy shine in that blue dress amongst the most important people in England. It looked perfect on her.

"My mother always said it was safe to have options." Erin retorted. Demi hummed passively, not really believing that another one could look better than that.

"Okay." Lucy went back into the changing room and the pair fell into a comfortable silence again. Demi began to sink back into the sofa, finding herself more and more comfortable in Erin's presence. She may have been a Hampton but she didn't really seem as elitist as the rest of her family. She seemed kind. It was nice.

"I hope you know that he doesn't really hate you," Demi said after a beat. Her words were so soft and it had been playing on her mind since Lockwood was first mentioned. Demi adored him and she was worried that Erin felt rejected by their group. Maybe that was why she hadn't said anything to Lucy, Demi wasn't really sure.

"Oh..." Erin seemed surprised by the sudden admission but Demi just wanted to clear everything up, for her sake.

"He feels intimidated I think or I don't know. He does like you, deep down. He just likes to push new people away. He prefers it that way. It's not personal. I wish he would be nicer," Demi continued, the corners of her lips tugged down into a frown as she met Erin's gaze. The girl shrugged in response and that made Demi frown more.

"It's okay, I don't mind it too much. The teasing is just banter, and I am a big girl - I can handle it. Though, I am glad to know it isn't genuine hatred, I like being around your little group," Erin admitted and Demi felt her heart soar. The boys had always been rather stand-offish around people and as much as she tried to be liked, it had always been hard. It made her so happy to know that her little group wasn't as bad as they seemed.

"We like having you around too," Demi retorted, a grin on her lips. The girl's gaze shifted back to the changing room and a wry smile spread across her lips, "You get along well with all of us, some better than most." Demi jerked her head towards the changing room, a teasing lilt to her tone which made Erin blush.

"Oh shut up." Erin's words were accompanied by a playful shove and it made Demi giggle.

"I say just go for it, you both really like each other," She said. Erin's gaze trailed back to the changing room where Lucy was changing into the last dress. The silence seemed to spread out between them and despite Demi desperately wanting to break it, she didn't want to pressure Erin into doing anything that she didn't want to.

"Maybe I will at the Ball. It's reminiscent of our first meeting," Erin finally said. Demi's eyebrow raised as she shifted to properly face the other girl.

"What do you mean?"

"We met each other at a Hampton Ball in the bathroom. I was hiding from my family, and well... So was she." Demi chuckled softly at the explanation. It must have been before Demi knew Lucy and she could picture it. It made sense. They had seemed to know each other so well from the off and that explained it all.

"That's so cute," Demi teased. Erin grinned. She couldn't help it. It just wouldn't seem to go away and Demi loved that even more. It is exactly how she felt whenever anyone brought up Anthony. It was frustrating but it made her so happy.

"Is it too weird? Asking someone out in the middle of a plan to steal a book?" Erin asked before she shook her head, a groan passing her lips. She buried her face in her hands as Demi chuckled and shook her head. She shuffled over to Erin and gently took her head away from her face.

"I don't think so. Ask her to dance," Demi instructed with a grin on her lips. Erin stared at her, one hand still over her face before she sighed. Then both her hands dropped just as the curtains for the changing room slid open.

"Okay, I am definitely sticking with the blue dress," Lucy stated back in her normal outfit. Demi had to admit that she was disappointed that they didn't get to see the other option but she tried not to complain. Lucy kept hold of the blue dress in one hand while the other two lay in her other hand. Erin quickly got to her feet.

"Here, let me put them away," Erin said as she picked up the two options that they weren't picking. Demi smiled and watched as Erin adjusted how the dresses were in her hand. Then she glanced down at Demi who was still on the sofa, "Your turn now, Demi. I'll be back real quick." Erin then scampered off with dresses in hand.

Demi took a deep breath and she forced herself to her feet, disappearing into the changing room. She knew that this would be fine but the prospect of having to look put together in front of some of the most important people in England made her stomach twist in knots. She had faith in herself and she knew that it would be fine but the thought alone was terrifying.

So, she was careful with how she dressed herself, fiddling and messing with the dress before she stepped out to show either of the girls. By the end of their little haul, Demi had picked a white knee-length dress. It had long sleeves that fanned out below the elbows which meant she didn't feel constricted under all the material. The torso was also high-necked but had a slit down the middle that was tied together with a bow. It showed a little bit of cleavage but not enough that it wasn't modest. It was the perfect mix.

Demi loved it and Erin had bought the blue and white dress for both of them. The girls, after their dress shop, headed to Erin's favourite bakery and despite Demi's hesitation, she was persuaded to get some banana bread. The trio ate their baked goods on the way back to Portland Row while Erin arranged for them to have their make-up done. It seemed that they were going to be pampered before the ball tonight and Demi wasn't complaining.

The trio had spent most of the afternoon in Lucy's room. They had talked about just about anything but Erin had to disappear for a bit. But when she returned, she had everything they would need for a pampering session and a make-up artist. Demi had never had anyone else put make-up on her but it was nice for someone who actually knew what to do to deal with it.

And she had asked to be done first. Erin had - of course - been okay with that but regretted that decision a little when Demi snuck off after the artist was done. It was Demi's sneaky plan to force Lucy and Erin to spend time together, completely alone. It also allowed her to sit in her room for a little bit and decompress before the ball.

Demi wasn't sure where the boys were but just to be sure that nobody knew she was in her room, she closed the door quietly. Then she dropped onto the bed. Her hands rested against her chest, still dressed in her normal clothes. The dress was hung up and she knew that she had to put it on soon but she didn't want to quite yet.

And as she stared at the ceiling, she felt the familiar tug of a visitor. Her eyes suddenly widened when she realised that there were two potential Sources in her drawer. One was at least in an iron case but the ring she had found in the park days ago was completely unprotected. The girl suddenly turned over on her side and she yanked the drawer open, pulling the ring out.

The memories that came with the ring flooded Demi's mind and she winced at the sudden wave of emotions. And she was quick to shove the ring with the other one, keeping them in the box. She watched as the two Sources in the box seemed to come towards each other in the box. It was almost like the Sources were attracted to each other and her eyebrows furrowed. That didn't make any sense but then there was a knock on her door.

She quickly dropped the iron case into the drawer and slammed it shut before telling whoever it was to come in. When the door opened, it was Lockwood and he had a small smile on his face. The grin that spread across her face was unmissable. She couldn't help herself.

"I thought I heard you come in," Lockwood stated. His hands rested casually at his sides but his shoulders were slightly tensed up. He almost seemed anxious about something but Demi didn't know what.

"Yeah. I just needed a breather," Demi explained as she pushed herself up off the bed. Lockwood nodded his head and Demi gestured for him to come in as she walked over to the dress. Lockwood closed the door behind himself and leant against it as Demi picked up the dress, "What do you think?" She asked as she held it against herself and turned to him. Lockwood's smile only grew wider as he looked at her.

"It looks perfect," He complimented and Demi couldn't help but grin, "Do you think," The boy began as he walked over to her, "this would go with it?" There was a charismatic smile on his lips as he opened his right palm to reveal a necklace. It was a beautiful silver necklace with what seemed to be a diamond hanging in a pendant. The silver chain links glinted in the late day daylight and Demi's jaw dropped as she took it in. Her gaze lifted to look at Lockwood.

"What is this?" She asked softly. A grin spread across her lips as she put her hand behind the pendant, letting it twinkle in the late-day daylight. He grinned.

"Just something I found." Demi knew that was a lie and when she looked up, he was grinning at her. It was his signature grin and she nodded her head.

"I think it would definitely go with my dress," She mumbled. Lockwood grinned and he placed it down on her desk, "I need to get dressed," She added. Lockwood nodded and he took a gentle hold of Demi's waist, pulling her in. He then pressed a soft kiss to her lips. She pulled away abruptly and he stared down at her, perplexed, "Don't ruin my make-up," She pouted. Lockwood chuckled softly and he apologised before he stepped back. He then left her to get changed.

And when she needed help getting the necklace on, she didn't hesitate to make her way down to Lockwood's room. His fingers gently pushed the hair from her neck to her shoulder before he did up the clasp at the back. It was such an intimate moment and Demi wished that they could stay like that forever but she knew that they had to steal the book. They had to do this. They had to make sure only the right people had the bone glass and currently, nobody good did.

When they left Portland Row, Demi was nervous. After Lockwood had put the necklace on, she had returned to her room and she wasn't sure what had led her to do so but she had grabbed the two Sources from the box in her drawer. She knew going out without some sort of protection on them was stupid and so she took the box to the basement.

There was an iron-laced serum that she wanted to put over the top of them so she could wear them. As she dunked them in the serum, she still couldn't understand why she wanted to wear them but something was drawing them to her and they looked so familiar. The more she looked at them, the more familiar they felt and she wanted to feel connected to them.

So, she fished them out from the serum and let it air-dry for a few minutes before she slipped the ring that she stole from Winkman's on her pointer finger on her left hand. She then slipped the wedding band she had found in the park onto her middle finger of her right hand. They fit perfectly on her fingers and it was odd but it made her feel safe.

Just having them on her person gave her a sense of relief, a connection. The constant thoughts and questions about her parents, and what they were doing, seemed to dull a little. She flexed her hands before she seemed to settle. The cool feeling against her fingers was good and so, she headed back into the kitchen where she went to meet the others.

Entering the Fittes Ball was probably the most nerve-wracking thing that Demi had ever done. She held onto Lockwood's cool hand as they headed down the steps together. His touch against hers kept her grounded and they only let go of each other's hands when the trio grabbed a flute of champagne. Erin was somewhere amongst the crowds already, no doubt with her family. But Demi kept her focus on the task at hand.

"We should probably do some mingling first, yeah?" Lockwood suggested as he looked between the two girls, "Make it look like we actually came to party." Demi hummed in agreement as she lifted the flute of champagne to her lips, taking a sip. The bubbliness was not something that she enjoyed but it was tolerable enough.

"Great. Two of my favourite things. Posh people and small talk," Lucy muttered sarcastically as her eyes scanned across the room. Demi was doing the same and she spotted Erin weaving through the crowd in her dress. Demi's jaw dropped at the sight of it and she didn't waste a second turning to face Lucy.

"Go talk to Erin, I can see her," Demi suggested, pointing in the direction that Erin had walked off towards. Lucy looked between the two before her shoulders dropped and she seemed to give into her own desires.

"Don't get into any trouble," Lockwood teased as Lucy disappeared into the crowd. Demi grinned and then she turned to face the boy that was still across from her. He offered his free arm out and she looped it with him, "Shall we mingle?" He asked.

"Why not," Demi mumbled hesitantly. Lockwood gave her arm a comforting squeeze before they headed into the crowds. Lockwood knew most of the people at the party, naming them and going on about what they had done. He even introduced Demi to a few as they talked amongst themselves but Demi had never been one for small talk and she quickly grew bored of the conversations.

Admittedly, so did Lockwood and so they found their way back to Lucy and Erin who were chatting amongst themselves. They all mingled with each other, Lockwood talking about when they planned to get the book. But Erin told him not to be too hasty. She knew that if they suddenly disappeared, everyone would be suspicious.
So, instead, she convinced Lockwood to take Demi to dance. Lucy and Erin had already sauntered off to the dance floor and Erin wanted them to at least look like they were trying to engage in the party around them,

So, Lockwood turned to Demi and asked "Well, shall we?" Demi grimaced and she shook her head, fiddling with the necklace around her neck.

"I can't dance," She insisted. Lockwood sighed and stepped closer, placing a hand on her waist.

"I'll show you," He insisted. Demi stared at him for a moment before she sighed and gave in to it. She grabbed his hand and he led her to the dance floor.

"If I step on your toes, it's your fault," She reminded him. He hummed passively in response and the two got into position. Erin and Lucy were a few couples down and as the music began, Lockwood taught her as they went. It did not end well with Demi's lack of coordination but Lockwood found the whole ordeal quite amusing.

The brunette stood on his toes more times than she could count but his suave charm and grin at her missteps made it feel a lot less embarrassing. By the time the music ended, she had managed to almost perfect the dance. Lockwood had a proud grin on his face and as all the couples came to a stop and disappeared off the dance floor, Lockwood held Demi close.

"Demi," He said it with such softness and her gaze instantly snapped up to him, searching his eyes for any indication of what was wrong.

"Did I hurt your feet? I'm sorry," Demi said quickly, a small frown spreading across her lips. Lockwood shook his head and he lifted his hand to her face. He tucked some hair behind her ear, looking at her with such adoration.

"No, no, I need to ask you something," He responded. The girl paused, averting her gaze for a moment before she looked back up at him, "I've been meaning to ask for a while." Demi's eyebrows furrowed as she ran through every possible thing he could be bringing up right now.

"Did George tell on me?" Demi began quickly, thinking back to the incident a few days ago where she had thrown butter at George (again). They had a bad habit of having kitchen arguments, "He started it! I only threw it at him because he was being an arse again. I didn't-" But before she could make any excuses, Lockwood cut her off.

"What did you-?" He cut himself off before he could finish his sentence, confusion and amusement written across his features. He then softened his gaze again "No, that's not it." He admitted. She nodded, her heart rate still not decreasing despite it.

"What is it?" Her words had softened as she moved her arms to wrap around his neck, fiddling with the hair at the base of his neck.

"I want you to be my girlfriend," He finally said after a silence that dragged out for far too long. Demi's fingers playing with his hair abruptly stopped and her jaw fell. She had no idea what to say, completely stunned by the question, "So will you?" He prompted. Demi's brain finally connected back to her mouth and she laughed.

"Are you seriously asking me this right now?" The brunette was baffled and Lockwood nodded his head, making her sway a little. That signature smile on his face again.

"No time like the present," He quipped and Demi laughed. Her head fell against his chest before she lifted it back up to face him. His charming smile had made way for genuine worry as he looked into her eyes. It seemed he was worried that she would reject him.

"Of course, I will," Demi stated bluntly. Lockwood's worry turned into a grin as he pulled her in for a kiss. It was a quick kiss but it made Demi's stomach erupt into butterflies. Sometimes she found herself wondering how she had gotten so lucky.

"Come on, we have a book to steal," He said as he began to lead her away from the dance floor. Demi rolled her eyes at his sudden change in demeanour.

"You're so suave," She commented sarcastically and he turned to face her. That arrogant, gorgeous smile on his face all over again.

"I know." All his usual bravado returned and she couldn't help but fall for him just a little bit more. The pair found their way back to Lucy and Erin and they headed towards the Black Library. Lockwood used the map to lead the way and when they reached the elevator at the back of the service halls, he read out the code for Lucy to type in. Then Lucy, Demi and Lockwood all slid inside. They gave Erin a small smile and she stepped back, letting them go.

The elevator doors slid closed and Demi squeezed her eyes shut, feeling the way her stomach turned in anxiety. This was all they had to do, as soon as this was over they would be fine. She let out a soft breath before the elevator door opened and the Black Library opened up in front of them.

It looked different from when Demi had last seen it but she couldn't really pinpoint why. Immediately out of the elevator, there were glass cases of artefacts and to the left was a set of bookshelves and the index of every object in the room.

There were various other paintings and artefacts scattered across the room but that wasn't important to them. They stepped out of the elevator and Lockwood spoke first, "Pick a place to start. I'll check the index." It was an order and so Demi went straight for the bookshelves since logically if they were looking for a book it'd be there. She went across the bookshelf, looking for the name Mary Dulac but the anxiety of finding the book was making it hard for her to really take in what she was looking at.

The silence permeated between the trio for a moment as Lockwood searched through the index and Lucy looked over the glass cases.

Then, he spoke up, "I've got it. C/452. Check the numbers on the spines." Lockwood and Lucy both joined Demi as she searched for the book. The map that they used to get to the room was abandoned on top of the box of index cards. It didn't take them long before Lockwood managed to find the book, pulling it out of place.

But just as they found it, the elevator opened again. Lockwood grabbed Demi and they hid behind one of the bookshelves while Lucy hid behind the other. Demi's eyes widened, her back pressed against Lockwood's chest as she tried to ignore the hammering in her heart. This was far from how she wanted her evening to go.

"It'll be quieter in here. So, what have they been saying?" Penelope Fittes' voice rang through the room and Demi couldn't believe what she was hearing. Were they about to eavesdrop on an important conversation? She didn't understand what she had gotten herself into.

"Some of the members are getting restless," An unfamiliar male voice responded and Demi turned her head up to look at Lockwood. He was listening intently to the conversation, confused about who the man was just as much as she was, "They feel you're not helping sufficiently with their work." They heard a soft scoff fall from Penelope's lips.

"Exactly, their work. If they're not up to the challenge I fail to see how that's my problem. I'm not their nursemaid," She retorted. Demi was so baffled by what she was hearing and all she wanted to do was get out of the library. This was not how she wanted her night to go.

"Well, quite," The man agreed and Demi felt Lockwood push her forward slightly so he could slip the book into the pocket of his suit, "But you are their inspiration."

"They'd do well not to forget that but I do have something for you to pass along. Quell their complaining," Penelope said and Demi snook a look at what the Head of Fittes was doing and she was opening one of the cases. She pulled out some sort of box from inside as she said, "Repaired and tested. It's working again. You can tell them it's a token of goodwill from their inspiration." Demi narrowed her eyes trying to identify it but it was useless and Lockwood pulled her back before someone spotted them.

"Lucky them." The man retorted. Penelope hummed in response as she stepped away from the man.

"I'm going back where I'm appreciated. I'd offer you a drink but I'm sure you have somewhere more... exciting to be." Penelope retorted as she wiped down her dress. She looked immaculate whether she had done that or not though. Demi had to admit that the Head of Fittes was gorgeous even if it seemed that she was involved in some sort of scheme.

"I'll hang back a few minutes. We don't want to set tongues wagging." Those words made Demi scream internally. If the two of them had just left, they would be in the clear but it was just their luck that this man wanted to linger in the library a little longer. It was just typical.

There was silence for a long moment and she could hear the man moving through the room until suddenly, the elevator opened again. Demi squeezed her eyes shut, ready to be caught. Somebody was about to find them.

"Oh! I didn't realise anyone else would be in here," Erin's voice suddenly made Demi's eyes snap open. She peeked around the edge of the bookshelf and there she was in all her glory. Demi looked up at Lockwood and he was smiling proudly, "Penelope told me that I'd be safe in here if I needed a breather." It was such a flawless lie and Demi would have believed Erin if she didn't know that was in fact complete bullshit. When Demi peaked around the corner again, the man was holding the map that George had made for them. Erin then stepped over, "Oh! You found my map. Thank you." Demi watched as Erin plucked it from the man's fingertips. But Demi couldn't watch anymore before Lockwood distracted her.

"We need to go," Lockwood said quietly. Demi and Lucy nodded and once they were sure that the man wouldn't see them, they manoeuvred around to the side of the bookshelves, firmly out of sight. Erin and the man were still talking but Demi had tuned them out, trying to get out of this room without being spotted.

But then suddenly the man's rapier was against Demi's throat and it all turned to chaos. Demi wasn't really sure what had happened but Lockwood had mouthed off - as he usually did - and Erin had thrown him a book which caused a good enough distraction for them to run. The quartet sprinted for the door and when they reached the party, security were beginning to block the entrances.

So, Lockwood did the only logical thing and set off the salt sprinklers as they ditched the party. It was, all in all, a disaster.

RUBY'S NOTES

- uhm, uh, hello, SURPRISE!! another chapter, yes it had been around three months and i can do nothing to apologise but it's another demi chapter and im hoping over the next month or so to complete this fic! there's only three-ish chapters left of this fic and so i'm aiming for either weekly or bi-weekly updates of this so i can get it all to you

- but enough about the plans, THIS CHAPTER!! it's a chaotic one, we have some of the girlies interacting bc i adore them so much and we needed some of that and then lockwood giving demi the necklace sob. i have missed campwood so so much, y'all do not understand it and THEN THE BALL?

- originally, i thought that the ball scene would be longer but i think if i made it any longer it would mess with the pacing too much so you get some fluff and LOCKWOOD FINALLY ASKING DEMI OUT AND SAYING YES!!

- campwood are officially official and i can finally die happy knowing that they are together, so yeah!

- i hope you enjoyed this chapter and look out for another soon hehe