Next day at school.
The history classroom buzzed with quiet chatter as Professor Whitmore the principle, adjusted his glasses and addressed the students.

“Class, as we’ve discussed the traditions of this town, it’s only fitting to remind you about the Moonlit Ball,” he began, his deep voice cutting through the noise. The room fell silent.

“The Moonlit Ball has been celebrated for centuries,” he continued. “It’s a tradition that began as a way for the townspeople to honor unity and light during the darkest time of the year. It’s not just a ball; it’s a celebration of history, culture, and connections.”

My ears perked up. She’d heard about the ball before but never in such detail.

“The rules are simple,” the professor added, smiling slightly. “Those interested can participate by choosing a partner. The ball will take place under the full moon this Saturday. Be sure to bring your best.”

Excited whispers broke out among the students. Elena glanced at Celia, who gave her a sly grin.

“Looks like you’re going,” Celia whispered.

“I don’t even have a dress,” I murmured back.

From the corner of her eye, I noticed Lucian sitting silently at the back, his eyes fixed on Professor Whitmore.

The professor concluded the announcement and returned to the lesson, but my mind wandered to the idea of the ball.

The cafeteria buzzed with energy as students chatted about the Moonlit Ball announcement. Elena and Celia sat at their usual table, their trays untouched as they discussed the event.

“I can’t believe we’re finally getting a ball!” Celia said, her eyes lighting up. “It’s going to be magical.”

Elena swirled her straw in her juice absentmindedly. “Yeah, sure. Except I don’t have a dress. Or shoes. Or… anything.”

Celia gasped. “Elena, you have to go! You can’t miss this. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime thing.”

Elena shrugged, pretending not to care. “What’s the point? I’ll look ridiculous. Besides, who would even want to dance with me?”

Celia leaned closer. “Are you serious? Half the school would die for a chance to dance with you. Even he might.”

Elena followed Celia’s gaze to the far corner of the cafeteria, where Lucian sat alone, his piercing eyes fixed on them. Her heart skipped a beat, but she quickly masked it with a smirk.

“Please,” Elena said, nudging Celia playfully. “He’s probably just eavesdropping for fun.”

Celia giggled. “Maybe. But he hasn’t taken his eyes off you since we started talking about the ball.”

Elena rolled her eyes, deciding to raise her voice just enough for Lucian to hear. “Well, it doesn’t matter. I’m not going because I don’t have anything to wear.”

From across the room, Lucian’s lips curled into a faint smirk. He stood and strolled past their table, his movements smooth and deliberate.

As he passed, he leaned down just enough for Elena to hear, his voice low and teasing. “You’ll look stunning in anything. But if you’re that worried, I’m sure I can help.”

Elena’s cheeks burned as he walked away, leaving her speechless. Celia’s jaw dropped before she burst into laughter.

“Oh my God, Elena! He totally just flirted with you!”

Elena buried her face in her hands. “Shut up, Celia.”

But inside, her heart raced, and she couldn’t stop the smile tugging at her lips. The Moonlit Ball suddenly didn’t seem so impossible after all.

As I walked with Celia to our lockers, I couldn’t resist teasing her. “So, what’s the verdict? The new guy worth all the hype?”

She shot me a glare. “He’s obnoxious.”

“Obnoxiously handsome?”

Celia smirked, shaking her head. “I don’t care how many girls drool over him. He’s not my type.”

"You can ask him about ball?" I said.

"Why?" She replied. "I can find another and btw Jason is coming to meet me!"

I see happiness on her face I tease her "this time you will have to try to lost your verginity.?"

"I'll." Celia said like she really wanted it. "How's your project going on with mr.weirdio?"

"Its perfect. Btw, he is not that bad as I thought." I said. Celia chuckled and left by saying "it's the beginning of something new."

POV Author

The clock ticked past midnight, the faint sound of rain tapping against Elena’s window. Books, papers, and empty coffee cups littered her desk as she sat cross-legged on the floor, scribbling notes. Across from her, Lucian lounged on the chair, effortlessly flipping through a book, his calm demeanor a stark contrast to her frazzled state.

“You know,” Lucian started, a smirk playing on his lips, “if you don’t have dresses or shoes, you could always just wear... I don’t know, a curtain? I hear they’re in style this season.”

Elena shot him a sharp glare. “Do you ever get tired of being annoying?”

“Never,” he said smoothly, leaning back. “It’s my favorite pastime, especially when you react like that.”

“Ugh!” she groaned, grabbing a book and hurling it at him. Lucian caught it mid-air with ease, his smirk widening.

“Careful,” he teased, placing the book down. “You might hurt someone with your aim. Oh wait, you’d have to actually hit me for that.”

Elena rolled her eyes, running a hand through her hair in frustration. “I don’t know why I agreed to this project with you. You’re impossible.”

“And yet,” he said, leaning forward, “here we are. Midnight. Alone. Working together. Romantic, isn’t it?”

Elena ignored the way her cheeks warmed and threw her pen at him instead. It hit his shoulder, and he mock gasped. “Assault now? You’re getting feisty.”

“Lucian!” she snapped, her patience fraying. “Can we just focus? This is important. My scholarship depends on this!”

He grew serious, sitting upright. “I know it’s important. That’s why I suggested changing this section. It’s weak, and you know it.”

Her frustration boiled over. “Why do you always have to take control? It’s my scholarship on the line, not yours!”

His voice lowered, a hint of intensity in his tone. “I’m trying to help you, Elena. You don’t have to like me, but stop acting like I’m still enemy.”

She opened her mouth to argue, then closed it, realizing he was right. With a sigh, she dropped onto the floor beside him. “Fine. Let’s finish this. But stop making stupid suggestions.”

Lucian chuckled. “Only if you stop throwing things at me.”

They worked in silence for a moment, the tension easing.

After a while, Lucian glanced at her. “You know, you’d probably look great in a curtain.”

“Shut up, Lucian.”

But she couldn’t help the small smile tugging at her lips as they continued.

The room was a mess of books, crumpled papers, and coffee mugs, but the project was finally done. Elena leaned back against the wall, closing her eyes with a relieved sigh. “Finally. I thought this would never end.”

Lucian, still seated on the floor, watched her quietly. The usual teasing smirk was gone, replaced with something softer, almost unreadable. “You know,” he said after a moment, “you’re not as weak as you think.”

Elena opened her eyes, startled by his tone. She turned to face him, her guard slipping just slightly. “And you’re not as heartless as I thought.”

The air between them grew still, charged with something unspoken. The sound of rain outside filled the silence until Elena stood abruptly, brushing her hands on her jeans. “Thanks… for helping.”

Lucian raised an eyebrow. “Did I just hear a thank-you from Elena? Someone mark the date.”

She rolled her eyes. “Don’t ruin it.”

Just then, Lucian grabbed a pillow from the couch and tossed it at her. It hit her square in the chest.

“Really?” Elena said, grabbing the pillow and launching it back at him. “You’re such a child.”

“Oh, it’s on now,” Lucian said with a grin, grabbing another pillow.

Within seconds, they were in a full-blown pillow fight. Feathers burst from the seams, floating through the air like snow. Elena laughed so hard her sides hurt, dodging Lucian’s throws and trying to land her own.

Suddenly, as she spun to grab another pillow, everything froze. Her laughter died as a vision overtook her—a vivid memory from the past. The boy she’d seen in her dreams, the one whose face had always been blurred, came into focus. It was Lucian. He was standing in an old castle, his expression a mix of anguish and determination.

“Elena?” Lucian’s voice pulled her back to the present.

She stared at him, the realization hitting her like a tidal wave. “What the hell was that?”

Lucian stood, his playful demeanor gone. He grabbed his jacket, avoiding her gaze. “I should go.”

“No,” Elena said firmly, stepping in front of him. “When I finally start getting to know you—when I think maybe you’re different from everyone else—you pull away. Why?”

He paused, his jaw tightening. “Because I’m a monster, Elena. Remember that. Anyone who gets close to me dies.”

“I don’t care,” she said, her voice trembling but determined. “We could… we could just be friends.”

Lucian looked at her for a long moment, something unreadable in his eyes. Finally, he nodded. “Friends.”

With that, he turned and left, leaving Elena standing amidst the mess, her mind racing with questions she couldn’t answer.