A Taste of What's To Come.

Hello there!
So I'm back! Today was also my first day of school, which wasn't bad to be honest. I spent most of the day in the library avidly reading my genetics textbook. (I half think something in me got messed with over the summer. Me, enjoying a textbook? This is (almost) unheard of! But then again it's biology so that kinda makes sense.) Other than that...I think I'm looking forward to all my classes (except for chem lab of course).

 And of course, I'd feel bad of not leaving a bit of original writing for you to peruse, so here's the beginning snippet of my latest project. It's quite small, but hopefully these 348 words are entertaining!

Aza perched on the top of the highest stone tower of Otowa Hopa, his eyes cast as far across the desert plain as a 10 year old could dream and his small hands clutching the small warrior’s knife that hung from his breechcloth. From Hopa, great roads stretched as far as the eye could see in all the cardinal directions, but this day Aza’s were fixed east. His uncle, the pharin Karuanhe, had led a party south of their city a few moons ago and had promised to return with great treats for his nephews this day. 

“I will travel all the way to Otowa Tiwa and deal with the people that beg trouble there. I will return when their spirits are tranquil again and I will bring you both great gifts.”

“Will it change our lives?” his brother Ani demanded. Since Aza was born a cycle after he had been, Ani had been forever obsessed about life-changing people and objects. According to him, ever since Aza had been born, people had been forever confusing the two of them: they were splitting images of each other, from their choppy coal-black hair to their dark caramel skin to their stubborn jawlines. The only way people told them apart was by their eye color: Ani’s was bright green, like their father’s, while Aza’s was blue, like their late mother’s. 

Karuanhe had chuckled at Ani’s question. “Maybe it will.” 

Aza had tugged his uncle’s stubbed right arm worriedly. “Will you make it back before the cold moons arrive?”

His uncle ruffled his hair.  “You celebrate your birth in the second moon of winter, don’t you? I’ll certainly return by then, young Aza.” Karunahe had expected to wrap up business in  Tiwa quickly and promised Aza and Ani that he would be gone only a few moons. “At this time three moons from now, watch the east road carefully. Look for a flagstaff with the Hopa weave around the Tkalis banner and you will find me marching triumphantly below.”

Aza strained his eyes on the road east but saw no banner, not even the dust of a horse or boot. 

Hopefully it's interesting! I think the entire first "chapter" of this story drags a bit, but I'll be back within a week with the next part of this chapter! As always, any feedback, predictions or questions are encouraged; I'm curious as to how this scene looks to other people. 

For those in the UC system, good luck this upcoming quarter and year! For those not...(though I wouldn't know who would be reading this that isn't) good luck to your pursuits as well!
~Minerva

P.S. ECA! I know! I have to get back to working on that.....>_<"
P.P.S. Question--Next to work on/ post--the continuation of this or the next few parts of ECA?

Spring Ball Trouble 7/7: The Ball

As promised, the last installment of the Spring Ball Trouble arc!

This, like the last three, is mostly me. Of all the sections, this part was the hardest to write, and the dialogue is original. I'll share some of my thoughts and other ideas afterwards, but for now, please enjoy the conclusion of the story!

. . .

I arrived at the music room at exactly 5:30, a jacket over my dress and my bag on my side. I was reviewing the lyrics to “The Blueish Vortex,” and “The Purpleish Star”, thinking those were the only ones they would have me sing; however, if needed, I knew the lyrics to a few of the others as well. Maggie was warming up on a drum pad with headphones over her ears but raised a drumstick at me in salute. Raymond was just taking out his guitar and humming something that I recognized as "Crimson Lights". 

"Kenny's going to be late," Ray said, popping his earphones out for a moment. 

I laughed. "And here he was the one that said 5:30 sharp."

"I did," a voice said from the door, "and I’m here on time," We all glanced over to see a sweaty and tired Kenneth, one hand resting on his guitar and the other on the doorframe. "And don'tcha forget it!" He whipped his guitar out and strummed a random chord. "Let's practice."

I was worried that they would be dissatisfied with my performance, but everyone was very supportive. Maggie noted that I sang a little slower and higher than Melodie but we managed to find a balance that was comfortable enough for me and everyone else. I was happy about the arrangement. Instead of a replacement, I felt like a guest star that was singing a cover of their songs. I just had the awesome opportunity of singing live with the band itself. 

At half an hour before the ball started and an hour before we were to play Iris surprised us by showing up with pizza and drinks. She didn't speak much but looked over each of us carefully. She adjusted Ray, and Kenneth's ties and even brought one for Maggie, who had insisted on wearing dress pants because she was playing the drums. She didn't look at me the entire time. Finally, I gathered my courage, swallowed my pride and asked her politely, "Excuse me?"

She whirled on me stormily. I took it gracefully and braced myself for whatever she could say. "Do I look ok?"

She raised and eyebrow. "How would I know? Aren't you the fashion designer?" Her voice was a cold, and there was definitely a hint of scorn and sarcasm mixed in as well, but I sensed she was also a little surprised. 

"I like my ball dress, but you're more familiar with how the band's performances go. They've already told me about entrances and stuff, but I'm not the clearest person about how appearances go. I wanted to achieve something that would fit in with the band yet not be the same as Melodie's usual look. She's got her own groove, her own niche. I can't fill that, but if she's asked me to substitute for her tonight then I want to do my best. I want to let the Super Soundwaves look and sound as good as they can tonight. And I think you can help me with that. So...what do you think…Miss Eodoin?”

I stopped and drew my breath. What was that? Unscripted monologues weren't my thing. I held my breath, realizing that everyone in the room was as well. Finally iris sighed and spoke. "Your jacket doesn't work. it kinda worked yesterday, but not for you  today. I have one you can use." She pulled out a red jacket that seemed a little large for her and meant for someone probably taller than either of us. But I traded with her without comment and let her do my hair. She tied half of it in a low ponytail, leaving one strand the right side down. Then she braided this piece and clipped it to the ponytail and swept everything  over my right shoulder. When I saw myself in the mirror I couldn't help but smile. I would definitely be using this hairstyle again. It resembled a one-tailed version of Melodie's, braided and carefully placed pigtails, and I felt it captured both wilderness and elegance. Who knew Iris was a genius hairstylist? 

"Thank you," I said when she was finished and was clipping a few pins on the jacket. Finally she handed me the microphone and nodded. Her face was still straight and emotionless, but I felt a slight change in her demeanor. 

"Go eat now," she said, pointing to the last slice of pizza Ray had left. "I need to change into my own dress."

"Who's ya date?" Kenneth asked nonchalantly then, coming back from setting up the stage with Raymond. I pretended to be fascinated by a pepperoni on my pizza but listened curiously. Now that it seemed she had gotten over whatever her initial reason to hate me was, I was curious about why she didn't want me coming to the ball. But when I chanced a glance up I was afraid that even if I didn't mess up tonight the Super Soundwaves would be short one guitarist. 

"None of your business," she snapped snobbishly. She whirled on me suddenly.  “This doesn’t change anything, Eileen Hieron. Nothing.” 

On that ominous note she marched out. I looked to the others for a sign as to how to react. Raymond and Maggie were on their ipods again, pictures of innocence . Kenneth rolled his eyes. 

"Ready for ya debut concert?" he asked me, changing the subject animatedly. 

I pushed aside my confusion, smiled and nodded. "Let's rock and roll." 

After three songs and a short encore, the Super Soundwaves and guest singer headed backstage from their mini-preformance, roses scattering their walkway and cheers echoing behind us. The concert had been an overwhelming success. People had been disappointed that Melodie couldn't make it, but most fans were tolerant if not intrigued in the girl that had been chosen to represent her. 

Backstage, the band packed up and got ready to enjoy the night as normal students. I changed into my ball gown, a light pink halter-top with a flower on the side and beads hemmed into the side. I tied my hair into a bun and struggled to clip the flower perfectly in place when I felt a hand over mine. 

"Let me," a boy's voice whispered quietly into my ear. In the mirror, I saw Norbert gazing at my reflection, his hand over the flower in my hand. 

"Nor-Norbert!" I gasped inarticulately. 

He chuckled and took the flower from my hand and pinning it into my hair. "At first I was quite distraught," he admitted. "And when I found out who you'd turned me down for, I felt a moment of betrayal." He looked at his hands before meeting my eyes. "But I can't stay mad at him. Alan's my friend, as you are. I'm sure neither of you meant me any offense."

How was I supposed to respond to this? He was already dressed in a nice shirt and tie, though I couldn't imagine who he would be going with--who he found on such a short notice. "Th-thank you for your understanding," I was close to mumbling, but put on a brave front. It wouldn't do to have anyone seeing me stutter now. I'd made my choice, hadn't I?

"Eileen!" Norbert and I both turned at Alan's voice as it came from the hall outside the music room. He must have been worried from waiting for me so long and come to check on me. A knock on the ajar door indicated he had found the dressing room. "Eileen?"

"Come in," I managed to say. Norbert dropped his hands and stepped back just before Alan's head poked around the door. 

"Ei-- oh! Norbert! Hello!"

Norbert didn't respond, but watched as Alan crossed the room to join me. He glanced between the two of us and suddenly a smile bloomed across his face, sweetness, sadness, and sincerity all captured in a simple expression. "Alan, Eileen. I wish you two the best. If you would excuse me..." A the door though, he turned and said, "It is my great pleasure and great pain to tell you that I must leave now. The worlds beyond call to me. The future --nay, my future as well-- rests in your hands now, my brave hero. The apologies are all mine, and the mirth should all be yours; indeed, I shall be sorely disappointed if you have anything else."

Then Norbert Ames bowed his head slightly to me and closed the door. I gasped, recognizing the lines. Alan thought it was a bit of clever wording and had only nodded in embarrassed gratitude, but he didn't know the context of the lines Norbert had used. I did. Norbert wasn't close to death, but I hated to see that my decision had moved him so. 

Alan offered me his arm. "Are you ok?" he asked softly and I knew I didn't regret my decision. Yet Norbert had been so kind about the entire event. 

I smiled and nodded, taking his arm. "Let us dance the night away, Mr. Rivers."

"I would be delighted to, Miss Hieron." 

We left through the music room and joined the slow dance that had just started. I relaxed and let Alan lead me gracefully around the floor, enjoying his company. "You look beautiful," he murmured in my ear after we had a light and easy rhythm established. I blushed. "Did you make your dress yourself?" I nodded. "Beautiful work springs from beautiful hands," he noted and I flushed a deeper shade at the compliment. 

“I could say the same for you,” I replied quietly.

I enjoyed a pleasant evening, dancing, eating and talking. I had liked Alan before, but he was much more than a soft-spoken writer who had gotten lucky on his debut novel just as I had at the concert. We stared out talking about college and school but digressed as well to our hobbies in our free time: him mainly writing and me mainly designing clothes. We shared similar interests in literature and drama and discussed our favorite books and movies and plays. 

I was beginning to think it was the most perfect dance in the history of school balls. We wandered outside for a stroll and a breath of fresh air with Wendy and Louis. The boys strode ahead, discussing Alan's early graduation/ birthday present--a car, no less--while Wendy and I lagged behind, swapping stories. Wendy stopped to chat with a few friends from the school newspaper and I wandered off a little, towards the field. The moon was a lovely crescent that night. I could hear the music from the nearby gym where the main dance was going on, but it was quiet enough to be lost in the ethereal moment. Abruptly I heard a sniffle and searched around me. There was a figure hunched over in the front row of the bleachers. 

Concern washed over me as I neared the person. Closer up, I could see she was a girl: her blonde hair was arranged neatly in curls across one shoulder and she was wearing a lovely strapless gown lined with sequins. Her earrings were long with little charms that mirrored the moon.  "What's wrong?" I asked, kneeling a little. She jumped in surprise for a moment before turning to face me. We stared at each other for a moment in surprise. 

"Iris, what hap--" before I could finish, she raised her hand and slapped my cheek. "Ouch!" I cried, recoiling a little. "What was that--"

"It's all your fault! I warned you, didn't I?"

"Wha--What are you talking about?!"

"'Don't try any tricks at the ball or else someone might get hurt!' I warned you! Why are you here?"

I stared. She didn't seem threatening anymore, or maybe it was just because I had just seen her in a tearful heap. "I thought--"

"No! You didn't think! You're just like that nosy Wendy from the paper! You didn't think about anyone else! You only thought of yourself!" Iris took a long, trembling breath. "I've been watching you, Eileen. You're lucky that your friend Samantha got along very well with Curtis. Introducing them was a good deed, I grant you that much. They're having a wonderful time now. But what about Kenneth? What about Norbert? You thought you could just pick one guy and run away, leaving behind a bunch of broken hearts?"

"I--but Melodie and Kenneth--"

"Melodie is a freshman! Kenneth's a senior! He's moving to the other side of the country for college next year! Do you think it would work? A long distance relationship? And even if it would, how many times do you think Kenneth's turned her down over the years? Once? Twice? Six, Eileen! Why do you think she's randomly going to Alaska with my parents while I'm still here? Because her date rejected her, for the sixth time! No, instead he goes off and writes a short little song for you, asking you to the ball! We’re very lucky I caught and warned him before he got to your house that his best friend was about to and probably already did the same thing." She paused for a moment and drew a breath, this time more steady. "He contributed a few lines from the song into the poem."

I never thought of it like that. Melodie and Kenneth had seemed so in synch with each together, I hadn't even considered that they didn't already like each other. And what was all that about warning him about Alan asking me? But when I paused to think about it, this explained the flowers in his hand and the guitar on his back a little. He would have waited for Alan to drop the letter through the window--he might have even dropped it there for him!--and then knocked to tell me the call time for that night. What loyalty to his friend!

"And do I even need to bring up poor Norbert? The one time he works up the courage to ask someone to a dance, he gets turned down in favor of one of the only non-online friends he's ever had!"

I was the one tearing up now. I didn't know I had hurt so many of them. I knew from the way Norbert had left the dressing room that he had been hurt, but he had said himself that he was quite happy for us. Iris though, shook her head and seemed to read my mind. 

"He's a nice guy. He's still having a good time, hanging out with Kenneth and other Legacy of Lords players and occasionally asking a few of his classmates for a dance. He's not the jealous type. I talked to him earlier. He's truly happy for Alan and is glad that he's a good person. He told me he feels as though Alan 'deserved' you more. He's happy for you! But just because he's got a kind enough heart and an open enough mind doesn't lessen the erase the blow of a rejection."

She sighed, apparently finished yelling at me. I didn't even mind though. I was outright crying now, and part of me didn't even understand why. I had known when I’d told Norbert I was “going with someone else already” that I was rejecting him, didn't I? And I knew from my friends at home that rejection was painful, no matter what the reason behind it was. I should have known better! I didn't have any personal experience, but I had listened to my friends pour their stories and tears over my shoulder enough times to know how horrible it was. I should have been more observant--more cautious!

"That's enough, Iris," a voice said behind me. "She didn't know." It was a boy's voice, and familiar, though in my sobbing state I couldn't think clearly enough to understand why he would be here. "She didn't plan this like you think she did."

I turned around to see who it was, but my tears burred my vision. All I could tell was that he was taller than me. He patted my shoulder comfortingly and offered me a handkerchief. "Iris, no one plans these things. I'm sorry. But please...stop seeing cruel intentions everywhere."

"This isn't about you!" Iris shrieked behind me. "This isn't about you or me or whatever us there might have been in my head! This isn't about you, Casayo!"

I wasn't delusional then. My brother had somehow shown up at my spring ball. But what was all this about an us? He and Iris? I dabbed my eyes as he stepped around me to talk to Iris. "I'll admit I had more of an idea of your intentions than she did about the others, but neither of us meant ill in either of our situations. You've suffered, Iris, and for that I am very sorry.” 

I watched them for a moment before backing away. I understood enough and I could ask Casayo the details of this later, but the gist of it was clear: Iris liked my brother, but he didn’t share the sentiment.

A flicker of hope might have flickered across Iris’s distraught face at my brother’s apology, but he shook his head. “It doesn't change my feelings. I hope you understand. I don’t want to hurt anyone more than necessary.” That hope turned quickly to rage.

I backed away in broken steps before turning around. I ran. The wind tore at my hair and I'm certain I lost a few pins on the field, but I ran, not caring where I was going. I felt horrible. I wanted to run into a black hole. I wanted to never stop running. My legs were already burning and I could feel a cramp growing in my side, but I didn't want to care. I wanted the world to eat me up and send me into a place where other horrible people like me existed. Instead, I crashed into Alan. "Eileen! Wher--what happened?" He took my hands. 

"I'm fine," I said out of habit as I wiped my tears away. I’m not fine.”I-I was just thinking about--" I couldn't say it. What was there to say? I didn't want to burden him as well. Instead, I let myself collapse into her arms and sobbed away my energy and negativity.

I couldn't say how long we stood there. Alan took the handkerchief and dabbed my eyes lightly. 

“You found out,” he murmured softly, with more sympathy than I deserved.

I stared at him and nodded slowly. What was he talking about? 

“Tell me,” Alan urged and that was all the urging I needed. Quickly, I explained what Iris had just told me, though I left out the bit i found out about my brother and her. That wasn't my tale to tell. We walked as I talked, and by the time I recognized we were approaching the dressing room I had explained everything from the moment I met Wendy and our plans to find me a date. I felt bad but I assured him I was never deceitful. Alan held my hand quietly, his face not betraying any emotion yet not impassive. 

"Alan? That's it...please say something."

Still holding my hand, he turned to face me. "Thank you for confiding all this," he started. "But you didn't need to worry like that. I had talked to Kenneth before and Norbert just a few minutes ago. We're all good. I felt bad as well, but I'm fortunate enough to have such understanding and supportive friends. I also knew you were talking to other people, but I knew you were just trying to make friends. That’s a great thing. And finally...none of it changes the way I feel. I still like you, Eileen."

He smiled again, and I this time I felt my own expression brighten a little. He made a little glance at his watch. “It’s not yet midnight, Princess Eileen. We still have the whole night ahead of us.”

I laughed. 

When I saw the clock in the music room I was surprised that it had only been 24 minutes since Louis, Wendy, Alan and I had decided to take a short walk to the field and back to the gym. 

It took me 10 minutes to redo my makeup and my hair, another 14 because Kenneth and Norbert had come to “claim their promised dances” but in another 24 minutes I was back in Alan’s arms, the two of us humming to an cello and piano version of “The Blueish Vortex” Maggie and Ray had been convinced to play.

When the song ended we wandered over to the snack bar to enjoy the last few red velvet cake bites that Sunny Cafe had donated. So Iris had been upset and mean to me because my brother had picked Fiana over her. She had planned on denouncing me at the dance tonight with some big secret about me she'd found out while hanging around my brother. But when she saw me last night, my actions towards Curtis and Kenneth surprised her and she realized I hadn’t known I was creating all the drama. 

 I saw Curtis with Samantha drinking soda further down the table, Louis and Wendy dancing, Kenneth and Norbert laughing, and Iris and my brother chatting amicably. I turned to my own date with a soft smile. The dance had been an amazing experience, but, well, it was only the beginning of something really beautiful.

. . .

And there it is. 

First, on the outcome/ who she ends up with: I played through the game many many times to get a transcript of all the dialogue and all the possible paths. The last line of the game, as well as the story, is "Well, [the ball] was only the beginning of something really ___" For Alan, the last word is beautiful; Curtis, nice; Kenneth, cool; Norbert, romantic." I was imagining this line would represent a lasting relationship (especially in my case, as I was blending Eileen's character with one of my OCs). Nice and cool didn't quite satisfy that. Romantic was very sweet and would have fit, but (call it a personal liking for the word), beautiful seemed to be best. Thus, I figured that anyone reading a story about a game would like writing and game-playing for certain. To decide between Norbert and Alan then, I just ran off my own bias. While writing, I was more inclined to write details about the Tale of the Darkest Star than I was about the anonymous video game. (This also contributed to how Eileen ends up deciding her date! hehe Like writer, like character.)

One of the big questions I'd come to with writing everything out in this story was "Well, what happened at the ball?" Iris is constantly threatening Eileen, but what does all that come to? It could have simply been mockery or insults and some pushing around, but I didn't like that.

#1. The original idea was that Iris and Casayo was dating before and suddenly he started paying less attention to her and more to the girl that was staying at his apartment. There would be a giant ruckus at the ball when Iris humiliates Eileen and her date somehow. Denouncing, teasing, pushing her into a bowl of fruit punch, something wild until Casayo shows up and clears things up and tells Iris that Eileen's family. 

#2. I'd gotten to the part where Eileen takes a walk during the ball and suddenly I wrote Iris crying. I liked that picture very much and decided it was because Casayo had outright rejected her in favor of Fiana, who was Casayo's girlfriend based on my OC storyline. I went back, edited Fiana into a few parts earlier before realizing that didn't explain why she would dislike Eileen at first sight. 

#3. I had just finished a very rough copy of the first draft when I came up with the idea of Wendy being the evil agent. She and Iris had a rivalry/ feud of sorts, and Wendy decided to manipulate Eileen into hurting people close to Iris. I quite liked the twist, and even wrote the confrontation between Eileen and evil-Wendy, but then I couldn't explain why Iris made the initiative to be mean.

#4. Finally, I decided on the semi-lazy way out. I wanted a conclusion, not a dramatic thing that would have to be further explained and worked out. I was tired with the story by this time and it had already taken too. I made Iris a tender-hearted person of sorts, one who cared about the other guys, someone who'd had her heart broken This worked too: Iris would think that her heart-breaker's sister was deliberately trying to break the other boys apart. When I wrote Louis's line about being in a "silly romance story" I was thinking of this as well. I didn't want anything so twisted as to be unfaithful to the tone of the story.

So! The Spring Ball Trouble arc is now completed! I'm not sure if I'll be continuing with ECA posts or posting little bits of other things that I've yet to write, but I'll try to get in a consistent posting schedule. Thanks for reading, and as always comments are very much appreciated! :) 

Hope to be back soon, 

~Minerva.

Spring Ball Trouble 6/7: Friday Morning

Almost finished with this arc! This is Friday Morning. It's rather boring in my opinion, so I'll post the next part soon :)

For your entertainment, some more fun with the college boys:

Nick: Wow. I can't believe you couldn't beat that boss by yourself. And you call yourself a Legacy of Lords master.
Louis: Hehehe...thanks man. I'm glad you're back.
Nick: Back to help you beat your games? Just joking, man. It's good to be back.
Casayo: Hey, my car's back! Hi Nick! Thanks for filling up the tank.
Nick: No prob. Hey, where's Jason?
Louis: Out with Gwen.
Casayo: He asked her to see a screening of Alfred Hitchcock's Vertigo with him.
Nick: Serious? He asked her out?
Louis: He has to see the film anyways for class. 
Nick:*sigh* Which means, they'll spend the whole time discussing the concepts of consciousness exemplified in the film.
Louis: He left us a movie though! Said it was really awesome! Looks like an anime of sorts.
Nick: Really? I would like to sit back and watch a movie for awhile. Casayo, got anything to eat?
Louis: Hopefully it's nothing like that Inception movie we watched last time. Nothing to do with dreams and reality and dreams that can be accessed and changed to change reality and all that complicated stuff. I'm not looking forward to another headache.
Nick: Like evil director wants to take over the world and a group of unlikely people have to stop him?
Louis: Yea!
Nick: So...an old guy and a magical girl...hrm.. A fat guy with an eating disorder. Obesity's a big thing this year. And why not throw in a policeman with issues from his past?
Casayo: Are we going to watch the movie or sit here and hypothesize about it?
Nick: Let's watch. Oi, where's the food at, Cas?
Casayo:  I've got a box of red velvet cake bites that we brought back from the Sunny Cafe on Tuesday. How's that?
Nick: Excellent. What's this movie called anyhow, Lou?
Louis:  Paprika, by Satoshi Kon.

. . .

In the morning I woke up full of energy and surprisingly cheerful.

I had just finished brushing my teeth when the phone rang. Who would be calling this early in the morning?  Samantha was the only girl that I knew was up and calling people at this hour. Knowing that none of the boys would reach it in time, I picked it up. “Hello?”

“Um..hi!” the voice said. “This is Curtis.”

My heart raced, but whether in apprehension or trepidation I couldn’t tell. “Hi Curtis, it’s Eileen speaking. How are you doing?”

“Eileen!” I could almost hear the anxiety in his voice calm a little. “I just wanted to say thanks for coming to the party last night. I had a great time.”

“No problem!”

“Speaking of last night, I um, really liked your friend Samantha and was wondering if um…if I could talk to her?”

I grinned so wide that I’m sure Curtis could have seen it through the phone. “Sure.”

I passed the phone to Samantha, who had just joined me downstairs.

 Even though I still hadn’t gotten an invitation to the dance, I wouldn’t let that bring me down. Soon after, Samantha, Jason, Casayo, Louis and I met up with Wendy and Gwen at the mall. While the older people left to do their own purchases, Samantha, Wendy and I browsed for dresses. 

I had been secretly working on my own dress even before I moved here and now only needed a few beads and flowers to complete the look I was aiming for. 

Samantha kept gushing about Curtis, which didn’t help to keep my mind off of the upcoming ball and my utter lack of a date. As I bought a few small, pink vermillion clips for my hair I thought about how sad it would be to have this entire outfit planned out and never be able to wear it. Norbert or Alan—one of them would ask me, right? I sighed despondently. 

“Does this make me look fat?” Wendy’s question snapped me out of my thoughts. It was a striking blue halter-top with orange beads and embroidery along the empire waistband that complimented her hair. I shook my head. 

“It looks great on you!”

“Really?” She flashed a smile at me. “It’s a little long for my tastes though…would you mind trimming it for me when we get back to the apartment?”

I agreed to, and once we got back, I did.

“Eileen, don’t worry about your date. I’m sure you have one,” Wendy told me with a generous smile before she left for her house to get ready. “You did a great act introducing Samantha to Curtis.”

“Thanks.”

“See you at the dance in a few hours then! Onstage, no less!”

“See you!” 

I turned on the computer in the kitchen just in case Norbert was online early and started to make an early dinner—they could heat it up later—for the boys as I pondered on ways to set my hair. 

Casayo came up with a letter for me and shortly after I had to call Wendy: “Hello! It’s Eileen speaking. May I speak to Wendy?”

Gwen picked up the phone. “Hold on a moment!”

“Hello Eileen! How’s the news?” Wendy sounded excited and happy, as though expecting good news. 

“Hi Wendy! You won’t believe this! I was playing that online game with Norbert just now. Suddenly his character fell to his knees and invited me to the ball!”

She seemed stunned for a moment. “Wow, that’s so romantic!” she gushed after a moment.

“That’s not all though! I received a hand-written letter from Alan! He wrote a poem for me and invited my to the ball!”

“That’s wonderful, honey!”

“But now I have to choose, don’t I?” I wailed quietly in the phone. “Casayo’s distracted Alan in the living room and I told Norbert I’d be right back with an answer, but I still don’t have a response!”

Wendy laughed. “That’s simple! Who do you want to go with more? Then just tell the other one that you had already accepted someone else’s invitation.”

She made it seem so easy. But my emotions were so conflicted. I hadn’t been expecting both of their invitations, much less at almost exactly the same time, and I didn’t want to hurt either of them.

The doorbell interrupted me again. 

“Eilee! It’s for you!” My brother called. “Gee, you’re popular today,” he murmured to me. Another ball suitor?”

I flushed at his teasing and met Kenneth at the door, his guitar swung on his back as though he had just been practicing. 

“Hey singer girl,” he said. He had a few flowers in his hand and I steeled my resolve and thought about sweet Melodie. Besides, I already had two invitations to decide between.

“Hey guitar boy,” I replied. “I was going to ask you…When’s call time tonight?”

He seemed a little taken back by the question before laughing. “Actually I just came to tell ya that. Be at the band room by 5:30.” He held out the pink roses shyly. “I—well, um, they’re from Melodie and the band, as thanks.” He hesitated. “Are ya going with Alan?”

I couldn’t conceal my surprise. “How did you know he asked me?”

“He lives down the street from me,” Kenneth laughed. “We’ve been friends since elementary school.” He laughed again, a little more awkwardly. “I helped him edit the poem,” he half-bragged. 

“Oh.” 

He waited patiently. “Well?”

I flushed. “Two guys actually asked me and I can’t decide which one to accept.”

“Who’s the other guy?”

I decided to confide in him. “Norbert Ames?”

“Oh N-bert! He’s cool too. He’s so quiet, he didn’t tell me he’d ask ya.”

That didn’t help my dilemma any.

“Sorry, but I can’t help ya here, Eilee. We’re all good friends. Tell you what though. Neither of them would feel bad if ya turned them down to go with the other one. Just pick who ya want to.” He smiled that gorgeous, rock-star smile for me. “Don’t forget to save me a dance as well!”

He left with a wave and I retreated to think of a response quickly. I was sure Norbert was worried I hadn’t said anything for a while now besides my rushed “goodness! Give me a moment please” nearly 5 minutes ago. 

Ultimately, it was Nick that made the decision for me. He had returned to the apartment while we were at the mall. I joined him in the kitchen and he flashed a grin at me. 

“Hi, Nick.”

“Hey, Eileen. So…I heard my lil’ brother finally asked you out.”

“Ah, yes…about that.”

“I also heard Alan Rivers asked you.”

“That too…” He smiled knowingly. Casayo must’ve told him while I was talking to Kenneth. 

“Looks like you’re a bit conflicted. Aside from not wanting to seem rude, you don’t even really know which boy you were hoping to go with. Despite Wendy’s intention for you to just have a date, you wanted to have them as friends as well. Even though your main hobby lies in designing clothes and sewing, you also genuinely enjoy reading, video games, and like singing and watching sports.”

I nodded. Despite his rough ways, Nick was very startlingly perceptive. “I don’t sound very honest, do I?”

He shrugged. “It’s not impossible to be interested in a bunch of things.” 

 I blinked. Nick laughed and shook his head. “That’s not the point. Think about it this way: Alan is one of Nrbert’s best friends—hell, he’s one of Norbert’s only friends. Both of them are quiet, but Alan’s gains popularity with the ladies because of his book. Norbert’s happy for him.”

“Yes, Kenneth just told me this.”

“Well then now. Of the two of them, who have you out with more?” 

I thought it over a little. “Norbert, I think. I’m not quite sure. Every time I talked to Alan we were cut off by one of us needing to do something.” I paused. “Actually the last time I talked to Alan I was going to meet Norbert and he went to write me the poem asking him to the ball.”

“I see. Honestly now, Eileen. Regardless of the ball, who would you be more curious to get to know better?”

“I-“ I couldn’t decide.

“Here’s another way to think of it. Legacy of Lords or Tale of the Darkest Star—which world would you rather help develop and learn in depth about?”

I had been playing Legacy of Lords sporadically for a few months and I had only finished the Tale of the Darkest Star less than a week ago. Yet I could remember my initial responses to both of them and knew exactly the answer. 

“You don’t need to tell me,” Nick said gently, standing. “You don’t even need to answer it out loud.”

He set his empty cup in the sink and rinsed it. I watched as the water gathered around the rim and a single drop of overflow run down the side. “Whatever you decide,” he said, shutting off the water,”be true to yourself and go with the boy you like better. Trust your emotions. The other can always be your friend.”

Nick was at the door when he turned to me and asked, “Do you know what to do now?”

I looked up at him but didn’t answer. We both knew the answer to the question. He smiled, and his eyes betrayed amusement before he left, leaving me in the kitchen with my computer. 

Spring Ball Trouble 5/7: Thursday evening

Part two of Thursday!

This part was obviously entirely made up because there was no reference in the game that I could go off of. Actually, most of the story from now on is all me, though Friday morning is based off the possible date options.

I was asking a friend for a reason why a character would be absent from the ball and she said "Make her go to Alaska for a day." "Just a day?" "Yup." It was too random to pass up.

Breaking the fourth wall for a bit of fun:

Louis: Nick's still not back? Jeez I still can't beat the Markordalemon boss. I can't believe Norbert and Eileen beat him in just a few tries! And I'm supposed to be the gaming champ here!

Casayo: Actually I think Norbert is supposed to be. 

Jason: I'm not even sure why we're here. I don't really understand why the writer changed Eileen's family moving here to her coming to live with us. I mean, doesn't that just create more date opportunities for Eileen?

Louis: Hey, we're not date opportunities! I've got Wendy, Cas's got Fiana and that girl he dumped a while back and we all know you're obsessed with Gwen.

Casayo: I think it's because our writer didn't have any family decided for the Enlaika character except for me when she wrote this. That, and since the writer knew Wendy had a boyfriend--

Louis: Yah guys, there was another person in the writer's world who thought of me. Haha, I'm special!

Casayo: --and older sister, she probably wanted to create a pairing for the older sister and friends for the boyfriend. So...Eileen got stuck over here living with a bunch of college guys.... 

Jason: Which doesn't make any sense in any way, but I suppose we just have to accept that. I wonder if our writer's writer ever makes silly lapses like that. 

<pensive moment>

Casayo: You do know that she's making you think that, right? Why would she want us to think about that though?

Jason: Why did her writer make her write me thinking that?

<another pause>

Louis: Dude guys, you're making my head hurt. We're supposed to be in a silly romance story, not some profound whasit paper. 

Casayo: Hey, since we can see ourselves on tv, does that mean the the us of tv knows about us watching them on tv? Are they conscious of the fourth wall?

Louis:...Headache here? Let's just watch a movie.

Casayo: Sure. I found a dvd in the mailbox today.  

Jason: Did anyone order a dvd? 

Louis: Not that I know. What is it? Does it look good? 

Jason: (To himself: What if the writer sent it to us?)

Casayo: Looks pretty interesting. It's called Inception.

. . .

As I expected, Norbert was waiting for me in front of the school when I arrived. He was playing his game, but closed the system as he heard me approach. 

“Hey Norbert! I’m sorry I’m late! I had to pick up some books,” I explained. 

“No worries,” he said. “Ready for the arcade?”

“Let’s go!”

We discussed fighting games and their strategy as we walked, and eventually digressed to talking about Legacy of Lords. 

“By the way,” he asked. “I noticed you changed your avatar. Nice look!” He paused a beat. “Reminds me of a book character” he mused almost silently.

“Adelaide from Tale of the Darkest Star?”

 “Exactly!” he said with a smile. “Have you read it?”

I didn’t know how to respond to that, so stuck with honesty: “And loved it!”

“That’s neat! I’ll need to tell Alan there’s an Adelaide on Legacy of Lords as well now.  Anyways, it’s a very nice look you designed.”

I grinned. “Thank you! I usually change my avatar every week or so. Just so I have something new to look at.”

He laughed. “I’ve stuck with the same one for a few months now I think.  Ah, here’s the arcade. I can’t wait to see how you fight in Battle Blitz.”

I was no match for him. He beat me in three moves, leaving me stunned but grinning. 

“How’d you do that jump-spin-kick?” I asked. 

“Up-Side-A,” he said, showing me. “The sweep kick is down-side-A.”

I nodded. “Let’s go again then? I’ll put up a better fight this time!”

He laughed and we resumed. I did slightly better this time; in fact, I felt tremendously improved by the end of the hour, even if he’d only taught me a few new techniques. Subtle, slight improvement and a lot of fun. We joked about the games and agreed to meet online again the next afternoon. 

But there was no mention of the ball just the next day. Not even a passing comment. I was almost disheartened by the lack of response. 

But when I got home, I had a surprise waiting for me. I had just changed into a casual dress Wendy had picked out and was getting ready to go when a familiar bundle of energy burst into my room. 

“Eileen!”

I stared. “S-Samantha! Wh-what are you doing here?” I asked, but elation filled my heart. It was so pleasant to have someone from home here for a surprise visit!

“The championship football tournament was at school today!” she answered instead. “We—I mean, my school—won, of course. Oh, but I wander. There’re no classes tomorrow and I had nothing planned so I figured it was the perfect excuse to come visit you for the weekend!”

I was at a loss for words. Samantha’s one day rare off and she decided to drive all the way here to visit me instead of hanging out with her friends on the team at home? I wondered aloud if she should be celebrating with them and she smiled. 

“I’ve been invited to the team party Saturday evening, so it’s all good. Besides, who knows how long it would have been if I hadn’t decided to check up on you! You’re so shy!”

We both had to laugh at that and we probably could have gone on for hours just catching up but talking about football reminded be that my school’s team was now at the pizza parlour, their season-end party probably dampened by their recent loss. I brought it up to Samantha and Wendy before inviting them along. Samantha was squealing with delight before I was even finished.

Wendy glanced warily at Samantha and then me, but just laughed. “I’ll pass. You’ve got this one, Eileen,” she said happily. “Your brother’s volunteered to help cook and I can’t leave the kitchen to them or you might not have a place to stay when you get back.” She patted our shoulders. “Have a good time, girls!”

I expected a disheartened team when I got to the pizza parlour, but instead it was quite the party. Our team had placed second in the tournament and was ecstatic to have gotten that far. 

Samantha picked out Curtis faster than I did. “Eileen!” she whispered excitedly. “That’s the MVP Of the entire tournament!” I found Curtis surrounded by admiring teammates and spectators alike. 

I glanced at her and at Curtis, who hadn’t seemed to notice us yet. Another team member invited us to partake in the pizza and we helped ourselves. Samantha’s attention though, was fixated on Curtis.

Halfway through my second pizza an idea formed in my mind that I pondered with growing curiosity. It would probably kill any chance of Curtis asking me to the ball, but I thought it through, carefully picking my words.

Finally I smiled and asked, “How would you like me to introduce you to the MVP, Samantha?”

She gawked at me like it was the most unbelievable thing she’d ever heard. “You-You—know him?”

“Sure. He’s a friend,” I said. I didn’t add that he’d been a potential ball date.

We made our way through the throng. Curtis spotted me and waved.

“Hi Curtis! Congratulations!” I said, indicating the gleaming silver trophy in his arm.

“Ah, thanks!” he said. “I’d hoped for first, but this is great too. It’s the furthest our school’s ever been in league.”

“All thanks to you, MVP!”

He chuckled. 

“By the way, Curtis, I wanted to introduce you to my friend, Samantha Samar. She’s from my old school, but she came up here just for a chance at meeting the MVP in person,” I said. 

“Hi!” Samantha squeaked. 

“Hey, you’re the one-person cheerleading squad!” Curtis noted, surprising all of us. “You had some great energy out there!”

He chuckled and set the trophy down to shake her hand properly. “Thanks for cheering for all the teams,” he said. “You’re a real fan, aren’t you?”

I smiled. My work here was done. Ten minutes to seven I bid Curtis another congratulations, thanks for the invitation and good bye. Samantha assured me she knew the way back to my brothers’ apartment without trouble.

I caught Iris’s eye on my way out, but she didn’t approach me, only giving me a nod of the head in greeting. I smiled and waved, hoping that whatever had passed between us was now somehow over, but she only scowled and turned away before leaving herself. So much for that train of thought.

As arranged, I met Kenneth at the gate at exactly 7. 

“Hiya, Eilee!” he greeted. “Ready to go?”

“Sure!”

“I can’t wait to introduce’cha to the other band members!” 

He didn’t have to wait long. When we got there, the drummer and other guitarist were warming up and didn’t notice us, but the lead singer greeted us enthusiastically. 

“Hi Kenny! Oh! You brought a guest!”

Her name was Melodie Eadoin and was a freshman at our school. She was cheerful and full of energy. I could definitely hear the energy of the songs in her voice. She seemed to like me from the moment we met, but I could easily have said the same for anyone; Melodie seemed to like everyone. 

I left my bag on the backstage couch and toured the area with Kenneth. Maggie, the drummer, and Raymond, the other guitarist, discussed a new short instrumental piece that they wanted to play that night with Kenneth. When I returned, I found Melodie flipping through my sketches of Sorin, Adelaide, and Turrek. 

“Are you a fan of the book too?” she asked me excitedly. “Oh! I’m sorry! It just fell out and I was curious! I’m sorry! I didn’t mean to!” She said, tears forming before I could say anything. 

“Aww, hey, it’s ok! Don’t be sad.”

“Hey, ya draw too?” Kenneth asked, peeking over. “Mel, we’re on in 5! You ready and warmed up?..You haven’t even put on any makeup!”

“Yah, but…Please Eileen, can you do it for me? It’d be hyper cool if I could look like Adelaide while singing ‘The Purplish Star’!”

“Me?!” I exclaimed, surprised. “I couldn’t—“

She pouted. “My sister’s the only one here that knows anything about makeup and she isn’t here now.” Her eyes acquired devilish glint to them. “I want to look like Adelaide!” She pointed and my portrait of the character. “Like that!”

Kenneth glanced between us and the sketchbook and recognition seemed to dawn on him. “You’re a cool girl! And that’d look pretty cool, actually. Except I don’t think your current dress would completely work, Mel…the skirt maybe.”

I glanced down at the rough sketch and at Melodie’s pleading expression. 

“I’ll need at least 15 to 20 minutes.”

Kenneth turned. “Maggie! Ray! Your plan’s a go!” He turned to me as the other two cheered. “We’ll try. Good luck!”

I got to work immediately, using my own makeup kit to draw Melodie’s eyeliner and lip gloss. I remembered that the lyrics for the song had “We’ll reach gold/ before we’re old… find the royal violet star/ no matter how far” and added in gold and violet flecks to her eyeshadow. I braided a few strands of her hair down and gave her my pink hairclips. Nothing could be done about her blonde hair, but she had highlighted parts of it with dark pink and I arranged it so that these stands stood out.  

Next was the dress. Her current one was a lovely black and blue, and the skirt might have resembled the alien style Alan described, but It would take too long to alter the top. Instead, I gave her my long black jacket, and altered the collar of the dress with a few snips, and pulled the collar over the jacket.

Kenneth was stalling onstage now. “The next two songs we’re gonna play for ya are from our new album “Colors”. They were inspired by the recent novel Tales of the Darkest Star—“ energetic cheers told me how popular the book was in this town. “And as everyone here knows, Alan Rivers actually goes to our school!” More cheers. “Maggie was hoping that if there was a movie he’d use one of our songs. Ray said he just wants to be Turrek Lor’Cargon… Personally, I think he looks more like a Lor’Euqruk.” 

Laughter. I could hear Ray and Kenneth mock-battling with their guitars, strumming chords and making dramatic dying sounds. Melodie was trying not to fidget as much as I was trying not to stab her with a needle. 

“We’re actually waiting for Adelaide now, but she could be in another dimension for all we know. Sorin must be having lotsa trouble with the portals or the traffic in subspace must be heavy tonight.”

More laughter. I grabbed my scissors and cut the thread. “That’s your cue,.” I said, pushing the microphone in her hand. “Go!”

She flashed me a smile.“Well, it was a little hard without my faithful guards. Sorin and Turrek-- What is this human entertainment you were so excited to attend?

I heard cheers and gasps as she appeared onstage and smiled. Another job well done. I put my mini-sewing kit away and slipped through a side door to join the crowd.

Kenneth strum,ed the starting chords as Melodie, as Adelaide, continued: “I was left staring into at nothing but space and darkness…and a…a Blueish Vortex—“

Maggie came in on the drums as Melodie said the name of the song and it was almost as though they had rehearsed the entrance that way. 

The Super Soundwaves treated an enthusiastic crowd song after song and even a few encores. Their music had been amazing just to listen to, but now that I saw firsthand how Kenneth backed up Melodie’s singing with his own vocals to create the beautiful blend of music we heard. Live, they were even more amazing; whatever subtle cues they used, they worked: the entire band was in synch every beat of every song. 

Finally, at the end of the evening, Kenneth took the microphone and said, 

“It’s been a pleasure playing for you tonight and—“

“Are the Super Soundwaves playing tomorrow at the spring dance?” someone called. Kenneth glanced at Melodie, who answered that they would be contributing some music, but that they would be short on vocals. 

Backstage though, Melodie and Kenneth had a different idea. “Eileen, could you sing for me tomorrow night?”

“Ah, but—“

“I’m going to be in Alaska for the weekend,” she pouted. “Mom and Dad are leaving tonight and I’m going with them. Just for a few songs, Eileen? It’d mean the world to me. The band would gain so much exposure—even if it is just in name.”

I couldn’t say no to Melodie. “I’ll need lyrics.” 

They promised I could still go to the dance as a regular student—it’d only be a few songs for which I would be needed. But I didn’t imply I’d ever even thought of going with Kenneth or even that I would need a date. At the state of matters, he would have most readily asked me if I so much as hinted it, and that, I was certain, would break Melodie’s heart. 

It was only an hour before midnight when I bid my new friends good night and headed back home, insisting that I could find my way. 

“See you tomorrow night!” I called to Maggie and Raymond. I turned to leave when someone on the other side opened it and I found myself face to face with Iris. 

She glowered down at me for a long moment before saying, “So you’re the one who turned my sister into a silly  doll.”

Everyone stood in stunned silence before Melodie came to my rescue.

“But, SIS, I asked her too! And I so was not a silly doll, I was Adelaide, from Tales of the Darkest Star!”

I didn’t even need to look at Iris’s face to know she wasn’t Alan’s biggest fan. 

I don’t remember how I got out of that one alive. But in the end, Melodie and Kenneth convinced Iris that I had done a good job making Melodie recognizable as Adelaide, which was a good thing and had contributed to the evening’s success. Even Raymond and Maggie, both which seemed to be very fearful of their bandmate’s older sister, stuck up for me, though I suspected it was more out of the hope that if they stuck up for me now I wouldn’t mess them up at the ball. Iris let me go with a low warning about how I better not show up at the ball tomorrow and practically kicked me out, which I figured was the nicest she got.

When I got home, I felt really tired. Or maybe it was because of all those emotions? I still didn’t have a date—it was down to just Norbert and Alan now, I figured, but I was still very conflicted. 

Anyways, I went to bed as soon as I got home and fell asleep immediately. I dreamt a long dream about the ball. It was really beautiful: The school had been decorated with flowers and ribbons and I was wearing a lovely dress reminiscent of one of my sketches of Adelaide. I had a wonderful time in my dream, but I couldn’t see the face of my partner.

Spring Ball Trouble 4/7: Thursday Morning

Another day in the life of Eileen Hieron, artist, singer, gamer, football/ soccer fan and fashionista.

There were a few things I had to change and seriously deviate from the game to make things work a little. In the game all of the guys invite Eileen to go out on Thursday evening (with an exception of Alan, who simply says "sometime"); even if she agrees to go to their event(s) though, it's implied she and Wendy go dress-shopping that afternoon/ evening. To compensate, I exercised artistic freedom and gave them a day off to go shop.  (Also because I was too lazy to write an entire other day and make the ball take place on Saturday.)
This is also why there are 7 parts to this story: Thursday and Friday are divided into two parts each.

Also, I felt the responses were a little odd at times. I didn't want to change the dialogue too much so I would combine responses and make up reasons for things. There were also points when I felt obligated to include more talk; occasionally such discourse seemed very continuous and in-character, but at other times I felt like the characters were walking, talking dolls that spoke in way too many exclamations. Hopefully everything is smoother :)

Meanwhile:
Louis: I give up. I'll wait until Nick gets back and team up with him to beat the Markordalemon boss. Let's see what's on tv. ...Oh look, Casayo, it's that one show about us!
Casayo: More like my sister.
Louis: Yah. I deserve more screen-time.
Jason: Page-time.
Casayo: Let's just watch.
Jason: Vanilla latte anyone?

. . .

I was at school early again the next morning, though with slightly more sleep. Yet I still couldn’t find Kenneth hanging around in the classroom. Could he be absent today as well? 

I sighed in disappointment and took the karaoke contest application form out. “Well, why not? Go for it, Eileen,” I told myself and took out a pen to fill it out. 

I was trying to remember my brother’s apartment’s address when a voice caught me by surprise. “Hi there, singing girl! What’cha up to?”

I smiled at Kenneth, who had appeared next to my desk, but before I could respond, the mean cheerleader that had apprehended me a few times before appeared between us. 

“Hi Kenny-poo! Did you do your homework?”

Daww, this girl again. She’s always so rude. I must do something or else she might spoil the whole conversation! Let’s try to do it this way then…

“I beg your pardon, but we’re talking here. Please don’t interrupt.”

The girl stared down her nose at me. “Leave the guys from our school alone!” she declared snobbishly. “You’re not from here.”

“Leave US alone, Iris,” Kenneth retorted. She eyed him curiously, and I might have seen some surprise and incredulity in her expression. Kenneth held her gaze and finally she peered at me with a mix of disdain and curiosity before leaving. 

“Whatever,” she huffed over her shoulder. 

 Kenneth turned to me concernedly. “Are ya ok? Don’t worry about her. She’s just incredibly nosy.”

“I’m ok. Thank you for the help!”

A pause when neither of us said anything. “…You asked me what I was up to…”

He laughed, and all tension from the rude girl’s interruption dissipated. “Yeah, What’cha up to again?”

I showed him the form. “I found some info on the Karaoke contest next week. I’m filling the application form right now.”

He glanced over it and recognition registered on his face. “Awesome! If ya enter I’ll come to cheer ya on!”

I smiled. “Thanks!”

He watched me pen in “singing, drawing, reading” under “hobbies” for a while before asking, “So, how d’ya like our school?”

I looked up and thought for a moment. “I quite like it. The people here are nice and supportive.

“I like it here too. I’d like it more if there weren’t so much homework, he said with that cute smile. 

 “Plus,” I added with a grin. “I was looking forward to coming to this particular school ‘cause I knew your band plays here.” I added a wink for good measure.

His ears turned a little pink. “I know you’re joking but it’s nice. Thanks! You’re a cool girl. Oh! I forgot to tell ya. We’re having a small jam at the Cactus Club tonight. Wanna come?”

I briefly wondered if it was smart to schedule something else this evening but finally nodded enthusiastically. “With pleasure! I love listening to bands playing live!”

“Let’s meet at 7 at the school gate. It’s not far from here, but I need to show ya the way.”

At that moment the teacher walked in and almost immediately started the lesson. At the end of class, Kenneth reminded, “Remember, 7 at the school gate! See ya there!”

I allowed myself a small “yippiee!” He seemed to like me a lot! Plus, I’d be able to ask him about the Tale of the Darkest Star references in their album later in the evening.

On the way out the girl that had interrupted us stopped me again and gave me a little warning glance. “Remember. No dance,” she said to me, quietly but clearly. With that ominous reminder she shouldered past me and into the throng of students heading to lunch. 

Who was that rude girl anyways? I believe Kenneth called her Iris. I need to ask Wendy. 

“So,” Wendy asked when she met up with me at our usual table. “You met our Miss Perfect?”

I greeted her with a little wave and swallowed a spoonful of fried rice before answering, “Was her name Iris?” 

“Yes. She’s a cheerleader,” she continued, confirming what I saw yesterday,” and totally spoiled…” she looked pensive for a moment. “For some reason.” Wendy shook her head. “She’s annoying, but try to ignore her.”

“I somehow feel we aren’t going to make friends with her,” I mused. 

“Aww, poor thing,” she said with an inviting smile.

I told her about Iris’s warnings. She listened intently, and when I was finished she stared hard at her rice, pushing one grain around with her spoon. Neither of us spoke for a moment. I wondered what she was thinking. 

“I have you though,” I said lightheartedly after a moment. “And I’m sure I’ll make friends with others.”

She nodded absently. Something beyond me was definitely bothering her. 

“Wendy? Something wrong?”

She shook her head and smiled. “Nothing really. By the way, have you seen Norbert today?”

“Not yet.”

“What are you waiting for?” She asked, bolting the rest of her food down. “We’ve only got the rest of the lunch break ahead.”

I laughed, relieved she was back to her usual self and also hurried to finish eating. “Okies.”

But I was suspicious now. There was definitely something that was bothering Wendy. Was it Iris? Or did it regard the dance? What was going on?

Whatever the case, Wendy didn’t give me too much time to think about it. As soon as we were finished she threw our trash away and dragged me around the school halls to find Norbert. Where was he?

“Found him!” she whispered, pointing down a corridor. “Go get him! I’ll meet you in front of the library after afternoon classes.”

She left me on that note and I looked up at Norbert. I couldn’t suppress the smile that followed. He was so concentrated on his game that he hadn’t noticed me yet. Adorable!

“Hi! Have you already beaten that Markordalemon boss?”

“Huh?” he looked up innocently confused. “Ah, it’s you!” he recognized, and beamed. “Yeah, today morning. Gee, he was tough! Took me a few retries.”

“Agreed. I lost count of how many cures I used.”

“Oh! Were you online on Tuesday?” He looked embarrassed. “My grandma felt ill and went to the hospital. I had to be with her there and thus couldn’t catch you.”

“Ah, I see. I’d been waiting for you for three hours or so and grew worried.”

“Gee! I’m terribly sorry! Hope you aren’t mad at me!”

I shook my head and smiled. “I completely understand. Family comes first. How was she?”

“It was just a dizzy spell, thank goodness. She’s all better now. My older brother is staying at home to keep an eye on her.”

I thought about how I hadn’t seen Nick since he left the cafe on Tuesday and asked, “Would your brother happen to be Nick Ames?”

Norbert was surprised by this. “Yeah! How do you know him?”

“He and my brother share an apartment and car,” I explained. “He seemed really worried when he left. I hope your grandmother gets better soon!”

He smiled apologetically. “Thanks. I feel bad I can’t do more for her. She’s volunteered to play a few rounds with me before when Nick’s not home.” A few moments passed. “Oh, by the way, do you like fighting games?”

I grinned. “I love them! I’m getting better and better at those combos!” I laughed. “Though, that isn’t saying much because I’m still pretty terrible at them.”

He laughed as well and the mood brightened as well. “If you want I can give you a lesson or two? What about a visit to the game arcade? Let’s say today afternoon? I do want to see a girl gamer in action!”

“Okay! I hope to defeat you in three moves,” I added jokingly. 

“Challenge accepted!” The bell rang at that moment and he closed his laptop. “See you in the afternoon then! I’ll meet you in front of the school gate!”

I smiled as I headed into class. Woohohoho! Did it mean a date?

My mood sobered a little after that. Would I have time to play a few rounds with Norbert before heading to dinner with Curtis and the football team and then meet Kenneth back at school to see his band preform? Hopefully so. 

By the time I was going to the library to consult with Wendy, I was feeling almost guilty. But it couldn’t hold my mood for long. It was only early afternoon and I still had to see Alan. 

Wendy greeted me with a wide smile, all traces of her former worry gone. “Ready to meet Alan?”

“I’m looking forward to it,” I said, remembering the previous evening. I held my sketchbook tightly.

“Meanwhile, I’ll go turn in that karaoke contest application for you,” Wendy offered as we neared the library. 

“Good idea. Thanks!”

“Don’t mention it,” she said with a patient smile. “Let’s go then.”

I hesitated before entering. “I hope we won’t meet Iris…”

“Huh?” She smiled and patted me comfortingly. “Still afraid of that nosy girl?”

I shook my head in a quick denial. “Nu-uh. It’s ok.” 

“Cheer up, put your best smile on and let’s go! You’ll be great!”

I complied and entered into a land of books. I breathed in. Aww, how I love the smell of books. I could spend more time here, I thought, as I deposited my philosophy books into the return bin. But for now…where are you, Alan? I decided to search for a sci-fi section. That would be the most likely place for him, right? Along the way I picked up a few interesting looking books, but couldn’t seem to find anything else.

I spotted Alan typing away at a computer in the back of the nearly-empty library. Web browsers flickered by as fast as the internet at home worked. He seemed busy, and tired, if not frustrated…. should I try to talk to him first? Ack! While I was pondering how to approach him, he noticed me! In a few moments he had joined me by the window. 

“Hello again. You seem to do a lot of reading lately!”

I blushed, half in embarrassment at being spotted and half because his voice was just as soft and lovely as I remembered. 

“Actually I wanted to check the sci-fi section of the library,” I explained.

“Sadly, there aren’t many books of this kind here,” he informed me.

I frowned. That was a pity. 

“However, I’ve got a great deal of them at home. I can lend you some if you wish,” he added and I brightened. 

“Yes, definitely!” I remembered that he’d been typing and asked, “I’ve been wondering…Are you working on the next volume of The Tale of the Darkest Star?”

He beamed at my interest. “Yes! Actually, I’ve already written nearly 200 pages!”

“Yeah! I mean, I can’t wait to read it!” I hesitated before asking, “Do you need a beta-reader, by any chance?”

I needn’t have worried. He seemed excited by the offer as well. “Really? I’d love to listen to your opinion before publishing the book!”

“I’d be honoured to,” I replied. “200 pages though! That’s really impressive! How do you find time for writing?”

“It’s not easy, but I enjoy it so much that I can somehow find a lot of time for writing.”

So it was kind of like me and designing and sewing clothes. We just made time in the midst of our lives to get to it. Thinking of sewing reminded me of my sketchbook and I said shyly, “I got into a discussion with some friends last night about your novel…and we had a few ideas for how the characters would look…would you like to see?”

“Of course!” he replied, evidently delighted with the aspect. I flipped directly to the page with our “finalized designs” and to my delight he identified the characters quickly. I had colored them though, which probably made it a lot easier. 

“I imagined Adelaide’s hair a little shorter and a darker shade of pink, but I really like these renditions,” he responded. “Did you sketch all these designs?”

I nodded and let him flip through the other pages. He commented on some of them, noting a few in particular. Half an hour flew by without either of us noticing.

“You’ve got a few really great ideas about the clothing styles,” he noted, lingering on a page titled “Lor’ Wedding”. I blushed. I had woken up early that morning with an idea for a potential wedding dress for Adelaide, and simply had to add Sorin as the groom and Turrek as the Head Witness, the alien version of the Best Man, according to Jason. 

“This is actually pretty close to what I had in mind,” he said breathlessly, tracing a finger over my background. “The architecture is more elegant in your pictures than it was in my mind though, and I like the touch of Shakespeare you carved into the spires.” 

“Thank you,” I said shyly. “Jason mentioned that the they copied entire books of poetry on their walls. I don’t remember that in the book, but I remembered that the aliens believed words from the heart could only be expressed in poetry and thought it made enough sense, at least in this scene.” I flushed with embarrassment. What had possessed me to copy Midsummer’s Night Dream onto the page?

Alan’s eyes lit up with surprise, and his mouth formed a little “o” like mine did whenever someone unexpectedly gave me an creative idea. Alan closed the sketchbook with a pleasant smile. “The duanairi—books of poetry— weren’t  mentioned in the first book, but both are true,” he confirmed. 

He handed me back my sketchbook, but did not let go of it yet. “You’re a wonderful artist, Eileen. I never thought you could take a few of blots of ink I put on a page and transform them into an entire culture of clothing and their wearers.” He paused, hesitating, but finally admitted, “ I must go now, lots of work ahead and you’ve just given me inspiration for something I’d been thinking about…Will you come here again?”

I nodded, blushing and smiling at his praise. “But of course, I’ll probably have all my books read by tomorrow,” I said, indicating the few books I had picked up. 

“You do love books, don’t you? That’s so adorable! Ah—“ he looked away-- Was he embarrassed to say such a thing out loud? “I mean, I’d love to meet you again and talk a bit more. How about visiting the Sunny Cafe after school one day?”

“Of course,” I said, mentally relieved he hadn’t suggested that day. “I can’t wait!”

“Then until then, Miss Hieron, Yiw erjin xhihalla.”

As he returned to his computer to jot down whatever inspiration he’d picked up from me, and I went to check out my books, I realized that tomorrow this time I’d be getting ready for the spring ball…or not? Wendy, where are you?

As though right on cue, Wendy appeared to meet me just outside the library. 

“Hey—hey, you’re blushing? I guess the conversation went great?”

“Alan’s so adorable!” I said with a little mental squee,

“Did he invite you to the ball?”

That sobered me up a bit. “No,” I admitted sadly. “Actually, none of the boys said anything about the ball. Did they all forget?”

Wendy was pensive. “I hope our efforts won’t be useless.”

I closed my eyes for a mini pep talk. Even if our efforts were for naught, it wouldn’t do any good thinking like that now. If anything, I had at least met some decent people that I could continue to be friends with. But at this point, I had to keep trying. There was still a chance I could attend a dance as a participant and not just a stylist for once.

“Let’s visit Curtis,” I said finally. He may remember about the ball!”

But when we arrived at the football grounds, neither of us could find Curtis. I remembered that they would be playing in the championship game that day and hoped he was ok. Was I just unlucky that the team hadn’t arrived back yet?

Wendy had gone off to talk to someone and rejoined me presently. 

“Have you found Curtis? I haven’t!”

“No, but I met his classmate.”

I indicated for her to continue. 

“The whole football team is in another city today. They’re playing in a tournament or something.”

“Ah, it must be that big game he was talking about. They must still be away.”

It was Wendy’s turn to cheer me up. “Naw, cheer up, girl! We’ll wait until tomorrow. Somebody has to invite you to the ball!. You’re too cute!”

I appreciated the compliment. “Thanks! I guess you’re right. There’s no need to worry. We’ll see what happens tomorrow. There’s no school, so One of them is bound to think of me.”

“Exactly,” Wendy said emphatically. “Speaking of the ball, do you even have a dress?”

“Actually No..I haven’t gone shopping for a while.”

“Geez,” she said. “Let’s go and buy one. The sales have already begun.”

“I..uh…I actually promised Norbert to go to the arcade with him this afternoon. Actually, he should be waiting for me now.”

“Go on then, Eileen! We’ll go tomorrow morning,” she said with an enthusiastic push. “Tell me how it goes at dinner tonight!”

“You and Gwen are coming over again?” I asked. 

“Just me. Casayo and Louis finally convinced Jason to ask my sister out. They’ll be eating at a nice ristorante out of town tonight. I think Louis is going to microwave chicken pot pie.” She made a face. “Actually, I think I will. He’s burned it every time.”

I laughed. I could definitely see Louis burning food while distracted playing Legacy of Lords 

“Do you have any other dates tonight?”

“Dinner with the football team at the Pizza House,” I admitted. “So I guess I won’t be able to meet you at home for dinner. And Kenneth invited me to watch his band play tonight at 7:00 at the Cactus Club.”

Wendy smiled, pleased nonetheless. “Excellent. Go home before you head to the pizza parlour though, if you can. We can find something nice for you to wear to this evening’s events.”

I agreed wholeheartedly, wondering how come I hadn’t thought of that.

“Go now then, or you’ll be late meeting Norbert!”