Prologue

Clad in a fancy navy blue dress, I made my way to the place Carl texted me. The text message stated that I should meet up with him in the academy garden. Without much questioning, I followed what Carl said. Today was the Senior’s Ball. This ball is the prestigious ball that is held for all those graduating students of the academy. And this year, we were the graduating students. I wasn’t supposed to be here. I was not a social butterfly to start with and I don’t like these kinds of events. Nonetheless, I was here. I was required to be here as part of the student council. Im the student council president to be exact. I’m in charge of keeping peace inside the ball. The task given to me was to make sure that the seniors ball will end without chaos. I held onto my gown to make sure that I won’t trip while walking towards the academy garden. When I was just a few meters away, a glint of light hit my eyes and my brows creased. Why was there a light coming from the academy garden? It was way far from the gymnasium where the ball is held. I also have no recollection of ordering the student council volunteers to put up lights in here. Just a few steps away, I got a full view of the garden. The fountain in the middle is decorated with lights making the ambience in here different from before. The fountain of wishes looked elegantly pleasing to the eyes. The coins in the water also glittered like diamonds. It was a very calm and pretty sight. Just when I was about to go nearer the fountain, a tune started to serenade my ears. A familiar intro of a song started playing and a violin entered the accompaniment. "Do you love the rain? Does it make you dance, when youre drunk with your friends at a party?" A smile crept onto my lips when I recognized that voice. It was his. I could never forget that voice of his. He then emerged from the back of the fountain and there I saw him wearing a tux while holding a microphone. "I’d spend 10,000 hours and 10,000 more. Oh if that’s what it takes to learn that sweet heart of yours. And I might never get there, but I’m gonna try.." He trailed off and gave the microphone to his friend before approaching me. He held out his hands and whispered the remaining lyrics of the song to my ears. The smile on my lips remained. "Can I dance with this beautiful lady? he calmly asked while bowing a little as respect to me "The pleasure is all mine" I said and held onto his neck while my other hand held his The song then smoothly changed from its original beat to a waltz kind of beat. It was just perfect to dance to that tune. We were swaying from here and there not until Carl softly let go of my hands before joining his friends. "Piper, I know that you’re already aware of what I feel for you, but I just want to make use of this precious moment to explain myself, so that you will understand why I did all those things back then." I quietly sat on the chair his friend gave me. I think his speech will be long that’s why they gave me a seat. I don’t know where this is heading, but I’m all ears to whatever he has to say. Like what I had always do. "We were super close ever since we were born. We live in the same subdivision and we live in the same street. We were childhood friends, remember? Not until you became a part of that student council. I was so immature that I couldn’t understand that you have your own life. That your life does not revolve around me. My mind refuses to accept that you were slowly building yur own world, reaching your dreams and making a name without me by your side." He pause for a minute and gather some courage with the help of his friends. I heard his friends telling him that he could do it. I also wanted to shout to give him courage but I was afraid that I’d ruin the moment. "Thanks to my friends, I slowly accepted it. I accepted the bitter reality that people won’t always stay by your side. But I was stubborn. I am stubborn, Piper. That’s why I did everything to get your attention. I always knew what you hated in people. You hated that there are still people out there that breaks the rules. You despise rule breakers. That’s why I did what you don’t want people to do." Every memory of him disobeying the academy’s rules now made sense to me. They all made sense. It was odd but satisfying indeed. "I didn’t know back then that I wasn’t just getting your attention. It was just a few days ago that I realize that I was aiming for something more. Something precious. Precious like your heart. So here I am standing in front of you, Piper, sincerely apologizing for being the cause of your headaches." A sudden pop boomed from the surroundings and confetti’s came falling from above. It was a very majestic and precious moment for me. I stood up when I finally saw the banner. I read the message for a thousand times to make sure that I was reading it correctly. "The banner says it all. What now, Piper? Is it a yes or a no?" I smiled and ran to hug him. I hugged him so tight that he had to catch for air when I let him go from my embrace. He looked at me expectantly waiting for my answer when I just smiled at him as answer. I stared to walk off when Carl called. "Piper, are you my girlfriend now?" he asked that’s why I wanted to tease him right now Teasing him won’t hurt him. It’s a little compensation for the countless headaches he gave me for this school year.