Aria
The school hallway buzzed with life, the kind of chatter that always seemed to ramp up right before the final exams. Aria spun her locker combination, pulling it open with a flourish and grinning as she turned to face James, who was leaning against the lockers with his usual easy posture.
"So, the year-end ball," she said, her tone as light and bright as the twinkle in her eye. "Are you ready to dazzle the masses?"
James smirked, tossing a stray notebook into his bag. "That depends. Am I supposed to match your level of dazzling? Or can I stick to my usual laid-back charm?"
"Oh, please," Aria said, rolling her eyes dramatically. "We've already discussed this—you're wearing the navy suit, the one that doesn't look like you stole it from a thrift store clearance rack. And it's going to look amazing with my dress."
"Right, right," James said with mock seriousness. "I forgot—your dress is the star of the show."
"Exactly," Aria replied, grinning.
She leaned against her locker, her mind already buzzing with visions of the ball. It was hard to believe the year was almost over, that their group was about to face some changes—Rowan and Ethan heading off to university while the rest of them stayed behind to tackle their senior year.
For the most part, Aria was excited. She loved organizing events like the ball, putting together outfits, and making sure everyone had the night of their lives. But some things felt... complicated.
Her gaze flickered down the hallway, catching sight of Luelle. Quiet, composed, always on the edge of things without fully diving in. And not far from her was Ethan, leaning against the wall, his attention elsewhere but his body language impossibly aware.
Aria sighed inwardly.
She had spent the better part of the year convinced that the two of them—Luelle and Ethan—were bound to end up together. It just made sense. They had that unspoken connection, the kind of pull that didn't need words to make itself known. But somehow, it hadn't happened.
Instead, they hovered close, always within each other's orbit but never crossing the invisible line between them. To anyone else, they probably just seemed like classmates, nothing more. But Aria knew. She'd caught the glances, the subtle shifts in their energy whenever they were near each other.
She shook her head, turning her attention back to James.
"Speaking of dazzling," she said, her voice dropping into a conspiratorial tone. "Did you hear about Devon asking Luelle to be his date?"
James raised an eyebrow, genuinely interested. "No way. Devon? That's unexpected."
Aria nodded, satisfaction brimming in her smile. "He dropped by her apartment to ask her. Isn't that adorable? Apparently, she didn't give him a solid answer—said she'd think about it—but I think he's got a shot. Luelle's quiet, sure, but she's got a soft spot for Devon. You can tell."
James hummed thoughtfully. "You've got the whole school figured out, don't you?"
"Please," Aria said, waving her hand like the thought was a given. "It's a gift. Speaking of figuring things out—Rowan and Cass. Can we talk about them for a second?"
James chuckled. "Didn't that start after movie night?"
"Oh, absolutely," Aria said, her grin widening. "They've been practically inseparable since. It's kind of sweet, actually—seeing Rowan actually focus on one person for a change instead of flirting with anything that breathes."
"Yeah, that is an improvement," James said, laughing under his breath.
Aria's thoughts shifted again, her gaze once more landing on Ethan. Even now, surrounded by the buzz of school life, he seemed quieter than the rest. Watching but not fully participating, as if he existed in a different rhythm altogether.
"And Ethan?" James asked, following her gaze.
Aria shrugged, her expression softening. "Ethan didn't invite anyone. I don't think he's planning to. You know how he is—he keeps everything close. The ball's probably not his thing, but part of me wishes he'd just... I don't know. Let loose a little. Enjoy it. He deserves it."
James nodded, his smile faint but understanding. "Maybe he'll surprise us."
"Maybe," Aria said, though she wasn't convinced.
She shifted the focus back to her preparations, rattling off ideas about décor, playlists, and last-minute wardrobe adjustments. But the undercurrent of change lingered in her mind, threaded through every thought about the ball.
This was their moment—the last night to make memories with Rowan and Ethan before their paths diverged. For Aria, James, and Luelle, there was still a full year ahead. But losing Rowan and Ethan would leave a gap—a reminder that things would never be quite the same again.
And for Aria, the ball had to be perfect.
Luelle
Luelle walked slowly, keeping close to the walls as she navigated the crowd, her books pressed firmly to her chest. The noise and laughter surrounded her, but she felt oddly detached from it all, content to observe rather than dive in.
Her gaze drifted down the corridor, landing on Aria and James. They were standing by the lockers, their conversation animated and full of life as always. Aria's gestures were grand, her enthusiasm spilling into every word, while James smiled with his usual laid-back charm.
Luelle hesitated for a moment, considering whether to approach or keep walking. But when Aria spotted her, her grin widened, and she waved excitedly.
"Luelle! Just the person we needed. Come here."
There was no real option but to join them now. Taking a small, steady breath, Luelle adjusted her grip on her books and approached them.
"So," Aria began as soon as Luelle was within earshot, crossing her arms with a pointed look, "are you going to the ball or not? You've been suspiciously quiet about it."
Luelle blinked, her mind scrambling to find an answer she hadn't fully formed yet. "I haven't decided yet."
Aria's exasperated groan was dramatic enough to draw a few amused glances from nearby students. "You haven't decided? Luelle, come on—it's the year-end ball! You have to come—it's practically mandatory. Do you know how many memories we're about to make? You don't want to miss this."
Luelle offered a small smile but said nothing. Memories were what everyone was talking about—how this ball would mark the end of an era for some, like Ethan and Rowan, and the last chance for others to enjoy the group as it was now. She wasn't sure what memories the ball would create for her, but Aria's excitement was hard to resist.
"And what's this I hear about Devon asking you to be his date?" James added, his smirk equal parts teasing and curious.
The blush rose to her cheeks before she could stop it, and she dropped her gaze momentarily. "He... asked. I just haven't given him an answer yet."
"You haven't answered yet?" Aria repeated, her tone incredulous. "What's there to think about? Devon's great! He's funny, sweet, and you know he likes you."
Luelle felt the weight of Aria's words pressing against her thoughts. It wasn't that she didn't like Devon—he was easy to get along with, lighthearted in a way that made him good company. But giving him an answer felt like acknowledging something more than just a casual question.
Her gaze flicked down the hallway. Ethan stood leaning against the wall, his notebook open but his focus elsewhere. He didn't seem to register the noise around him, his posture relaxed but detached.
Her pulse quickened slightly at the sight of him—unintentional, a reflex she still hadn't fully come to terms with. He hadn't asked anyone to the ball. Not her, not anyone.
Maybe it was safer this way. The idea of Ethan stepping into her world at the ball felt both tempting and overwhelming, like a door she wasn't ready to open.
"I guess I'll go with Devon," Luelle said finally, her voice quiet and steady.
Aria lit up instantly, her grin practically glowing. "Finally! That's the spirit!" Looping her arm around Luelle's shoulders, Aria pulled her into the conversation. "Now that's settled—what are you going to wear? Have you thought about dresses yet? Because if not, we are definitely going shopping."
Luelle allowed herself to smile. "I haven't thought about it much."
"Good thing you've got me," Aria said with a wink. "I'm basically a fashion genius, you know. We're going to find something perfect—trust me."
The conversation shifted to fabrics, colours, and styles as Aria threw out one suggestion after another with all the enthusiasm of someone planning the world's most glamorous event. Luelle nodded along, grateful for the distraction, even as her mind kept drifting back to Ethan.
The sound of footsteps approaching pulled her back into the present. She glanced over to see Devon and Marcus walking toward them. Devon's grin widened as he spotted the group.
"Hey, what's going on over here?" he asked, his tone casual but curious.
"Just planning the ultimate ball experience," Aria said playfully, her smirk turning mischievous as she turned to Devon. "Oh, by the way—Luelle will be your date for the ball."
Luelle's cheeks warmed instantly, her thoughts scrambling. She had said yes, but hearing Aria announce it so boldly felt like a spotlight suddenly shining on her.
Devon froze for a split second before breaking into the brightest, most genuine smile she'd ever seen from him. "Really?"
Luelle nodded, meeting his gaze briefly. "Yeah. I'll go with you."
The happiness in Devon's face was unmistakable, his grin seeming to light up the space between them. "That's... awesome. Thanks, Luelle. I mean it."
Aria beamed, clearly pleased with herself, but her gaze flicked briefly toward Ethan. The hesitation that crossed her face was subtle but noticeable before she returned to her usual enthusiasm.
Luelle caught the shift but didn't dwell on it. Instead, she focused on the chatter that followed, letting herself settle into the lighthearted rhythm of the group.
Ethan
Ethan stood at the edge of the hallway, his notebook open in his hands, though his eyes weren't focused on the words on the page. The familiar hum of school life surrounded him, a blend of laughter, footsteps, and locker doors clattering shut. Normally, it was something he could tune out, but today, his thoughts had a weight that refused to be ignored.
His gaze drifted toward the group further down the corridor. Aria, James, and Luelle. Their conversation was lively, punctuated by Aria's dramatic gestures and James's easy laughter. And then there was Luelle—quiet, composed, hovering slightly on the edge of the chatter, yet never fully removed from it.
She had always been that way. Present but restrained, her reserved energy drawing more attention than she probably realized. It was the kind of presence that invited curiosity, and Ethan had found himself drawn to it more often than he cared to admit.
He caught fragments of their conversation, enough to piece together the topic at hand—the year-end ball. Aria's excitement was infectious, spilling over into every sentence, but his focus stayed fixed on Luelle.
He'd thought about asking her. Not just once, but repeatedly. The idea of walking into the ball together, of sharing a moment unburdened by the expectations and responsibilities looming over his future—it was tempting. The way her quiet strength complemented his own need for stillness felt like something he could trust, something solid.
But Ethan couldn't allow himself to act on that thought.
It wasn't just the idea of the ball, or even Luelle herself. It was the reality of who he was—what he was connected to. The Dominion's legacy had been handed to him, an inheritance he didn't ask for but couldn't escape. The weight of it sat heavily on his shoulders, a silent reminder of the dangers that came with his name.
People like Devon, or even Rowan, could move through life without that burden. They could form friendships, relationships, without the constant calculation of risk. Ethan didn't have that luxury. He'd learned to keep people at a distance—not because he didn't care, but because caring came with consequences.
And Luelle...
Ethan glanced at her again, his grip tightening slightly on his notebook. There was more to her than met the eye. He could feel it in the way she carried herself, in the sharpness of her observations, in the fleeting glances she gave him when she thought no one else was looking. She wasn't ordinary—not by any measure. But there was nothing that tied her to his world, no reason to suspect she knew about the Dominion or the shadows that followed him.
Yet his instincts whispered otherwise.
He heard her voice clearly now, her quiet reply to Aria's insistence.
"I guess I'll go with Devon."
The words settled heavily in his chest, unwanted but undeniable. Devon was uncomplicated, the kind of guy who could offer Luelle an easy laugh, a light conversation, a night without tension. He envied that simplicity—not because he didn't think Luelle deserved it, but because he wished he could be the one to give it to her.
Jealousy twisted in the edges of his thoughts. He tried to ignore it, flipping a page in his notebook as if to distract himself. But it lingered, sharp and unyielding.
She had been present in his life over the past year, her quiet energy never failing to draw his attention. They weren't close, not the way others in their group might be, but her presence was constant. It was in the moments between conversations, in the glances exchanged across rooms, in the way she seemed to understand his silence better than anyone else.
And now, as the year drew to a close, Ethan couldn't help but think about what came next.
University awaited him—a new chapter, distant from the familiarity of these hallways and classrooms. It was supposed to be an opportunity, a chance to step into the responsibilities that had been laid out for him. But the thought of leaving without resolving the quiet tension that lingered between him and Luelle felt... unfinished.
Still, he reminded himself why he'd stayed distant. Why he'd watched her from afar without crossing the line.
He couldn't risk it.
No matter how much he might want to, pulling her closer would mean pulling her into a world she didn't belong to—a world where danger wasn't just theoretical, but inevitable. And Ethan couldn't allow that.
So he stayed where he was, quiet and unseen, watching as Devon's grin widened with Luelle's agreement. The group laughed, their conversation spilling into the air with a lightness Ethan knew he couldn't share.
He turned back to his notebook, flipping another page he wouldn't read, and reminded himself that this was how it had to be.
For her.