The sign-up sheet for the masquerade ball quickly became the hottest spot in school. Groups crowded around, whispering, gossiping, and speculating who would pair with whom.
Sara kept her distance, quietly regretting the shaky letters of her name still glistening in ink. She had only signed up because of Lina's persistence and Daniel's words echoing in her chest. But now, as she saw names pairing off with ease, she felt exposed — like prey on display.
"Have you chosen a partner yet?" Lina asked cheerfully, flipping through her notebook.
Sara shook her head. "No one's asked."
"Well, then—" Lina began, but her words were cut off by a shrill laugh.
Emily had arrived, her entourage flanking her. She glanced at the sheet and smirked. "Oh my. Sara actually signed up? How adorable."
Her voice was loud enough for the crowd to hear. Whispers rippled instantly.
"She'll never get a partner.""Who would want to dance with her?""Emily will crush her."
Sara's face flushed hot, and she instinctively turned away. But then, a shadow fell across her.
Daniel.
He stepped forward, scanning the sheet calmly. Then, without hesitation, he took the pen, wrote his name neatly next to Sara's, and placed it back down.
Gasps erupted through the hallway.
Sara froze. Her heart stopped, then raced so fast she thought it might burst. "Daniel…" she whispered, almost too low to hear.
He looked at her briefly, his expression unreadable. "Problem?"
She shook her head quickly, words failing her.
Emily's face had lost its smug composure. For a fleeting moment, her mask cracked. Then she forced a brittle laugh. "Really, Daniel? You must be joking. Sara? Out of all the girls here?"
Daniel's gaze flicked to Emily, cool and sharp as glass. "Yes."
The simplicity of his reply carried more weight than any elaborate declaration could. The whispers turned into shocked murmurs.
Adrian was the first to break the silence with a loud whistle. "Well, well, this just got interesting."
Ryan smirked. "Never thought I'd live to see the day Daniel Li made the first move."
Leo pushed up his glasses, muttering, "Strategic. Very strategic."
Lina clapped her hands together. "Finally, some sense!"
Sara wished the ground would open up and swallow her whole. Every pair of eyes burned into her. Half were sharp with jealousy, the rest wide with curiosity. But beneath the embarrassment, something else pulsed — a flicker of warmth, of protection.
For the first time, she wasn't standing alone.
Later that day, Sara cornered Daniel near the lockers. Her voice came out hushed, urgent. "Why did you do that?"
He paused, studying her. "Because you would've been targeted if you stood alone."
Her breath caught. "So you… you were protecting me?"
He tilted his head slightly, the faintest curve tugging at his lips. "Maybe. Or maybe I just didn't want to waste my time with anyone else."
Sara's face burned. She couldn't tell if he was teasing or serious, but the thought lingered dangerously in her chest.
Word spread like wildfire. By the end of the day, the entire academy knew that Daniel Li had chosen Sara as his partner. Girls whispered enviously, boys speculated over Daniel's motives, and Emily's rage simmered just beneath her polished exterior.
At home, however, the news reached Sara's stepmother.
"Sara," she said coldly that evening, setting down her teacup, "I hear you're pairing with Daniel Li for the festival."
Sara stiffened. "Yes."
Her stepmother's eyes narrowed. "Do not mistake this for opportunity. You are not to embarrass the family. Remember your place."
Sara bowed her head. But as she walked to her room, her fists clenched. For once, she didn't only hear her stepmother's venom. She heard Daniel's quiet voice again: Maybe I just didn't want to waste my time with anyone else.
And in that fragile defiance, a new spark of courage took root.