"God. What am I doing with my life?"
Nicholas muttered solemnly, his dissatisfaction plain in both voice and expression.
He rubbed his eyes before glancing down at himself. He was wearing a fine suit, one his father had picked out for the dance. His father had even taken the liberty of styling his hair.
"Eugh. There's so much gel in it, I think it's actually shining."
His fingers hovered just above his slicked hair, hesitant to touch it. He half-expected the stuff to cling like oil if he did.
In his other hand, he held a corsage: white and blue, arranged neatly. Buying it had been embarrassing enough, but he knew showing up without one would have been even worse.
Now he stood behind the school, corsage in hand, waiting for Sydney. Why she had chosen such a spot, he had no idea, and at this point, he didn't really care enough to ask.
For some reason, I'm starting to feel anxious.
Cold sweat trickled down his forehead.
"Oh, Darklight!"
He turned at the sound of Sydney's voice—and for a moment, he froze.
She wore a dark blue dress traced with thin black lines and scattered with delicate black flower patterns. The colors contrasted perfectly against her pale skin, the fabric catching faint hints of light as she moved. Nicholas thought—briefly, against his will—that she looked beautiful. Of course, he didn't say it out loud.
"You got here early." Her voice carried a hint of skepticism as she tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear.
Only then did he notice that she wasn't wearing her glasses. Without them, she seemed far less intimidating… and far more approachable.
"I figured you'd just get mad if you had to wait for me," Nicholas explained quickly, "so I decided to wait for you."
She turned her head slightly, her gaze drifting away from him. "Oh, that's…" Her eyes flicked back when she noticed him holding something behind his back. "What's that?"
Nicholas raised an eyebrow and started speaking as he slowly revealed what it was. "A cor-"
"A corsage?!" Sydney gasped, eyes sparkling. "It's soooo pretty~ Who's it for?"
She sounded so sweet, so utterly innocent, that Nicholas had to blink twice just to process the question.
He gave her the 'Are you serious?' stare.
"Oh, it's for… for me?" she asked.
"Well, yeah. I figured it was, uh, proper 'etiquette'. And hey, I even almost got the colors right." He chuckled awkwardly.
He held it out for her, but after a few seconds passed without a response, he panicked and pulled it back, only for Sydney to catch his hand and stop him.
In silence, Nicholas let her take it. Sydney accepted it gently, staring down at the delicate arrangement like it was the most precious thing in the world.
The awkward atmosphere thickened around them until Nicholas felt it crushing his lungs. Finally, he cleared his throat and opened the door, gesturing inside.
"So. Khm." He coughed to regain some composure. "Shall we enter?"
"Huh?" Sydney blinked, as though waking from a daze. "Oh. Yeah, sure."
"You look pretty."
The words slipped out before Nicholas could stop them.
"H-huh? What?"
"Just an observation." He tried to play it off, missing entirely how Sydney's face turned red. He was too busy hiding the heat that flared across his own cheeks.
"Mhm." Sydney gave a quick nod, still flustered.
Together, they walked toward the gymnasium.
…
As soon as Nicholas stepped inside, he thought his eardrums might burst. The music was deafening, far too loud for his tastes.
He preferred being able to hear his own thoughts, even if those thoughts irritated him half the time.
It was surprising, though, how none of the sound escaped. The gymnasium's walls were coated with some kind of special soundproofing layer, the kind that made it nearly impossible for noise to leak out. Apparently, it could even be toggled on or off with a remote.
Frankly, Nicholas had no idea how it worked. Nor did he need to.
The sudden blast of flashing lights forced him to shield his eyes.
Ugh. As I thought… I hate this.
He stole a glance at Sydney. She was grinning from ear to ear, proud and excited.
So he said nothing.
"I—"
"I'll meet up with you later! Go have fun!" Sydney cut him off, her voice raised to compete with the music. Most people probably wouldn't have caught it, but Nicholas's sharp hearing picked it up easily.
He only nodded, letting her do whatever it was she had planned. Still, irritation pricked at him. She had just abandoned him without so much as a real explanation.
… Was this how she felt whenever he left her in the dark?
Regardless, he made sure not to show his annoyance.
Now what? What was he supposed to do?
Have fun?
How exactly was one supposed to enjoy themselves in a place this unbearably loud?
"You know what? I'm feeling thirs—no, parched. Yes, parched," he muttered to himself, the words swallowed instantly by the music. At least he sounded fancy, even if no one could hear him.
With that, he decided to wander off in search of refreshments. Preferably punch, the stereotypical party beverage, and hopefully a tolerable one.
The journey there wasn't easy. He had to squeeze past clusters of students dancing and clogging the floor, most of them sweaty and radiating heat.
Really, who thought suits were a good idea in this kind of environment?
Still, at least everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves… well, everyone except one.
By the table where the much-desired punch sat, Nicholas spotted a familiar figure: the one he called Ice Queen.
She wasn't wearing a dress but a sharp, formal-looking suit. And somehow, it suited her perfectly. She was focused on her phone, scrolling idly, clearly uninterested in the chaos around her.
Nicholas walked right up beside her, silently pouring himself a cup of punch. Even standing within arm's reach, she didn't so much as flinch.
So he said nothing, curious to see how long it would take before she noticed. He lifted the cup and deliberately began sipping it in slow motion.
The problem was, he paid so much attention to her lack of reaction that he forgot how to drink properly. The liquid went down the wrong pipe, and he broke into a sudden, violent coughing fit.
Selene's eyes flicked sideways, her lips twitching. She covered her mouth quickly, but the smirk gave her away; she was fighting not to laugh.
"Kagh-" Nicholas choked out, still recovering. "Did you know I was there the whole time?"
"Of course," she replied smoothly, a smirk tugging at her mouth.
Nicholas grabbed a napkin and wiped his mouth. "Thought as much," he muttered, before glancing at her phone. "So, what are you doing here? Didn't think you'd bother with a place like this."
Her eyes stayed fixed on the screen. "Reasons."
Clearly, she had no intention of elaborating.
"You?" she countered, finally giving him a sidelong glance.
Nicholas sighed. "Ah, you know. Still playing matchmaker, for whatever reason."
"Mhm. How's that working out?" Selene asked casually. Her tone was indifferent, but not dismissive—like she wanted to hear the answer, even if she didn't want to admit it.
"Just… complicated." Nicholas poured himself more punch.
His thoughts drifted back to what Philip had told him the day before.
Lillie had once been the victim of stalking and nearly of kidnapping.
Back in middle school, she hadn't been particularly popular. If anything, she'd been antisocial, her only real companion being a single boy. But around her last year, things had taken a darker turn. She began to feel watched. She reported it, but nothing came of it.
Then one afternoon, a car pulled up beside her. A man and a woman stepped out and tried to drag her inside. In broad daylight.
Luckily, bystanders saw and intervened, beating back the would-be kidnappers and rescuing the terrified girl. The police arrived soon after and arrested the pair.
The disturbing part? They weren't strangers. They were the parents of Lillie's only friend.
From there, the details grew hazy. Philip hadn't been able to dig up much beyond her undergoing extensive therapy. When her recovery stalled, her parents sent her abroad to a new, secure school. A chance at a fresh start.
My guess? Nicholas thought. Her personality now, the bubbly, clingy, always-surrounded version of her, isn't just natural charm. It's a defense. She doesn't like being alone. She doesn't feel safe being alone. That's probably why she made sure her friends came, even when Sydney gave them a different time. Lillie must've been the one to call them.
"World's a messed-up place…" Nicholas muttered.
"Hm?" Selene raised an eyebrow at his sudden words.
"Nothing. Just thinking about how everyone's got their own story." He wasn't about to reveal what he'd learned. Lillie kept her past buried for a reason, and it wasn't his to share.
At least now, he understood why she wasn't interested in dating. But how could he explain that to Average-kun without betraying her secret?
"I still don't know what to do," Nicholas admitted with a sigh.
"Do whatever you think is right." Selene's voice came soft but firm, though she didn't look at him when she spoke.
"Huh?"
"You're… different. And I'm sure your version of 'right' is different from mine. That's why… I want to see what you consider 'right'."
Strange words, but Nicholas understood. Curiosity. A cautious desire to connect. She wanted to see what kind of person he really was, the same way he found himself returning to that quiet corner of the library to talk with her.
The only place where two people who felt a little out of step with the world could actually meet.
"Yo, Darklight."
The calm, cozy voice contrasted with the pounding chaos of the dance. Nicholas turned and saw the blond version of himself strolling over, waving with an easy smile.
"Bye." Selene's exit was immediate, swift, and without explanation. Nicholas didn't even have time to respond before she was gone.
He shifted his glare toward the blond.
"Ahaha. Did I pick a bad time?" the other Nicholas scratched his cheek awkwardly.
Nicholas sighed, dropping the glare. "Whatever. What do you want?"
The other Nicholas wore a strained expression. "I just wanted… to see how you were doing."
Nicholas narrowed his eyes. "Translation: What are you planning to do?"
The blond boy grimaced, which made Nicholas smirk. "Did I get that right? Let me guess, your friend blew you off after you refused to give him a straight answer. How the mighty have fallen."
"That's…" The blond took a moment to compose himself. "That was an unfair thing to say."
Nicholas snorted.
"Was I really in the wrong? Was I wrong for trying to keep my friends together? For not letting the group fall apart?"
It was clear his composure was slipping. Nicholas had managed to pry through the cracks in his facade.
"Tell me, Darklight. The person you confessed to. They were part of your friend group, weren't they?"
Nicholas's smirk faded instantly.
"She is."
"And isn't it awkward between you now? Isn't it straining the group?" His voice carried desperation, as though he needed someone to tell him he was justified.
Nicholas looked away, thoughtful.
Was it awkward? Yes.
Did it put a strain on things? A little.
But it wasn't as if they had stopped talking.
It wasn't as if the friendship had ended.
"Yeah, for a little while. But it's better now." Nicholas smiled sincerely.
The other Nicholas froze, his expression twisting in disbelief. "What…? Better?" Then, for the first time, he looked genuinely angry.
Nicholas raised an eyebrow. He had never seen Blondie like this.
"Are you just deluding yourself? Thinking it's getting better? I've seen it before—the way a group splits apart, suddenly, coldly." His shoulders slumped, weighed down by a memory.
"Maybe I am deluding myself. Who knows." Nicholas shrugged. "But if a friend group falls apart that easily just because of a rejection, was it ever a real group to begin with?"
The blond's eyes widened. "What?"
"Think about it. If you're really friends, wouldn't you be able to push through something like that? Being friends means being there for each other. And even if things don't last forever, isn't that what this time in our lives is for? To explore, to grow—not just in friendships but in ourselves too."
"You…"
"If a group doesn't last, maybe it was never meant to."
The blond Nicholas went silent, struggling to form a reply.
Nicholas softened his voice. "Then again, we're not the same. Maybe my idea of friendship is wrong, and yours is right."
"I just think… we should all be happy together while we can. Make as many good memories as possible, and if it ends, at least end it on good terms."
Nicholas tilted his head. "That's not bad. But it sounds like you formed the group already expecting it to fall apart one day. You don't build friendships with the belief that they'll end. You build them in hopes of a connection that lasts a lifetime."
The blond boy fell quiet, reflecting on Nicholas's words. After a long pause, he sighed.
He poured himself a small cup of punch and stared out at the sea of students dancing and laughing.
Nicholas sighed as well. "Just tell me what you want me to do. It's your friendship. I don't care what you decide."
"I just… want us to stay the way we are."
Nicholas looked out at the crowd. The gymnasium was packed, and it would be impossible to spot Lillie or Average-kun with his eyes alone.
So instead, he looked down.
The floor was cloaked in darkness, and within it, shadows stretched and twisted.
He wasn't sure when it had happened, but his power had evolved again.
If he concentrated hard enough, he could now read a shadow and somewhat tell what it belonged to. At first, he thought the ability was useless. But in a place like this, it was perfect for pinpointing someone in a crowd.
He handed his punch to the other Nicholas. "I'll handle it this time."
Then he stepped forward into the sea of shadows.
…
'What a pain.'
The music shifted suddenly, becoming slower, softer… almost romantic.
It was time for the slow dance. Students paired off, some swapping awkwardly. Those who didn't know how to partner dance drifted toward the edges, giving the spotlight to those who did.
Nicholas, unfortunately or fortunately, knew how to dance. And right now, he was dancing with Sydney.
"I didn't know you could dance," she said sweetly. Her eyes stayed on the corsage on her wrist rather than meeting his.
"My sister taught me," he answered, gaze wandering elsewhere.
Sydney blinked. "I didn't know you have a sister."
"Had," he corrected.
Her lips parted. "Oh… I'm so-"
"It's fine," he cut in quickly. "Don't think about it."
Silence lingered between them for a few beats, though their steps stayed in perfect rhythm. To Nicholas's mild surprise, they moved together with ease.
Finally, he spoke again. "What's your plan?"
Sydney looked up at him, startled. "Huh?"
"The plan for Lillie and Average-kun."
She bit her lip. "It… it didn't work out. I failed."
Nicholas kept quiet.
"I tried to get them alone, but Lillie refused. I didn't know what else I was supposed to do-"
"It's fine," he interrupted. "You tried. That's enough. But there was no way you could have succeeded."
Her expression darkened. "What do you mean…?"
Nicholas's eyes shifted toward Lillie, surrounded as always. The song was ending. Which meant soon the students would swap partners.
He had to move before Tod or Average-kun did.
By the time the final note fell, he had already maneuvered closer. Releasing Sydney gently, he stepped forward, took Lillie's hand, and spun her into the next dance.
"Looks like you're with me," he said.
"Dark…light?" she murmured, surprised.
Nicholas felt the heat of several glares burning into his back. Tod's face was twisted with shock. Average-kun looked as if he had swallowed his own tongue. Neither had prepared for this outcome, and in the scramble, they ended up paired with each other for the dance.
"Well. This is unexpected," Lillie said. Her tone was the same one she had used when he found her sick outside the bathroom—not quite fake, not quite honest.
"Sorry. Didn't mean to scare you."
"Oh, not that. I'm just surprised you chose me. I thought you were 'repulsed' by me."
"No," Nicholas replied evenly. "I said I was repulsed by your fakeness. It's different."
"Hardly different, when I'm nothing but fake…" she muttered.
He didn't argue. Instead, he shifted the conversation. "You know people are planning to confess to you, right?"
Her eyes flickered. "…I think I know."
"And you'll reject them all, no matter who?"
"…Yes. I just can't-"
"I didn't ask for a reason. I just wanted to be sure."
Her brows knit in confusion. "Sure of what?"
"That I could trust you."
The song reached its close. Nicholas released her hand, then dropped to one knee.
He regretted it even before the words left his mouth.
"Lillie," he said, voice calm, steady, and deliberately loud enough for the entire gymnasium. "I like you a lot. Will you go out with me?"
The tone was so flat it was impossible to tell whether he was serious or not, but it didn't matter.
The room froze. Music, movement, chatter, everything stopped. All eyes fell on the pair. Tod's jaw dropped. Average-kun stood petrified. Dozens of others simmered with jealousy, anger, or disbelief.
And Sydney… was nowhere to be seen.
Lillie gasped softly. She glanced at the crowd, noticing the many eyes of jealousy aimed at the Darklight, then at Nicholas, then back again. The weight of so many eyes crushed down on her shoulders.
She took a deep breath.
"I'm sorry," she said, bowing. "I can't accept your feelings. I'm not looking to date anyone. I won't accept anyone's confession, no matter who they are."
She straightened quickly. Nicholas rose to his feet and nodded, unfazed.
This was exactly what he expected.
Then she fled the gymnasium, her friends rushing after her.
Nicholas remained alone at the center of the floor, a hundred hostile eyes fixed on him. Disapproving. Threatening. None of it mattered.
It was time to leave.
As he passed Average-kun, he muttered, "Told you."
Average-kun scowled, his face twisting with disgust. "That… that wasn't cool, man." He turned and walked off.
Nicholas shrugged and kept moving.
Near the door, he noticed a corsage—blue and white, a little tattered. He bent down, picked it up, and carried it with him as he left.
His job here was finished.