They danced the night away, laughing and having the best fun. Valzella turned out to be a really good dancer, she just has been too afraid to try due to past experiences. Theodulf's guiding hands and reassuring smile made her feel protected, she threw carefulness away and consumed every ounce of fun that came her way.
She felt renewed tonight, like she has just been reborn or reintroduced to a new world where there are no limitations.
Mrs Adolpha watched the party from the second floor with a smile plastered on her face all evening but most especially cause her daughter was having a good time for the first time.
The party ended at midnight.
The following day's a weekend which means zero school activities, few students retired back to their hostels after the party, some went elsewhere to hang out. Theodulf walked valzella back to her hostel.
"Thanks for tonight, i had a really good time" valzella said when they got to the entrance of her hostel.
"It was my uttermost pleasure" he responded with a bow. The bow made valzella giggled, she pecked him on the cheek and went in.
Theodulf held the cheek she pecked and watched wide eyed as she walked into the building.
*** the next day ***
One thing FIMCI is known for is their spirit of fun, the students organized a splash party to celebrate the weekend.
The splash parties was organized and overseen by the merpeople and sirens (being water creatures), they regulated events hosted inside the water like swimming, diving and other deep water activities to prevent drowning or deaths of other students, they served as lifeguards, depths marksmen and so on.
Valzella and lupita were camped at a nice cozy spot located adjacent the water fall, they both hate swimming so they just relaxed and enjoyed the ongoing activities.
"Hi ladies" lupus voice called out from the rear, they both turned and lookef at him without saying a word, then looked away.
"What do you want?" Valzella asked in a stern tone without facing him.
"Luna isn't here bro" lupita chipped in, her tone sounded more disgusted than valzella's.
After an awkward silence, he walked away scratching the back of his head, just then Theodulf came in opposite direction, he couldn't help but look at the departing lupus.
"Hey beauties" he greeted the girls.
"Hey you" lupita answered smiling, valzella just waved.
"What... What did he want?" He asked referring to lupus.
"Trouble as always. He's just bored because luna is off kay and he's looking for where to find entertainment. Pay him no mind. Sup with you?" lupita blotted out, the hatred for lupus could be felt in her tone.
"If he tries anything funny, let me know. Are you guys okay?" Theodulf asked like a big brother protecting his sisters from bully.
"We are good" valzella responded in a light tone.
"Good, let me know if he causes any trouble. Pups like him should be put on a leash." He scoffed.
"Yeah. Whatever, he's not worth the stress." Valzella said.
"So...who wants to go diving?" He asked excitedly but their expressions said otherwise. "You...don't swim?"
They both shook their heads.
"Why? How come?"
"Cats don't swim" lupita answered.
"What's your excuse dog?" He referred to valzella. It was completely cool for wolves to call each other dogs.
"I didn't stay healthy enough as a fresh pup to take swimming lessons" valzella answered with a grimace.
"Would you like to learn?"
"No thank you"
"Seriously?"
"Seriously!"
"Okay ladies, watch the king of cliff diving do his thing." He ran off the edge of the cliff and plunged into the water.
"Cool, watch him go!" Lupita cheered.
"Yeah!" Valzella cheered too but with a drop tone.
"What's the matter val?" Lupita asked cause she noticed her friend's mood change.
"I need some air" she stood up to leave.
"Air? We are in the open air, aka outside. What other air would you need?" Lupita quarreled, she knew something's up with valzella.
"Lu i just need some time alone" valzella sounded sad. Lupita was puzzled because a moment ago she was fine and laughing.
"Okay. But assure me you're fine first." She searched her face for answers.
"I am...not. I don't know. I just feel extremely sad right now" she teared up as she spoke. "My mood swings are getting intense these days, i cried in the bathroom this morning for no reason, i was really happy when we got here but now i feel so sad. I'm sad again, i wanna cry. My emotions are overwhelming me right now." She exhaled after speaking.
"Are you going to be okay? Should i call your mom? Do you want to go home?" Lupita asked in a concerned tone.
Valzella sniffled, cleared her throat, wiped off the tears from her face then said "i'm fine now, i just needed to vent i guess. Can we go back to sitting and watching splash day....splash?" She said and lupita laughed.
"I'll go get us some snacks, some chocolate ice cream should cheer you up for good." She patted valzella's arm before leaving.
Theodulf came back dripping soak from hair to shorts, valzella stared at his bare body for a while before throwing him a towel, she looked away to hide the blush on her face.
"Thanks" he said while drying his body.
"Had a good dive?" She asked.
"One of the best." He took a seat close to her on the mat.
"Tell me about it." She said, trying to hide how nervous she felt being close to him on the mat.
"It felt good, refreshing and it reminds me of the few hot summers we enjoyed up at the northern province." He said while drying his hair with the towel.
"Hot summers?" Her brows furrowed, summers are naturally hot, why the indication?
"Yeah, up in the north it's always ice freezing. Seas stays frozen for a long period of time, so most of the summers there are cold, the sun barely comes out for a whole year." He explained.
"Whoa! Can't imagine surviving like that. How do humans make it through?" She wondered, not having transformed into her wolf yet, she experienced the harshness of weathers worse than some humans. During winter, the house is always hot to keep her warm, her room has two fireplaces just to ensure she has more than enough heat.
"They have their ways." He shrugged.
"So, which is your favourite, hot or cold?"
"I prefer the cold"
"Why?"
"Cause we get to be in our fur all season, live in the castle built within the mountains and hibernate all season" the glee in his tone says how much fun it is for him.
"Werewolves don't hibernate." She corrected.
"Tell that to we northern hybrids." He winked.
"Hmm... Interesting"
"Yep. Our ancestors built the cities within the mountain. It's super warm and cozy and homey and generally dope. You should come visit someday, it'll be fun. I'll show you all the cool places" he finished drying his hair and placed the towel aside.
"Yay. But i won't survive the cold, i haven't furred out yet" she replied in a low tone.
"Yet. We'll figure something out." He said then put on some sunscreen.
"Where are your sisters? i haven't seen them all day?" Lupita asked as soon as she got back, she gave valzella one of the ice cream cups she was holding.
"They're probably hanging out with their band of sophistication somewhere."
"Okay, they better not forget their pending homeworks, test is starting soon and good grades is a thing here in FIMCI" lupita warned like a mother reprimanding her kids.
"I can't help but wonder the similarities you both share. Feels like fate handpicked your friendship." He said as lupita sat close to valzella.
"That's what my mom always says. I and lupita share similar losses and pain. Which is cool, we don't have to be like the rest of the world." Valzella said.