dusk until dawn (the selection)

the catfight at breakfast and the aftermath of it all

Dawn retreated to her room after that. Her cheeks still hot. Her maid Amy thankfully didn't mention it as she got ready for bed.

She didn't see Macy for the rest of the night. She'd just have to tell her what happened at breakfast. The brunette was tired, and her mind was very, very occupied at the moment. With something it shouldn't be.

The morning came fast.

Her dress was lilac and her dark hair fell over her shoulders loosely. Dawn was excited to see Macy again. They sat down together at the grand table in the dining hall.

As per usual, a lot of the selected had their eyes glued to the royal table and just as usual, Macy and Dawn dug into the breakfast buffet before the other girls did — which was as soon as they were seated.

"Sorry I didn't swing by your room last night, was tired." Macy spoke up. Her friend looked at her. Her blonde hair was divided into two braids today, and she wore red clips that kept the loose strands of hair out of her face. How creative. Maybe she could draw her like this.

To be fair, Dawn hadn't even expected Macy to come over after she went back to her room. "That's alright." she lowered her voice a little for the next part. "I think your friend is a little off in the head." she said quietly. She tried to bring the news discreetly .

Macy's eyes widened and she burst out laughing.

She put down her fork with scrambled egg on it and covered her face. Several selected turned their heads to look at the commotion. They started whispering instantly. Dawn looked around a little bewildered. Macy was toppled over.

Unconsciously, Dawn's dark eyes darted over to the royal table. The prince was looking back at them. And he raised an eyebrow at Dawn playfully. He wore a maroon shirt today. The collar was turned slightly up. Dawn glared at him, lowering her eyebrows. He looked very good in this dark colour. And she was not getting charmed today.

Helios noticed her expression darkening and pouted sadly. How dare he.

Dawn would've stared him down longer if she wasn't pulled out if her thoughts by Macy. "Aiya, Dawn. That's what I've been trying to tell you." she was still snorting from laughing, "He is definitely not alright in the head. Not at all."

The brunette frowned and opened her mouth to say something but was interrupted by someone else. "Who isn't?" Another selected butt into their conversation. Dawn had no idea who the dark grey, stormy-eyed girl was. She looked very concerned, though. "Are you discussing.... him?" The girl's dark eyes darted over to the royal table for a moment.

Neither of the two friends said a word.

"He told me yesterday that he likes bugs." She almost whispered the words. Dawn could feel Macy starting to grin next to her. Bugs? Beetles and worms and caterpillars?

"What kind of bugs?" The blonde asked.

The other selected made a squeal noise. "Don't know." Then she went back to her breakfast.

Macy leaned over to Dawn and whispered in her ear, "Helios has a huge encyclopaedia about butterflies and dragonflies. It's not cockroaches or anything." Macy told. Somehow, Dawn felt relieved about that. Butterflies were a little less disturbing than spiders or beetles. "I think he intentionally tried to scare her off."

Dawn giggled and turned to face her, "He might've tried a similar technique on me." she said quietly.

Macy curiously scanned her face, very close to her, "Oh? On you?"

"Yea, although he didn't mention anything creepy like b—"

"What are you two whispering about." Suddenly Kaia was staring at them from a few seats across. With Kaia's attention came her entire cult's eyes. Celeste crossed her arms. A few other girls had angry expressions. Were they still mad at Dawn or something?