{LeviHan} Love is an Experiment! [Modern AU]

{Twenty-One}

Miles pushed open the great doors to the ballroom, making them dramatically fling out with a loud bang.

"Welcome to the last part of our tour, the ballroom!" he shouted, leading the group into the middle.

The group stared at the room, mouth agape in awe.

"It's... smaller than I remember," Levi said.

"Strange," Hange said with a cheeky tone in her voice. "Wouldn't have thought so since you haven't gotten much bigger since you last came here- Ow! Don't hit me!"

Levi gave her a little smirk before looking away towards the screen in the wall that controlled the music.

"Remember when we danced in here together?" Hange sighed, following his gaze. "You got any better at dancing?"

"You saying that I wasn't good at dancing?"

"No, no, you were good... As good as a shortie like you can get."

"Oh, shut up," Levi said, elbowing her in the ribs.

Miles looked on, a look of mild disgust on his face. Eve walked up to him with an expression that read "I'm ready". Miles nodded.

"Say, Mr Miles," Eve said loud enough for everyone to hear. "Do you plan on doing anything with this fabulous ballroom of yours?"

"Why certainly, young maiden!"

"Do you plan on doing anything anytime soon?"

"Uh..."

"Why... don't we use it! Tonight! It's our third day here and I'm sure my friends would love to attend a ball! A lavish ball with nothing short of glamorous!"

"Hmm... That's not a bad idea! If only some people were as wonderful as you are!"

Hange felt her stomach tighten. She wouldn't conform to how they wished her to be. No way. But it hurt. It hurt so much to feel unappreciated, but she didn't want to let it show. She was proud to be who she was!

Hange took a breath as her father directed a quick glance towards her. Levi pulled her closer protectively. Ever since the fire, he wasn't going to let anything happen to her again. After all, it was his fault she ran back into the building, so he felt. 

Miles glared at him before turning back to Eve.

"Splendid idea from a splendid girl!" he said. "I'll have it ready by tonight!"

Eve squealed. Even though this was all a plot, the ball would be the real thing. She'd always wanted to attend one in a proper ballroom instead of some measly school gym. They weren't even real balls! Rather noisy discos.

Miles smiled warmly at her genuine reaction. Hange looked down at her feet. Her parents rarely smiled at her. Eve was like the daughter they always wanted. She couldn't be like Eve. She wasn't! But sometimes... deep, deep down... she wished she was. Would she at least be spared a smile from her parents then?

.. Would they love her the way they loved Eve?

Charlotte and Miles waited in the ballroom for Miss V and the kids.

"Do you really think this will work?" Charlotte asked, adjusting the white flower headdress she wore on the side of her head.

"Of course, it will," Miles answered. "I saw her face. She will do anything for us."

"I hope you're right, dear."

The two waved as Miss V led everyone into the lavishly decorated ballroom.