The Descendants of the Ascendance Series - Nessa's POV

Chapter Nine

The next afternoon, after the ball had been publicly announced, I made my way to the town, as I had promised Adelade that I would. Following Evangeline's instructions, I headed towards the bakery, where Tyler would likely be.

As I walked, hundreds of thoughts swarmed my mind.

What if he says no? I worried. What if he doesn't like me the same way I like him? What if -

My thoughts were cut short by someone calling my name.

"Nessa!"

I turned around to see Tyler rushing towards me, holding a single white rose, my favorite flower.

"I need to ask you something!" We both exclaimed at the same time.

"You go!"

"No you go!"

"No, you!"

"No, you, I insist!"

"Ladies First!"

"Will you go to the ball with me?!" We asked simultaneously.

I felt my face heat up and looked down.

"So," He started. "Will you be my date to the ball?"

He offered me the rose.

I grabbed the flower gratefully.

"I would love to go to the ball with you, Tyler," I smiled softly, pulling him into a hug. "Let's meet at the fountain an hour before the first song begins."

"I guess I'll see you then," He said quietly, a smile gracing his lips. "Until we meet again, Miss Nessarose."

He once more grabbed my left hand and placed a soft kiss on my knuckles before walking back to the bakery. I turned and ran back to the palace, one thought repeating through my head 'find Addy'.

As I walked, I nearly ran into numerous people, my thoughts dazed. When I got to her room, I collapsed on her bed, smiling like an insane person.

"Someone's excited," She chuckled.

"Great observation," I deadpanned.

"Well if you're gonna be sassy about it, I'll leave," She sassed.

She stood up and started to walk out. I chased after her.

"No, don't go!" I exclaimed. "I need to talk to you about Tyler!"

She paused and turned around. "Fine. But we need to find Ev first."

"Find me for what?" Said girl asked, walking past but slowing her pace slightly upon hearing her name.

"You'll see," I smirked.

I grabbed her and Addy by the arm and pulled them back to the latter's room. The three of us sat down on her bed.

"So, what'd you need me for? I have better things to do than sit here and do nothing," Evangeline stated.

"Well, I was walking in town, going to return my book, which I'm now realizing I never ended up returning because I ran into Tyler and he kind of gave me a rose - a white one, my favorite - and he kind of asked me to the ball and I kind of said yes and he kind of kissed my hand and I ran home to talk to you guys and never returned my book and now I'm scared because he's not royal or a regent or anything and what if my parents don't like him!" I finished. "And now I don't even have a new book to read."