Tomas
I haven’t attended a school dance in the last 3 years, I had forgotten how nerve-wrecking it can be. Add to it the fact that they probably do things differently here and I am a nervous wreck.
I am contemplating not going when I get a text.
It’s from Kenzie:
“The guys found something about ANIMA. Meeting in Mason’s room in 5 minutes.”
I am the last to arrive.
“I was able to get the CCTV footage from outside our suite from Mr. Han. It was hard to identify the person because they had on a cap and kept their head down the entire time.” Mason says.
“After retracing their steps into and out of the W, we got footage of them getting into a car that had a Wellington High sticker. I ran the car plates but I couldn't find any personal information. Which I learned means the car has probably been scrapped or they are fake plates.” Aiden adds.
“So we are looking for a Wellington High student who has access to a junkyard?” I ask.
“That’s what I thought at first too but there are at least 3 different scrapyards in Wellington. Also the plates are Winston plates so the junkyard might not even be in Wellington.” Aiden replies.
“So Ava and I have been on online forums amongst the kids from Wellington High, talking about the stuff ANIMA has been doing here. Then we starting posting about wanting to find out who is behind it all.” Aiden adds.
“We got a lot of response, majority of them trolls laughing at rich kids being exposed but we got one legitimate bite. They contacted us privately saying someone had tried to recruit them online to act as a kind of paparazzo of Wellington Academy students. The recruiter offered to pay them really well for scandalous pictures or videos and provided them with a link where they could upload them.” Ava says.
“So the one running it must be a Wellies student seeing as they were offering to pay so well.” Sierra says.
“Maybe but not all rich kids in Wellington go to the academy some do go to the public school.” Kenzie says.
“Our source offered to meet during the ball tonight so we will find out more then.” Aiden says.
“They have tickets?” I ask.
“No, they will just come to the venue and we will go out to meet them.” Mason says.
“Let me know when they contact you so I can come too.” Kenzie says.
“Me too.” Sierra and I say at the same time.
“Too many people may spook them, so only Aiden and I will meet them for now.” Mason says.
“We will keep you guys posted though.” Aiden says.
The rest of us reluctantly agree.
“Tom, here’s your suit” Mason says handing it over.
“Thanks”
“So are you guys going together?” Aiden asks cheekily.
“Yes. You know this already.” Mason says face turning pink which invites a lot of teasing from everyone.
“Seems we are the only two going dateless tonight.” Ava says.
“We will definitely be having more fun though.” Kenzie replies.
The day flies by and before I know it it’s time for the ball. By the time we meet in the parking lot it feels like we are the last people on campus.
The school feels emptier than usual both because it’s a Saturday and most students spent the day at home getting ready. The only ones here are out-of-towners like me and the twins and those who chose not to go home like Mason and Kenzie.
Aiden left to pick up Sierra from her house so it’s only the four of us riding together.
We stop by the Kings’ place for Kenzie to get her dress. Serena had bought it months ago but Kenzie had left it behind since she wasn’t planning on attending the ball. She and Ava go in while Mason and I wait in the car.
They return 15 minutes later.
“What did Serena say?” I ask.
“No one is home. Serena and Mark are probably at the parents’ dinner and Cassie left for the ball already.” Kenzie says.
We arrive at the Mayfair, the venue for the ball, fashionably late. I was surprised to learn the hotel belongs to our headmistress’ family. The parents’ dinner is being held in one of the smaller ballroom. Thankfully the ballrooms are on different floors.
Entering our ballroom there is a photo section with professional photographers. For those we all pose together in a handful of pictures. After that there are photo booths for those feeling a bit silly or are just not comfortable in front of the professional photographers.
We spent a lot of time in the photo booths taking hundreds of pictures with Kenzie, Mason and Ava and then squeezing in for a group photo. Ava even calls out Aiden and Sierra for a professional photo of all six of us.
Going by the way the actual ballroom is decorated I am guessing the theme has something to do with spring. The aesthetic is very much soft pastels and florals in golden lighting. It feels like stepping into fairyland.
The food spread is impressive as always only this time everything is bite-sized and there is alcohol. Some of our classmates have definitely had a head-start on the alcohol if the way they are dancing is anything to go by.
Our group mostly stays together save the occasional song when Aiden and Sierra join the dancing.
“Let’s dance.” Mason says.
“Okay”
And of course just as we reach the dance floor the song switches to a slow one. Looking over to the music deck we see Ava and Kenzie. I guess this is part of their operation ‘Make TOMSON real’.
Giving us a thumbs up they motion for us to dance, we comply.I can feel the eyes of our classmates on us, both the ones on the dance floor with us and the ones seated.
“Wow, he really brought him as his date.”
“I guess that makes it official.”
“I still can’t believe he chose him over Cassie.”
“Mason’s probably just using him to make her jealous.”
“Bro, I thought the ANIMA thing was a joke! Have they been gay this whole time?”
“You know Mason definitely paid for everything right? What a gold-digger!”
“He will get tired of him soon enough.”
I can’t help but frown hearing people around us talking like that.
“Don’t listen to them.” Mason says.
“Kinda hard not to. They aren’t exactly being quiet.”
Lifting my chin he gently touches his lips to mine, the kiss sweet almost chaste. It feels like it both lasts a second and a life time at the same time.
“That will shut them up.” he says pulling away a bit.
“Uh…”
I think my brain has stopped working.Just then he gets a text notification.
“It’s Aiden. I will be right back.”
“Okay”
Mason hesitates for a moment then he leans in for another kiss, just a brush of his lips on mine, a promise. Then he is gone.
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YOU ARE READING
ANIMA
Mystery / ThrillerWhen the secret sharing ANIMA makes a sudden appearance at Wellington Academy it takes everyone by surprise. Some students are excited about the promise of secrets being exposed while others dread it. With the threat of their deepest and darkest...
