When we entered the lively party, Jason suggested joining him and his friends, but I declined, unsure if I'd be comfortable around them. Spotting Paula waving at me, I joined her.
"Wow, so you're the pretty angel that has everyone mesmerized," she exclaimed.
"Am I a little extra with the costume?" I asked, suddenly self-conscious.
"It's beautiful. I did not know you would rock such a look, especially after being so indifferent about the party. You even made a grand entrance," she complimented.
"My aunt planned everything, so I decided to go along with it," I explained.
"No, it's nice. I was just surprised. I couldn't believe it was you until you removed your mask. By the way, is Jason your date? I saw you two walk in together," she inquired.
"No, he's not my date. We just met at the red carpet, and we came in together," I clarified. She didn't say anything, and I noticed she wasn't with any date.
"What about Peter? I thought he was your date," I asked.
"Are you trying to mock me right now, Tiara?" she snapped.
"No, I'm just asking," I defended.
"I'm sorry. I'm a little tipsy. I feel so pathetic right now. Can you believe that before I could tell Peter I've changed my mind and accepted to be his date, Oluchi in SS 1 already asked him, and he accepted? Can you imagine that Peter picked that ugly Oluchi over me? Now I came to this party with no date, even ugly Oluchi got a date, and take a look at everyone-they are having a good time in the company of their dates, and my costume is so wack. Every other person's costume looks so cool," she lamented.
"I am sorry about that, but you don't have to be sad. I also don't have a date, and I think your costume is not that bad," I tried to cheer her up.
"Not that bad? please, Tiara."
"Come on, let's go and dance. Stop sulking," I urged, dragging her to the dance floor. We danced and danced until the MC announced the best-costumed awards. To my surprise, Jason was named the best-costumed male, and I was chosen as the best-costumed female.
Reluctant to go on stage, Jason came over, offering his arm to accompany me. The audience cheered, and as I glanced at Paula, she was in a foul mood, heading outside. I followed Jason to the stage, and to my amazement, we were crowned Mister and Miss Costume Night. Then, we were asked to dance, and Jason led me to the dance floor.
"You are easily the most beautiful girl out here tonight', he complimented as we danced to "Stuck with You" by Ariana Grande and Justin Bieber.
I blushed, why is he being sweet tonight?
"Why the Devil costume? Don't get me wrong; it's cool, but why the devil?" I questioned.
"I don't know, it just felt right" he explained.
The dance floor was now filled with people, and he suggested getting some fresh air outside.
"Sure," I agreed, and we strolled around the premises. Suddenly, we caught some people making out by the corridor-Feyi and Pascal, one of Jason's friends.
"Isn't that Senior Feyi? I heard she has a huge crush on you," I pointed out.
He scoffed.
"What? Did you reject her" I probed.
"Yeah", he answered
"Why? I think she's very pretty" I said.
"Well, I actually have a girlfriend. Had rather, I don't think we are on the same page about our relationship anymore, but then I had eyes only for her." The hurt is so evident. I feel so sorry for me.
"And Feyi, even if I didn't have a girlfriend, she's not my type of girl, she is too loose for my liking. I want my woman exclusively mine. Not to boast, but if I wanted a girl in this school, it would have been so easy for me. But I don't want to live like that. I vowed never to be a womanizer, never to be like my father," he said, suddenly falling silent, perhaps regretting that he shared that with me. Then, he looked into my eyes.
"Why am I telling you all these? We are not even friends. I'm sure you still despise me," he more asked than stated.
"I don't despise you, Jason. You pissed me off, yes but I think I understand you now, I'm open to starting over as friends". I smiled at him. " Just that next time, don't be too quick to think every girl is into you," I said on a lighter mode.
"I get it. My bad. I'm sorry," he said, looking at me again, making me self-conscious. "So, I am not your type?"
I laughed. "Yeah, you are not."
"Ouch. So who is your type?" he asked.
"Hmmmm, I like intelligent guys, not proud ones, cool-headed too. I hate loud guys, and he must be good looking," I listed.
"You realize you just described me. I am intelligent, the best student in my class. I am actually not proud, Tiara. I know I might appear proud because of how I act, ignoring the girls that are after me, but what would you rather I do? These girls would suffocate me if I allow them. All I do is for my own sanity," he explained, observing me closely. "Also, I am cool-headed. I know my guys are loud, but I'm reserved and cool headed. Also, I am definitely good-looking. So you might not realize it yet, but when you get to know me, you'd realize that I am exactly your type," he said proudly.
I laughed loudly. "And considering how I make you laugh, I guess I am funny too, which is a bonus," he added.
"Ok, but I am not your type, remember? You said so yourself" I teased.
He laughed this time and he was about to talk, Folu who is the social prefect came running and calling him.
"Guy, I've been looking for you, what are you doing here, it's time for the head boy speech and then we can have our after party, come, come, Hi Tiara" he said finally noticing me. I waved at him, he's probably still keeping grudges because I rejected him.
"Oh, I totally forgot, I have to go Tiara, see you inside" He ran away with Folu.
I got a call at that moment, it was my Aunty. "Tiara, get ready, I am on my way to come get you"
What is happening? My Aunty sounded so distressed on the phone.
