Once At Midnight | Book 1

Chapter 7

Midnight gasps and stands on her feet, clutching her chest, "I'm alive!" Candy gets up from where she was crying and hugs Midnight, "Midnight!" She sniffs her hair, "It's actually you! You just died!" She cries, "Don't do that!"

"But we have to go back now if we want to live. Queen Luna doesn't know you're alive again. Come with me!"

***

In a flash, they all went back and got a few minutes' rest before preparing for school. "It's already 7:30! We have to get to school, else we'll be late!" Candy rushes Midnight, who's brushing her long, starry hair by the windowsill. She takes a look at her new star and smiles, but turns back to Candy who left, "I can't tell her. She's stressed enough... I'd just seem as a burden to her..." She takes a star headband from Candy's closet and puts it on. "Much better!" She said, "At least no one will know this."

Candy and Midnight make it to school before 8 a.m. They get there by 7:45. Midnight opens her locker and throws in her bag, "This is so very frustrating. So much responsibility..." She massages her head. She brings out her schedule for the day.

"Good morning, Midnight!" Dylan approaches Midnight with a smile on his face and leans on his locker, trying to flirt, "I like the new look. Stars! Really brings out your eyes."

Midnight's eyes glow blue again as she blushes, "Thank you?" She chuckles.

"Remember when I asked if I could show you around? Still waiting for your response on that."

"About that... Maybe some other time?" Midnight said.

"Sure! Then what about coming to my sister's birthday party this weekend? On Sunday?"

"Well..." Midnight looks away, "I already had plans with Candy. Sunday's our study night..."

Dylan looks away, flustered and embarrassed, "I see..." The two feel awkward all of a sudden. Midnight twirls her hair around her finger, Dylan putting his hands in his pocket, "Then... the... um..."

Midnight sees what he's trying to do, 'He's trying to spend more time with me...' Midnight blushes even more. 'Candy was right... But let me give him a try...'

"I could come spend time with you afterschool. I'm sure Candy wouldn't mind!" She smiles and holds his hand.

"Really?" He blushes.

"But I do have to postpone my study session with Candy and Nathaniel." Midnight thinks, "It's settled!"

The bell for first period rings. Dylan leaves. Little did they know, Candy was eavesdropping the whole time, "So you do like Dylan!" Candy said, with a disappointed tone.

"What isn't there to like about him?" Midnight said, "Is he not my friend?"

"Midnight, I get where you're coming from, but that's not how love works," Candy seems more annoyed, she takes a step closer, "Dylan isn't your type of guy, trust me."

Midnight feels sad. They both walk silently to their respective classes. "Sure Dylan can't be that bad. He seems so nice." Midnight mutters under her breath, "She probably got the wrong impression of him... Yeah, that has to be it."