Enchanted Night

Chapter 2 (Forcing Laughter, Faking Smile)

"The gate has already closed," I muttered as I stepped out of the car, the journey taking us a total of twenty-five minutes.

Glancing over at Steph, I observed her as she exited the car, her glittery white sling bag in hand, and her long curly hair perfectly styled. She had opted for a very short denim skirt, which, from my perspective as someone who wasn't fond of such attire, seemed overly short. Her outfit also revealed quite a bit, considering her well-proportioned figure, with a white sleeveless top that left little to the imagination. I couldn't help but wonder if she would face any issues getting past the gates, considering our school had a Catholic affiliation, and the event was still a formal program.

As for me, I opted for the most comfortable and appropriate outfit for the occasion: a purple hoodie with a playful grimace illustration on it, paired with wide-leg pants and white shoes. My straight hair remained messy, evidence of my lack of time to properly fix myself—I had been in a hurry, okay.

Stephanie scolded me when she saw me rushing out of the house in such a basic ensemble, claiming it was nothing special. However, I know that deep down, she understood that I lacked the confidence to wear the outfits she could effortlessly pull off.

After all, I had made up my mind—I wouldn't show any skin. I preferred to maintain a modest and comfortable appearance, embracing my own sense of style.

"It's a good thing Aleo's already looking for me," she suddenly giggled while holding her phone and facing the screen.

"Mr. President?" I asked in astonishment, and she nodded twice without even glancing at me. I couldn't help but stare at her, intrigued by the way her red-stained lips curved into a perfect crescent smile and her eyes sparkled like the stars while she typed a message. It was a sight I had never witnessed before-she seemed so genuinely happy and interested.

Suddenly, she abruptly stopped typing and slowly turned her attention towards me. Her bright grin faded, and her brows furrowed. "What?" she burst out, catching me off guard. I blinked in surprise, unsure of what had caused this sudden shift in her mood. She cleared her throat and abruptly turned off her phone, tucking it away into her bag. "He's so annoying!"

I couldn't help but wonder about the drastic change in her demeanor. What's with the sudden change of mood?

"He's looking for us—officers—like as if we're his staff," she said, her tone filled with a sense of uncertainty like as if she was searching for the right words. Then, she averted her gaze and opened the car door beside her.

"Here, wear this."

I approached her and accepted what she handed me-it was an ID and a ticket. "Since we're late, we won't be able to pass through the gate anymore, but being officers changes that," she explained. She proceeded to wear her ID and nodded at me to do the same.

"I'm not an officer, Steph" I protested.

"You are," she insisted. "Wearing that ID, you look the part. Trust me," she reassured, a hint of happiness in her voice. "I've got your back, okay?"

I didn't respond immediately. Doubts and concerns swirled in my mind. What if they discovered our plan? Not only would I get into trouble, but Steph would as well. And if that happened, Aunt Amanda would undoubtedly find out about our escapade, spelling doom for me.

Steph was truly fearless for planning out all of this.

"Come on! Just let go and enjoy the night!" she exclaimed, grabbing my arm and pulling me along.

Caught between worry and a desire for experience, of course, I've never been a concert before. I hesitated for a moment before finally giving in. With a mixture of apprehension and excitement, I allowed Steph's infectious energy to coax me into embracing the unknown.