The Damianya Anthology 3 - Damianya Week 2024

Chapter 5: Open declarations (Dance)

The atmosphere radiated elegance at that moment, where the unique lighting and decorations made the place look very presentable and beautiful to everyone's eyes. There on that night, the full moon was witnessing the graduation party of Eden's new graduating class.

After many years of studies and total stress, Damian Desmond could finally consider himself a graduated with merits at Eden. He had achieved the Imperial Scholar rank he had longed for, had been the star student in his class, and had practically conquered every course and won a lot of awards at inter-school events. Although he still felt a little annoyed to know that his family was never proud of him and left him aside, he was sure that at least his friends in Eden were happy for him.

Now all that was left for him to do was celebrate his victory. On the one hand, he wanted to be with his friends, but he could tell they were having fun with their partners; he didn't want to interrupt them at all. It was there that his eyes fell on a girl with pink hair that he identified perfectly. And to his good fortune, the music started to play loudly to signal the couples to come out and move on the dance floor.

It was the perfect time for him.

Damian put on his mask and went to ask this girl to dance. She was drinking some juice, distracted and without company. The best time to be by her side. He approached her, touching her shoulder lightly and making Anya turn to look at him.

"May I have this piece?" he asked.

He could see the surprise in Anya, who didn't think anyone would ask her to dance.

"Me?"

"Obviously, or is there another Anya among us?"

She would normally doubt any man in her class, but knowing it was Damian just by reading his mind, she decided to accept his request. She set her juice aside, put on her mask that she had on the table, and they headed to the dance floor.

While the teachers were chatting and making sure that everything was fine that night, Damian and Anya began to dance to the rhythm of the tango that was playing at that moment. A slow tango that wasn't commonly heard in Ostania as it was a music unique to another continent; however, Eden was always open to other cultures. And in Professor Henderson's words, that music represented elegance and needed to be heard by the students.

"It's nice here." Anya said.

That dance was a sign of victory for both. It was their graduation party practically, the party where they both celebrated that they had successfully completed their studies at Eden. It only remained to attend that party as an extra formality, and they would both be free from the chains of school studies.

But there was one chain that would be impossible to break or leave behind. The chain of their friendship.

Unlike in years past, their dance was more synchronized. It was a slow, but steady dance; a dance where they both moved their bodies to the music and showed elegance with every movement they made.

"How does it feel to finally graduate with merits? I always thought you would be expelled before you reached your senior year. But I guess I was wrong."

"It feels great." Anya said. "I won't have to see Professor Donna anymore at last."

"Trust me, when you get to college, you'll miss her."

They had only closed one stage of their lives, but they were still pursuing higher education. But they didn't seem worried, in fact, they were very happy because they knew they would be going to the same university. Although they didn't share the same majors, at least they were sure that they would be able to see each other every day.