𝕊𝕥𝕦𝕡𝕚𝕕 ℂ𝕦𝕡𝕚𝕕 ➶

𝔽𝕚𝕗𝕥𝕪-𝕋𝕙𝕣𝕖𝕖: ℕ𝕠 ℝ𝕖𝕥𝕦𝕣𝕟

Despite the shift in theme, the decorations for the Rave'N this year were no less extravagant than those of last year. Valentina walked into the Great Hall to find it alight with bright, bold colors. Every shade of the rainbow was accounted for, as well as a wealth of other colors, all interspersed with black and white.

Paper banners hung from the ceiling. Every design was intricately cut designs and generally depicted flora and fauna in addition to a wide variety of skulls. Every so often, a breeze would blow through the hall, causing the perforated tissue paper to flutter. It made the festivities feel that much more magical.

The smell of fresh-cut flowers permeated from even outside the hall. Not just any flowers, though. Marigolds. Each table featured at least one bouquet, if not more. Most of the corsages or boutonnieres worn by the students boasted marigolds as well. But the air also held a sweetness to it, like spun sugar. She just couldn't pinpoint where it was coming from.

Nevermore's student body was asked to volunteer photographs of their lost loved ones, all of which covered every inch of the walls like some sort of elaborate wallpaper. Val's maternal grandmother --PoPo Rosie-- was somewhere in the mix. She couldn't see her, but she could almost feel her loving gaze.

The dancehall was dim, seeing as the main lights were turned off. Instead, a wide variety of candles --all different sizes and shapes-- lit the space. It was likely one hell of a fire hazard, but the wash of candlelight gave the Great Hall a sacred feel to it, similar to that of a church.

Instead of a DJ, there was a mariachi band playing in the corner of the room. They blended so well into the surroundings that it was hard for her to pinpoint where the music was coming from at first. Then one of the musicians let out a cathartic, joyous yell, and she found them in an instant.

The dance was in full swing by the time that Valentina arrived.

She'd gotten ready alone. Fran had helped her into her dress before hurrying off to do her hair and make-up with Larissa. Naturally, she wasn't invited.

It was a bittersweet affair. She was excited for the Rave'N, to be sure, and she loved to comb her hair and paint and powder... But what she really wanted was a single friend to get ready with.

"Valentine!" Gomez called from the other side of the Great Hall, before eagerly motioning her towards Morticia's posse.

She debated acting like she hadn't seen or heard him but, knowing Gomez, that would just make him act up even more. So, instead, she made her way over to them. But apparently she was going a little too slow for his taste --dragging her feet-- because he met her halfway.

"Dance with me," he laughed, eyes so bright they practically cut through the dimly lit room like an animal's lit by headlights. He was almost manic. She wished she could be so shameless in her joy.

"I don't think that's a very good idea," she answered, mindful of the gazes glued to them. She couldn't help nervously shifting her weight between legs. Being their ex was easier than being their girlfriend, but not by much. It still wasn't easy.

"You're right. It's not a good idea... It's a great idea! Here, I'll show you how!" That's when he swept her off her feet, carrying her off to the center of the dance floor despite her many protests.

The songs tended to blend together so she wasn't quite sure when one ended and another began... It could have been one long epic. All she knew was that Gomez's toes had to legitimately hurt by the time she started getting the steps right.

Morticia watched them from the sidelines, sipping her punch with a wine-stained smile. Eventually, the pair found their way to the outskirts of the dance floor.

Val eagerly reached out to her. "Morticia," she called out, tone beseeching. "Tag me out!"

Tish handed her cup to Blair, before taking Valentina's outstretched hand... And giving her a twirl. Suddenly, the three of them were dancing together, Morticia occasionally handing Val off to Gomez and vice versa. They only gave her a break once her breathing had turned hard and shallow.

"How do you do it?" She panted, before plopping down in the chair Gomez --ever the perfect gentleman-- had pulled out for her. They looked like they were barely sweating.

"We're having fun," Tish answered. "And you are too. Even if you don't want to admit it." And the funny thing was... She was. Then, "We're going to step out for a moment, just to catch our breath." More like make-out for a while where the dance chaperones couldn't tell them to stop. "Would you like to come with us?"

"No," Valentina said, not sure at first how to reply to such an outrageous offer. What would everyone at the dance think, after seeing the three of them leave together? "No no no no no. I'll just sit this one out."

Gomez looked a little disappointed, a little pouty, but Morticia's expression was unreadable as usual.

"Suit yourself. We'll be back in a spell... Save the last dance for us." With that, the two disappeared from the Great Hall.

Once her breathing and heart rate were under control, Val spent a while wandering the outskirts of the dancefloor, people-watching and gorging herself on finger foods until her dress started to feel tight.

She could feel the eyes of Morticia's posse on her like a literal touch, making her wonder if the upperclassman had instructed them to watch her while she was gone.

CC and Fran were dancing with their favorite normies. Larissa wasn't dancing, but she was busy pretending Valentina didn't exist, which was impressive seeing as she'd passed the girl, like, seven times so far while doing her rounds.

With all her friends --and Larissa-- preoccupied, she decided to step out of the dance hall herself... Only just outside the doors, seeing as it was raining and she didn't want to ruin her hair-do. The braid was so full of hairspray that it was stiff and admittedly a little crunchy, but you never knew.

That's when she spotted him. Across the quad stood Garrett Gates.

He stood out like a sore thumb, and not just because he was a normie in a place of outcasts. Soaking wet and dressed in the most casual of clothes, there was no mistaking him for one of the party-goers.

The first thought that came to mind, in a blinding haze of panic, was, Tish! Morticia had to be alerted to her stalker's appearance, and quickly. If Garrett had broken into the school, then surely his plans here had to be nefarious.

With a little gasp, she dashed up the stairs to her left, her best guess as to where the couple could have wandered off. She had to find Tish, and she had to find her before Gates did!