THE LIGHT BEYOND LOSS

First! Dance!

As the second day of the charity fair rolled out, the campus was as buzzing as ever. Everywhere Livia looked, people were immersed in their activities—setting up booths, preparing for performances, or mingling among the crowd. However, her friends were all busy organizing events alongside their clubs and interest groups. Emma was knee-deep in student council duties, Isabelle was occupied with the sports teams, and Sophie was working on art exhibitions. Feeling uninterested and without anyone to keep her company, Livia found herself retreating to her room for most of the day.

It wasn't until lunchtime that her growling stomach forced her to emerge. The crowded cafeteria made her feel uneasy; the chatter, clinking of plates, and general bustle were overwhelming. She managed to grab a simple meal, something to hold her over, and found a corner where she hoped she could blend into the background. She had barely started eating when Jonas appeared in front of her. She hadn't expected to see him and was surprised, but she welcomed him with a warm smile, grateful for some company.

They sat together, and the conversation started out light, touching on random things like the weather, the campus fair, and even football practice. But Livia couldn't ignore the thought swirling in her head, the one that had been bothering her since the day before. After a moment's hesitation, she looked at him and said, "Can I ask you something? You don't have to answer if it's too personal."

Jonas looked at her, intrigued. "Go ahead."

Livia took a deep breath before asking, "Why is it that, despite literally the whole school going crazy for you, I've never heard of you dating anyone? Haven't you ever been in love?"

Jonas's expression changed instantly. His smile faded, and a shadow seemed to pass over his face. Livia regretted asking immediately, sensing she had touched on something sensitive. She opened her mouth to apologize, but Jonas spoke first. "Have I been in love? Yes." He looked down, seemingly lost in thought for a moment, before standing up suddenly. "I should probably go. See you around, Livia."

He left the cafeteria before she could say another word, leaving her feeling awkward and guilty for bringing it up. She hadn't meant to pry, but it seemed like she had touched a nerve. Trying to shake off the uneasy feeling, Livia remembered that the results of the writing contest were supposed to be announced that afternoon. Eager to distract herself, she headed to the notice board near the auditorium where the winning entries were displayed.

To her surprise, she saw her name at the top of the list. Livia had won first place! Her poem was proudly displayed on the honor wall, right alongside a photograph of her that she had submitted, not realizing it would be used for this. She facepalmed as she saw the picture—it was a candid shot, one she hadn't thought much of at the time, but now it was plastered for everyone to see.

Before she could dwell on it, Emma appeared, beaming with excitement. "You won! Congratulations, Livia!" she exclaimed, pulling her into a hug.

Livia smiled, finally allowing herself to feel proud. "Thanks, Emma. I honestly didn't expect this."

"Come on, there's a lot to do before the ceremony tonight. You can help us set up!" Emma dragged her along, and for the rest of the afternoon, Livia found herself caught up in the whirlwind of preparations for the final event of the fair—a ceremony to honor the winners and a dance to cap off the evening.

As the day wore on, Sophie found Livia and declared, "You need to get ready for the awards ceremony. There's no way I'm letting you go on stage in what you're wearing."

Livia looked down at her outfit—jeans and an old T-shirt. "What's wrong with this?"

Sophie rolled her eyes. "Everything! You're going to be in front of the whole school. You need to look the part. Come on, let's find something for you to wear."

After rummaging through Livia's closet, Sophie sighed in frustration. "You've got nothing suitable for tonight." Without a second thought, she dragged Livia to her own room and picked out a beige satin midi dress, knee-length with delicate straps. It was simple yet elegant.

"This is perfect," Sophie said, handing it to Livia. "Try it on."

Livia hesitated but eventually slipped into the dress. Sophie tied her hair into a messy bun, keeping the asymmetrical shape of her haircut in mind, and added a pearl necklace to complete the look. A little bit of makeup to cover Livia's dark circles and a pink tint for her lips made all the difference. Livia stared at her reflection in awe. She hardly recognized herself.

"You look stunning," Sophie said proudly. "Don't worry about the attention. You deserve it."

Nervous but trusting Sophie's judgment, Livia followed her to the auditorium where the final ceremony was about to take place. The venue was beautifully decorated, and students were dressed in their best. The atmosphere was electric with excitement.

When Livia's name was called to receive her prize, her friends cheered loudly, and she walked up to the stage with a mixture of pride and anxiety. She accepted her award gracefully, quickly stepping off the stage without meeting the eyes of the crowd.

But someone was watching her closely. Jonas, who had arrived late to the event, stood near the back of the room, dressed in a sleek black suit with his hair slicked back. He looked every bit the campus star that he was known to be. But for the first time in a while, he wasn't the center of attention. His gaze was fixed solely on Livia as she walked across the stage, her dress shimmering under the lights. He was completely mesmerized, unable to take his eyes off her.

As the night continued, Livia and her friends gathered on the side of the hall, sipping on drinks and chatting away. Livia was still adjusting to the attention she was getting from all around—people glancing her way, whispers following her every move. She felt uncomfortable but tried her best to push through it.

Then, Jonas approached. He first struck up a conversation with Emma about the event's organization, complimenting the student council's work. Then, almost casually, he turned to Livia. "Would you like to dance?" he asked, his voice soft but direct.

Caught off guard, Livia didn't know how to respond. Sophie gave her a nudge, whispering, "Go for it!"

Livia hesitated for a moment before giving a small nod. Jonas extended his hand, and she took it, feeling her heart race as he led her to the dance floor. The music was slow, and the lights dimmed as couples paired off around them. Jonas placed his hand gently on her waist, and she rested hers on his shoulder, their other hands clasped together.

The world seemed to fade away. The room, the noise, the people—it all blurred into the background. It was just the two of them, swaying softly to the rhythm of the music. Jonas's eyes were fixed on her the entire time, his gaze warm and full of admiration.

"You were incredible up there," he said quietly, breaking the silence between them. "Your poem...it was beautiful."

Livia felt a warmth spread through her at his words. "Thank you," she replied softly. For a moment, they danced in silence, letting the music fill the space between them.

Jonas's gaze never wavered. "I've never seen you like this," he said, almost to himself.

Livia smiled shyly. "I don't usually dress up like this."

"It's not just the dress. It's...everything," he said, his voice sincere. "There's something about you tonight."

Livia didn't know how to respond, so she simply looked up at him, their eyes locking. In that moment, the rest of the world ceased to exist. It was just them, moving together in perfect harmony. Neither of them said another word as the music played on, letting the dance speak for them.

As the night drew to a close and the last notes of the song faded, Jonas walked Livia back to her friends. Before parting ways, he gave her one last look, his eyes filled with something deeper than words could express. Livia wasn't sure what to make of it, but for the first time in a long time, she felt truly seen.

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In that quiet dance, they found a moment of stillness,
A space between the rush of life where time stood still.
Sometimes, it's in those fleeting moments,
That we realize the greatest stories are the ones left unwritten.

-Hanuel!