Who's Story is it?

Chapter 5:

A few weeks had past uneventfully since that day. The relationship between Neil and Ariana had not grown much. It was definitely strong and at this point it was clear to see that this had potential. They were not moving very fast but that was the beauty of it. Neither of them needed nor wanted it to move fast. They were both contempt to ride out the long journey, to savour each moment and grow... slowly. However soon this pace would change dramatically in more ways than either could have predicted. The midyear break had past and the hot topic floating around the year level was the end of year formal. "Who you gonna take? Where you gettin your clothes from? What you gonna wear? What you rollin in?" these were the questions floating around. The grade 12 cohort was called to an assembly to have a talk about the details of the formal and what not. Since this was not a proper assembly the regulation lines of classes were abandoned the students sat were ever they pleased. It was clear to see the different social groups amongst the year level. The smart group, the over achievers, the trouble children, the gamers, the sporty people, the averages, the social butterflies, all of it was easily identifiable. Of cause certain groups would mix and mingle together such as the averages, the smart group and the over achievers. However it was not common to see these mix with the trouble kids. Ariana sat with her group of friends in the over achievers group. Neil sat next to her as well while still remaining in the sporty group. They didn't talk much to each other, but then again Ariana didn't really talk much to anybody. Neil was casually talking to the rest of the people in the sporty group however at moments he could feel Ariana looking at him. He would turn and give her a cheeky little smile. After Ariana would turn that oh so familiar apple red colour and shy away. Afterwards she would just stare at how Neil was interacting with his friends and a look of pure contempt would come across her face. She was happy to see him like this. She had no idea why but when someone cares enough about another person seeing them happy is all you need.

After a long wait the principle along with a few teachers finally arrived to start the discussion. The principle started off "Good evening my students. As you are aware it's not terribly close, I mean it's still about a term and a half away, but it's still pretty close to the one event you're all looking forward to. That's right, the end of year formal. If I were you id be thinking about now were I'm gonna get my clothes, shoes, who I'm going with and how I'm getting there. Not too much though I still want you to focus on you school work. This is the most important term you know. The grades you get here will determine your rank so you still need to get stuck into your work so keep that in mind. However I think it's appropriate that at this time we tell you all the little details. Having said that I shall now hand off to your year coordinator." During the customary applause that followed, Neil, Noa, Scott and many others noticed something slightly concerning but not uncommon. Neil's best friend was missing. He was one of the few people who seemed to be able to go to any of the social groups in the school. He could be there and interact as if one of them or he could blend in and not even be noticed by anyone. But he was definitely not in the room during this presentation. The group quickly asked the surrounding students if they had seen him but they soon realised it was no use. They looked back up at the stage to listen to what their year coordinator had to say. "So the big thing that's probably on everyone's mind is where? Where is this year's forma going to be held? Well I can now tell you it will be held in the main dining hall of the Stoneleigh reserve gold course. Just so you can get a feel for what it could be like here are a few pictures we took when we went to book our time." The reaction from the students was mixed, as to be expected. For the most part however the students were in awe. The room was so large, the walls were covered in what looked to be high end lace designs. They weren't painted on, they were carved into the walls. The room showed true character, attention to detail, and overall care. To top it all off like any fancy high end cliché a giant chandelier hung from the ceiling illuminating the room. The teacher continued "now obviously this comes at a price. What that final price is we're not quite sure yet, reason being is like every year it's.... FUNDRAISING TIME~. Woooo." The students all laughed at the teachers attempt to make it sound interesting and exciting when they all knew what was coming. The teacher didn't try anything to make it sound different either, she knew they had seen what went on around this time each year. "So you all know what's about to happen now. We got cases of chocolates and now anyone willing to help come sign up, we'll give you boxes of candy and you gotta sell em. Anyone interested come see me after this meeting and you can sign up. Anyone who wants to sign up later can come meet me in my office at any time until probably a week before closing. Probably about a week out from the end of this term. So yeah talk amongst yourselves for a bit see if you wanna help out or anything. If you feel a whole box is too much you can sign up two or however many u want to one pledge. So you know you could potentially have 5 people selling one box at a time, highly inefficient but hey that's none of my business." Once the teacher had finished the room filled with mindless chatter about anything, not just the announcement.

A few announcements were made keeping the students up to date with everything else in the school. Once they were finished the teachers let the students free. Of cause the hot topic on everyone's lips was about who would stay back and help raise money. Ariana, being a member of the student council as well as one of the over achievers of the school, was expected to sell at least one box. However being the over achiever she is as well as her cautious and reserved nature she was afraid that she wouldn't even be able to sell one box. She quickly walked over to her next class with the worrying thought of how she would appear if she didn't at least sign up and what would happen if she did and didn't complete one box. She was in class early as always, along with Neil and his best friend. She took a seat next to them and gave Neil a little nudge. At this time Neil's friend took his bag and left the room. Why he did this neither of them really knew, it was not uncommon but it was still surprising each time. Ariana brought up the topic of the chocolate selling, "so... umm... you heard about the whole selling of the chocolate thing right?"

"Yeah, I mean it's nothing new. Everyone was pretty much waiting for them to make this announcement." Ariana had a quite giggle at his comment. Neil had a brief pause, he did not know how he should approach his next sentence after that giggle. He didn't know whether she was giggling at him or with him. He thought to himself that he was probably over thinking things and just asked the question, "So you're probably gonna have to sign up and sell a box. I mean you are part of the school council not to mention your good record with the teachers."

"Y-yeah I guess I kinda have to. It's just... well... I'm not really sure I can even sell a full box by myself. This is a very important term you know? I'm pretty busy studying most of the time." The two of them sat in silence for a moment. Suddenly a piece of paper hit Neil in the back. Ariana was sitting their nervously twiddling her thumbs and looking at her shoes and didn't notice Neil open the scrap of paper. There was a note on it saying "help her out....baka." He knew exactly who this was from and so he continued his conversation with Ariana, "Hey I mean they did just say this year we could have a few people to a box. Maybe... you know... you and I could share one? Like take half a box each or something like that?" Ariana looked at Neil for a brief moment. She quickly turned away looking more or less at her shoulder. She had a little smile and her face lit up like roses once more. "Uh... yeah... that would be nice. Y-you don't have to though if it's too much trouble though"

"Oh no it's nothing I don't mind. Anyway I can help you know?" the two smiled at each other for a moment. This was just another small step forward for them. A small step towards a drastic change.

The rest of the class played out as any other class and at its end signified the end of another school day. Ariana and Neil walked over to the car park together not quite hand in hand but fingers laced loosely together. Of cause they cover it up with their bags but the emotions were still there. However Neil was confused that his friend never seemed to return after he left. He was sure that it was him who threw that message at him. The fact he never reappeared in class had him question that thought. In the end it would just have to be chalked up as another strange occurrence involving him. Not uncommon but strange all the same.