Silver Rose

Chapter XVI - Heart's Anxiety

The final exam for this semester came and went. Xanthus maintained his perfect grade, setting a record 4.0 grade point average. Along with his practical field scores, he had the highest marks of any first-year student in Beacon Academy's history. He wasn't the only good performer, though. Lilly, who had once been at the bottom of the entire roster, was now keeping up with their group of friends. She wasn't the strongest performer quite yet, but she was getting there. She and Echo were tied at the bottom of their pack, which was still higher than the other students.

"Man, you guys really do intend on being the best teams Beacon's ever seen, huh?" Paolo said.

Lilly turned around to face Team PDTR's handsome leader. "Yup!" she said with a big smile. "We sure do!"

"Well, just wanted to let you know that we're right on your heels."

"That's why we're doing so great," Ingrid said. "Cuz we got all of you guys to help push us along."

"Funny, I was gonna say the same thing. Seeing your strong performance inspires not just our team, but even the not-so-good ones to git gud. And hell, Miss Schnee here is an inspiration. She went from bottom of the roster to number eight. Speaking of which, either of you wanna go to the dance with me and Demetri?"

"I would," Lilly began, "but I already have a date."

"What about you, Ingrid?"

"I would, too," she began, "but Lilly's my date."

He chuckled. "I had a feeling that was the case."

"Hey!" Lilly said. "Why don't you ask Octavia? I mean, it would be cool if your whole team can go to the dance with her whole team, don't you think?"

"You know, that's actually not a bad idea. But I'm still gonna ask you two for a dance when the day comes, 'kay?" He winked as he walked away.

"That guy gives me the creeps," Ingrid said.

"You mean, the Alpha Creeps?" Lilly said, beaming.

"Oh, no. No, no, no. Has he infected you?"

"Not as much as he's infected you!"

Ingrid's whole body went cold. "You did not just say that."

Lilly giggled.

"Lilly. I believed in you. I had faith in you. I trusted you."

"I know! And I'm just being a good friend and partner!"

"My heart. Oh, my heart. Lilly, you were supposed to be the pure one out of all of us!"

"I am pure! I also recognize true love when I see it!"

Ingrid's cat ears went nearly flat. "Stop it!" she whispered loudly. "They're both standing right there!"

Lilly giggled. "You better make up your mind, then!"

"Lilly," Xanthus said, pushing up his glasses as he approached her. "The planning committee is having one last conference to discuss final details for the dance."

"What time?"

"Six o'clock."

"I'll be there! Oooh! I can't believe we've only got a week left until the dance!"

"I'm gonna wear my best suit," Leon said. "What're you wearing?"

"I called my mom for ideas," Lilly said. "I think I know exactly what I'm gonna wear."

"It better be good, since your date is all of us," he chuckled.

"Yup! It's the nicest dress ever!"