Element

✭ Chapter 21

A month and about two weeks have passed since the snowball fight. After three days of having no classes due to weather, an announcement came on saying how anybody willing to come to classes during the harsh weather would get an automatic grade boost. A surprisingly large amount of people have been coming to classes, but probably just for the extra credit. But also, after a while, it must be boring being stuck inside all day, too. Going to class breaks up the being-inside-ness.
But really, my thoughts are on the winter solstice, and the winter break (two weeks of absolutely no classes!). It's a tradition for a guy to ask out a girl for the first time on the winter solstice, and Alanna thinks Rhodes will ask me out, but I think that's unlikely. Everyone is scrambling for dates, but I'm completely convinced I will not have a date. Even so, I am still excited. Brooke has decided on the perfect outfit for me to wear that night, no matter what. It's a cream lace dress that ends right below my knees. Alanna insists that I wear my lace up leather boots, and Kaelie's going to do my hair, and all of them want to help on my make up. I'm not sure why, because as I already said, it's not like I'm going to have a date.
Kaelie and Gavin, however, are a different story. They've been flirting this whole time. Since the little conversation I had with Kaelie, I've backed off of their pending relationship (I know it's bound to happen someday). They really do compliment each other- their personalities, their physical looks, it's just great.
But I know Parisa's looking forward to the break even more. Every year, Yvette hosts a Solstice Party. It goes all night, and everybody's supposedly invited. However only the very popular people come, and it's supposed to be wild. But parties aren't allowed at the school unless they've been cleared by the staff, and this party would never pass. So it's kept a secret from all the staff, and every year some kid blows it one way or another. People in Yvette's clique are called to the office for interrogation, but they're all just as skilled of liars as Yvette. So the party's never been busted. But now, Yvette has to be even more careful than usual. If she slips up one more time, she'll be out of the school.
I heard this year, the party might be at Aately's dorm since she hasn't gotten in trouble, yet. But that's still a rumor. Obviously, because Parisa's befriended Aately, she's going to the party, no matter where it's at. But I worry for her. I've never been to it, and who knows what happens at those parties? I have two weeks to find out.
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"Kaelie. Chill out. What happened?!" It's a few days later, and Kaelie's got tears of joy running down her cheeks in my dorm room before breakfast.
"Gavin. He... he left me a note in my dorm. I have it right here. Read it!" She shoves it into my hands.
I give her a look of confusion and excitement and read it.
Kaelie,
You are an amazing person. I know our friendship started out with a dare, but I think it's better than that. So, will you go out with me? Meet me right outside the dining hall to say yes. Please?
-G
"Wow. That must've taken a lot of courage to write that note," I marvel after reading it. I hand it back to her and she tenderly folds it and puts it in her bag.
"I know. And... that's so amazing." I can practically see her falling for Gavin just by looking into her eyes.
"So- what are you going to tell him?"
"Yes." She says so quietly I can barely hear. She drops her head, shaking it and smiling. "Yes."
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I walk to the dining room alongside Kaelie. Gavin's standing right there.
"Well, I'll leave you two to it. Good luck... and I'm so happy for you, Kaelie." I say, smiling at her.
"Thanks," she says softly, then takes a deep breath. "Here goes nothing." And she walks away.
Wow. I think.
Would Rhodes ever do something like that?
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After breakfast, I see Gavin and Kaelie hug, then Kaelie starts walking my way. I smile at her as she approaches.
"So, you said yes, right?" I ask.
"Of course, yes! He was so sweet about it."
"That's really great Kae. It really is."
"I know," she says, looking over the horizon, spaced out.
"Uh, earth to Kaelie. You wanna go to class today?"
"Huh? Oh yeah. Let's go." We walk to history, Kaelie still with a dreamy look on her face.
In sixth-class, the school newspaper is distributed. I hardly ever read it. But then I remember- Kaelie and Brooke told me they joined the newspaper team last week. I open it up, looking for any sign of an article by them. At last, I find it, spread across the whole back page like an advertisement. A secret giver? Like where you draw names and give a person a present without them knowing who gave it to them? Why didn't they tell me they were doing this? I read through the paragraph. Yup. That's what it is.In one week, anyone interested should come to the dining room half an hour before dinner to sign up.
Several people in the room have found the article as well, and are talking excitedly about it. I smile. Good thinking Brooke and Kaelie. I think I'll sign up.
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Rhodes sees me from across the snowy flying field after sixth class.
"Hey! Ramaya! Where are you headed?" He yells over the fields.
"The dining room! I'm going to sign up for the secret giver! Want to come?" I say happily. "Yeah! I've been wanting to sign up, too."
It's been a week since the newspaper ad, and today is finally the day to sign up. Kaelie and Brooke told me some more about it. You pull your giving buddy's name out of a hat, and get them a series of themed gifts before the big revelation, where you introduce yourself to your buddy. We enter the newsroom, and put our names on the signup sheet. I see other names I know- Daley, Iniabi, Payson... and a lot I don't. The paper says the name of the person you're giving to will be delivered to your dorm in four days, along with what the first gift's theme is. I find myself looking forward to when I'll get to give someone a present.
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It's the night before the party. Tomorrow's the last day of the first semester, and the school is buzzing with anticipation. I'm excited too- I got a pass that allows me to leave school grounds during the two weeks. I'm either going to spend time in Central City with Kaelie and Brooke, or go home and see my parents. But I haven't commuted to either, so I'm flexible.
At dinner, Kaelie's gushing about how Gavin asked her to go out to dinner with him on New Year's Eve in the city. I listen for a bit, admiring how cute they are together, before my mind wanders to my own "relationship". Rhodes isn't my boyfriend, and we're not dating, but would we ever? I daydream of his face, cheerful and cute, with those amazing hazel eyes. I remember the time when we floated up above the school during our first hug. It all seems to be heading down the path of being, well, good friends. That's all.
"And, anyways, I'm just so excited! Gavin's so great..." Kaelie finally finishes. I snap back to reality and nod with a smile.
Brooke looks to me. "Ramaya, do you think you and, ah, Rhodes will ever, you know..." She gives me a lovey-dovey look.
I chuckle and say "no, probably not. Rhodes isn't like that."
But isn't he? A voice in my head says. I can hardly even imagine us dating. But... It would be nice, wouldn't it?

Hi guys! We're back! Sorry it's been so long since a chapter update, but ya know, vacation and swimming championships are kinda time-consuming.
Sorry this chapter is a wee bit shorter, but now we have our first couple!! *cue the aaaaawwwws* Oh and also I changed the spacers. They're more cool now ;)
We have 1.8k reads now!!! How cool is that?! Thanks everyone :D
More coming as soon as we can!!
Megan and Wien