The Duet

Chapter 9: The Moonlit Dance

"Whoa!" exclaimed Chase and Alicia, as they saw the interior of the gym.

There was fake snow falling down, with a giant snowflake that lit up stood in the middle.  Couples and friends alike were taking pictures next to it. Around the snowflake was a dance floor, and comforting music played in the background as couples danced to the music. The whole room had trees and fake snow on the floor. The only source of light were "stars" that flooded the roof of the gym making the entire gym took like a forest. There was a tarp that covered the entire south wall of the gym that had a detailed forest backdrop with a far-off castle.

"This is amazing." gasped Chase

"The design team made some works of art, didn't they." said Mr. Keuilian who was standing at the entrance.

"They sure did." Chase said.

"Some parts of the artwork look familiar," reflected Chase. "Hmmmmm... Wait. No way!"

"Alicia did you help out?" probed Chase.

Alicia stared at the floor.

With a moment of hesitation she responded, "I felt bad for the design team, so I may have given some tips, and contributed some here and there."

"You are amazing." Chase thought. "Hold up, why did I just think that???"

Alicia and Chase strode to the center of the gym.

"Hey guys!" Lukas called from the side.

"Hey Lukas." responded Chase.

"Wait. Where is Reina?" questioned Alicia.

"That... I trust you guys so come over here." replied Lukas.

Chase and Alicia walked over to Lukas as they stayed to the walls.

"I didn't ask her out." Lukas mournfully told them.

"You what!" Chase and Alicia cried out.

"In the days coming up to Friendsgiving, it was the only thing I thought about: asking Reina out. But I couldn't bring myself to do it..." He shook his head. "I should just go home."

He walked sorrowfully away. Coincidentally, as he left, Reina appeared from thin air and approached to them.

"What was that about?" Reina said.

Alicia and Chase pointed at her.

"Lukas told me about what happened, then he left." Chase explained.

"What did happen?  Reina began.

"Lukas was going to ask you to the dance, but he was too scared." Alicia answered

"You are just going to tell her flat out that Lukas likes her?" Chase exclaimed.

"Hey, I knew, so don't get mad at her." Reina interrupted.

"YOU KNEW!" cried Chase and Alicia simultaneously.

"Yes I knew, I kinda like him too, but-" Reina stopped.

She hesitated for a moment

"I trust you guys." said Reina.

She slowly breathed in and out.

"I didn't know how he would take it." she picked up. "What if he said yes and changes who he is because of me. I don't want that to happen! I like him for who he is. Sure, he may be a nerd, but he is the most caring, loving person I know! I pretended to be oblivious to this because I didn't want drama to start and drag him into it. I care for him, and I thought I was doing the best I could do for him, but I guess it didn't turn out the way I wanted it to happen."