Rhapsody High: The Tale of Super Zero

Chapter 23: Jealousy

School Rule #23: Steal the credit and spotlight even if it's not yours to take. That's the key to success.

Nathaniel walked down the main stairs in his house with a black suit and black tie. He isn't sure what colour he should be wearing for his tie since Brenda hasn't even replied any of his texts from an hour ago. Partly it is his fault for asking her on the last minute, but he isn't even sure where her house is and he couldn't pick her up either. Renata was always on time. He really tried hard not to think about her after everything that happened, but he couldn't stop wondering if Renata could be his date again. He probably will have more fun.

He was fixing up his tie near the front door when his phone vibrated.

"Sorry. Black and Cream colour. :)
I'm on the way. See u there. Brenda"

Thank god he had decided to use a black tie earlier or else he will have to try to match her dress all over again.

"Oh? Where are you going, handsome?" Cecilia winked at him. "Leighton's Masquerade ball?"

"Hey, Mom. Uhm... Yeah." He answered while fixing up his tie on the big mirror near the front door.

"Oh, let me do it for you." Cecilia came to him and fixing it up. "You really look like your dad." She chuckled again. "Now there you go. Are you going with Renata?" She raised an eyebrow.

"No." Nathaniel answered uneasily.

"The news still taken its toll?"

"Dad doesn't want to take any chances. It is for Rena's own good too. People been treating her inappropriately these days."

"That's true." She sighed. "Do you have a date though?"

"Yes. you do." Cecilia laughed as she noticed a slight blush on Nathaniel's cheeks.

"She's more of a sister for me though." He added.

"Don't give her too much hope then. We girls always want to hope too much." She winked again.

Nathaniel chuckled and kissed Cecilia's cheek. "The limo is here. Good night, mom."

"Good night, Nate. Have fun tonight!" She waved as he walked out of the door.

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Nathaniel's limo stopped by Leighton's Hotel. Young girls and guys were wearing colourful dresses and suits, walking through the red carpet entrance which had placed neatly leading to the white and golden building. As his limo stopped, he saw Renata's blue camry in front of him, leaving with the valet driver. The media and papparazi were surrounding the area, taking pictures of everybody. He hesitated before going down, scared people might notice him with Renata again despite her colombina mask. Not long after, a red ferrari raced to the front of his limo, not letting Nathaniel to go down. As the door of the ferrari opened up, the papparazi started to go crazy and taking pictures furiously. Troy Zolansky stepped down with a bright smile on his face. He had a phantom mask on his hand and confidently he walked straight to Renata.

Wait, what?

From afar Nathaniel just watched them, and the cars behind him started to horn asking his limo to move ahead.

"Could we turn around please? Go somewhere a little hidden." Nathaniel told the limo driver.

"Yes, Mr. Robinson."

The driver drive ahead and make a roundabout on the water fountain to the exit gate. Meanwhile, Nathaniel still wouldn't let his eyes move away from Renata and Troy. Renata helped Troy wore his mask and they held hand walking across the red carpet. Why? What on earth is happening?

Millions of questions fill his head, but it makes a lot of sense that Renata found someone else, especially another musician. She is beautiful and amazing, could it be that easy for her to move on from Ruben though? Suddenly it makes no sense.

"Mr. Robinson, should we re-enter?"

"Yes, please." Nathaniel answered, letting himself to calm down and breath. He tried to divert his attention to somewhere else, like noticing the limo in front of him, followed by a Harley Davidson motorcycle. If it isn't appropriate nor classy to go into leighton's ball, the guy who rode it must be full of style and daring to do such a thing. As expected, the papparazi went wild taking picture of the dude stepping down from the Harley. The guy gave his key to the vallet and join in with a couple stepping down from a limo. The girl was blonde wearing a glittering cream to black gradient dress, matching her date suits and bowtie.

Nathaniel black limo parked in front of the red carpet accordingly. He took a deep breath as the door opened and he stepped out. It's time, he thought.

As soon as he came out, the papparazzi went wild, as wild as Troy Zolansky coming out. "Mr. Robinson, are you alone tonight? Is there a special girl?" "Have you broken up with the violinist olympiad?" "Is it true that your father are getting too busy to take care of you?" More flashlights blinded his eyes and he got annoyed for awhile.

The three people who stepped out earlier looked back to him, realizing all the commotion. Feeling awkward about the whole situation, he put his phantom mask. He should have worn it before stepping down from the car, he regretted not realizing his decision.

"Nathaniel?" A soft familiar sound in between all the paparrazi noise was heard as the blonde girl walked up to him.

"Yes?"

"Should we walk together?" She asked again and this time her facial feature reminded him of someone familiar.

"Brenda?" His voice sounded unconvinced. "You look... amazing."

"Yeah." Her cheeks turned pink as she put some of her dangling hair to the back of her ears. "Thanks." She smiled.

Nathaniel held her hand and put it onto his arms. "Well, shall we?" He smiled proudly and as the two of them walked across the red carpet, the two guys who were with her before lingered behind, seemingly confused. "Uhm, who are they exactly? I thought the guy who come down with your limo was your date." Nathaniel whispered, giving a short glance at the guys.

"My brother and... uhm... his friend. He got invited too."

"Ah that's good, shall we waited for them... or?"

"No, it's fine." Brenda answered. "uhm, wait up." She turned around and shouted softly to the two guys, "You guys go ahead without me!"

Brenda looked up to Nathaniel and she smiled brightly from ear to ear. Nathaniel smiled back at her and stared at the paparazzi straight ahead before walking to the building. He knows this will be the main cover of every magazine tomorrow.