Chapter 14: Night of Surprises

                                    

                                          
A Night of Surprises
The night of the celebration finally arrived. The whole school was transformed with shimmering lights, garlands of green, and the enchanting atmosphere of a hidden forest theme. Students were dressed in their best outfits, laughter and chatter filled the air, and the excitement was contagious. This wasn’t just the end of the semester—it was a night that felt special, like a bridge between past memories and new beginnings.
You scanned the crowd, looking for familiar faces. Aiden, Goro, and Cristel were all supposed to meet you by the drinks table to discuss any last-minute adjustments, and you found yourself nervously twirling a strand of hair as you waited. When you spotted Goro approaching with his usual calm demeanor, your heart skipped a beat. His casual yet thoughtful outfit seemed to match the evening’s theme perfectly, and you couldn’t help but smile as he joined you.
Goro:
“Hey. The decorations look great, Y/N. You did a good job organizing everything.”
Y/N (blushing slightly):
“Thanks, Goro. I couldn’t have done it without everyone’s help.”
Goro gave you one of his soft, rare smiles, and you felt warmth spread through you. Before you could say more, Aiden appeared, his eyes bright with excitement. As usual, he looked effortlessly put together, and his warm smile added to the evening’s charm.
Aiden:
“Y/N! There you are. I brought the extra lights we talked about. Should we start hanging them up?”
Y/N:
“Perfect! Let’s add them near the food area for some extra sparkle.”
As you and Aiden started hanging the lights, Cristel arrived, gliding over with her usual energy. She was dressed beautifully, and her cheerful aura seemed even brighter tonight. She gave you a playful wink as she joined the group, and you couldn’t help but feel a pang of jealousy.
Cristel:
“Hey, everyone! This place looks amazing! I can’t believe it’s all coming together like this.”
She linked her arm through Goro’s, making your stomach tighten. You tried to remind yourself that she was just friendly, but it was hard to ignore how much attention she gave him. As the evening went on, you felt like an observer, watching your friends laugh, chat, and exchange subtle looks, while your own emotions tangled more and more.
After finishing up the last of the decorations, everyone dispersed to enjoy the celebration. You were in the middle of greeting some classmates when you noticed Cristel pulling you aside.
Cristel:
“Come with me! I need to tell you something.”
Curious but wary, you let her lead you to a quieter corner of the school gym, where the noise of the party faded into the background. Cristel’s eyes sparkled with excitement, and you could tell she was about to share something she’d been holding back for a while.
Cristel:
“So, remember how I kept dropping hints about my crush?”
Y/N (nodding slowly):
“Yes… Do you mean… is it Goro?”
Cristel laughed, her eyes widening in surprise.
Cristel:
“Oh, no! I mean, Goro’s a great guy, but he’s not my type.”
Relief and confusion washed over you. If it wasn’t Goro, then who was it?
Cristel leaned closer and whispered, her voice barely audible over the distant music.
Cristel:
“It’s Aiden.”
Your mind raced, piecing together all the moments when you thought Cristel was hinting at Goro. All the while, she’d been interested in Aiden—someone who had shown clear interest in you, too. A mix of emotions welled up inside you, and you didn’t know whether to feel relieved, surprised, or even a bit jealous.
Y/N (trying to keep your tone steady):
“Oh… I didn’t realize.”
Cristel:
“I didn’t want to say it directly, but I think he’s really sweet. Don’t you think?”
You nodded, managing a small smile, even though your heart was pounding. You hadn’t anticipated that the feelings among your friends could be this complex. And now, seeing the way Cristel was looking at Aiden, you realized she was as hopeful as you were about her own feelings.
Before you could respond, Goro walked over, looking between the two of you.
Goro:
“Hey, are you two okay? You seemed like you were deep in conversation.”
Cristel flashed a smile, effortlessly switching topics.
Cristel:
“Just some girl talk! Anyway, let’s get back to the party before we miss all the fun!”
The three of you made your way back to the main area, where the music was louder, and students were beginning to dance. You tried to join in, but your mind was still processing Cristel’s confession. Your feelings for Goro hadn’t changed, but the knowledge that Cristel liked Aiden, who seemed to like you, made everything feel even more tangled.
As the night continued, you found yourself on the edge of the group, watching the others laugh and dance. Aiden noticed and came over, a gentle smile on his face.
Aiden:
“You seem a little lost tonight. Everything okay?”
Y/N (forcing a smile):
“Yeah, just… thinking, I guess.”
Aiden chuckled, nudging you lightly.
Aiden:
“Come on, let’s get some fresh air. You’ve been working so hard on this event; you deserve a break.”
You allowed him to lead you outside, where the night air was cool and calming. The stars were out, bright against the dark sky, and for a moment, everything felt peaceful. Aiden looked up at the stars, a thoughtful expression on his face.
Aiden:
“You know, I’m really glad we got to work on this project together. It’s been… interesting.”
Y/N (smiling):
“Yeah, I think so too.”
There was a silence between you, filled with words unspoken. You could feel Aiden’s gaze on you, and your heart raced as he took a step closer.
But before either of you could say anything, you heard Cristel calling your names, her voice bright and cheerful. You looked back to see her waving, gesturing for you to come back inside. Reluctantly, you gave Aiden a soft smile and followed Cristel back to the party.
The rest of the night passed in a blur, the lights and laughter blending together as you tried to ignore the fluttering in your chest. By the end of the celebration, you were emotionally exhausted, but there was a sense of satisfaction, too.
As you walked home later that night, memories of the evening replayed in your mind: Cristel’s confession, Aiden’s kindness, and Goro’s quiet presence. You knew that the coming days would be filled with more questions, more choices to make, and possibly even more heartbreak.