The two girls sat on a quiet bench in the courtyard, far from the lingering echoes of rehearsal or the drama room. The evening breeze brushed gently past them, cooling the heat that had built up in their chests.
Alex returned from a nearby vending machine, a juice can in each hand. Without a word, she handed one to Catherine and sat beside her.
Catherine took it, hesitating before whispering, "...Thanks."
Alex popped open her own can and sipped. "So," she began casually, "That guy, is he your boyfriend?"
A bitter smile tugged at Catherine's lips. "Yeah… we broke up a while ago. I thought I was finally done with him."
Alex glanced at her, not saying anything yet.
"I loved him," Catherine said, her voice low. "At first, at least. Then I realized he was a total psycho. Controlling. Manipulative. Violent. But I didn't want to believe it… until it got bad. I finally left him. I wanted something better. Someone better. That's why I tried going after Daman."
Alex blinked. "Well, you sure aimed high."
Catherine gave a weak laugh. "But… that guy had pictures. Videos. Stuff I didn't even know existed. He actually took them after intoxicating me, and I… I never even realized he had them until he used them against me. When I refused to get back with him, he threatened to ruin me."
Alex clenched her can. "Tch. Should've broken more than just his finger. Maybe, I should've just crushed his family jewels..."
That made Catherine break into laughter, who wiped her eyes with the back of her hand. "You really are a maniac…"
Alex tilted her head. "By the way, what about your friends? Did they know?"
Silence.
Catherine didn't answer, and that was enough.
"…They didn't help because they weren't real friends, were they?" Alex sighed. "Figures. They were only with you because of your money."
Catherine nodded slowly.
Alex leaned back and crossed her arms. "Well, for what it's worth, if you ever need help, come to me."
Catherine turned toward her. "Why? Aren't we supposed to be rivals?"
Alex shrugged. "We are. But that and this are separate. I despise abuse. People who exploit others like that… I won't ever ignore it."
There was something in her voice then—cold, sharp, too familiar with the kind of pain she was talking about. Catherine caught the brief shadow that passed across Alex's expression.
But then, just as quickly, Alex masked it with her usual attitude. She stood, brushing imaginary dust off her clothes. "Anyway, the others are probably waiting. Let's go before they think we ran off to start a side plot."
Catherine managed a grin. "Guess I should go back to being the spoiled brat you love so much."
Alex smirked. "Better than looking like a deflated balloon."
"Watch it, Muscle Head."
"Bring it, Dollar Store Princess."
Their bickering echoed as they walked back together—lighter now, but somehow more real than before.
____________________________
The entire school was glowing with excitement—and actual glowing lights. Fairy lights hung from trees and walls, paper lanterns lined the walkways, and students buzzed around like caffeine-fueled bees. It was the eve before the big festival, and no one was resting.
Class A was in full horror-mode. Their creepy café was finally taking shape. Black drapes covered the walls, red lighting cast eerie shadows. Props like plastic organs, fake bones, and haunted dolls were scattered around.
Alex was lugging a prop coffin with Rose while Nat was painting fake cracks on the walls for that abandoned asylum vibe.
Then came Catherine.
With a flick of her ponytail and the usual raise of her chin, she strutted over, pretending like she wasn't choosing to be there. "Ugh, honestly, you guys look like you're about to pass out. Move over, amateurs."
Alex raised a brow. "Did Princess get lost on her way to the pink section?"
"Princess is here to save your tragic set design." Catherine shot back, grabbing a brush and squatting next to Natalie.
Rose and Nat exchanged glances.
And then exchanged louder glances when Catherine actually… stayed.
And worked.
And even snuck glances at Alex when she thought no one was watching.
"Oh my god. Did she just blush looking st Alex?" Nat whispered behind her hand.
"She did. Did we enter a parallel timeline?" Rose whispered back.
"She just laughed at Alex's dumb joke about undead taxes. This is not normal behavior."
Meanwhile, Alex was obliviously complaining about fake blood being sticky and failed to notice that Catherine was actually helping without sass.
The night rolled on. Other classes were finalizing their set-ups. Class B's Maid Café was done—with Daniel still sulking over his frilly outfit. Class C's escape room was looking magical, and Class D's mini-game corner had already drawn attention from wandering students.
The drama club, after the day's prep, gathered for one last rehearsal. Despite exhaustion, the play moved smoothly. Even Daniel didn't fumble (much). Daman looked majestic (and slightly cursed) while acting, and Tracy kept "accidentally" brushing Alex's hand during rehearsals.
As the clock crept toward midnight, the teachers allowed one last group event to wrap the day. Students spilled into the open field outside the school, where logs were arranged in circles and a campfire blazed in the center.
Someone brought a guitar. Another started playing music from a speaker. Soon enough, students danced around the fire, singing pop songs and theme tunes from anime, swaying under the stars.
Alex was sitting with Nat and Rose, holding a soda and laughing about Daniel's earlier attempt at "flipping his maid skirt like a weapon."
Then, Catherine approached her.
"Hey… want to dance?"
Alex blinked. "I—uh, what?"
Everyone else blinked too.
"Don't make me repeat myself, Muscle Head." Catherine huffed, holding out her hand.
Alex smirked and stood. "Only if you promise not to step on my feet, Princess."
The two walked into the circle, joining the other pairs. The fire flickered in the background, casting warm light on their faces as they danced. Not gracefully, not perfectly, but laughing, spinning, and actually enjoying themselves.
Catherine tripped once, and Alex caught her.
"You okay?" she asked, trying not to laugh.
"Shut up and keep dancing," Catherine mumbled, clearly hiding a smile.
Daman, casually sipping from a juice box on the sidelines, nearly choked as he saw Alex and Catherine swaying together under the campfire glow.
"Am I dreaming?" he muttered.
The scene unfolding before him—Alex and Catherine smiling at each other—was completely at odds with the memory now playing in his brain like an action movie rerun.
It happened way before he and Alex became a couple. Those two were locked in a duel of destruction over something that Catherine probably did, or didn't do. No one knows.
Alex had Catherine in a headlock, yelling, "Admit it! You were the one who poured coffee over my limited edition 'BangtanX' photobook!!!" Alex was fuming as if she would explode any moment.
Catherine, clawing at the air like a cornered cat, screamed back, "I didn't do it, you She-Hulk! Let me go!!!"
"I won't forgive you! You even drew mustaches on them!!!"
"I didn't do it, DAMN IT!!!"
Teachers had to intervene. Twice.
Now, they were dancing?
Daman just stared."What the hell happened...?"
Nat and Rose were speechless as well. Alex then called out to everyone to dance. Hearing that, Rose pulled Nat to the center and they started dancing as well.
Around them, the students cheered and danced along. Daniel tried to twirl Daman, who responded by stepping on his foot in retaliation. Tracy dramatically pretended to swoon near Alex, only to be dragged away by another club member.
It was messy, loud, fun, and unforgettable.
For one night, there were no rivals, no roles, no blackmail, no pressure.
Just music, laughter, and fireflies.