The rest of the week went by rather fast. I was zoned out during most of it, still thinking about my conversation with Celeste. She'd been so vague. She seemed rather out of it as well when I saw her at band everyday. I caught her staring at me intently several times, but when we made eye contact, she'd look away. Then, she would look back, and I would turn to look at her, knowing that someone was looking at me. We repeated this cycle countless times. 

I almost messed up during a solo because I got distracted by the way she was gazed at me. It was intenser than I'd ever seen her look, those emerald eyes of hers burning with desire. It confused me greatly. 

Did she really miss what we had?

Or was it something else?

I still often wonder if it's all a trick.

But it really didn't seem like one.

I even saw her tell others who were brave enough to ask her about the rumor that it was fake.

Could this mean that she really did want to repair our friendship?

I keep doubting my judgement, wondering if I should ask someone for advice.

Maybe my mom?

I wonder how she's doing, it's been so long since I last saw her. Thankfully, winter break was rapidly approaching, after a few more weeks, I'd be free to go back and visit her. My grades never fell, my worst grade being a B-. I usually got all As these days, and I knew that my mom was proud of that. She receives weekly updates about my grades from the school. I can't wait to go back home and spend Christmas with her.

September, October, and November had passed by in a blur, with nothing out of the ordinary happening. I hung out with Damien, Julien, and Emma often, becoming best friends. I was glad that I had them. But there was still the stupid annual winter masquerade ball, and everyone was required to attend. At least the academy wasn't one of those old fashioned schools. 

The academy is stirctly homophobia free, so you were allowed to go with whoever, whatever the gender and to wear whatever you wanted, dress or suit. It was such a relief when I found out that females could wear a suit to the ball as well. Like I said, I'm heading straight to the head office to file a complaint if all females were required to wear dresses. The ball was on the day before winter break, from 6:30 to 10:30 pm. 

Four hours of boredom.

Then again, it was also the only time you could get any alcohol, for free as well, and they were all expensive brands. I guess it's worth it then, but it wasn't like I drink. What kind of school even lets the students drink? There were 13 year olds here. I suppose this is how rich people live.

I didn't plan on going with anyone, since I don't even want to go with anyone anyway. My roommates had all found someone to go with, meaning that I couldn't hang around them there without feeling like a third wheel.

Damien had managed to score a date with Ralph Walter, son of Moore Walter, owner of a men's clothing company. He was tall, buff, and extremely popular amongst all the boys and girls. The way Damien put it made it sound like a sheer miracle that he's chosen him. He was in 11th grade, 2 years older. He told us all about him, how hot he was, and that they were going to spend winter break together. 

Julien secretly told us later on that Damien had had a crush on Ralph since he met him, and that this was a big moment for him. Julien, on the other hand, was going with Carmen, a quiet shy boy who he met through horseback riding. Carmen was in 10th grade, and apparently super good looking. I'd never actually seen him, so I have no idea.

Emma was going with her boyfriend, Graham Telmos. He was a famous model, known for being in magazines shirtless. He was the type that causes straight girls to swoon and chase after him. You know, your stereotypical bad boy. Thank god I was born a lesbian. He was also older than her, currently in 11th grade. Why did everyone like to date people older than them? Cause it's considered 'cool'?

These sort of things were so cliché.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not judging them, I'm judging the society.

I used to like going out for a walk around the schoolyard, but these days, the yard was full of gooey romantics confessing to each other and people chasing after others asking them out. And so, I was forced to spend all my free periods cooped up in my dorm. I used that time to fully unpack, and completely move in comfortably. I still had lots of clothing left at my mom's place, so I wouldn't have to lug around a suitcase full of clothing.

Autumn was now over, with winter slowly taking its place. It was very chilly and we weren't allowed to wear our own coats, only the academy coat with the school crest. The academy coat isn't part of the official uniform, but nearly everyone wore that same coat, bought at the academy's store in town. 

I almost decided to just freeze when I saw the price. Same goes for all the other clothing in the store, like gloves, hats, shorts, even sunglasses and accessories such as earrings and jewelry were, just at 5 times the normal cost with the academy crest. Just imagine, an already expensive $500 pair of earrings, yet having to pay $2500 for the same thing here. 

Most people like me had to get jobs during the weekend to afford stuff like that. I didn't mind working, since I only bought what I actually needed, and I had no money to spare on going bowling or something. Plus, it's good experience.

Talking about experience, I'm not sure if I should be proud or not to say that I've never been in a relationship or even had my first kiss. That actually makes me wonder if Celeste had had any of her firsts.

Wait, why did I care? After everything she's done.... 

But she doesn't seem that bad these days.

Was Celeste going with anyone to the ball?

Ugh, how is she managing to be annoying without even being physically with me? I should stop thinking about her. 

Really.

My roommates and I were getting along really well, I've been teaching them how to cook lately.

"Uh... Alexsis, I think I might've done something wrong...?" Julien looked confused as a fire blazed in his pot of burnt sauce.

"You forgot to turn the fire down..." I replied in disbelief, slapping myself internally as the smoke detector in our dorm started beeping. Oh, why didn't I choose an easier dish?

We were making spaghetti, but maybe that wasn't such a good idea.

"Damn." Julien frowned, then turned off the fire as Damien hurriedly ran over with a fire extinguisher and sprayed it in the pot, smoldering the fire instantly. Meanwhile, Emma dealt with the smoke detector.

I kept a close watch on the other two pots to make sure that they didn't burn as well while they dealt with things.

Then I explained to him while he scrubbed the burned pot in the sink that once the sauce started simmering, you had to turn down the fire. "You can't leave the fire on max the whole time, the sauce would get burnt."

Julian replied sheepishly, "Yeah, sorry, I guess I wasn't paying much attention.. It won't happen again though."

"I bet it'll be a long time until Alexsis trusts you with the stove unguarded again," Damien joked.

"Oh, shut up dude," Julien laughed as he elbowed him.

Emma snickered as she stirred her sauce, now simmering in her pot.

She'd remembered to turn down the fire, thankfully.

I was very glad that nothing else happened that night.

Emma and Damien's sauces turned out to be fine, leaving more than enough for the four of us.

We spent the rest of the night hanging out and laughing.

I wish that everyday could be like this.

But things changed quickly at the masquerade ball.