Chapter 27: The Accidental Kiss
Reynold let the water run down his body and washing away any dirt. Whe he was done, he dried his body before putting his cloth on.
He then stepped out of the bathroom. He was now feeling refresh and strangely, much better. His simple black t-shirt and slim-fitted trousers were more good compared to the formal all black academy uniform. His broad chest was a little visible in the shirt. And the dressing brought out his features.
Gwyn who was seated on the edge of the bed raised an eyebrow when she heard the bathroom door opened, her eyes scanning Reynold’s outfit. "Not bad, Starweaver. Nice to you see you on something good besides training gear and house cloth."
Reynold gave a slight nod. "Thanks." He walked to his backpack and he opened the small back zip to pull out a simple silver pendant, it was a relic that his mother gave him. He only wear it when he is going out with a friend. He slipped it over his head, then bent under the small table to take out a pair of black shoes. He quickly put them on and lacing it up. After that, he took quick glance in the mirror as he ruffle his already stylishly messy hair, and then he tied it back in his familiar signature style.
He stepped backwards away from the mirror. He was ready. "All set. Shall we?"
Gwyn grinned, already on her feet. "Let’s go."
The main reason he was going, despite everything that happened at the sparring class was he thought that Gwyn was thoughtful enough to bring her food, and he did not want to let her down. Besides, it was just one party. What could possibly go wrong? He just needed to stay to the side and watch.
The music was the first thing that hit them as they approached the venue of the party. The building was very large and look like it was built from a silver or white stoned. The windows were tall and made of glass. Even from outside, you can see the chandeliers and light inside..
At the center was a fountain. The water was falling like it was controlled by magic. It was shooting up and then changing colours from blue, gold and the purple. The pools around the fountain are wide and it was also reflecting the building.
There were also dragon sculpture outside. The dragon was not looking so serious. The wings even look like it was dancing. There was also a gold leaf around the scale of the dragon.
Everything about the building was almost perfect.
Seeing dragons flying and landing to drop off the senior riders told Reynold that the party was not only for the first year cadets only.
Getting past the crowd was hard or more like a fight. The outside was filled with different faces. Some were talking, some laughing and some couples making out right in the open. Reynold and Gwyn pushed through the bodies until they reached into the main hall.
The inside was pure heaven. Magic lights were dancing across the ceiling, lighting up the room with different colours of sapphire and gold. The hall was two storey building with a balcony wrapping around the upper level. Anyone stsnding upstairs will have a clear view of the dancing floor below, and those downstairs could see a little of what is happening up.
Gwyn grabbed his arm, steering him toward the left side. "Bar time. What are you having?"
"Any soft drink," Reynold said.
Gwyn gave him the ’are-you-being-serious?’ look. "Starweaver. Loosen up. This is the only bit of freedom we get. Next year, will be field assignments and before yoy know it, you will be a graduate. Next thing you know, we’ll be serving on a war zone’s perimeter. Enjoy this now that you can."
Reynold groaned. "Fine. Beer, then."
Gwyn’s face brightened with a grin, and she turned to the bartender, a Second-Year Magic User. The female was using her magic to float bottles and jugs, mixing drinks with a shining glow around her hands. She nodded to Gwyn before pulling two beers from a small chilled fridge, and sliding a bottle opener across the counter.
Gwyn took them, murmuring a thanks, and popped the tops before pushing one to Reynold.
Reynold too it and sip from it.
"First party?" Gwyn asked, seeing him scan the room and looking kinda lost.
Reynold nodded. Before he could explain further, a popular music blasted through the speakers, making the hall to turn into an uproar.
"Come on!" Gwyn tugged his hand, pulling him towards the dance floor.
"No, I am not dancing," Reynold protested, freeing his hand from Gwyn. "It is not happening."
"You are going to stand here and watch while everyone else has fun? Don’t be such a nerd, Starweaver." Gwyn pouted.
Seeing other people dancing and with the beer starting to relax his muscles, Reynold sighed in defeat. "Alright, alright."
Gwyn grinned as she dragged him into the crowd. They managed to find a small space in the crowded center. Reynold kept his movements slow, mostly just swaying, while Gwyn was fully carried away in the music.
Suddenly, a girl bumped hard into Gwyn’s shoulder making Gwyn to turn around. Seeing who it was, what she wanted say got caught in her throat making her mouth half open.
"Nyx?" she murmured, her voice suddenly soft.
The girl had a charming smile, and her dimples was showing as she dipped her head. "Oh, sorry about that." She did not wait for Gwyn next reply. She quickly walked toward the bar on the right side of the hall.
Gwyn’s eyes, however, stayed glued to her as she was getting distracted.
Reynold noticed her distraction and how she kept sneaking glances at the bar by the left and quickly looking away only when Nyx eyes shifted in her direction.
Reynold cleared his throat. "You know her?"
"Huh?" Gwyn’s attention snapped back. She did not hear Reynold’s question.
"You’ve been staring at her since she bumped you. Do you know her?"
"Oh," Gwyn muttered, a faint blush creeping up her neck. "Yeah. She is a second year Magic User."
Reynold nodded, then asked the question that made sense based on Gwyn was getting distracted. "Do you... like her?"
Gwyn’s face flushed fully, and she dropped her head.
"Go on..."
"What? No way. what if she is not into girls or she doesn’t like me..." Gwyn cut Reynold off quickly.
"You will never know if you don’t take the first step," Reynold said gently. "Besides, she has not stopped looking over here either."
Gwyn’s head shot up. "You’re sure? And I don’t want to bail on you."
"You’re not bailing on me. I’m good on my own."
Gwyn hesitated, then her face broke into a smile. "Thank you."
She gave his shoulder a quick squeeze and moved through the crowd and towards the other bar.
Reynold sighed, feeling suddenly awkward alone on the dance floor. He made his way back to the bar on the left and ordered another beer.
The atmosphere, the pulsing lights, and the loud music were starting to be somewhat enjoyable to Reynold.
He was tapping his leg and nodding his head to the beating of the music. The beer finished and he order another than another, and the fact that he was not a good drinker made the alcohol hit him immediately. He became tipsy.
He shifted over at the right bar, but both Gwyn and the Second-Year girl were gone.
He frowned, feeling a sudden need to just leave.
He stood up. His feet already going numb, his steps staggering as he started to walked toward what he hoped was the exit door. He suddenly needed air.
He was not familiar with the building, making him to end up in different corridor that was not crowded.
𝒻𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝘯𝘰𝑣ℯ𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝘮
He blinked in confusion, trying to remember which direction he and Gwyn had come from.
Just then, two girls, both Magic Users by the look of their dress, walked toward him. And stopped when they saw his face.
"Is this not Reynold Starweaver?" the first female murmured but loud enough to hear.
"The Rider freshman who scored highest on the trials?"
The second girl came closer to at him, then nodded. "Damn. He looks hot. I wish I could just pull him over and have him all to myself.."
"You can," the first female interrupted, grinning maliciously. "He is already drunk. We could slip him a simple Concoction that will make him not to remember a thing."
The second girl raised an eyebrow. "Is that not a bit... extreme?"
"Trust me. Who wouldn’t take this chance to get in bed with the most talked-about cadet freshman?"
"You are right," the second girl agreed. "He won’t remember anything."
"Let’s do it."
They took a few steps closer. Reynold tried to get away from them but his vision was becoming blur, and then his feet slipped and he fell, hitting the floor.
The girls had a smile on their face as they reached Reynold.
"One more step, and I will burn you."
The voice that sounded was cold. Nymeria stepped into the corridor. Her hand was raised, and a gout of pure blue fire erupted from her palm.
The two Magic Users froze, their faces going numb with horror as they recognized the voice.
They turned and stammered, "S-Senior Nymeria... w-we were..."
"Get out," Nymeria yelled, her voice laced with a low snarl.
They did not even bother to disobey. They turned and rush out of the corridor as if their body was on fire.
Nymeria watched them go, then lowered her hand, the flame instantly vanished.
She looked down at Reynold, who was still sprawled on the floor, groaning softly. She shook her head as a sigh left her lips. She was looking at Reynold like a mother who is disappointed with her child. She stepped toward him, kneeling to help him up.
She managed to pull him to his feet, but his legs were weak making him to fall completely and losing his balance. He staggered forward and fell directly into Nymeria, his mouth crashing against hers.
Nymeria’s eyes widened in pure shock as his lips touched hers.