Chapter 98: Paralyzed

"That... was not, what I was expecting at all, Sir. Adorkable." Clarissa remarked, a hint of pleasant surprise in her tone when she took a sip out of the plastic cup containing the liquid.

"It’s so refreshing... yet somehow tastes like the same old, same old..." she added a moment after, clearly impressed.

Clearly having liked it, she took yet another sip as she said afterwards with a relaxed smile;

"You know, with all the junk most of us would get around to eating today, this is the perfect step-down."

"Right?" Aiden replied with an equally laid-back smile.

"Just goes to show how thoughtful, Mrs. Rodriguez really is." he added, his respect for the woman reaching newer heights.

Bobbing his head softly, he studied the contents of the plastic cup once more with an impressed gaze.

-

› {Mint-Coconut Sparkling Water}

A crystal-clear, lightly carbonated sparkling water created by Mrs. Rodriguez for Silverlake High’s Prom, combining the clean, refreshing taste of chilled coconut water with a delicate infusion of fresh mint. Subtle coconut sweetness gives way to a crisp burst of carbonation, while the mint lingers pleasantly across the palate, leaving behind a cool, clean and distinctly refreshing finish.

└ Quality: Very Good.

-

It was very funny.

Of all the things to have been consumed the most at an event where teens would’ve wanted to act like adults, who would’ve figured that some rendition of water would’ve been the most consumed after a non-alcoholic brandy alternative.

It was almost like people actually wanted to take healthy drinks, but wanted a spin on it that made it feel somewhat sophisticated.

The sort of sophistication that came with taking cocktails, and spirits and liquors... one that would perhaps make them feel classy and ’among’.

’Whoever decided to pair sophistication with consuming alcohol in any way shape or form deserves to be flogged...’ Aiden couldn’t help but chuckle to himself in a hint of concerned amusement.

’Still...’ the youth pondered, his thumb brushing across the body of the plastic cup as his thoughts continued and his eyes burned with intrigue;

’Making healthy stuff look and feel cool, huh?’

"I can work with that." he muttered to himself with a thin smile, then downed the rest of the cup’s content.

’But first, I’ll have to meet with Mrs. Rodriguez on Monday.’ he internally concluded.

Through it all, Clarissa had watched him, her hazel-irises reflecting a deep sense of interest and her head tilted fondly as she took yet another sip from her cup.

Her strained leg was once again resting on his lap and he’d been gently massaging it again ever since he’d returned with the refreshments.

Judging by how subconsciously he’d been doing it though, clearly his mind had long wandered somewhere else.

Which was why the lady asked a moment after, her tone every bit as intrigued as her gaze;

"What’s going on in that beautiful mind of yours?"

Turning to face her with a certain fondness to his visage, his smile slowly widening, Aiden was just about to respond when the MC for the night--who unsurprisingly happened to be Mrs. Delacroix--spoke into the mic whilst raising the envelope in her hands;

"Ladies and Gentlemen, the moment you’ve all been waiting for, has arrived."

Immediately, the already lively gym buzzed with that much more excitement as most of the ladies looked towards the stage in anticipation and the gentlemen curiously watched on.

Considering everyone had been casting their votes all night, it was finally time to round up the formal event with the usual tradition of the winners having the last dance of the night.

As for the nominees themselves, there were only six participants whom had been handpicked by the committee themselves.

Three from the males, namely Kevin, Casper and Aiden.

Three from the females which included Lizzie, Daisy and Clarissa.

"And the Prom King and Queen is..." Mrs. Delacroix unfurled the envelope slowly in typical fashion to build up a small swell of anticipation.

"Aiden North and Clarissa Hale!"

The gym erupted in exuberant cheers, whistles and applauds cascading through the room as everyone turned to face them.

As the spotlight landed on the duo, neither of them the least bit surprised by it, Aiden simply gave a curt bow with an appreciative smile while Clarissa exaggeratedly waved her hands and blew kisses to everyone, a clear playfulness to her actions.

Equally, a genuine wave of amused chuckles rippled through the room given they both looked nothing like the typical Prom King and Queen.

Not only were they in the farthest corner of the room, but they were still seated on their chairs, the lady’s leg resting on the youth’s lap.

Despite this, it looked so natural and non-performative, it was clear to everyone that both individuals were perfectly content with being as they were.

The only downside to that, was that they couldn’t follow the normal rite of passage and take the floor for the last dance.

Which was why;

"Hey, Mr. DJ. Kindly give the audience what they want." Aiden gestured to Clyde whom had been jockeying all night.

Without thinking twice, the youth switched the tune into a familiar pop-song and every teen in the gym hurrahed, the already lively room becoming super-charged with energy as several youths rushed onto the dancefloor!

As for the teachers in charge--most of whom had been there on the rainy Homecoming dance--they simply decided to leave things as is.

With such good vibes in the air, none of them wanted to be the party pooper that killed the fun of their students... especially since this was set to be the last major event they would have before graduation.

...

...

...

Bruce had been playing with his son, his silly faces earning hearty, babbly giggles from the baby when he heard the doorbell ring.

Considering there was still roughly an hour and some minutes before his daughter’s curfew--at least for today--the man was genuinely surprised that she had already arrived by now as they weren’t expecting anyone else.

Carefully handing over Milo to his wife whom had been seated next to him whilst reading a book, the overprotective father sprung up from the chair and headed over to the door.

Shaking her head in amusement at the big softie, Selene whom had placed her book down proceeded to gently poke at her baby’s fat cheeks, the little bundle of joy incoherently babbling.

Upon opening the door though, Bruce felt his heart drop, his expression morphing in real-time from relieved to concern.

"I’m fine, Dad. Just sprained my ankle is all." Clarissa whom was currently in Aiden’s arm clarified with an assuring smile before the man turned his attention to the coal-haired youth.

Behind them were the rest of Clarissa’s friends, all three ladies greeting the man with polite yet familiar smiles on their features, a certain lilt to their tone;

"Hello, Mr. Hale~."

"May we come in, Sergeant?" Aiden however, politely requested a moment after and all three ladies looked at him in amused curiosity.

Clarissa on the other hand, had returned her gaze to her father almost immediately, her eyes narrowing as she exasperatedly demanded on the spot with a tone that was indicative of her rising embarrassment;

"Dad?!"

Without bothering to respond to his daughter, the man promptly opened the door and gestured to all four;

"Yes. Come in."

"Set her on the sofa." he said to Aiden as he made his way up the stairs immediately after.

Watching her daughter being princess-carried by her date into the living room though, Selene remarked thoughtfully, her tone casual yet amused as she regarded Clarissa over her reading glasses;

"It broke, didn’t it?"

"Yep. And I’m never buying from their brand, ever again!" the young lady replied with a mild huff of annoyance.

"It cost me two dances!" she added as Aiden slowly lowered her onto the sofa... only for her tone to flip afterwards, a rosy-hue forming on her cheeks and her smile adoring as she gently held onto his hand;

"But Sir. Adorkable here said we can always reschedule it."

To that, Aiden as well as Selene chuckled lightly to which the mother then said to him, her tone warm;

"Thank you for taking extra care of her, Aiden."

"It was nothing, Mrs. Hale."

Immediately after, she and the rest of the ladies exchanged pleasantries.

Allowing them to have a few mundane interactions, Aiden then said after a while;

"Well, I’d best take my leave then. Wouldn’t want to worry my Pops."

"We understand." Selene responded with an understanding smile as Bruce walked back into the living room with a crepe bandage.

To that, Aiden gave the woman, as well as Clarissa’s friends a curt nod of respect.

Then he turned his attention to the lady herself;

"See you on Monday?"

"Only if I get a goodbye kiss?" she shamelessly grinned with a suggestively arched brow, not the least bit perturbed that she was flirting in front of her parents.

That said, Clarissa hadn’t actually expected anything from Aiden when she’d said it...

...which was why him leaning down to place a kiss on her cheek stunned not only her, but seemed to have paralyzed everyone else in the room as well--save for the babbling Milo.

"There," he slowly rose to his full height and said;

"Now you have no choice but to come,"

"Not that you wouldn’t have anyway." Aiden added with a sweet smile.

Then, without giving anyone the chance to say anything or properly react, he made his way out as the door clicked softly behind him.