ANGUS
I opened the door of the common room with Augustine right behind me. But something bumped into my chest and flung back.
"Watch where you ar-"
"Apologies." A female voice curtly said before striding away. "Wasn't that Pauline?" Augustine seemed to be as perplexed as I was. Pauline appeared to be in a hurry. Not just her, but there was a frenzy in the entire common room with more noises, chaos and running arounds as always.
"I think so..." I replied.
Soon after Irene emerged in front of me. She appeared to be trailing behind Pauline. "Everything appears to be in a ruckus. What's up?" I stopped Irene.
She was wearing her usual scowl and crossed arms. She rolled her eyes. "Newcomers' Nite is tonight, duh?"
"Say that again?" I blinked my eyes.
"Newcomers' Nite?" Irene spoke as if it was supposed to ring a bell. "Outfits alterations, last minute ask-outs, lost jewellery." She gestured to the common room's hubbub.
"No… what is Newcomers' Nite? I don't really get it."
"Weren't you there when Benedict was announcing this Welcoming party for the first-years?" Irene's scowl deepened. "When was it announced again?" I questioned.
"Second Monday of August" She responded.
I must admit that that's a sharp memory she possesses. "Aerofence." I reasoned.
Irene groaned out, clearly annoyed. "Newcomers' night. A welcoming party for the first-years scheduled on the last weekend of August which is, today. Through this event, all the first-years shall be welcomed officially to the school. The event will be like a prom but for newcomers. It will have speeches eww, performances, food and a ball dance at the end. You can come alone or ask a partner out from your year or the second-year at most. Two people will get the titles of the Newcomer King and the Newcomer Queen. One would however require a date for it."
"Sounds boring." I asserted. "Pauline appears busy and drained out. She bumped into me on her way out."
"Senator duties. She must hand over the list of who is going with who and stuff like that." Irene reasoned. "Will you be going?" She questioned.
"Food. Yes."
Irene smirked. She was about to say something but she was interrupted. "Irene!!" It was Pauline's bray from the other side of the door. Irene walked past me. "Gotta ago. Vice-senator duties."
But she turned around mid-way. "Vote for me for the Newcomer Queen. Best option out there." Her voice made both me and Augustine turn to her. "Do you have a date?" I lifted a brow.
"Felix."
Oh… that new guy.
"Sure! But stay careful!" I cautioned after her as she walked out of the door. She was like a little sister to me and some men cannot be trusted. My worry is legit because she loves to play with trouble.
I turned to Augustine who tacit through my entire exchange with Irene. He is usually wordless around the opposite gender.
"You knew?" I interrogated. "Sorry mate, forgot to tell you." He didn't appear sorry at all.
"You're going?"
"I have a date." He proudly said.
I snorted. "Who would agree to go with you?" Augustine was feigned offence. "A cute chick from our year from Partials. Also, you have no idea how adorable the ladies find me…" And he went on blabbering that girls found him cute.
By the evening, I turned up at the party, wearing a tuxedo that I sequestered for the night from Prince Adrian of Syrendor, a minor kingdom under our kingdom. He was a senior and an acquaintance of mine.
In addition to that, I had a date.
The ones who come with a date are given some food items that are restricted for the singles. Hence, I ended up asking Pauline out. Though she appeared sceptical initially, she agreed to help me out after I told her the reason.
She was the safest option.
However, we agreed that we would enter the event together and eventually go our separate ways.
The celebration started on a dull note, Sir Frostbane and Professor Huxley, our cruel principal delivered speeches that appeared to not come to a halt before my death.
It was followed by some singing and dancing performances by our batchmates. Pauline, Isabelle and Shanon chorused a song while Scarlette, Aprialla, Pristine, Sabrina, Samirah and Irene performed a dance with feathery fans. Other students showcased other performances as well.
I didn't relish these performances but at least they were better than those long tiring speeches.
Right now, the performances have come to a halt and many couples are in each other's arms, swaying to the slow music on the dance floor. I didn't bother to ask Pauline to dance. After her song, she had changed into her ball gown and disappeared somewhere I do not desire to know.
I was leaning against the drinks' counter, sipping Mystic Mead.
It was an official event. Hence, underage students are not allowed to drink.
I was scanning around the room after I had food swallowed to my throat. Scarlette managed to find a window, she could stare out of melancholically, Isabelle, Pauline and Sabrina were nowhere to be found.
Aprialla had danced once with Benjamin to feign their happy engagement and now had probably found a secluded corner with Cedric, they were keeping their relationship private. Only some of us were aware of them.
Kristian was on the couch, arms around Patricia. I have no clue if they are a thing now. Though he was with her, his eyes were scanning girls on the dance floor, while Samirah was glaring at them from a distance, sipping her drink. Augustine wasn't lying. He indeed had a date.
Georgia, a partial. The daughter of a nobleman of Athenburg. She had strawberry blonde short curly hair and a healthy frame. She was around 5'2. She seemed like a gentle lady when she greeted me. I am disoriented how that eccentric lad managed to bag her.
Perseus was at the food counter, stuffing himself. Pristine and Shanon were conferring at a corner and Irene was slow-dancing with Felix, often giggling at something he would whisper in her ear.
Everyone was engaged in something.
I presume I should leave early. This party is dull anyway.
I breathed out and placed my empty glass on the counter after chugging down the last sip of the Mystic Mead.
I turned around to depart when someone bumped into me. "Damn mate, watch where you're going." An unrepentant male voice walked past me.
I couldn't restrain myself from grasping the back of his collar and hauling him to position him in front of me.
Oh, him.
Prince George of Diadra, a minor kingdom under Barandal. He was a classmate of mine and a nuisance. He was slightly shorter than me with a slight built, dark skin and black locks.
What always pestered me was his know-it-all approach.
"Woah, woah, what are you doing, Angus?" He spoke with flushed cheeks and a sluggish expression. He was drunk. But how? Alcohol wasn't allowed. I severed my grip.
"You bumped into me and then proceeded to talk back."
"Don't take it to heart, Angus. I am kind enough to wipe the slate clean for not watching your steps, mate." That jerk dared to smile.
This fool is incensing me.
"Excuse me?" I still made an attempt to appear chivalrous.
"Oh, I do excuse you, you are my classmate! Just try not to bump into someone like this. Not everyone is polite enough to excuse your deed. But you are fortunate that you have encountered a gracious person like-"
The last bit of my patience was tested and I ended up throwing a punch right across his face. He stumbled two steps back. It had riveted everyone's attention.
Gasps echoed from all around the room.
"Everything is alright, guys. Angus just accidentally jostled me. But I am humane enough to-" His attitude compelled me to jump at him once again. But before I could land another punch, a figure positioned itself between us.
"Calm down, uh?" An anxious and trembling voice said.
"Don't meddle, Pauline." I had my eyes settled on George. "I have to meddle; I am your senator. Please calm down, okay, You too, George. Stop needling him." Pauline said.
"I wasn't needling, Princess Pauline, I was-"
"What is happening here?" A bark bellowed. The spectators moved out of the way for a tall figure to stomp to us.
Professor Huxley, the principal of Wisteria Royal Academy.
He was nothing below 6'5 with an enormous nose that stood out funnily and a long torso. He had pale short hair and always wore dark robes.
"Professor." Pauline greeted by dipping her head.
Huxley nodded to her and then diverted his eyes to us. He perhaps noticed the redness of George's cheeks stemming from the punch. "What happened here?"
No response.
Huxley towered Pauline. "Princess Pauline of Delphinia, you are the senator of the Trues of first year, aren't you?" "Indeed." Pauline had her head lowered.
"I demand an explanation from the senator for this commotion. I see one of your classmates has a red cheek while another giving him a dirty look in presence of an engaged audience." Huxley was trying to hard to appear stern.
"I... I-" Pauline was hesitating.
Come on, just utter a lie! I do not desire disciplinary measures.
She was close to me. She would not want to push me off the cliff due to obligation… would she?
"Princess Pauline?" Huxley's demanding voice spoke.
Pauline sighed out. "I apologise for my failure to avoid any adversity during the event as a situation occurred. Prince George perhaps said something to Prince Angus and…"
There's still a chance! Lie!
"And?" Huxley urged.
"And…. Prince Angus punched him." The moment those words made out of her mouth; all my anger shifted from George to Pauline. What a wimp!
"Prince George. Prince Angus. Head to my office now." Huxley ordered. "You too Pauline, as a witness."
Witness? My arse.
I glared at Pauline as I churned out of the hall. If I remain here for even one more second, I might curse her out. What a wimp she is!