Descending the grand staircase felt like stepping into a fairytale, with the chandeliers casting their soft glow and the music swelling in the background.
Yuri, as always, was effortlessly charming, showering me with sweet compliments about my outfit.
Yet, no matter how much I tried to focus on the moment, Noah's words echoed relentlessly in my head. Damn. He really knows how to occupy someone's mind.
"Shall we?" Yuri's warm hand on mine startled me. I almost stumbled, but his firm grip steadied me as we made our way down the stairs.
I felt a pang of guilt. I'm being unfair. Yuri deserved my full attention, yet my thoughts kept straying. I forced a smile and whispered to myself, Stop thinking about Noah. Focus, Serena.
As we reached the bottom of the staircase, a wave of familiar faces greeted us. I plastered on my best smile, nodding at the whispers and admiring gazes from schoolmates.
From the corner of my eye, I noticed David Vander near his table, his sharp gaze following me. I quickly looked away, unwilling to engage.
He probably knew Noah was around, but I wasn't about to feed into any speculation.
When our names were called, a swell of applause accompanied our steps onto the red carpet. The nerves that had been knotting my stomach dissipated as I fell into the rhythm of mingling.
Compliments flowed my way, and I graciously accepted them. After all, it wasn't every day a Grade 10 student was invited to prom.
"You really look stunning, Sar," Yuri said softly, his voice barely audible over the music and chatter.
"Thank you," I replied with a polite smile, feeling the weight of his gaze as we clapped for the next students making their entrance.
Our table was lively, filled with Yuri's friends who were clearly comfortable with each other. They laughed and shared inside jokes about awkward moments before arriving at prom.
Their ease was contagious, and I found myself smiling along, even if I didn't contribute much to the conversation.
"You're unusually quiet," Yuri noted, leaning closer as the program started and others continued chatting.
I shook my head with a small smile. "I guess I'm just feeling a bit shy."
He chuckled at my response before turning to his friends. "Guys, this is Serena," he announced, his tone proud yet casual.
The introductions blurred together as I tried to keep up with the names and faces. I forced myself to engage, smiling and nodding even as my mind wandered.
For a while, Noah was the furthest thing from my mind. The program flowed seamlessly, with speeches, performances, and finally, dinner. The four-course meal was elegant, a reminder of how rare it was to attend an event like this.
When the formalities ended, the party officially began. Sweet, melodic music filled the air, and couples began making their way to the dance floor.
"May I have this dance?" Yuri asked, extending his hand to me with a playful bow. I laughed and took it, allowing him to lead me to the center of the room.
The first few steps felt awkward, but Yuri's confidence made it easy to follow his lead. We burst out laughing when I accidentally stepped on his foot.
"I'm so sorry!" I said, giggling.
He smiled down at me, unfazed. "It's okay. You're doing great."
I glanced up at him, noticing the way the soft lighting highlighted his features. His eyes were a striking mix of green and blue, so different from my plain brown ones.
"You know," he began, tilting his head slightly, "I always watch you when you pass by our floor."
I raised an eyebrow, teasing, "Oh, are you stalking me now?"
His lips curled into a smirk. "I just like watching you walk, that's all."
My cheeks warmed at his candidness. I wasn't sure how to respond, so I focused on the dance instead.
By the third song, we'd found a comfortable rhythm. Yuri's hand, which rested on my waist, slowly moved upward, sending a jolt of awareness through me.
I avoided his gaze, pretending to look around at the other couples. But Yuri wasn't about to let me escape so easily. He gently tilted my chin upward, forcing me to meet his eyes.
"If I asked you to be my girl, would you say yes?" he asked, his voice low and steady.
The question hit me like a thunderbolt. For a moment, the world around us seemed to blur. If this were Noah standing in front of me, my answer would've come without hesitation.
But this was Yuri. Sweet, dependable Yuri, who had been nothing but kind to me.
My throat tightened, and I couldn't bring myself to speak. My silence must've said everything because Yuri smiled softly and looked away.
"Never mind. I was just joking," he said lightly, though his tone carried a hint of disappointment. "You look more beautiful when you're serious, Sar."
Relief washed over me, but it was tinged with guilt. Yuri didn't deserve this, and yet, here I was, caught between two worlds.
"I know you like Noah, Sar," he added quietly, his voice barely above a whisper.
I froze. The weight of his words hung heavy in the air. I wanted to deny it, to reassure him, but I couldn't. He had seen right through me.
"We can still have fun," he said, his tone suddenly playful. "As friends?"
The tension eased, and I managed a genuine smile. "Of course," I replied, grateful for his understanding.
The music shifted to a mix of upbeat electronic tracks, and the neon lights came alive, painting the dance floor in vibrant colors. The crowd grew wilder, and Yuri and I joined in, laughing and dancing with abandon. His friends joined us, and their antics had me in stitches.
As the night wore on, the heat and noise became overwhelming, and we retreated to the sidelines. Still laughing, we watched as couples continued to sway and twirl.
At one point, Yuri nudged me, pointing at a couple arguing in the distance. I couldn't hear their words, but the tension was unmistakable.
"Don't worry about them," Yuri said, pulling me closer to distract me. His hand brushed against my cheek, guiding me to face him.
The gesture was so intimate that my heart raced.
He's going in for a kiss.
Before I could react, a flash of movement caught my eye.
Noah stood at the edge of the dance floor, his tall frame illuminated by the neon lights. His piercing gaze was locked on Yuri, and the air around us shifted.
"Noah?" I whispered, barely able to believe he was there.
Yuri turned, his expression unreadable as he took in Noah's presence. My heart pounded as I stood between them, unsure of what was about to happen.