Chapter 4- End Of Christmas Party

"Hey, can I talk to you alone after the Christmas party?"

She looked embarrassed, and I started to feel nervous. "Uh, yes, okay," I stammered.

I thought to myself, 'Is she going to confess? No way!'

Slap.

I slapped myself mentally. 'Don't get your hopes up, Liam. There's no way she would confess to you. She's beautiful, and you don't deserve someone like her...' She walked away with a smile on her face.

'But don't let yourself down,' I reminded myself, recalling Chloe's advice. 'If she does confess, be ready to reject her...'

I resumed walking and called out, "Hey Jacob, is that enough struggling for you, or do you want more?"

He shot back, "Shut up."

I laughed. "Ha ha."

The Christmas party began with introductions, followed by a singing contest. We listened to our classmates with beautiful voices, and two groups performed. After an hour, the singing contest ended, and the games began.

Two games were presented, and almost all of our classmates participated, except for a few like me. Jacob and Michael were having fun in the middle. I looked around at the girls sitting across from us, noticing Maria laughing, Ashley with her usual gloomy look, and Sofia taking photos. I felt a pang of pity for Sofia, who couldn't join in the games.

After another hour, the game challenge ended, and we started eating. Thirty minutes later, the stop dance challenge began.

Jacob dragged me to the middle, insisting I join. I thought to myself, 'Well, it's not like I came here just to eat, haha.'

Maria was also pulled into the challenge. The music started, and everyone danced, but I hesitated since I wasn't good at dancing. With no choice, I began to move my feet. Jacob, ever the tease, said, "Huh, so you're dancing now?"

"Shut up and lower your voice, you piec—" I started to say before the music stopped abruptly. We all froze, including Maria, who made a funny face.

The teacher began eliminating anyone who moved. Every ten seconds, someone was out, and the number of participants dwindled. The music started and stopped repeatedly until only eight of us were left. By then, I was ready to give up since I wasn't aiming for the prize anyway. Suddenly, someone bumped into me—Maria.

Feeling embarrassed, I wanted to quit but couldn't without being eliminated. I glanced at Maria, who was looking at me. I awkwardly said, "Hi, Maria."

"Hello," she replied.

Trying to keep the conversation going, I said, "You're really good at dancing."

She responded with what seemed like dissatisfaction, "Stop flattering me, haha..."

I realized she was avoiding me, and I felt foolish for talking to her. Just as I was about to distance myself, someone called my name, "H...hey, Lia—"

The music stopped abruptly. I looked around, but the teacher called out, "Liam, you're out."

"Wait, what?! Oh, sorry," I said. 'I wasn't aiming for first place anyway,' I thought. 'But who called me? Was it Maria?'

I walked back to my seat, watching the challenge approach its end. After ten minutes, the challenge concluded, and the winners collected their rewards. Jacob won, and Maria got seventh place, eliminated shortly after me.

Three hours later, the Christmas party ended with a speech from our teacher.

"Thank you for participating in the Christmas party and the challenge. I hope you all enjoy your Christmas break."