The day before.

Another week had passed, during which time Alexander was pressed on all sides.

From dancing with his team to dodging Louise and her arguments.

The weight of expectations weighed heavily on him. 

Yet it only got worse.

"Tomorrow's the festival, and we still don't have a routine."

Alexander mumbled, massaging his jaw as they walked the campus grounds.

Booths and stands were being built everywhere. 

Some are small and centered around trinkets, and others are large, with activities, foods, and experiences. 

"Speak for yourself; I was born with dance." Jules teased. 

"Same. I may not win, but I'm coming in last place, either." Karl added.

Alexander rolled his eyes, "Oh wonderful, glad to know I'm the only one panicking."

Karl and Jules laughed as they walked, weaving through the lively atmosphere.

Alexander smirked, but his mind was drawn back to Louise and Elizabeth. Over the past week, the two girls have been unrelenting.

Elizabeth was still herself, but she obviously wanted him to take her to the festival.

She was manageable. However, she never forced an answer out of him.

Louise, meanwhile, was a monster.

He's had eight arguments with her since their abysmal library lunch.

Whenever she saw him, she gave cryptic advice or blatant insults. 

She was fueled by confrontation, and Alexander was the pump. 

Alexander sighed; if only he could have what Karl and Jules had.

Peace.

Anna seemed like a dream to deal with.

And whoever Jules asked out obviously wasn't invested in the drama. 

Maybe I should pick one of them and be done with it. 

Alexander sighed; that would only fuel the fire. 

The trio continued walking until they reached their event. It was near the practice field, a stage built with raised wooden pallets, large steel columns, and crimson curtains.

Many of the team members were scattered about setting up lights and sewing costumes. 

Raphael stood in the center, directing everything with a grin. 

Alexander slumped his shoulders. "I was scared of him at first, but now I'm terrified."

Karl chuckled, "he's not that bad."

Jules nodded in agreement. 

Alexander shrugged, "why do I even try."

— — —

While the boys joined their team to help, Anna was in the library coaching Louise. 

"Okay, Louise, you've practically fumbled through eight conversations. If you're trying to push Alexander away, you're doing a stellar job."

Louise frowned. "How dare you speak to me that way?" 

Anna bit her lip as she narrowed her eyes, "I tried to be nice, but you don't do subtlety, do you?"

Louise crossed her arms. "I find being shady distasteful. But people like you and Elizabeth thrive in it."

Anna sighed. "Well, girls are typically more gentle, but uhm, that's not you." 

"It's weird, Louise." She scratched behind her ear. "You're blunt, yet you hide your feelings. It's such a strange combination."

Louise's eyes widened, "Excuse you?!"

Anna shook her head. 

"This might just be…" she trailed off, her expression contemplative.

Louise frowned, "what? Spit it out."

"It's nothing."

"If you're going to insult me, then at least do it directly."

Anna shrugged. "Fine, I think you're an idiot."

Louise reeled, her mouth opening as she placed a hand over her chest. 

"The nerve." Louise finally managed, Harding her expression.

Anna leaned back in her seat. "I'm sorry, but it's true! You like him, but instead of talking with him, you insult him!"

Anna leaned forward, both hands on the table. "It's like you're incapable of being normal. You have to lash out every time you feel something."

Louise scoffed. "As if. I feel nothing for Alexander; that boy is a fool." 

Anna laughed, slumping back in her seat. "Then why are we having this conversation? Why won't you leave him alone?"

Louise frowned as if the answer was the most obvious thing in the world. "Because I refuse to let Elizabeth weasel into his heart."

Anna blinked. 

"And the best way to do that is to insult him?" 

"If he fails to heed my advice, his fate is his own." Louise crossed her arms while holding her head high.

"Louise, I don't think you understand how bad you're losing." Anna explained, "It's one thing to drop hits, but you're actively pushing him away."

"I'm not."

Anna's eye twitched.

"Louise, please, please just be honest with yourself." She exasperated. "Because you aren't obvious in the slightest."

Louise rolled her eyes. "You called me an idiot, but you're the fool who thinks Alexander isn't complicated. I know what I'm doing."

Anna's eyes widened as her jaw clenched. 

The two girls stared at each other, a tense silence between them.

Anna exhaled sharply. "Okay then, let's wager a bet."

Louise raised an eyebrow. 

"Ask Alexander to the festival; if he says yes, we'll do things your way." 

Louise smirked.

Anna raised a finger. "But if he says no, we'll do things my way."

Louise nodded. "I suppose that's fair. Though when I win, and I will win, you'll learn that I am always right."

Anna frowned. "We'll see."

The tension lingered a moment longer before Louise stood up. 

"I'll be off then, but you're welcome to watch my success." She said, adjusting her skirt with a flourish.

Anna stood with a sigh. 

She knew Louise was nothing if not prideful. 

So, Attacking her ego was usually the only way to get Louise to talk with Alexander. 

But Anna had to be careful because if Louise found her out? 

She'd triple down on her stubbornness.

— — —

The evening campus grounds were lively.

Lanterns were strung between booths, conversations buzzed in the air, and banners billowed in the wind as the final touches were being put in place. 

The entire event radiated a warmth that replaced the dim glow of the setting sun.

Alexander had separated from Karl and Jules, taking a moment to explore without their banter. 

It was peaceful, not worrying about them or the girls. 

Eating free samples handed to him by beautiful seniors and cute juniors. 

Watching boys argue over who'd help who. 

Professors were chatting amongst themselves as they smiled and waved.

Alexander lost himself in the sea of normalcy.

This is heaven.

Only to be dragged onto shore by an icy and familiar voice. 

"Alexander."

The hairs on his neck stood at attention as a shiver ran down his spine.

Alexander looked over his shoulder, bracing himself for the ninth argument of the week.

Louise approached him with her usual air of haughty authority. Her arms crossed as her eyes bore into his soul.

"Louise, I'm not in the mood." Alexander turned around with a cautious expression.

Louise pressed her lips in a thin line. 

"To embarrass yourself? That ship has sailed." She replied, shaking her head. "However, that's not why I'm here."

Alexander raised an eyebrow.

Louise? 

Not here to argue?

Something's wrong.

"Okay…" Alexander replied, glancing around the rows of booths on either side of him. 

Louise narrowed her eyes as she stepped forward. "Seeing as you're an uncoordinated fool, I've taken the opportunity to make your life easier."

Alexander shrugged. "Seriously? Again, with the insults?"

Louise ignored him. "You'll be taking me to the festival; at least this way, you won't have to make a fool of yourself not choosing anyone." 

Alexander blinked.

Staring at Louise as she stood before him with unwavering confidence. 

She spoke as if her word was law, daring anyone to challenge them.

"Let me get this straight," Alexander said, finally processing Louise's declaration. 

"You're telling me I should attend the festival with you?"

Louise lifted her chin. "It's the only logical choice. Elizabeth will manipulate and fool you while attending alone, which is pathetic."

She spoke as if stating simple facts.

Alexander frowned. "Here you go again, speaking as if you know me." He scoffed, "How do you know I'm not taking Elizabeth already?"

Louise laughed. "Because you don't have the nerve to ask her. And Elizabeth will never ask; she'll coddle and lie to you. Clouding your judgment until she gets what she wants."

Alexander felt his blood spike as he almost reached out to grab her. 

But he stopped, looking around to see they were catching gazes. 

He sighed, closing his fist while licking his lips.

Arguing with Louise was pointless. 

She didn't even hear the words coming out of her mouth. 

She spews bullshit until she gets her way. 

"Fine, Louise." Alexander surrendered, slumping his shoulders. "I'll go with you."

Louise nodded. "It's Good to see you aren't completely helpless. I'll be waiting for you tomorrow at the dorms; don't be late."

Alexander nodded. "Okay."

Louise hummed before turning on her heel and walking away. 

Disappearing into the crowd.

Alexander's eyes dropped as he lowered his head. He had given in, not because he cared.

But because she was so damn confusing, tiring and infuriating.

Alexander just wanted it to go away.

And if agreeing meant another moment of peace?

He'd take it in a heartbeat.

Alexander grabbed his face, "I just hope Elizabeth doesn't hound me tomorrow."

— — —

"She did what?" Elizabeth asked, genuinely confused as she brushed a strand of hair behind her ear.

Her friend, Chloe, sighed. "That girl, Louise, pressed Alexander into accepting a date."

Elizabeth's expression remained unreadable. 

Juliet, standing nearby, spoke. "It wasn't an invitation, more like a demand. Like he didn't have a choice."

Leaning back in her seat, Elizabeth smirked. 

"Wonderful, she backed him into a corner, and he accepted?"

Chloe and Juliet exchanged concerned glances. 

They expected Elizabeth to be irritated, vexed, or even angry.

But elated?

Never.

Chloe hesitated. "Elizabeth, does this not bother you?" She asked, her voice soft in Elizabeth's office. 

Juliet stepped forward. "Louise has just stolen your date; worse than that, she forced it."

Elizabeth giggled, her eyes twinkling with amusement. 

"Louise has done nothing but solidified my position. It's the beauty of planning ahead."

Chloe frowned. "You planned for this?" Her question was laced with disbelief.

Juliet shook her head. "Elizabeth…"

Elizabeth tilted her head, her smile growing. 

"You don't believe me? Do you?"

Chloe swallowed. "There's no conceivable way you could have both expected and planned for this outcome."

Elizabeth leaned forward, resting her chin in her palm.

"But that is where you are wrong, darling. 

I knew Louise would move first, so I didn't press the issue. 

If I had asked Alexander out, he'd undoubtedly say yes.

But the chances of him resenting me throughout the night skyrocket. 

Add Louise's constant presence, and it's a recipe for a bad night.

But if you flip the script, suddenly, Louise is bearing the weight of the night. 

She has to hold Alexander's disillusioned attention while fending off my presence."

Elizabeth's smirk deepened as she continued.

"And at the end of the night, when he's exhausted, seeking solace and comfort…"

Elizabeth's voice dripped with satisfaction, her expression looking all too pleased.

"I'll be there."

Juliet shook her head with a shaky breath. 

"That's… you planned all of that?"

Elizabeth giggled. "Indeed, I went as far as reserving myself as Alexander's dance partner in his festival event."

Chole and Juliet's eyes widened. 

"You talked with Raphael?!?!" They exclaimed in unison.