She didn't get far. Asher's long strides closed the gap in seconds, and before she could react, his arm looped around her waist and he lifted her off the ground as if she weighed nothing. Violet kicked and flailed wildly, shouting at the top of her lungs.
"You bastard!" she screamed, thrashing in his grip. "The commander said willing partner! I'm not willing!"
But Asher was unfazed by her protests, and carried her back toward the center of the hall. Students watched with varying degrees of shock, disbelief, jealousy, and awe. Some laughed outright, while others whispered behind their hands.
As they passed Elsie, Violet reached out in desperation, her hand brushing the other girl's arm as she pleaded. "Do something!"
But Elsie didn't budge. She stood rooted to the spot, her icy glare fixed on Violet as if she stole her moment. The intensity of her stare was so sharp it felt like she would bore a hole through her head.