Chapter Thirty-One

And before we knew it, the day of the Halloween Ball came.

"Come on, Kuya!" a slightly excited Ryan urged me.

Ryan and I had arrived at the venue. From where I am standing, I can already hear the partying.

"Okay! Don't rush. The party isn't going anywhere." I replied.

I can't blame Ryan for rushing me. After all, this is the first event party that he'll be attending in his college life. I only hope he keeps being in a good mood throughout the evening. However, I knew well that his mood might tilt a bit when he found out what we were planning. Speaking of which, I wonder if they are already here.

As if I made a silent prayer, I suddenly recognized them as we approached the entrance. And damn!

"Oh? Hello Cyrus! Hi Ryan!" Claire greeted us with enthusiasm.

Diane, who was beside her, waved eagerly at us. But, I didn't do anything to acknowledge their greetings. Like how could I with what I'm seeing now...

"You had got to be kidding me," I said after overcoming my surprise.

Realizing what I was referring to, Claire looked at her costume, then she smiled a victorious one.

"Oh? Do you mean this? Yeah, I just remembered someone calling me an "evil heartless snake". It brought in the inspiration for my costume."

I couldn't believe it. She was dressed up as Medusa. She had everything done. From the snake hair to the green fitted gown with a trail looking like a rattlesnake's tail, she owned it. The gown and her elbow-length gloves even have snakeskin prints. She also had snake scales painted on the sides of her face artfully.

"Wow! You do look like an evil snake." I said

"Well, you also look great in that mad psychotic scientist costume. You even got the bloody scalpels here." Claire complimented my costume as she touched the scalpels on the chest pocket of my lab coat.

She, then, turned her gaze to Ryan.

"Nice vampire costume, Ryan."

"Thanks!" Ryan said.

Though he was sincere with his gratitude, I can tell he began to feel awkward. And he isn't the only one.

"That's a beautiful witch costume, Diane. Although, you look pretty and young for the typical witch." I said making compliments.

"Oh Kuya, not all witches are evil old hags. I'm copying the pretty ones because I am gorgeous!" Diane said as she copied a typical model pose.

Claire and I laughed along with Diane. Though Ryan didn't join in the laughter, he couldn't hide the smile on his face. Claire and I exchanged knowing looks. It was at that moment when an event facilitator came to us.

"Hello, fellow students! Are you, four, a group?" the guy asked who dressed as the skeleton version of Ernesto de la Cruz from the movie "Coco". He even had a replica of Hector's guitar strapped from his back.

"Yes," Claire answered on behalf of everyone. I saw Ryan and Diane's eyes go wide.

"Great! We only have limited tables for four. Come along! I'll guide you to your table." the guy said as he began to lead the way.

We followed behind him. Diane walked faster to catch up with Claire. While Ryan and I are a few steps behind them.

"Kuya, do we really have to sit with them?" Ryan asked in a whisper.

"It's too late to change our minds now. Besides, it's better we sit with them rather than be seated with strangers." I assured him.

"But Kuya... In case you don't see the obvious, I'd be sitting with my ex-girlfriend."

"And so? You sat at the same table with her a few days ago. In case you don't see the obvious, this is a perfect chance for you two to talk."

Ryan didn't reply anymore. I hope he seizes this opportunity and finally gets back with Diane.

Soon enough, we arrived at our table. It was a bit far from the stage. Great! But, it was near the buffet. Even better! The table was small and round. Claire and I immediately took our seats beside each other. I did my best to hide my smile as the two took the remaining seats near each other.

To make it less awkward. Claire and I made small talk. We even included the two once in a while. They would join in the conversation but would not talk directly to each other. When they talk, they talk to the whole group and no one in particular.

The small talks didn't last for the program had begun. Overall, it was almost the same as last year. But that didn't make it less exciting for me. The performances were great. The games were also a lot of fun even if none in our table participated.

Finally, the emcees announced that it was time for dinner. We waited for our table number to be called. Once we were called, we went up to our seats to get some food.

The food was good. However, Claire wasn't impressed. I can't fault her for that. After all, she's the owner of one of the most esteemed restaurants in Manila. She even made a note on her phone to reach out to the student organizations. She planned to offer them her restaurant's services.

The next significant segment of the event is the awarding ceremony. To our surprise but no complaints, Justine Claire Solistre won "Best Costume". It was the major award of the night. She was even called on stage to receive her award and gift. However, the emcees didn't let her go yet.

"So Claire? What inspired you to dress up as Medusa for Halloween? Are you a fan of Greek Mythology?" one of the emcees asked.

"Oh! Ah... I know Greek Mythology but I am not a fan. The inspiration for my costume tonight came from a former enemy of mine."

The collective gasps of both the emcees and the crowd filled the room. I found myself silently praying to God that she didn't give a shout-out to me.

"This person used to hate me so much and called me an "Evil Snake". He even saved my phone number like that."

Damn... so she saw my contacts.

"But we're friends now. For some reason, he still kept it that way," she said while raising an eyebrow and throwing a glance at my direction.

"While I was thinking of a Halloween costume, I remembered that. So, that's the story."

Even though her speech started awkwardly, the crowd still cheered for Claire. The emcees took pictures with Claire before they let her go.

After the awarding ceremony, the floor was now open. Upbeat music was playing. Thus, it made the party people jump up their feet and begin dancing.

However, not everyone joined on the dance floor. Some remained in their seats continuing their chatting. Some, like our group, stayed to continue eating. I only stood up once just to get more food.

When our group had our fill, I thought of starting a conversation. But the change of music stopped me. It was a romantic song with a slow flow. The party people began to return to their seats. They gave space for the couples making their way to the dance floor.

Moments like this got me reminiscing about the past years. Aria and I used to wait for moments like this. We slow-danced to a lot of love songs. We did it every year at parties like this. But this time, the slow love songs came but I didn't have Aria with me.

I glanced at Claire. Feeling my gaze at her, she looked back at me. She made a gesture towards the other people on the table. I turned to look at them. Diane was on her phone while Ryan was looking at something only he knew.

This moment would have been perfect for the two to dance and make up. But they are not even looking at each other! It seems like they became comfortable with the elephant in the room.

Then, it hit me. Why not make this even more awkward?

With a plan in mind, I stood up from my seat. I made sure to make it noticeable for the two. When they turned in my direction, I looked at Claire and said.

"Hey, Evil Snake! Do you want to dance with me?"

I was certain I surprised the two. But, I was not prepared for the stunned face of the person in front of me. This was the first time I saw her unguarded expression and wide eyes. However, she recovered from that faster than I'd hoped. Soon, her lips turned into a smirk.

"As long as I'm not ending up on a lab table, sure! Why not? Lead the way." she replied as she placed her hand on mine.

I lifted her by the hand. Part of me wished she didn't wear any gloves. Otherwise, I would have felt her soft hands again.

Ryan and Diane still both had their jaws dropped as they eyed us. When I made eye contact with Ryan, he gave me a pleading look. His expression seems to tell me "Don't leave me".

But instead, I made a very obvious gesture at him to talk to Diane. This made the two look at each other for a bit. But then, they looked away.

"Oh! Just go and f***ing talk to each other already!"

Claire's impatient outburst made the two even more shocked than they already were.

"We'll be right back. Have fun!" I said as I made my escape with Claire.

When we were far enough for them to hear, I began to speak.

"Were we supposed to directly tell them to get along?"

A sigh of frustration came out of Claire.

"It's fine. We didn't reveal anything anyway. We just gave them a push."

"Do you think they'll follow our lead?" I wondered.

"Just give it a few minutes." she simply said.

When we reached the dance floor, Claire and I faced each other. I put my hand on her waist while she placed hers on my shoulder. The song in the background was good for waltzing. So, I took the lead on the steps. Claire seemed to know the moves too for she expertly followed along.

"I didn't know you're good at waltzing," I commented.

"We were all required to take waltz class in our freshmen year, remember?"

"I know. But, I didn't expect you to be this good."

She looked like she wanted to say something. But her gaze caught something behind me.

"Oh God! Finally! Look!" she said with excitement as she guided my chin towards my right.

There I saw Ryan and Diane. And they are finally talking to each other!

Claire and I continued dancing but we took turns eyeing the two. Then soon, they started to stand up. By the looks of it, they were heading to the dance floor. Claire and I looked at each other. Our victory smiles are enough to convey that this mission is now accomplished.

We both continued dancing with extra spring on our steps. But the happiness in me was short-lived. I, then, began to feel the weight I had been thinking about recently.

"So I guess this is the end of our deal..." I said.

"Yes, it is." she simply said.

I began to feel my nerves rattling. This is now or never. If I don't say this now, I'll never have the chance again.

"But I think we can never go through the original plan."

With those words, I was able to grab Claire's full attention. She fixated her gaze on me with a confused expression.

"What do you mean?"

"We can't be enemies again after this."

"Of course, we can't. Those two will start fighting again. I thought we agreed that we were just going to stay away from each other." she reminded.

I can do this.

"I believe we cannot do that too."

Claire eyed me in puzzlement.

"And why not?"

I felt my heart pounding. I can almost hear its beat ringing in my ears. This is it.

"I don't want to be enemies with you anymore."

"Oh? And what do you want us to be? Strangers?"

Her confused reactions only made me smile. She's no longer guarding herself when she's with me.

"No, not strangers." I began. "You told me that Patrick isn't a true friend. You said I deserve better friends"

Claire was silent. She only held my gaze as I held hers.

"Can you be the "better friend"?"

Claire was once again stunned. But it was short-lived, for her expression changed with a smile on her face. It wasn't that evil devilish smile. It was a beautiful pleasing smile. And that alone lifted the heaviness.

"Well, unless this is some scheme to get back at me for stealing your girlfriend, I don't see why not."

I chuckled at the reminder of this irony.

"No schemes. I promise."

"Oh, really? What made you think it is a good idea to be friends with the person who stole your girlfriend?" she asked without letting that pleased smile fall.

"You're not so bad once I got to know you better. I think will be better as friends." I said.

"Well, you're not so bad yourself."

"Yeah... but seriously though, no stealing of girlfriends," I said giving her a serious face telling her I meant it.

"But what if I ask permission first?"

WHAT???

"Claire!"

"Okay, okay. But you do know that rule goes both ways, right?"

"Oh please! As if you take yours seriously."

Our little banter ended with lighthearted laughs.

"So friends?" I asked one last time to make sure.

Claire looked at me with a gleeful smile.

"Friends."

And with that, we continued to dance the night away.