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“We can all agree to get along for one meal,” Ana decided and gave Dylan a look that dared him to disagree.
“Fine,” he huffed, like a small child being told they had to share. “Jasper and I are partnered up in Household Maintenance. We learned how to fix a leaky faucet and rewire a lamp together. We should probably start getting along now. I think we’re going to have a really close relationship,” he said, with a cheeky grin and wink in Jasper’s direction. I noticed how Edward moved closer to Jasper until their shoulders were touching.
“We will not be developing any close relationship. We’ll work together and pass the class and hopefully never have to interact again,” Jasper told him seriously.
“Don’t be that way, Jasper. I think we work well together. We could even be friends,” Dylan replied. It was clear he had been trying to get a reaction from the Borealis servants, mainly Justin, with how he kept glancing at the other twin.
Our food arrived as Dylan and Justin began to bicker. The long-haired twin and Dylan were similar in their brashness, and I suspected they'd likely get along well if they weren’t from opposing Houses.
Jasper steered the conversation to the summer ball, and I learned I would attend dance lessons with the other servants.
“Have you ever been to a ball before?” Ana asked me.
“No, but we have parties back home. We build bonfires on the beach, play music, bring food, and dance. It’s the best part of summer,” I told her.
“The summer ball is a formal event. There is a meal followed by dancing. I’ve never been, but everyone I know who has, says it’s the best event of the year. We wear our best dresses and do our hair and makeup. Everyone looks their best, like movie stars. There is even a professional photographer so you can get a photograph to remember the night,” Ana explained excitedly.
“It’s fancy?” I asked, feeling apprehensive. Formal meals were anxiety-inducing enough on their own; now there was formal dancing too. What even was formal dancing?
“Don’t look so panicked,” Ana giggled. “You’ll be well prepared. It’s why we have dance lessons before. Not everyone knows how to dance when they first arrive here. Well, not all the servants. The nobles, I’m sure, have been learning to waltz since they could walk.”
“Waltz?”
“It’s a type of dance. You’ll learn it next week. The ball is only a couple of weeks away,” Ana explained.
“Oh, what’s the theme this year?” Edward asked, and I turned to him curiously, he didn’t strike me as the type to like parties, but the way he looked at Jasper made me think he was more invested for his sake.
“Summer stars,” Dylan answered.
“Are you going to the ball this year?” Harris asked him, looking at Dylan like he was surprised he knew the answer to Edward's question.
“Yes, if my invitation is accepted,” Dylan told him.
“Who have you invited?” Ana asked, leaning forward in her chair. Dylan’s cheeks reddened.
“It’s none of your business. If she says yes, then you’ll know,” he said and stuffed a handful of fries into his mouth.
“Come on, tell us who the unlucky girl is,” Justin teased.
“No one is as unlucky as whoever ends up dancing with your greasy hair,” Dylan replied. Justin laughed in response and ran his hand through his long hair, reached across the table and attempted to wipe imaginary grease onto Dylan’s face.
“Ewww! Not while I’m eating,” Dylan said, leaning so far back in his chair that he almost toppled over. It was Harris that grabbed hold of him, preventing his fall.
“Do we need to be invited?” I asked.
“You don’t have to,” Jasper started. “It’s a kind of tradition though, if you really like someone. You go to any school administration office, pay a small fee, and they deliver your invitation. It can be a bit obnoxious. Last year the invitation was gold and silver and came with a big red balloon in the shape of a heart,” he explained, sounding mocking, but by the way he sighed it was obvious Jasper thought it quite romantic.
“You’ve already sent an invitation?” Edward asked, looking at Dylan.
“Yeah, they started accepting them yesterday. I stopped off to send my invitation after class. That’s why I was late,” Dylan answered him.
“What are the invitations this year?” Edward continued to quiz him.
“I don’t know.” Dylan shrugged.
“You didn’t bother to ask when you placed your order?” Ana asked him. “So much for romance. Don’t you even care?”
“Hey, I was more concerned with ensuring they knew not to deliver the invitation and make a big scene about it.”
