The view of downtown was beautiful. The Christmas decorations adorning the streetlights and the various businesses had gone all out with their storefronts reflecting the festive holiday. Serenah was impressed by the humans more and more. Back home, they had festivals, but none that felt as happy as the ones humans celebrated.
Maybe it wasn't the location but the people. Here in the United States, there was no king, no nobility at least not like her old world. There were the rich, the poor, and those in the middle. They had merchants, doctors, and teachers. So many amazing differences that she'd love to implement back home. Under her father's rule, many were oppressed.
That was why Autem punished them. She was sure of it. If her twin took the throne, only more suffering would ensue. The thought turned her stomach. She shook her head. She should focus on the here and now. The other problems would keep for another day.
Butterflies fluttered in her stomach the closer they got to the venue. The Winter Ball was held at an event center named the Shirley Lipps Center of the Imagination. The center was created by a former Coeburn High School alumnus bestselling author, in honor of her middle school reading teacher, who inspired her love of reading and writing skills.
Serenah thought the gesture was sweet. She was jealous of that alumnus. She didn't have anyone like that in her own life. Stop with the depressive thoughts, Serenah. You're going to the Winter Ball, she chided herself.
"You okay back there?"
Penelope's worried voice broke Serenah's introspection. "Yes, I'm fine. Being quiet because I'm thinking."
"About what?" Liz chimed in, turning in the front seat to look back at her.
"Lots of things," Serenah mumbled evasively.
"Like?" prompted Penelope.
"Sera," Liz's warning tone made Serenah flinch.
"I'm worried about my twin and her posse. I don't want a repeat of Homecoming."
"It won't be," replied Penelope, her tone fierce.
Serenah smiled. When her friends said it like that, it gave her courage. "Thank you. Both of you."
"Any time," Liz told her.
Serenah felt a calmness wash over her. She was among friends. Tonight would be amazing. She needed to think of that and nothing else. Soon they arrived, and she couldn't stop her jaw from dropping. The building was dripping in Christmas lights. In the front lawn sat an inflatable snowman, Santa Claus, his sleigh, and his reindeer. She grinned at the sight. It truly was festive.
She craned her neck about, trying to find Romeo's car. She was disappointed when she didn't see it.
"Guess he's not here yet," she muttered.
Penelope parked the vehicle, and they got out. The slight chill in the air produced instant chill bumps on Serenah's arms. She didn't mind. She was enjoying this new sensation. Back home, her country had a climate similar to Florida's. Cold and chilly days were rare. She liked this change of environment.
"We bought extra shawls if you get too cold," Liz informed her.
"Thanks." Serenah took a deep breath and followed her friends inside.
They were greeted at the door by some of their underclassmen dressed as Santa's helpers. She smiled and greeted them. The two guys returned her greetings and smiled back before ushering them into the ballroom.
The ballroom was as impressive as the outside. The soft lights gave the room a mysterious, romantic vibe. Faintly, Serenah could sense the magic of this dimension. Earth's inhabitants didn't possess much magic, but it was there if you looked hard enough. Especially when any use of creativity was in play. At those times, the area would be filled with Earth magic. Like now. Whoever had decorated and put everything together had left their mark.
She took the time to savor the flow of magic. She shook herself at the touch of Liz's hand on her arm.
"You alright?"
"Yeah, just basking in the vibe."
"It's pretty cool, isn't it? I heard that the Social Club's president produced this year's designs. She got several clubs, including the art club and science club, involved with it."
"Science club? Why them? Kind of an odd choice."
Penelope tapped her shoulder and pointed at the stage where the DJ stood. To the left of him was a table with what looked like a mini erupting volcano. The lava was lit and changing colors as it erupted.
"Oh wow!" Serenah was impressed with the display. She looked around and saw the sculptures and art pieces tastefully placed around the room. "Truly amazing."
Liz and Penelope agreed.
"Let's go to our table. The guys should be here soon."
Serenah saw that Alastar was already seated at their assigned table. She sat and waited as Liz and Penelope grabbed food and brought it to the table. She fidgeted with her clothes and watched other attendees begin flowing in. Her phone vibrated, and she looked down. It was a text from Romeo. She read it and grinned.
"He's here," she breathed, a giddy excitement filling her. She stood, her eyes going to the doors.
She felt him before she saw him. Her mark warmed, and she felt his emotions. He was excited and happy. It made her emotions rise to match his. She came around the table just as the doors opened. Romeo, followed by George, Danny, Karl, Griff, and Drake, entered. They were dressed to the nines; their combined aura changed the vibe in the room as many of the girls' gazes swung to the group. Serenah saw some of the other guys' irritated faces at the intense interest of their dates in Romeo and his friends. She knew those looks well. Jealousy was an ugly thing. Hopefully, everyone would behave.
"Sera!"
She pulled her attention to the grinning Romeo as he hurried to her. He hugged her, startling her. He was being very obvious today. Usually, his public displays of affection were covert. She wasn't sure what made tonight different, but she wasn't averse to it.
"Romeo," she whispered shyly, her eyes dropping to the floor.
She twitched when he used his fingers to raise her head.
"Hey, my face is here," he joked.
Heat flooded her cheeks. "Sorry," she mumbled.
He kissed her forehead. The touch of it scorching her nerves. She was hyperaware of him. Would she last at this rate? She blamed her fated mark. It was amplifying everything.
"Shall we dance?"
Romeo's warm breath teased her ear as he whispered the words to her. She realized with a start that the DJ had begun playing music.
"Sure," she replied, slipping her hand in his as he led her to the center of the dance floor. Her heart was racing. She would enjoy tonight. She wasn't going to let anything ruin it.