The next day, after school, just as Dashley and Celine had planned, they met at the school library before heading out to shop for their dresses for the weekend party. Like the other times, Dashley arrived first, settling at a table with a book in hand to pass the time while she waited.
It took some time before Celine strolled in, slightly out of breath. After a quick chat, the girls left the library together—unaware that Molly had been watching them from afar, her eyes filled with silent scrutiny.
At first, Dashley assumed dress shopping would be simple, but it quickly became a test of patience. Celine turned out to be the definition of indecisive, rejecting dress after dress with exaggerated critiques:
"This one is too fancy. I need something more elegant."
"This is too simple. It doesn't look formal at all."
"This is nice, but do you have it in royal blue?"
"Royal blue doesn't match the style of the dress."
Dashley, who had picked her own dress within the first twenty minutes, was growing increasingly tired of Celine's endless deliberation. Finally, she snapped:
"THE NEXT DRESS YOU'RE PICKING OUT SHOULD BE THE LAST DRESS, CELINE, OR SO HELP ME GOD!"
Celine pouted. "Come on, you've already picked yours. Let me pick mine!"
"Which is supposed to take ages?"
"I have to carefully select it, okay? Who knows if my future husband will be at the ball?"
Dashley blinked. "Are you serious right now? Husband? How old are you—thirty?"
"You have to plan for the future. Besides, you wouldn't understand. It's not like you have any experience with love," Celine teased with a smirk.
"Yeah, thanks for reminding me," Dashley replied dryly, sarcasm dripping from her tone.
Eventually, after what felt like hours, Celine found the dress: a midnight blue flowing gown with a high slit on the left, lace sleeves that reached her wrists, floral embroidery around the upper torso, and a backless design. It was the very definition of fancy.
"So much for 'not too fancy,'" Dashley muttered as they approached the counter to pay.
"It's the perfect kind of fancy," Celine defended proudly.
Dashley's own choice was more understated—a black knee-length gown with a high turtle neck, full sleeves, and a sleek, flowing silhouette. Celine had claimed it was too plain, but Dashley thought it was simple elegance.
Afterward, Celine dropped Dashley off at home. As Dashley approached her house, she paused when she spotted Axel leaning against his car. He grinned when he saw her.
"What are you doing here?" she asked.
"Someone forgot we were supposed to meet for our study," Axel said.
"Oh my God, I'm sorry—I completely forgot to tell you I wouldn't make it."
"Seems like you were out with Celine," he added, noticing the shopping bag in her hand.
"Yeah, we went to get her dress for the party."
"Hmm. Do you mind if I come in? Maybe grab a cup of coffee?"
"Sure," Dashley replied. As she turned toward the house, another car door shut. She turned back and saw Kellan stepping out from the other side of the vehicle.
"What's he doing here?" she asked, confused.
"I'm hurt that you don't want me here," Kellan said, clutching his chest dramatically.
Dashley frowned. "Well, Axel and I were paired for the presentation, so I understand his being here. But you?"
"What if I just wanted to see your face?"
Speechless, Dashley stared at him.
"Are you going to offer me coffee too?"
Rolling her eyes, she marched toward her house. The two boys followed behind. Williams wasn't back from work yet, so she directed them to sit in the living room. She dropped her dress off in her room, then went to the kitchen to make coffee for all three of them. After the stress Celine had put her through, she definitely needed a cup herself.
She handed out the drinks, two cups at a time.
"Thanks," both guys said in unison.
"You're welcome."
For a while, they sipped in silence before Axel broke the quiet.
"So you and Celine are going to that party?"
"Yeah. Apparently, her parents are throwing it to celebrate some big deal. She insisted I come."
"You usually hate these kinds of things."
"It sounds more formal than some teenage make-shift club, so why not?"
"Well, Kellan and I are going too. Her parents invited us."
"Really? That's good. At least I'll see some familiar faces."
Kellan stayed mostly quiet during the conversation, sipping his coffee and observing. He had planned to pull Axel aside and ask for a moment alone with Dashley so he could ask her to the party himself. He'd even rehearsed it in his head—but the moment never came.
As Axel and Dashley kept talking and laughing, he felt himself growing more agitated.
Eventually, they wrapped up their coffee. Dashley promised to meet Axel at the library the next day. Just as they were about to leave, Kellan asked to use the bathroom, leaving Axel and Dashley alone.
There was an awkward silence before Axel finally spoke.
"So… I was hoping that since you're going to the party too, maybe you'd like to go as my date?"
Dashley blinked, then smiled. "Sure. That'd be nice."
Axel's ears turned a little pink as he looked away quickly, smiling despite himself. Dashley found the reaction cute, but didn't comment on it.
Kellan, returning to the hallway, overheard the exchange. The words hit him like a punch to the chest. He was going to ask her first. He didn't even enter the living room. Instead, he grabbed his phone and jacket and walked straight out of the house.
Dashley frowned. "Do you know what's wrong with him?"
Axel shook his head. "No idea. I'm just as confused as you are."
Moments later, they followed him outside. Dashley waved goodbye as the boys got into the car. She stood on the porch until their taillights disappeared, then went back inside to start on dinner.
In the car, Axel finally asked, "Are you okay, man? What was that back there?"
Kellan didn't reply. He just stared out the window, jaw tight. Something heavy simmered behind his silence.
Whatever it was, Axel knew better than to push—at least for now.