Chapter 4 - Pretty Little Lies
668 Words
Saturday evening at Ravenwood Academy felt almost magical.
Golden lights wrapped around the academy gardens while workers rushed across campus preparing decorations for Masquerade Night. Music echoed softly from the ballroom as prom rehearsals continued inside.
Everything looked perfect.
But lately, perfection at Ravenwood felt fragile.
Seraphina walked beside Celestine toward the theater building while students crowded around them talking excitedly about dresses, dates, and prom predictions.
"I swear if Adrian steps on my dress during rehearsal, I'm ending our friendship," Celestine complained.
"You threaten to end friendships every five minutes."
"Because people annoy me every five minutes."
Seraphina laughed softly, making Celestine grin proudly.
"There it is," Celestine said dramatically. "I finally made you laugh."
Inside the ballroom, students gathered near the stage while Professor Cortez organized rehearsal pairs.
"Positions everyone," she called out sharply.
Adrian immediately walked toward Celestine.
"You still mad at me?" Adrian ask
"I haven't decided yet." Celestina said
"That means yes."
Meanwhile, Damien stood near the back of the ballroom watching Rafael argue quietly on the phone near the exit doors.
Rafael looked tense.
Angry.
The second he noticed Damien watching him, he ended the call immediately.
"Who was that?" Damien asked once Rafael returned.
"My dad."
"You look like you wanted to throw your phone across the room."
"Trust me, I did."
Before Damien could ask more questions, the music started.
Students slowly moved into position across the ballroom floor while teachers watched from nearby tables.
Seraphina stood beside Damien as rehearsal began.
"You nervous for prom?" Damien asked quietly.
"A little."
"You don't seem nervous."
Seraphina smiled slightly. "I'm better at hiding it."
Damien laughed softly.
Across the ballroom, Adrian accidentally stepped on Celestine's dress during a turn.
"Oh my God!"
"I said sorry!"
"You literally almost killed me."
"You're being dramatic."
"You're lucky I'm pretty."
The entire ballroom laughed as Celestine continued complaining loudly.
For a moment, everything felt normal again.
Then suddenly-
The music stopped.
Professor Cortez frowned toward the sound system near the stage.
"What happened?"
A worker hurried toward the speakers checking wires nervously.
"The power glitched for a second, ma'am."
The ballroom lights flickered once.
Then twice.
Students exchanged uneasy looks.
Celestine crossed her arms immediately.
"Nope. Absolutely not. That's horror movie behavior."
"You watch too many movies," Adrian said.
"And people in those movies always die."
Damien glanced toward Rafael, expecting him to joke back.
But Rafael looked genuinely uncomfortable now.
His eyes kept moving toward the ballroom entrance like he was expecting someone to walk in.
Or watching for someone already there.
Buzz.
Rafael quickly checked his phone.
His expression changed instantly.
"What?" Damien asked.
"Nothing."
"You keep saying that."
Rafael locked his phone quickly and shoved it into his pocket.
Before Damien could continue questioning him, Principal Villareal stepped onto the stage smiling proudly.
"Good news everyone," he announced. "A professional photographer from Valencia Daily will cover Masquerade Night this year."
Excited whispers spread instantly across the ballroom.
Celestine gasped dramatically.
"Oh my God, I'm becoming famous."
"You already think you are," Adrian replied.
"Because I am."
Laughter spread again, easing the tension slightly.
But Damien noticed Rafael slipping quietly toward the ballroom exit.
"Where are you going?" Damien asked.
"Bathroom."
"You've been gone like six times already."
Rafael forced a laugh. "Maybe I have health issues."
Then he disappeared outside.
Damien frowned slightly while watching the doors close behind him.
Something about Rafael's behavior felt wrong.
Not dangerous.
Just secretive.
As rehearsal finally ended, students slowly began leaving the ballroom while rain started pouring heavily outside again.
Seraphina stood near the large glass windows watching droplets slide down the glass.
"You okay?" Damien asked softly while walking beside her.
She nodded.
"Just tired."
Damien smiled slightly. "This whole week's been weird."
"A little."
"You think the messages will stop?"
Seraphina looked toward the rain outside before answering quietly.
"Probably not."
For some reason, the way she said it made Damien uneasy.
Not because it sounded suspicious.
But because it sounded certain.
- Writer
