The Blood's Elegance

Chapter 15

Chapter 15

IT'S A MURDER MYSTERY PARTY.

Seth and I were declared as the second to completely finish the task. Of course, we should be. After that horrifying moment of being in front of his... I would rally if we weren't. They gave us our prizes and told us to return to our places.

"I got tired just by watching those ladies," Dezmond commented.

If there was no rule about smiling, he would already be laughing with other students who enjoyed the most miserable seven minutes of my life, but if I left some painful experience to Seth with what I did earlier, then I enjoyed the game, too.

Seth guided me back to our seats, his hand on my back and slightly pushing me. I tried to make a joke. "If I put you in pain, please don't kill me

Who knows if you want to push me hard right now to kill me?"

"If I'm going to do something hard, it's not pushing, and it will not be on this place, so, miss, please shut up while I can still control myself."

I scoffed. He pulled out the chair for me.

The music while we were playing died to let Dakari speak for the next part of this event.

"As some of you may already know, our school engages in a fundraising activity. The money that will be collected tonight will be given to the foster cares and aged care homes. Naturally,  fundraising are involves asking for donations. However, we want to offer a service in exchange of your money." She stood on the center of the stage. "That's why we have Social Auction where you will rent a team composed of lads and lasses for a minimum of five dollars. Are you ready to spend your money on your crushes?"

A very energetic 'yes' can be heard.

"For our first team for tonight..."

Dakari gave details for the first two persons, a man and a woman, who walked on the aisle that serves as a runway for them. Dezmond gave descriptions for the other three. They were all good looking.

"Our bidding starts at five dollars."

"Twenty dollars!" It came from table three.

"Twenty dollars bid. Now twenty, now twenty, will you give me twenty-one?" said Dezmond like a real auctioneer.

One actually bid a raise of one dollar. The table three increased theirs by four. Table eight is messing with them by adding another one dollar, but the people from table three said fifty dollars.

A lady from table five raised her hand. "One hundred dollars!"

"A hundred and fifty dollars!"

"They got money to throw away," Seth whispered beside me.

For my friends, that's just a small amount. "Well, they are in a group, so it is a small amount if many contributed."

"A hundred and fifty! Going once, going twice. Team A is sold to table three."

The auction carried on with these students spending their money to spend time with the people they like and love for which they don't have an opportunity in reality because they seem not to exist in other's world.

"I hope someone would bid us that high, too."

"Wait, what?" I gasped as the realization dawned on me. "OMG."

"Fifth member of Team D, our Seth Asier Thompson!" My breathing stopped after hearing Dakari's words. "He was crowned as the Prom King last year. A student from Business Management. Currently single."

Dezmond put the microphone directly in front of of him. "Why are you still single?"

"Because I don't have a girlfriend?"

It earned a laugh in the most crucial time. Dezmond bade goodbye to the students who were accompanied by the officers to the Jail Booth. Swear, the largest booth in this gym would be the booth that will accomodate those lawbreakers. Now that I've think of the rule, I wonder what is inside the jail. Should I try laughing, giggling, or smirking to know what's waiting for us?

"But do you like someone?"

"Yes." His eyes looked like searching for something. "We're still working for our relationship because I don't like that we're rushing it."

"May we know her name?"

He glanced at the host. "She's the new girl in town."

Many shouted for no apparent reason because I didn't think they actually know who he is referring to. Did they know of my existence here? I bet not. Also, I wanted to bid, but I couldn't.

The bidding started. It ended with the highest bid of two hundred dollars. I heaved a sigh. I saw Seth and his team approaching table eight.

The fourth team was announced, and I sat quietly on my seat. There were other students in our table, but I didn't know most of them. I was only able to stay here because of Seth's good communication skills, and now, he's very far from me. I couldn't wait for my time.

"And the last but not the very least, let me hear some cheers from you for our Team E!" Meriya actively said. "It's one of the unique groups composed of surprising members."

She introduced the Prom Queen during the last year of their batch before becoming a freshman, the vice president of the association of Accountancy department, the Most Valuable Player of the basketball team, and the flyer in the cheerleading team.

This was why I couldn't bid him.

Why didn't he tell me? We were informed about it beforehand.

"And she must be the girl Seth was referring—the new girl in town. The last girl to complete the fifth team, Elyseah Alvarez! Remember that our bidding starts at five dollars." She clicked the service bell twice. "Five dollars bid. Now five, now five. Will you give me six?"

"Twenty dollars!"

"Fifty dollars!"

How fast it changed from that twenty dollars to fifty.

"One hundred!"

We gasped. The gap was too much.

"A hundred and fifty!"

"A hundred and seventy-five!"

"Two hundred!" We looked at the table five who said a hundred and fifty earlier.

"Two hundred and fifty!"

"Three hundred!" It's from the table five again.

"Three hundred and twenty-five!"

The auction was getting heated.

"Three hundred and fifty!" It was from table eleven. They portrayed an arrogant look on their face.

"Three hundred and fifty dollars bid. Now, three hundred fifty, now three hundred fifty. Will you give me higher than that?" Meriya was good at provoking these people.

"Four hundred!" from table fifteen.

I caught a glimpse of table five talking with each other.

"Five hundred."

In a table, there were ten chairs. Table five occupied eight chairs, and to spend money that high, each should have probably contributed sixty dollars or more.

No one dared to raise the bid.

"Five hundred dollars. Going once, going twice."

We were sold to the table five. They yelled joyfully and pulled vacant chairs from other table. As I got to be closer to their table, one face seemed familiar. I hid my squeal when I recognized Adamaris sitting with her friends.

"Hi!" she greeted which I answered with a greeting, too.

I sat on the unoccupied seat beside her and whispered, "Did you tell them to bid for us?"

She shook her head. "I wanted to, but I need not to say it after they found out that your group is a jackpot."

Indeed. I was a wallflower in this group.

"Thank you for participating in the auction. We will take a break. You can now eat."

My stomach grumbled as the smell of the viands invaded my nose. Students started going to the area of the catering table. We stood after everyone was nearly done getting their food and fed our hunger with the delicious dishes.

"I didn't Seth and you were dating," Adamaris opened up. "Is that the reason why you two were together on the Orientation activity?"

I gave her a small smile. "Actually, no. We just saw each other there. I didn't know he was a freshman like me."

If Ayuna was there, we would have not cross our paths. He would be too busy pleasing his girl. Girl, my ass. I should remind myself not to talk to Seth after this party. Dating? Like? Who is he kidding? I would smack his ass big time.

"Seth publicly admitted his feelings about you. How did you feel?"

Was she a reporter? Or a journalist, perhaps? Was it necessary to include my opinion about our blooming relationship?

I pretended to be delighted about it. "I was surprised."

I knew she's going to shot me another question, so I stuffed my mouth.

"Was that your first time?"

"Hmm?" I gulped and drank water. "What were you saying?"

"I was asking if that was your first time."

"No." I offered her a spicy sweet potato wedges. "Try this. It tastes good."

"Was that spicy?"

"Not really." I ate one and chewed it silently. "It's yummy."

She did tasted the food. She fanned her mouth, and because of the lighting, I couldn't directly tell if she was turning red. She grabbed her glass and realized it was empty. A waiter passed by, and Adamaris immediately snatched the drink from his tray. She consumed it in one sip. The color drained from the waiter's face. He turned his back against us. The beverage relieved Adamaris. We continued eating.

"You're not making it a big deal, are you?" she said, taking a quick look at me.

"What do you mean?"

"Seth's confession."

"What about that?"

She wiped her mouth with a tissue. "Seth is well-known here. He's an athlete, a good broadcaster, and a hunk. Seth, himself, is a great—"

Adamaris covered her mouth.

"Are you alright?"

She moved her head side to side. She was on the verge of puking. She raised from her seat and rushed somewhere.

"Where is she going?" her friend asked me.

"I don't know. I'm going to follow her."

Adi ran to the cubicle of the comfort room and vomited. I caressed her back. She almost threw up her intestines. Just kidding. She shrieked.

"What's wrong?"

She pointed out her puke. I held my breath. The smell of it makes me want to barf, too. "There's blood!"

I gave her a tissue. She stared at me blankly while accepting it and avoided my gaze. Her mood changed. Adamaris vomited again. There was blood. I panicked even more. I went out, and Dione, the cheerleader, was waiting outside, worried sick.

"How is she?"

"There was blood!" I exclaimed. "Adamaris... Adamaris was..."

Dione held my shoulders. "Calm down. I will find someone. Go back to your seat."

I nodded and tried to compose myself. I returned to my seat to get a wipes and a bottle of water for Adi.

"What happened to her?" King asked. The people on our table were standing, causing the attention from others. King was the MVP. "Why are you pale?"

"She was..." I was not sure whether to tell the truth. "She was feeling sick. I have to go back again."

"You're lying," Solana commented. "Relax, Seah. Tell us what happened, so we can help you."

"I-I don't know," I stuttered. My hands were trembling.

Solana touched my face. "Breathe in, breathe out."

"T-There was blood."

They looked at each other.

"Adi vomited."

We were silent for a moment. Solana asked us to not panic.

"If we panic, we will cause a ruckus." She faced me. "Go help Adi. We will find someone to help her."

Although Dione said the same thing, I still agreed. The door of the comfort room was closed. Shouts came from the inside.

"What did you eat or drink?"

"I don't know!"

Voices of Adamaris and the president.

"Adi, it was not for you!" Sumika's voice rose. "And you also know that it would be our last resort for today."

"Yuzu, get a hold of yourself." The vice president. "Dione must have the antidote by now. Let's wait for her."

"Why didn't you tell us when you knew you made a mistake?" I could sense the frustration in her voice. "You should have told us sooner."

"I thought..."

I didn't recognize the voice.

"Do you think she's alright right now? Adi could have been dead!"

Dione arrived. She was shocked to see me in the door. "What are you doing here?"

"Is she fine?"

"The last time I checked, she was still vomiting. I got the medicine. The president and vice president are inside."

"Why didn't they rush her to the hospital?"

"They can't. It will affect the school's reputation." She pushed the door. "Calm your t**s, people. Elysea is outside."

I entered the room. They nodded at me to acknowledge my presence.

"I understand that you are worried about her, but you should go back to your table, Elysea. Tell them that Adi is okay. Your group might cause panic to other students."

"Fine."

The members of table five just returned when I arrived to our place.

"How is she?"

"She was alright, just fixing herself. She might go home after. Do not go there, you might cause a ruckus."

I saw Seth coming to us. "What happened?"

"Nothing."

He held my hands. "You're cold."

"I just felt unwell. I'll be okay later."

"Are you sure?"

I nodded my head.

"You should be careful."

I know. I need to be more careful because just like what happened to Adamaris, vomiting blood like she was nearly dying, I don't know when I will be dead.

It's a mysterious party.

What did Adamaris eat or drink?

When did she eat or drink it?

Was it by intended or not? If it was, who did it?

Why did he or she do it?

How did he or she managed to do it?

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