Chapter 56: Enamored
Having distributed the synthetic roses and little pouches of flower petals as was tradition for the parade, Mrs. Delacroix walked over to the center of the field where the Hoco Placard was and then announced through the mic, her voice booming across the stadium;
"Chosen paraders, you have five minutes to kindly head down to the tracks for the commencement of the Parade. Thank you."
Promptly, the students in question began searching for their respective partners, clearly not wanting to miss the little time window.
Given the entirety of the parade--including the announcement of Homecoming King and Queen-- usually lasted for just a little under or over ten minutes, it was even more important that they hauled their assess over quick.
In any case,
"Good sire," Clarissa cuffed her arms around Aiden’s as she met up with him, her smile playful and her expression ecstatic.
"My lady," the youth followed up, his tone relaxed in contrast as they unhurriedly made their way down the rest of the steps together.
Much like them, the other students whom had signed up for the limited fifteen slots, and had been chosen days prior to today, were also making their way down to meet with the coordinators on the tracks.
Soon enough, they were all arranged in their order of arrival and the parade began.
Slowly, all fifteen participants fell into a well-paced walk, a distance of five or so meters constantly being maintained between themselves and the duo ahead of them.
Kevin and Lizzie were at the forefront of the procession, both individuals waving at the audience of students in the stands with beaming smiles.
With the sort of cheers and whistles that was being reciprocated, one might have assumed it was solely for them. However, most students simply happened to be cheering for everyone in general.
It was also why multiple roses kept flying onto the tracks and to no one in particular, various colored petals following in suite like raining confetti.
Casper and Daisy were placed in the middle, the duo chuckling amidst themselves as they maintained the proper pacing, all while occasionally waving at the crowd from time to time.
At the rear end, was Aiden and Clarissa, the queen bee owning up to her title with a stunning smile, a gently waving hand, and the occasional wink and kiss blowing gestures to her girls.
Aiden on the other hand, remained reserved through it all, his smile much the same as he escorted the lady down the track.
Other participants were equally reacting to the cheers, whistles and the likes from the crowd in their own ways.
That said, Aiden was rather surprised when Clarissa stopped her gestures halfway through the procession and said;
"Maybe I’m wrong, but I can only assume that you’re not much for the whole social and convivial vibrance,"
Angling his head down to look at her, her hazel irises seemingly studying the track ahead, the queen bee continued;
"So, you doing this for me despite it... it means a lot. More than you know."
No sooner had she said that, she glanced down at the tracks, an understanding, both nonetheless grateful smile touching her rosy-pink lips.
Seemingly realizing that she may have felt like she was the only one whom was ecstatic about the parade, Aiden raised his gaze from her and looked forward.
Aiden had to admit, Clarissa’s emotional quotient was high.
In fact, it was probably because it was that high, was why she’d been the reigning queen bee with barely any drama typical to the initial stereotype one may have labelled her with.
It was also why, although there was some metric of truth to her words, there was something Aiden needed to clarify;
"I like to think that as long as something makes a person happy, they really shouldn’t shy away from expressing it,"
"And I’d like to think that as a real friend, whatever makes your loved ones truly happy, would most definitely make you happy," Aiden continued speaking, his words prompting the lady to look up at him in genuine surprise, her pupils dilating.
"So, you really don’t need to assume I’m not enjoying this, Clarissa," the coal-haired youth looked at her once more.
"Because even if I’m not--which I in fact am, by the way," Aiden tilted his head over slightly, a genuine smile tracing his lips.
"I enjoy watching my friends being happy." he concluded, casually flicking aside a petal that had landed on her nose.
"So, look alive, Fairest Queen," he flicked his eyes over to the cheering crowd of students in the stands.
"Silverlake High’s expecting so much more from its reigning socialite." he flashed her a charming grin and then returned his gaze forward.
Clarissa on the other hand, still seemed to be in a bit of a daze from his words... only for her internal system to discombobulate;
’Holy mother of all things that’s hot...! Fuck!’
’That’s not fair! It’s just not fucking fair that you get to do that, Aiden!’
’Fuck! How am I supposed to get over you if you go around saying things like that?!’
’Wait, is this how it feels to be down bad?! Dammit! Damn you Lizzie for stringing this man along for so long!’
Despite all that internal monologue though, the only notable reaction on Clarissa’s face was the rosiest flush of red painting her cheeks, the lady lowering her head quickly in an effort to hide it.
After gathering her wits a few seconds later, her expression slowly reassuming its resting vivacity and vibrance, she leaned over and asked, her tone serious;
"You think you could reconsider your previous verdict on a romantic relationship?"
Clearly not expecting such an out of the blue question, Aiden turned to face her, his expression reflecting his surprise as he replied;
"How’d we even go from--"
"No." he immediately answered, his tone resolute.
"Not even a little bit?" Clarissa pushed, her hazel irises dead serious.
"Yep." Aiden replied much the same.
"Then don’t go around saying things like that!" she started poking him, much to Aiden’s genuine confusion;
"Hey--"
"What are you doin--" he tried to stop her.
"Stop... stop it--" he began laughing, much to Clarissa’s surprise as her pupils dilated.
’Don’t tell me he’s ticklis--’
The thoughts hadn’t even formed completely before her hazel irises glimmered with mischief and she went on the full offensive, an amused grin slowly spreading across her lips.
And though Aiden tried to get her to stop it, especially since they’d started lagging behind in the parade and his mirthful laughter was starting to draw attention, Clarissa only seemed to be getting more and more into it.
At this point, the attention of the entire school had shifted to them, genuine curiosity, surprise, and bemusement plastered all over several faces ranging from students, to teachers, to staffs and even non-staffs.
A lot of the teens had even began taking videos and snapping the duo, unsure of what to make of it.
Wasn’t it supposed to be a friendly date between these two? Then, what in tarnation was going on here exactly?!
Even Aiden’s buddies looked to themselves, clearly stunned, as did Casper and Daisy whose pupils were dilating in real time.
As for those involved in the actual parade itself, they had long reached the middle of the field and were already filing and lining up side by side before the Hoco Placard, clearly waiting on their arrival.
At this point, Lizzie wasn’t even sure if she wanted to take Aiden’s word for it and believe that there wasn’t something more going on between he and the queen bee.
Yet, to say Clarissa was completely enamored by what she was doing was an understatement.
Quite literally, she was so far lost in her own world, her eyes were twinkling in genuine delight as she continuously attacked him...
...well, that was until the youth decided he’d had enough.
"Oh...! Wow!" Clarissa remarked in a stunned gasp as Aiden ’effortlessly’ swept her off her feet in a princess carry, her arms subconsciously wrapping around his neck.
Instantly, he broke into a jog, his legs carrying both him and her towards the center of the field.
Given they’d been so far behind, it was the only logical thing to do lest they’d continue to draw more attention to themselves and delay the entire proceeding.
A minute later, he’d arrived at the center of the field same as everyone else. Slowly, he lowered Clarissa to the ground, the lady having finally realized the gravity of what she’d done.
Yet, instead of feeling bad about it, she actually started chuckling, one that did a good job of also infecting Aiden himself as he simply lowered his head, his shoulders visibly shaking.
As everyone watched them, still clearly stunned by what they had just witnessed, Mrs. Delacroix’s voice cascaded through the speakers, grabbing everyone’s attention as she remarked amusedly;
"Well, that was certainly... interesting..."
Yet, without lingering a second more, she immediately returned to the highlight of the night;
"Now, ladies and gentlemen, it’s time to announce Silverlake’s High 37th Homecoming King and Queen!"