Arriving at the venue, Geoffrey excused himself to handle the registration. When he came back, he already had the dance cards with him and handed Serena hers.

"Shall we start plotting our dance cards now?" Geoffrey asked.

Serena looked through the programme and saw that there were 16 dances excluding the opening dance at the beginning of the ball and another after the intermission. Mindful of Geoffrey becoming suspicious of her relationship with Charlton, she decided to let Geoffrey have control of her dance card.

"Better yet, just like before, you can handle my card for me." She replied as she handed her card back to him.

Geoffrey smiled as he nodded his head and received her card. "Okay."

--

Geoffrey and Serena were announced and together, they entered the hall. There were not a lot of people inside yet as all the senior students would enter later after everyone else has been announced.

Going inside, Serena first noticed that although they were using the same venue, the décor always made it seem like they were in a different place entirely.

The hall was a visual feast with the colour palette fusion of warm golds and cool tones of white and blues. The glass dome which makes for the ceiling has been covered with drapes while on the center, making a focal point, were clusters of reflective mirror balls suspended just above the dance floor.

After appreciating the effort made on the decorations, she tried to see if she can spot Charlton. As usual, it did not take long for their eyes to meet. As he was standing with Kylo and Leonard, their eyes did not linger but that one look was enough.

Tonight, they knew that they must act as if there was nothing between them.

Geoffrey led Serena to join Via. Like the usual, the ladies and the gents were staying on opposite ends of the hall before the ball commences. Before he left, he told her that he will hand her dance card back before the seniors begin their opening dance.

--

As usual, Geoffrey plotted 3 dances with his name. He smiled as he wrote his name on the blank for both the waltz. The first one which was after the opening dance was 'Tempo di Valse' an excerpt from swan lake. He smiled recalling the last time they worked together for the 2nd evaluation in music class. Though it was a different excerpt.

The second was the last dance for the night which was 'Kunstlerleben' or 'Artist's life', op 316 by Johann Strauss Jr. Then, the third one was the two-step before the intermission.

Anyway, satisfied with that, he went to join his friends while carrying Serena's dance card. They all smiled at each other in greeting.

"You two don't have a partner for tonight?" Geoffrey asked seeing Charlton and Leonard empty handed.

"Too troublesome." Leonard replied.

Charlton just shook his head.

"I do understand with Leonard's personality. However, you Charlton, I haven't seen you escort anyone in all the balls this year." Geoffrey commented.

"Well, that's what fame can do you know? Charlie here has tons of girls lining up and picking one would make everyone else jealous. So, he rather go solo!" Kylo replied for him.

"Couldn't have said it better." Charlton seconded as if that were really the case, well, it was partially true though. The girls lining up part.

Geoffrey just shook his head, there was indeed some truth to that, so he didn't know what to say in response. Recalling Serena's card, he first turned to Leonard.

"Leonard, do you mind plotting your name in Serena's card?"

Leonard took Serena's card and listed his name for the quadrille and the lancers, then he handed it back to Geoffrey.

Seeing that there were still 11 dances left, he knew he still needed to let her dance with others. Although there was still some jealousy which he realized were unfounded, he still asked Charlton next.

"How about you Charlton?"

Charlton was careful to school his expression. Inside, his heart was thundering, nervous that Geoffrey and Leonard might notice, but still, it was overpowered by his excitement and elation. Anyway, on the outside, he was successful to give the opposite reaction.

"Alright." He said as he gave a wry smile as he took Serena's card. Looking at the list, he knew he can only have one dance with her. Well, if he can't have a Waltz, the polka was a good second.

It is fun to dance because of the Irish jig and is almost as intimate as the waltz.

After handing it back, Geoffrey turned to Kylo. Kylo took the card and just plotted his name on another quadrille.

Kylo also asked Geoffrey to plot his name on Via's card. To which, he also wrote his name for a quadrille.

After, Geoffrey approached Alex, Rainier, and Wilfred (his classmates/ teammates). He reluctantly asked them to plot their names on Serena's card for one dance. To which, of course the three enthusiastically agreed. All the guys wanted to approach and ask Serena for a dance, but who would even dare?

Seeing that 10 dances has been filled, Geoffrey thought that it was okay to give the card back to Serena now. Also, almost all the seniors have already been announced, so the ball will be commencing shortly.

--

"Ugh, I'm so gonna kill that Kylo. He said that that Joshua is a real gentleman, but really. I can't believe that I agreed to let him escort me." Gizel complained as she and the girls grouped together.

"Why? What did he do?" Milly asked.

"Well, all was well until I saw him eye all the girls we pass by. I totally see now that he's a rake." Gizel complained.

Via sighed. "Gizel, remember, you were the one who asked Kylo to make Joshua your escort. He did warn you, correct?"

"But, well, Joshua was just so cool. He's hot and he plays polo. Anyway, lesson learned."

"Told you should've accepted the guy from Class 4's, what's his name again? Oh right, Benjamin, invitation. And he was kinda cute. Thankfully, my escort is much more of a gentleman." Milly said.

"Ugh. Don't rub salt to the wound. Anyway, Serena, you've been quiet all evening." Gizel commented.

Serena shook her head as she gave them a smile. What? It's not like she can admit that she's been sneaking glances at Charlton when she thinks that no one's looking. Like come on. He was such a hottie. And obviously, by the way she observed lots of the girls in the room taking peeks at him, she's not the only one who thinks so.

Trying hard not to be obvious, Serena decided to focus on talking with her friends as they discussed their plans for the signing event tomorrow. Serena's parents have decided to host Gizel's parents from their arrival. So once the event is over, her friends will also stay with her in her Ducal mansion in the capital. Subsequently, they also excitedly talked about their plans for the summer vacation. Their trip will be happening in less than a week's time.

Anyway, after a while, Geoffrey politely announced his presence.

--

TBC