(f/n) is usually always on time.

Today is my older sister's eighteenth birthday, and it's a super formal event with fancy clothes, fancy people, fancy decor, a lot of fancy stuff in general.

And unfortunately, my best friend (f/n) is late.

She never was. She always came early no matter what event it was. Even if I told her to meet me in an abandoned mansion in five minutes she would've been there in three.

But here she was, twenty minutes late. I checked my phone and she's online. I thought about texting her but immediately shook it off.

She's gonna come. I thought. Please, please, please come. I don't wanna be alone in an event with a bunch of people I never even knew I was related to.

I was standing beside the entrance of the party, my eyes trained to wait for someone to come by. It's been 45 minutes till an invited person new entered the party. Right now people are just doing whatever, drinking their martinis, talking, eating caviar, and playing poker. Boring.

I sighed and looked at the door once more. My eyes lit up and I broke into a smile. Someone's here! Finally!

I tried craning my neck to see who my mother invited, but they soon vanished. I narrowed my eyes, trying to envision the glimpse I saw before I felt a light pat on the crown of my head. I instantly turned around and, what a surprise, Ray was here.

"Well, you look happy to see me," he said teasingly. I suddenly recalled my expression of excitement when I saw someone walk through the entrance, and wanted to punch myself in the face for that.

"What are you doing here?" I asked him before looking back at the door. Wow, when that one person you don't necessarily despise but still would ditch them if a zombie apocalypse happened is earlier than your best friend. Says a lot about myself.

He shrugged before covering his face dramatically. "Oh, I wonder. Your mom kinda invited me last minute because she said you needed an escort. So of course, I accepted."

"Sorry?" I said. Please tell me I misheard. Or tell me I failed my science test, just anything but what I think I heard.

"You heard me correctly the first time. You needed an escort for your sister's party, so I said sure I'll be your date. No one told you?"

I shook my head. Is this some kind of joke? A nightmare? Because my best friend is still not here, which never happened, I was a wallflower till I saw someone, but instead, Ray's here for some reason. And now he's my date?! I never even needed a date in all my years of living! Why would I need one now?!

"Look, I even bought matching corsages, see?" He showed a lavender rose that was tucked in his front pocket before offering to put one on my wrist.

"Stop, I can put it on myself," I said. I then snatched the flower and tried attaching it to my wrist. But, just my luck, my hand couldn't bear with me and I failed to try to put it on.

"Here let me help," Ray offered. I tried thinking of all the worst scenarios that could happen if I allowed him to attach the corsage.

Surprisingly my brain couldn't think of any. "Alright fine. But no funny business or I'll kick you out and find a new date or something!"

"Relax. I'm not gonna do anything weird. Just stay still and I'll try to not prick you with the thorns. Don't want you to fall asleep in my arms for a hundred years!" he said. I blinked.

He started carefully slipping the corsage on my wrist. I started ranting. "Okay, first of all, it was a spinning wheel. Not a rose. Second, I'm not even gonna miraculously start sleeping "in your arms!" I said with finger quotations.

He ignored me and answered, "There we go." He gently patted the rosebud before looking at me. "What was you were saying?"

"Nevermind. Anyways, what do we do now? Since you're my escort and all that," I said. I inspected the flowers on my wrist. Hm, it's pretty.

"We could, I don't know, talk?" he said.

"Yeah, no," I said quickly before rubbing my fingers together.

Now that he's standing straight, I can finally criticize his outfit. He was wearing a black suit and a forest green tie with black dress shoes. He wore a gray waistcoat with a white dress shirt. His hair was how his hair always is. His raven-black bangs covering his left eye.

I myself was wearing a blue dress with black lace and silver jewelry. My hair was up in a twist while I had my belongings in a matching shoulder clutch. Once I looked back at him he wasn't facing me but at the adults doing random activities while the two only teenagers are just standing against a wall doing nothing in contrast.

Ray's eyes proceeded to trail down onto my right hand, the one with the corsage. He took it and started tracing the tips of the petals. I felt my grip tighten on his hand and I tried to look away as he smiled to himself.

"I got a nice rose, didn't I?" he murmured to himself. "It suits you."

"It does?" I replied. Ray confuses me sometimes. One minute he's the most intolerable person in the world, the next he's likable.

I looked back at the entrance door. Seriously where is (f/n)?!

"I searched up lavender roses before I arrived here. Apparently, they symbolize enchantment and love at first sight," he said under his breath before looking back at the party. "Isn't that nice?"

I looked at him in disbelief. What? Again, the most confusing person on the planet. Still don't know what's going on with him. Whether he's testing me or doing some sort of mind game, I don't know.

"But then again, you probably didn't know the meaning of them, either," he said, sighing. Oh, it was some sort of joke, I see. I really don't see it at all.

I shook my head and raise my shoulders in response. All is fair in love and war, they say.

A few minutes passed with the two of us in silence. We resorted to looking at our phones. Some date he is.

"I'm bored," I said after ten minutes of absolute awkward quietness. I probably would've enjoyed it at school, but at a social event, it's just not something that I would vibe with.

"Then do something," he replied back. He was scrolling through his phone. I discreetly peeked over his shoulder. Ray was on Instagram, looking through his feed. He likes food posts, apparently. It's the only thing he's liking.

"I know you're right next to me," he said without even looking at me. I immediately backed away out of embarrassment. He put his phone in his pocket while I refused to acknowledge his existence.

"W-Whatever. You have mistaken anyway," I stammered. I quickly hid my face in my hands because I again felt my cheeks flush.

"Are you that lonely? Touch starved?" he teased. Everything he said felt like a sword getting stabbed through my chest. "Hm, it's alright. Everyone wants me nowadays. Even you."

My eyes widened. "Where'd you get that from?! The sky?! What kind of reasoning is that?!" I said defensively. He, of course, didn't respond or say anything.

Out of all the people in the whole wide world, my mom picks him to be my escort. Why me, why my life?

After two more minutes of silence, I decided to speak once more. "You know you're an asshole right?"

He smirked. "And you're not as distant as everyone thinks you are," he answered without looking at me.

"You're also a jerk," I fire back. Oh, it's on. If you didn't know, (f/n) is now an hour late.

"So I've been told," he replied, chuckling. I watched as Ray glanced at the still-dancing recipients.

"You're also the most idiotic person I've ever met," I responded once more.

"That's not what my grades say," he answered again.

Does nothing bother him? I was speechless because he always had some smooth coverup no matter what I say. However, before I could speak, he beat me to it.

"Is it my turn to insult now?" he said, smiling. He leaned down toward me. I swear if he mentions anything about my height I'll-

"I think you're really cute."

Those words took a few seconds to register into my mind. When I finally realized, he started laughing. I guess my face had some sort of expression.

"I-, that's not even a valid insult!" I said before he started walking away from me. I quickly followed.

"Where are you going?" I said behind him. He kept walking and looking forward.

"Why do you wanna know?" he asked. "Are you that interested in me?"

I scoffed. "No! It's just that dates are supposed to be with each other at all times." I explained softly. "That's all."

He stopped walking. We were now on the very right side of the venue right next to the desserts.

"I see. I'm just going to check the dessert table. Probably steal some mini cakes or something as well." Ray answered, turning around to look at me.

I nodded. I didn't even get to try the sweets because I was too busy waiting at the door. I looked at the little lemon drop cookies that seemed to be calling my name.

"Did you get to eat the desserts yet?" he asked. Can he read my mind?! I shook my head.

"No, not yet," I responded. He made an audible hum before replying.

He grabbed a tiny raspberry jelly sugar cookie. "Here, open wide," he said. I was about to refuse and intervene, but he took this opportunity to shove it in my mouth.

I chewed the cookie while narrowing my eyes at him. "What'd you that for?!" I exclaimed after swallowing it.

He laughed again before answering. "You looked like you wanted to try it. Was it good?" he asked.

Yeah. It tasted like a jelly donut. "It was," I admitted.

"I bet it did because I fed it to you," he replied.

"You have something on your face by the way," he said nonchalantly a minute later. I immediately started brushing my right cheek but couldn't feel or find a crumb or a piece of dirt.

"What do you mean, no I don't," I said, still trying to find what I had on my face.

"It's jelly on your left side. Maybe from the cookie," Ray answered, still not looking at me. This time I tried wiping my left side but still couldn't find the stain.

"Ray, what are you talking about there's no stain-" I was cut off by Ray stroking the side of my face with his thumb.

"There, good as new," he said as his hand still lightly touched my cheek. "You're welcome." I then shook off his hand and looked back at the event. That was weird.

"Stop it. You're gonna give my acne," I said, checking my phone. I watched as Ray wiped his fingers on a linen napkin. If (f/n) doesn't come in the next ten minutes, I'm gonna start calling her.

"I'd tell you I enjoy the way the light dances in your eyes but you'd probably murder me afterward," he said, glimpsing at me.

"Really?" I said sarcastically while rolling my eyes. I kind of smiled from that compliment though, because it was quite sweet, like the cookie.

"What time is it by the way?" I asked, still slightly unsettled from the dessert incident.

"Uh, 11:30, I think," he answered, looking at the ivory grandfather clock. Great (f/n) is three hours late. I sighed, bored.

I heard Ray clear his throat. I turned around and he gestured one of his arms. I have a bad feeling I know where this is about to go.

"Since we both have nothing to do at the moment, Miss (y/n), may I have this dance?" he asked politely.

Of course. This was going to happen eventually. Now that there's clearly no more activities, one might not hurt. And this is for the better. I can't stick out like a sore thumb. I gotta blend in.

"I guess I have no choice," I said, with a slightly annoyed but pleased expression. It's been a while since someone asked me to dance.

He smiled and took my right hand and led me to the ballroom floor.

I tried to ignore the faces of my relatives. Ray bowed and I curtsied. The orchestra started playing Howl's Moving Castle.

The familiar chords rang in my head as Ray and I got into the correct position. It starts slow as I remember and we go around with the other dancing couples. I kept my eyes trained on his as I tried recalling the numerous classes I took. The intro slowly quieted until the waltz came.

The tempo got quicker. I looked to my left and noticed everyone was revolving around the ballroom floor. We dipped slightly to the left before straightening up.

"I didn't know you ballroom dance," I said quietly, just so he could hear.

Ray just smirked and held me closer. "You don't know a lot of things about me."

I was about to respond but noticed everyone separating and heading to the right. I followed suit and started waltzing with a random stranger until the next music change. I was twirled three times before moving on to someone else.

I looked over the other person's shoulder. Ray was currently dancing with another relative of mine while I kept moving on to different people. It's been five minutes of moving on to different partners that I eventually got used to it until I was met with my original escort.

"Good to have you back," Ray said. The music then changed once more to a more, cheerful tune. We adapted and did what everyone was doing, which were dancing toward the right now.

Then the interlude transformed and we dipped inside the circle and outside the circle before he spun me to the side and twirling me back in. We repeated that system another time.

I kept my eyes to my feet trying to reminisce the pattern of steps. Right, left, two, three, I kept repeating in my head.

I focused on Ray's eyes. They were dark, but they had a mischievous light inside them.

The quicker part and reprise passed. I expected the best part of the song to come. The orchestra rang loudly as the crescendo rose, slowing down a bit. The violins played with the piano. I hummed along with the melody.

I look back at him after gazing at the other couples, and immediately looked down at our shoes. Were his eyes always so easy to get lost into?

"Stop that!" I whispered as we danced.

"Stop what?" he inquired. I was surprised he didn't know what I was talking about.

"The thing with your eyes!" I said quietly. I looked down.

"I'm not doing anything with my eyes!" he exclaimed softly. The song was nearing its end.

"Oh, whatever," I dismissed. I noticed him grinning slightly as the song slowed down slightly, until the really fast measures.

He has a nice smile, I have to admit. It compliments him.

Ray then spun me in a little circle until stopping completely. The waltz ended.

I took a deep breath. That took a lot of my energy out. I started walking out of the ballroom floor to check my phone when I felt a familiar touch on my shoulder. I turned around and of course, it was Ray.

"You yourself said that dates are supposed to be with each other at all times," he said as I was scrolling through my phone.

I ignored him and continued looking through my feed. It's currently 11:45 pm. I guess (f/n) didn't come after all.

"(y/n), tell me the truth. Do you hate me?" he said curiously. I met his eyes while I processed his question thoughtfully.

"No, no I don't," I said, shaking my head slowly. He seemed to be genuinely confused with my answer for he said,

"Oh? Then why did we always argue at every given opportunity?" he asked, looking directly at me. We were again leaning against a wall.

" I-I don't know," I said honestly. "I guess it's because we never agreed on stuff."

He rolled his eyes. "Ah, what a shame. Who knows? Maybe in an alternate universe, we could've gotten along."

"Yeah, I wish," I said, thinking out loud. I really did want to be his friend, but the world's never fair.

A few minutes later, Ray asked me another question.

"Hey, (y/n), do have a crush on me?" he asked gazing at the crowd. I glanced at him quickly. What kind of question is this?!

"No!" I answered. "Why do you think I do?!"

He looked toward me, his eyes piercing intensely through my skull. I crossed my arms.

"Because of how you act. At school, we're on two different sides of the playing field. But when we're alone together, you try to find a way to talk to me. Remember when I called you touch-starved earlier? That's a perfect example," he stated. "Or how I asked you to dance tonight. You didn't refuse either."

"B-But, that doesn't even mean anything! I'm not in love with you!" I exclaimed.

"Hm, but here's the thing," he said cornering me into a wall. He put one arm over me. "If you really weren't infatuated with me, you would've never dealt with me being your escort. But you accepted nonetheless."

I pushed him. "No, no, no. I said I don't have anything for you."

He smirked. "Keep lying to yourself, for soon you'll realize all this time, you were in love with yours truly."

"I do not," I replied once more. But the more he talked, the less I believed in the truthfulness of my words. Do I really like him?

He sighed while pinching the bridge of his nose.

"Tell you what, I'll say a secret you might want to know if you're not gonna admit your feelings," he whispered. "I like you, too (y/n). Even if we despise each other."

He straightened up after quickly kissing my cheek. My face turned red as I saw him walk away. I immediately touched the spot where his lips met my face.

I'm just gonna pretend that never happened, and hopefully, when I wake up tomorrow, I'll forget this whole night. I thought as I watched Ray talk to my mom.

"See you soon, (y/n)! Goodnight!" I heard him yell. He waved at me before exiting the venue.

Oh, he's leaving now. Wait, what am I saying?!

I got ready to go home when I heard a female voice behind me.

"So you and Ray huh?"

"(F/N) YOU WERE HERE THIS WHOLE TIME?!"

"Yeah, so I kinda set this whole thing up. I had to get my ship together somehow!" she said. "Looks like I did! I'm so awesome," she said proudly.

"I still can't believe you asked my mom to pair me with Ray and completely left me for the entire night," I said, frustrated.

"Well, it was worth it. I got to see you two interact like lovebirds. A Wattpad in the making," she said.

"Do what you want," I said. "I'll still not like him no matter what kind of antics you try next."

When I looked at her once more, she had a determined expression.

"I'll take that as a challenge. And I'm gonna win."