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The sun was just beginning to peek over the horizon as the college campus stirred to life. The once quiet pathways were now bustling with students, their conversations blending to form a symphony of life. The scent of freshly brewed coffee wafted from the cafeteria, drawing in sleepy scholars with the life-giving caffeine.
The hallowed halls of the university were not just a place of learning for them, but a stage where the drama of their lives unfolded. Each day brought new challenges and experiences, shaping them into the individuals they were becoming. As the new day dawned, they had no idea what would happen next, but were excited to find out.
After a peaceful slumber, Aurelia Oxide was greeted by the sound of Selena’s snoring and a text from Nickolas, well before her alarm clock rang.
“Good morning! Hope I didn’t disrupt anything.”
She smiled, a drowsy look in her blue eyes, as she typed her reply clumsily. “No, you’re not. I was going to wake up anyway with Selena snoring.”
“Gallus isn’t awake either. I think he’s overwhelmed with everything which happened yesterday.”
“That was the most confident I’ve ever seen him.”
“Facts…” Nickolas replied, his glance shifting to his sleeping roommate.
“Admit it, if that was you, you’d be regretting every word you said.”
“Still am… kinda sucks to have fallen for your Math teacher’s kid.”
“Oof…” she replied, sarcastically. “I wonder who’s the unlucky lady.”
“You might know her. Blonde hair, blue eyes, a complete pain.”
“And yet you fell for her,” she replied, placing a smirk emoji next to the text.
Nickolas chuckled, his eyes still on the screen. “Yeah, I guess I did,” he admitted, a hint of warmth in his words, while she expected a wittier reply.
Aurelia’s smiled slightly, her fingers hovering over the keyboard. She was about to type a response when Selena’s snoring abruptly stopped, replaced by a groggy voice. “Aurelia,” she grumbled, rubbing her eyes. “It’s too early to flirt with Nicky… get ready for school.”
With a hint of sarcasm, Aurelia responded, “Sad life…,” allowing her sharper side to seize control of the cockpit, momentarily overshadowing her gentler nature.
“Sucks to be me…” came the reply. “Not only have I fallen for the least eligible bachelorette, but also I have to get ready for school. See you at lunch, Goldie.”
“Bye, Nicky,”
Aurelia chuckled softly, her gaze still fixed on the phone screen before slipping out of bed. The morning chill brushed against her skin, prompting her to search for her favorite sweater. It was a cozy, over-sized knit in a soft shade of teal, one that always seemed to hold the warmth of a hug. Pulling it over her head, she glanced at Selena, who was now sitting up, her hair a wild tangle of sleep and dreams.
“Morning, sunshine,” Aurelia teased, her voice light despite the early hour.
Selena groaned, a playful scowl on her face. “If you’re going to be this chirpy, I need coffee first.”
The two friends shared a laugh, before Aurelia decided to head into a more serious topic. “Nick and I were just talking about what happened between you and Gallus yesterday.”
“That was completely random…” Selena said, a smile creeping onto her face. “But I guess movie theater is definitely more normal than the back of a car for a confession backdrop.”
“Definitely. He’s still asleep, according to what I heard last. Send him a quick good-morning or something.”
“Nah, I can’t be bothered right now,” Selena replied, yawning. “Anyway, let’s get ready. Classes await.”
Aurelia chuckled slightly. “Huh, I genuinely thought you’d do it.”
Selena shrugged nonchalantly, her attention already shifting to the pile of textbooks on her desk. “I’ll see him in class anyway. Besides, I’m not the one who’s been up all night texting.”
Aurelia’s smile faltered for a moment, a hint of concern flickering in her eyes. “You’re right,” she admitted, “but you know how Gallus is. He might take it the wrong way if you don’t reach out. Besides, he’s too shy to go first.”
With a sigh, Selena picked up her phone, her fingers hovering over the screen. “Fine, but only because you’re asking.” She quickly typed a message and hit send before getting up to grab her backpack.
Aurelia watched her for a moment, a thoughtful expression on her face. “Good. I know it’s silly, but I think it’ll mean a lot to him. Somehow I feel like you’re trying to deny it.”
“I am not!”
“Are too!”
“Am not!”
As they left their dorm room, books in hand and playful argument still on, the campus was alive with the energy of a new day. Aurelia and Selena joined the flow of students, their steps in sync as they headed towards their first classes, the morning sun casting long shadows behind them.
“Well, I’ll see you later,” said Aurelia, as she proceeded towards the biology building while her friend, towards the arts building.
“Bye, see you during lunch!”
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The morning classes seemed to pass in a blur, the professors’ words blending into the background noise of the bustling campus. As the clock struck noon, the university’s cafeteria came alive with the chatter and laughter of students, the aroma of various cuisines wafting through the air.
Aurelia and Selena, having survived their morning classes, made their way to the cafeteria. They joined the queue, their eyes scanning the array of food options available. After grabbing their trays filled with their chosen meals, they headed towards their usual spot, a cozy corner by the window that offered a view of the campus.
As they settled down, Aurelia couldn’t help but glance around the cafeteria, her eyes searching for a familiar face. “Have you seen Gallus and Nicky?” she asked Selena, her gaze still scanning the crowd.
Before Selena could open her mouth to reply, a voice interrupted them. “Looking for me?” Gallus stood there, a sheepish smile on his face. He was followed by Nickolas, who was trying to balance his tray while suppressing a chuckle.
“Hey, sleepyhead,” Aurelia greeted Gallus, her eyes filled with amusement. “We thought you’d miss lunch.”
Gallus shrugged, taking a seat next to Selena. “I wouldn’t miss lunch for anything,” he replied, his eyes lighting up at the sight of food.
Nickolas, finally settling down with his own tray, leaned forward with a mischievous glint in his eyes. “Even if you had some work to do? Or is it because you wanted to see a certain someone here?” he teased, nodding subtly towards Selena.
Gallus’s face turned a shade redder, and he quickly busied himself with his food, avoiding eye contact. “Shut up, Nicky…” he mumbled, much to the amusement of his friends.
Now it was Nickolas’ turn to blush.
“Come on, man… I told you, don’t call me that.”
“Right, reserved for Goldie.” he replied, and nudged his friend’s shoulder.
“And that’s reserved for Nicky.” Aurelia snapped, a small smile on her face as she stole a quick glance at Gallus.
Gallus sighed. “You guys have the cheesiest, yet most adorable nicknames.”
“I know, I’m almost jealous,” Selena added.
“Hey, you two are welcome to come up with your own.” Aurelia said playfully. “And no, we’re not helping you guys. This is your own thing.”
Gallus chuckled. “Well, we’ll have to think of something that captures our essence just as well, huh, Lena?”
“Yeah, we do… but there’s no rush.”
“So, tomorrow’s the Elemental Ball…” Gallus muttered to himself, before his eyes darted toward Selena, who was looking at him with anticipation. “Selena, you want to come with me to the ball?”
“Yeah, sure!” Selena chirped, her cheerful tone merely an understatement to the amount of excitement within.
Aurelia smiled, and nudged her friend. “Let’s go, Selena!” she cheered softly.
As the conversation continued, Aurelia’s eyes darted towards Nickolas, a playful glint in her eyes. “So, Nicky,” she began, her voice teasing, “I suppose you’re going to the Elemental Ball too?”
Nickolas looked up, a surprised expression on his face. “Well, yeah, I guess,” he replied, trying to sound nonchalant.
“And I suppose you’re going alone?” Aurelia continued, her smile widening.
Nickolas blushed, scratching the back of his head, as he thought of something to say. “Well, I… uh…”
“What about that girl you were talking about this morning?” she asked, smirking slightly. “Our Math teacher’s daughter?”
“I don’t know, maybe I should ask her.”
“Go for it,” she prompted, pulling out her phone sneakily and typing out a message of her own. With a mischievous glint in her eyes, Aurelia quickly typed out a message on her phone. “Hey, how about we go to the ball together?” she wrote, her grin widening as she hit send. She then looked up at Nickolas, her eyes twinkling with playful anticipation as she waited for his reaction to the unexpected text.
Nickolas, caught off guard by the text, looked up from his phone and met Aurelia’s gaze. A playful smile spread across his face as he quickly typed a response, “Sure, why not?”
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Fast forward to the night of the ball. The grand auditorium was bathed in the soft glow of a thousand twinkling lights, casting long, shadows on the marble floor. The air was filled with the sound of a mix played by the DJ, and the room was abuzz with the chatter of the elegantly dressed attendees of all majors. Nickolas and Aurelia, now dressed in their finest attire, made their entrance. Their eyes met, and they shared a knowing smile - it was time to cause a stir at the ball.
Aurelia bit her lip as she stared at the environment. She had never been to this sort of event before, only seen her parents’ pictures from their own high school dances. It all felt formal to her, considering how every girl was in an evening gown and every boy was in a tuxedo, Nickolas and her included. It was frightening, in a way, too. Her heart pounded in her chest like a drum, the rhythm matching the tempo of the music that filled the room. She felt a strange mix of excitement and apprehension. The grandeur of the event, the sea of swirling gowns and sharp tuxedos, was overwhelming. She felt like a small boat adrift in a vast, unpredictable ocean.
The glimmering chandeliers, the laughter and chatter, the clinking of glasses - it all seemed surreal to her. She was used to the quiet comfort of her home, her books, and her own company. This was a world she had only dreamed of, and now that she was here, it felt both exhilarating and intimidating.
She looked at Nickolas, his confident demeanor doing little to calm her racing heart. She wondered if he too felt the undercurrent of anxiety that she did. It certainly wasn’t his first dance. But there was also a part of her, a daring part, that was ready to dive into this new experience, to dance in the spotlight, to be a part of the spectacle. After all, wasn’t life about embracing the unknown?
But she had her fears, there was no doubt about that.
What if she tripped over someone else’s gown? What if she tripped over her own gown? What if her slip-on heels decided to slip off? Her clumsiness was a real pain sometimes.
What if it caused her to fall into someone? What if it was a senior? That would have been embarrassing…
What if it was Nickolas? She would have rather floated off into outer space than fall onto him. Would he laugh or be annoyed? What if it embarrassed them both? Having fallen for him was insufferable to begin with, let alone them falling on each other becoming a hot object of shipping in the university.
And then there were her powers. What if in the moment of embarrassment, she accidentally activated her powers? What if she healed a non-existent wound or levitated out of shock? Or even worse, what if she started glowing like a beacon in the middle of the ballroom?
Yes, the night was overflowing with ‘what ifs’. But then again, ‘what ifs’ also held possibilities. What if her fall made Nickolas notice her? What if it led to a conversation, a shared laugh? What if it was the start of something beautiful?
With these thoughts, Aurelia straightened her gown, adjusted her slip-on heels, took a deep breath, and stepped further into the ballroom. She was ready to face the night, come what may. After all, life was all about embracing the ‘what ifs’, wasn’t it?
She sighed, enveloped in a midnight blue gown and her own anxiety, and slowly hovered up into the air, away from any possible gowns to trip over. Away from any seniors who she could embarrass herself in front of. Away from Nickolas who was watching her, a confused expression on his face. She floated off, ignoring his attempts to call her, until his still voice faded into the music.
As Aurelia floated higher, the crowd below gasped in awe, their eyes following her ascent. The music seemed to fade into the background, replaced by the whispers of the astonished attendees. Nickolas, his eyes wide with surprise, could only watch as Aurelia defied gravity, her midnight blue gown flowing around her like a cloud.
Suddenly, a spotlight hit Aurelia, illuminating her in the darkened ballroom. The crowd gasped again, their eyes wide with wonder. Aurelia, caught in the spotlight, looked like a celestial being, her gown shimmering under the bright light.
Nickolas, recovering from his initial shock, called out to her again, his voice echoing in the silent ballroom. “Aurelia!” he shouted, his voice filled with concern. But Aurelia, high above the crowd, couldn’t hear him. She was too far away, lost in her own world of fears and chandeliers.
He had no idea what was wrong, but was much too afraid to find out. It wasn’t like he could substitute for x and turn it into an equation, or float in the air without hydrogen or helium.
Nickolas stood amidst the crowd, his mind racing with possibilities. He couldn’t just stand there while Aurelia floated away, unreachable. He needed to act, and fast. As he brainstormed, his thoughts turning to the power he had —nickel, a magnetic element. A wild idea began to form.
He knew the Earth’s magnetic field was all around, invisible yet powerful. What if he could use his powers, harness his magnetic properties to repel himself from the Earth’s magnetic field? It was a long shot, and it wasn’t that easy when he did it the first time at the mall, but it might just work again.
Nickolas closed his eyes, focusing on the nickel in his veins, willing it to interact with the magnetic field. At first, nothing happened, and a wave of disappointment washed over him. But then, ever so slightly, he felt a lift. His feet began to leave the ground, and a murmur flowed through the crowd like a stream.
He opened his eyes to find himself levitating, rising higher with each passing second. The crowd’s murmurs turned to gasps of astonishment. Nickolas, now afloat, maneuvered himself towards Aurelia, who was still hovering near the chandelier.
As he approached her, Aurelia’s eyes widened in surprise. “Nickolas?!” she exclaimed, her voice a mix of disbelief and fear, nickname forgotten temporarily.
“Hey, everything all right?” he asked, in a steady, calm voice, contradicting the concerned look in his eyes.
“Yeah, yeah. You don’t have to be worried at all,” she replied, a forced smile on her face.
Nickolas gave her a reassuring smile, his eyes softening. “Alright, if you say so,” he said, though he wasn’t entirely convinced. He knew Aurelia well enough to know when she was putting on a poker face. But he also knew better than to push her when she didn’t want to talk. “Just remember, we’re all here for you, okay?”
Aurelia nodded, her smile growing a bit more genuine. “Thanks, Nicky,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper. She then turned her gaze to the crowd below, her eyes scanning the sea of faces. She could see their friends, Selena and Gallus, looking up at them with wide eyes. She gave them a small wave, trying to reassure them that she was alright.
Meanwhile, Nickolas was still floating next to her, his mind racing with thoughts. He knew he had to do something to help Aurelia, but he wasn’t sure what. He decided to stay by her side, ready to lend a hand if she needed it. He also made a mental note to talk to her later, when they were away from the prying eyes of the crowd.
As the night wore on, the ball continued in full swing. The music filled the air, couples danced on the floor, and laughter echoed through the hall. But amidst all the merriment, two well-dressed figures floated above the crowd, their presence adding an element of magic to the night.
Selena and Gallus, looking above, smiled up at their friends. “Look at them, man… it’s adorable.” Selena said to Gallus, as she gently rested her head on his shoulder with the hope that their elements wouldn’t react, and the trust that the tablets were working.
“Feels magnetic, if you ask me.” he replied.
“Oh, not a bad pun.” Selena remarked, before looking at him. “But forget about them. The double date’s done.”
“Yeah, let’s enjoy the night and trust that they are too.”
The Elemental Ball was indeed a night to remember, not just for the spectacle it presented, but also for the bonds it strengthened and the memories it created. As the night drew to a close, the students left the hall with smiles on their faces and stories to tell. But for Aurelia and Nickolas, the night was just the beginning of a new chapter in their lives, one filled with uncertainties, challenges, and the promise of growth.
Selena and Gallus caught up to the duo not long afterward. She, as always, was the conversation starter. “Hey guys, how was the view from up there?”
Aurelia, who was still floating a few inches from the ground, replied, “Not bad… even if I had to go with him…”
“Yeah, I second that thought.” Nickolas added, before a genuine smile took over. “It wasn’t a bad idea on your part, Goldie. Hovering up so we can get a perfectly unobstructed view of each other.”
“No, in fact, I wanted a perfectly obstructed view of everything. But your view isn’t half bad either. I had fun dancing in the sky.”
“So did I. Gotta say, you’re pretty cool, Aurelia.”
“You’re not so bad yourself, Nickolas.”
Suddenly, everyone around them froze. It was as if time itself had stopped. But they could still move, and they could see a strange figure approaching in the distance.
“Good, you all aren’t frozen.” the masculine figure said, a solemn tone in his voice. “Please come with me, I need your help,”
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[Whoa let's lighten the mood. Don't Aurelia and Nick look like characters out of a dress up game in this one? You know what that means?!?! A PARODY!
"Oh no, Aurelia likes Nick but he's dating Selena! (That will never happen.) Can YOU help Aurelia dress up to get his attention?!"
(A few dressing-up moments later...)
Nick: "OMG AURELIA!!! Will you come to the ball with me?"
Aurelia: "Yess!"
Selena: "But wb me?"
Nick: "Nah, we're over Selena."
And the cycle continues. Help Selena? YES/NO
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]
Rest assured that it is 12 AM here rn and my brain is just malfunctioning is all. That will never happen, and if it does please scoop my eyeballs out at once.
ns 15.158.61.8da2
