CHAPTER 21

We were in front of the entrance to the dome and we were all looking at each other with a smile.

"Well everyone looks, dashing." Dianne said while still wearing that stupid grin as she looked at me still. It made me feel very uncomfortable, but not the type that is offensive. It's just that I was feeling a tad more shy than how I am supposed to be. I just smiled at her back and threw my stare to Kaval. But, to my disappointment, he was wearing the same grin that Dianne was wearing.

"Are you two a pair of lovers already?" When Kaval spoke those words, I just wanted to the ground to swallow me whole and just completely disappear from this realm. I glared at but he only laughed.

"I think so too. You see, they are doing couple things and of course, how can we overlook, this holding of the hands!" Diane said with some sort of mockery in her voice. At this point, I took my hands from Apollo's grasp and covered my face with the both of them.

What are they even saying! It is preposterous! Kaval does not like me and we were just holding each other's hands! That doesn't mean that we like each other or we are a couple. Friends hold hands right? Of course they do! For sure! I think. I could feel Apollo's hand on mine as he took them down and revealed my tomato red face which by the way I blame and curse Kaval and Dianne for.

"Why are you hiding such immaculate beauty from us, Alex?" At this point. I was feeling like a girl. More than Dianne could feel with what she was wearing. I fake groaned in annoyance as I wanted them to stop with the teasing already.

"Can you guys stop! We are not lovers! We are just friends okay? Just as how me and Kaval are." I tried to explain but Dianne and Kaval only nodded while faking their seriousness.

"Well of course you are. We believe you a hundred percent!" Dianne said as her hands where on her chin as if mocking a very serious person.

"Guys can you please not! We really aren't!" I tried to argue once more.

"That's because I haven 't asked him out yet." I looked at Kaval immediately as I heard him say those. What? I think my brain is not functioning well as of the moment. Did I hear that right?! SO that means he's planning to ask me?! But we don't even know each other that much and I- well um, dang it I don't have any excuse but here's the thing. He plans on asking me out? That is what he meant when he said those words to Kaval and Dianne right? Oh dear god, I am looking like a total idiot.

"W-What?-"

I tried to ask him but then he only smiled and ruffled my hair lightly. I wasn't even mad when he touched my hair or destroyed the styling of it. Like everything he does to me is just, it's acceptable. My brain says yes, body? Yes everything about me says yes when he does things that I can only know when he's done them.

"Oh wow. They are on that level already. I am quite jealous now!" Dianne was now starting to whine like a kid as Kaval threw him a disgusted glare that said; stop that.

"Why are you looking at me like that?!" Dianne shouted at Kaval who threw his hands up immediately and started to back down.

"You guys, stop. Let's just head inside. We don't want to be late." I said at the both of them. Thankfully they stopped bickering like kids and started to head to the dome. We started to walk on a different path from those who were not included as the path that we are taking specifically takes us to the back stage. I could see some staffs and some professor who I have not yet encountered. They looked at each and everyone of us with such adoration. I didn't know how to respond and Apollo only stayed silent so I just smiled and nodded at everyone who smiled at us as I didn't want to ignore their acknowledgement. We entered a certain door which we ventured for a minute after it took us to the back stage where everyone was acting very frantic. There were make up artists and Dianne and Kaval were called by theirs. I suddenly heard someone calling my name only to see the stylist that was styling me a few moments back calling me. I looked at Apollo with a shy smile and said;

"I have to go to her and prepare. I- I'll see you later, Apollo." I said trying my best to not stutter like a total idiot that I am now. He nodded at me before I turned my back against him and walked towards my stylist which according to Nate, was again picked by father. She looked at me with such fondness in her eyes so I smiled at her in exchange.

"Let me fix your hair again your majesty." She said as she spotted my hair being a little disheveled. At this point I didn't argue as I wasn't able to back then so I just sat on the chair that was faced on the mirror that had lights on the side. She caressed my hair smoothly with some gel and comb. After then she finished doing so, right on time, a professor who I have never met called us to where there seems to be a lift.

"Wow, you guys look amazing! I just had to get that out." He said as he looked at us. But then his smile vanished as he looked at us.

"Wait, where is Hade?" He said and then groaned after on.

"Well what's new. He might not show up again on this years pre-show" He said to himself but just as when he was about to speak again. A man emerged from behind him. He was wearing an all black attire paired with a black cape that looked like it could ignite fire at any moment. The professor cleared his throat and then smiled.

"Well then, it seems like you guys are ready. On with the show!"