It was still the first day, yet it all looked like a dream inside.
The hotel's grand hall had transformed into a living fantasy. Velvet drapes flowed from golden chandeliers. Soft, shimmering lights danced across crystal glassware. The polished floor gleamed like a mirror, reflecting elegance with every footstep.
A live jazz band played in the corner, the saxophone melting into the laughter, clinking cups, and excited chatter. Each table glowed under floating candles and holographic school crests.
Tonight wasn't just a dinner.
It was a statement.
A royal event—purple, gold, and silver everywhere.
Girls glided in glittering gowns. Boys strutted in classic suits and Ankara-blend jackets that looked like luxury bottled. Every step screamed elite.
At a lilac-lit table sat AraBaddie, Gift, and Lolade.
Beautiful enough to blind someone.
AraBaddie wore a deep plum corset gown made from a rare lace-mesh fabric sprinkled with Swarovski crystals. Her Hollywood waves bounced lightly, her lips a daring burgundy, nails sharp like ambition.
Gift looked like royalty in a violet silk A-line dress with feathered sleeves. Her amethyst-stoned choker glowed softly and her braided updo shimmered with metallic threads.
Lolade's satin off-shoulder royal lavender gown hugged her perfectly. Her opera gloves matched, and a delicate waist chain winked whenever she moved. Her silver earrings brushed her shoulders with every turn.
They sipped mocktails, glowing and gossiping softly.
Then BigDave and MideFlex appeared with swagger and expensive cologne trailing behind them.
Dave wore a crushed velvet tux with chrome accents.
MideFlex, calm and dangerous, rocked a navy-blue Italian suit with an open collar and a gold lapel pin.
MideFlex collapsed into his seat dramatically.
"It's going to be a long night," he sighed and unbuttoned his suit.
"Why are you guys late?" Lolade asked, her tone sharp.
"Mrs Bliss called us," Dave said. "She leaves tomorrow. Mr Bamidele takes over."
AraBaddie dramatically fanned herself. "Stress from the future already 😩."
Dave chuckled. "Let's forget that for tonight. I need a babe for the ball dance."
He winked at the girls.
They stared at him like a wall.
"I'll pass," AraBaddie said.
He raised both hands. "Wow."
Then she appeared at their table.
And the room paused.
An ebony-skinned goddess from Nairobi Elite Academy. Tall, poised, glowing like dusk over the Serengeti.
Her name was Nyambura. ✨
She wore a custom midnight-purple gown made from hand-dyed Kitenge silk. Two golden-thread slits ran down the sides like royalty in motion. A diamond waist brooch held the gown together. Minimal makeup, soft lips, calm aura. Her neck chain had a single letter: "N".
She was soft danger.
The kind that smiled while taking your crown.
She walked toward their table.
Her school gasped.
Even the AllStars crew froze.
"Hi, everyone," she said gently. "May I have this dance, MideFlex?"
Lolade blinked.
AraBaddie sat up like an alarm bell.
"No. He's actually taken," AraBaddie shot back.
Nyambura smiled sweetly. "I don't think so. He never said he was. And he's in ZETACIRCLE."
"ZETACIRCLE?" Gift raised a brow.
MideFlex cleared his throat. "It's just… one group like that."
But his eyes were locked on Nyambura like Wi-Fi.
He stood smoothly. "You have my time, moi lady."
Nyambura curtsied and returned to her table.
Lolade whispered under her breath, "What the hell…?"
"What was I supposed to do? Reject?" MideFlex shrugged.
BigDave scanned the hall, searching for his own partner.
AraBaddie pointed at him. "We know you're handsome, but not like this 😤!"
"So who wants to dance with me?" MideFlex teased.
The girls looked away dramatically.
"You ladies look beautiful. Let another guy dance with you tonight," he said with a playful grin, before walking to the drink section.
Then — eye contact.
BigDave and NancyPie from Scholars' Domain High (Ghana) locked onto each other.
NancyPie was theatre on two legs. Dramatic, unpredictable, and full stage presence.
Gift coughed loudly. "Okayyyy, you too?What was that?"
"I begged you girls for a dance," BigDave said. "No reply. So I used my eyes to catch one… and guess what? I caught one."
He smirked wickedly.
"That's cruel," AraBaddie complained.
"So you want us to go and find our own dance date?" Lolade asked.
Gift shook her head. "I'd rather sit than fish with my blessed eyes."
Her gaze drifted to Jayden.
Her heart beat once.
She looked away quickly.
Not tonight.
She told herself that sharply.
Moments later, the music changed.
The saxophone softened.
A slow, dreamy ballad drifted across the hall — violins humming low, a deep bass like a heartbeat, and a soft piano guiding every step.
Couples moved to the center.
MideFlex with Nyambura.
BigDave with NancyPie.
Other pairs joined in a graceful swirl of purple and gold.
The girls sat alone.
"This is crazy," AraBaddie whispered. "The boys ditched us!"
Lolade turned to Gift. "Looks like someone's fishing with his eyes… for you."
Gift froze. "Jayden? I just can't."
"Why not? Because of the school incident?"
"I mean… he's been texting me. I just couldn't reply."
"Do you like him?" Lolade asked softly. "Be honest."
Gift looked down at her fingers.
"I don't know. But… I need time. Thank you for caring."
She stood and walked away, her gown trailing behind her like a quiet goodbye.
"Oh gosh. Did we say too much?" Lolade whispered.
AraBaddie sighed. "She just needs to rest. Jayden is a good guy though. Respectful ,respected and cute."
Lolade tapped the table. "Should we just go upstairs too?"
"No. No way," AraBaddie said suddenly. "It doesn't have to be guy and girl. Let's dance. Together."
Lolade laughed. "I'm not doing that. I'm very straight."
"I'm also straight," AraBaddie said. "But we are too fine to waste the night sitting here."
Lolade sighed. "Alright. But promise you'll dance till the end with me."
"Promise."
They stood up, joined hands lightly, and walked to the dance floor.
And they danced.
Pure, joyful, silly, beautiful girl-dance.
They twirled, laughed, vibed, took boomerang-style videos, even did small choreo.
More than five guys came to request a dance.
They ignored them all politely.
Others slipped numbers into their hands or whispered compliments.
They didn't care.
Tonight, it was their night.
By the end, their feet hurt, their cheeks ached from smiling, and their hearts felt light.
Not every beautiful night needed romance.
Sometimes friendship was enough to make the room glow.
And that night… they glowed.✨