Everyone present were looking at the entrance to see the people streaming in. When the Leonard and Serena made their entrance, there was a pause as everyone took in the beauty of the two. They were indeed a pair of handsome siblings.

Serena on the other hand just observed the venue. Although they were just in the school's assembly hall, Mary and Gina outdid themselves by transforming it to a magical midnight Christmas themed setting. The area, at the moment, was lit by bright spotlights, but she can already imagine how it will look like once those were dimmed. The high ceiling that was like an observatory was covered with midnight blue cloth with blue Christmas lights that made it look starry. There were seats by the three walls for everyone to sit on when not dancing, and there were cocktail tables draped in silver and blue while on the middle as centerpieces, were artificial white manzanita branches hanged with crystals, and blue and silver balls. Beside the stage was a blue Christmas tree. She vaguely thought that she should have worn a silver-colored dress instead.

However, looking at the people in the ball, everyone was wearing clothes of varying shades. So, it did not make her out of place. The ladies were in floor-length gowns that balloon out from the waist while some had trailing skirts which she assumed must have a loop they can use to hold it up for dancing. One the other hand, the gentlemen were all wearing formal dress suits or some military or band uniforms. 

--

"Serena!" Gizel called, as she saw Serena and Leonard approaching. "you're here earlier. I thought we can meet at the registry."

"My brother and I were part of the organizing committee, so we did not have to line up. By the way, you two sure did make an entrance." Serena explained as she looked at Gizel and Milly. Beside them were George and Paul their escorts.

"I would have wanted to see you make the entrance too. Anyway, we're still a little early. Have Via and Kylo been announced?" Milly said.

"Not yet. I haven't seen either of the two as of the moment."

"Excuse me. Serena, I'll leave you here for the moment. I will get back to you after the school dignitaries are done with their messages." Leonard interrupted seeing that the venue is now half full. He also saw Joan beckoning him over to the backstage.

"Don't I have to go with you to help?" 

"No need, this is your first school ball so just enjoy. I can manage." Leonard said smiling at her.

"Alright. Then, I will see you later." Serena said as she gave him a grateful smile. She was not really interested with working on the program. She just wanted to enjoy the ball and see Charlton. By the way, where was he?

Leonard nodded at her then at her friends. "Please watch over Serena for the moment. Thank you."

The girls who were still mesmerized by his handsome visage nodded their heads.then looked at Serena pleadingly.

Serena understood what they meant, so before Leonard could leave, she pulled his arm and whispered to his ear, "do dance with my friends later. Ask for their dance cards now."

Leonard who does not really want to participate was left with no choice. He smiled at both girls and asked, "Would you two please honor me with a dance this evening?"

Of course, the two nodded enthusiastically as they pulled out their dance cards. Leonard asked Milly for the 3rd dance which was the lancers, and Gizel for the 5th one which was the polka.

He proceeded to mark his own before leaving. 

--

When Leonard left, George looked at his sister Gizel, he wanted her to help him get a dance from Serena. Gizel rolled her eyes.

"Serena, do you still have a space in your dance card?" she asked.

"Ugh, don't ask me. My dance card is with my brother Leonard. He won't even let me see it until the dance commences."

"Woah, I never imagined that your brother can be so over-protective." Gizel said but she still managed to grin, "well, truth be told though, I like it."

--

George wanted to facepalm at his sister's words. However, he just chose to ignore it. What can he do? 

"Ladies, please excuse me, I will just go over to the other side and meet with my friends. Gizel, I'll see you later before the dance commences." George excused. He did not want to hear his sister's blabbering anymore and giving him the eye that says, my friend is too good for you.

Paul seeing his friend leave thought it improper for himself to remain with the ladies. "Ah, I will go join George. Please, excuse me too. I will see you later, Ms. Milly." He said with a smile.

When the three were left on their own, they smiled at each other. They were about to move when they heard the master of ceremonies announced Kylo and Via's name.

As the two made their entry, Gizel whistled. "Although I hate to admit, Kylo is looking really good tonight. He and Via look like a match made in heaven…" then she saw Via irately let go of Kylo's hand after their entrance, "…or hell." she added laughing at the joke she made.

After the two, Serena heard Charlton's name being announced. He entered the ball alone.

That night, he was wearing a black tailcoat with Chinese looking collar left open in the middle trimmed with gold. His vest was also in matching black and gold enclosed up to his upper chest so that one can only see his white inner cloth through the cuffs of his coat's sleeves. He was adorning a white ruffled jabot made of lace and in the middle, located just below his neck was a gold brooch encrusted with a large ruby. He was also wearing white gloves like the others and his brown hair was brushed back, parted at the middle. 

Serena noticed his eyes moving as if looking for something and when he his eyes met hers he gave her that lopsided smirk revealing his dimple. She felt like her heart was pounding a mile per second as she blushed. He looked like the devil and she just wanted to rush over and claim him as hers.

--

TBC

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