Chapter 85 Audrey

"That's all for this week. Have a nice weekend, and enjoy the Equinox."

Edwin shut off the PowerPoint presentation with a curt nod, and the lecture hall began to bustle with activity as students excitedly gathered their things. Taking a deep breath, I grabbed my bag and rose from my chair, making my way to the front of the room where Edwin was still packing his briefcase.

"Here's that extra credit assignment," I said, handing him a small bundle of papers that I had been working on during my spare time all week.

"Oh." Edwin took the papers and vaguely thumbed through them. "You do realize you have a perfect grade right now, right? You don't need the extra credit."

I blushed slightly. "You never know,"

Nodding curtly, Edwin said, "Well, I'll look over it this weekend

Thanking him, I turned to leave, but the sound of Edwin's voice stopped me again. "Oh, and Audrey? Are you planning to attend the masquerade tonight?"

Surprised by the question, I turned back to face him. “Yes, I am, I replied, adjusting my bag nervously on my shoulder. "Why do you ask?"

He shrugged, his expression unreadable as he slipped one hand into his pocket. "No particular reason. I was just curious... I'm assuming you made your own dress?"

"Well, sort of," I said, not wanting to delve into the moth debacle,

"I see. What color is it?"

I blinked, taken aback by the unexpected question. Since when did Edwin care about the color of my clothes? "It's, um... green," I said after a moment's hesitation. “Sage green. With embroidery."

"That sounds intriguing, Edwin commented flippantly, although I swore I could make out the slightest ghost of a smile playing at the corners of his mouth. "Well, I hope you have a good time tonight. Enjoy yourself."

"Thanks," I said, still puzzled by the exchange. "I will."

As I left the classroom, I couldn't shake the strange feeling that had come over me. Why would Edwin care about the color of my dress? It wasn't like him to ask such personal questions, especially not after... Well, everything,

A thought suddenly struck me then-was he... imagining me in the dress?

The idea made me blush furiously, and I quickened my pace down the hallway, trying to push the notion out of my mind.

I smoothed down the front of my gown, admiring how the fabric moved and almost seemed to shimmer in the low light. The bodice was laced up perfectly in the back, and I had slipped on my trusty heeled boots; they were mostly hidden beneath the long skirt, but they were comfortable and good for dancing while still being stylish.

the ribbons securely behind my head, there

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with white feathers and gold flecks, was perched on top of her head, and she held

she exclaimed. "You look

grinned, giving a little twirl. "Thanks!

mine, her eyes shimmering up at me from beneath her lashes. "Are you sure you really want to be

her gloved hand. "Of course I want to be your date. I'd

"Even

I growled, eliciting a

town where the masquerade was being held-once owned by the founder of Grayspring Academy, but now a historical site

us each a small card with

asked, turning

for the raffle," the doorman explained. "Keep them safe." Nodding,

cast golden flecks across the hardwood floors. The candles lining the walls were flickering just so, making it difficult to see everyone's faces beneath their masks in the swirling colors and shadows, and the sound of orchestral music mingled with the clinking

the ballroom, Tina and I made our way to a nearby refreshment table to start. A server offered us, flutes of champagne, which

of mystery." Tina said with a smirk, raising her

hers. "And to the best

moments to let the alcohol loosen our muscles while we observed the sea of people. Throngs of friends mingled here and there, couples swayed

dance?" Tina asked, nodding toward the dance

my champagne and set the empty glass down on

orchestral music was just as upbeat and lively as any club,

him behind a mask? The thought of him watching me in my dress made my cheeks flush, and I was glad for the

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Edwin wouldn't be here: he was likely holed up by himself in his apartment, or maybe even sitting at an empty bar somewhere. Definitely not mingling at a masquerade, and

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