Turning Of the Tide by Diana Sander

Chapter 303

The vast dance studio was filled with colorful lights, captivating music, and people with a variety of masks and matching

allire.

A young boy stood in the center, holding a microphone and explaining the rules. He pointed toward the display screen on the wall.

Initially, this screen played dance videos, but now it was being repurposed for a different use, making the most of its

utilization.

The boy said, “Today is our annual mask party. I’m thrilled that we can get together again. Let’s cut to the chase. I’ll explain the rules. The students who participated in the past years know the rules, but our new juniors don’t. For those participating for the first time, we welcome you to join our faculty’s big family!

He continued, “Currently, the lights are on The entire dance studio is very bright. Our principal has spared no expense. He bought the best lights for this studio. First of all, thanks to the principal’s generosity. Okay, I stop the flattery now. Let’s continue with the main topic. You all have to wear the mask you like now, and you can’t see each other’s faces. Then, there’s a blank name tag on your chests. Before the game starts, pick a name from the screen you think you’ll meet when the lights are off. After the lights come on, we’ll reveal the answers. Check if the person you’re holding hands with matches the name on your tag. When the time as up, take down masks and let everyone witness.”

He added, “Rules are laid out. Let’s talk about some key points. No cheating is allowed. You can’t secretly remove your mask and no sneaky actions.

“Now, onto the prizes. The first prize is a Tesla Model 3 You can choose the color you like. Of course, this game doesn’t have second or third prizes, nor participation prizes. So don’t hold onto any hopes for those. I’ve covered the rules, the prizes, and the key points. Any questions? I suppose not. Then, let’s start writing down the names.”

His voice was loud, filling the dance studio. As his words faded, they carried a lingering echo. “Are you all done writing? Then, I declare the mask party begins.”

With a resounding announcement, everyone in the room became excited, enthusiastic, curious, and hopeful about winning prizes. They were also curious about who they would see when the lights came on later. This kind of game was full of unknowns. It ignited a strong sense of curiosity and exploration in people.

Ava, Rose, and Sherri stood together. They even added Alex Natalie and Trevon did not take off their name tags or write down names because their names were not on the screen. They were here to experience the atmosphere of Ava’s school.

Sherri pursued a sense of ceremony and wrote “Hackett’ on her name tag, while Hackett wrote “Sherri” on his

Rose randomly picked a name from the screen. It was Alex.

Ava neatly wrote “Alex” on the blank name tag, and Alex also wrote “Ava” on the name tag.

After five minutes, the bright lights dimmed, casting a dim atmosphere in the dance hall. In the darkness, one could not see other people clearly. They were all in the same school uniforms but with different masks, making it impossible to distinguish one person from another.

Trevon felt uncomfortable in his school uniform. Everything felt strange to him. However, Natalie was quite happy as she held his waist and hugged him tightly. He asked, “Honey, are you having fun?”

Natalie smiled in the darkness and replied, “Yes, does this count as a campus romance?”

Trevon chuckled and mischievously pecked her ear. “Maybe.”

The damp sensation on her ear made her body tingle, and her ear turned slightly red. Fortunately, the lights were off. She warned, “Behave yourself. We are in a school”

Trevon replied, “Alright, I’ll behave now, but I won’t let you off when we are home.”

Natalie went speechless.

scattered the clustered crowd. Only then did the dance begin. Ava and Alex

hands firmly encircled Ava’s waist. Their warmth transmitted through her school uniform to her body. One hand rested on Ava’s shoulder, providing a protective touch. She knew this person was not Alex, but she had

hands dangled loosely on the man’s arms, giving off an air of detachment. Behind the mask, the man’s eyes were as deep and bottomless as the

due to the arrival of Rose’s

time passed, these thoughts grew

Her steps followed the rhythm, and the man’s

came from nearby, scolding Hackett, “You stepped on

dark. I can’t see. I’ll

and clear as crystal. Her voice was soft and sweet as she said, “Mister, have we

since he didn’t respond, she assumed he wasn’t interested and stopped asking. She loosened her grip on his arm, but has hand on her waist tightened even more.

can you loosen your grip a bit? We’re dancing, not hugging”

anything more and continued dancing. She had to endure it until the end of the dance. After all, she wasn’t going to be the first-place winner. Today was just about bringing her friends along to join

lights came on. Ava voluntarily pulled away from the man’s chest, creating a bit more distance between them. The sudden brightness caused everyone present to shield their eyes from the

used to darkness for a long time, they would become less adapted to brightness. It took time for them

belt was fastened around his waist. He wore a white cotton and linen shirt with the top button

innocence and allure. As Ava looked at the man in front of her, her heartbeat skipped a beat. An incredible thought popped into her mind.

to

lace mask she wore couldn’t hide the surprise, panic, and astonishment in her eyes.

a daze, a commanding voice rang out, “Now, let’s remove our masks and see who’s beside us. But don’t be surprised. The matches might not be opposite genders. It could

her. She really wanted to see the hidden face behind the mask, but she

emotions were in turmoil.

masks. Natalie and her friends had also taken off their masks, finding themselves surrounded by

a silent exchange, the scene became quite strange. From the stage. someone announced, “There are two people who haven’t removed their masks yet. Let’s see if

hearing this, Ava’s clenched fist relaxed. She had mentally prepared herself. Then, she reached out to take off her mask slowly. She held her breath as she waited for

be. She hoped because she missed him.

know how to face

the man with the mask. “Take it off now. The sooner,

and slowly removed his mask. For a brief moment, the air grew silent. Everyone was astonished, except for Rose, who had the biggest reaction. ‘Shit, Frank. You’re such a

you arrive here? Why didn’t

encouraging him all along, getting worried for him. It turned out she was worrying for

it all along. No wonder he went missing.

the details, everything connected. Frank’s annoying smile on the plane must be because

and the

were

Ava’s expression showed that she probably didn’t know Frank would show up at the mask

Pursuing someone wasn’t supposed to be this complicated.

Frank would be here, but he hadn’t expected Frank planned to reveal himself in such

Perhaps Ava was not mentally prepared too. It was all so sudden.

it was still a