Funny surprise

NOELLE'S POV,

The next day I am finished with training at 4 O'clock. I feel excited about the dinner and get back to my room to make myself ready. In the mountain, I bump into Faith. She is wearing a long yellow flower dress and has daisy flowers braided in her hair.

''I didn't know we were supposed to dress up?'' I say to her surprised.

I look at my own black pants and sweater, ''I don't have anything nice to wear.''

Faith takes my hand, ''Come you can borrow one of my dresses.''

I walk after her to her room, and she opens her closet for me. It is full of dresses in all colors. Faith says, ''Pick whichever one you like, I will go upstairs now but we can walk to Cafe Blanche together when you are ready.''

She walks out of the room and closes the door. I look at all the dresses and go with my hand through all the fabrics. I decide to go with a knee-length red dress with an off-shoulder top. I let my hair hang loose and put some red lipstick on. Lastly, I look at all the heels that Faith has stored next to her closet. I go for some silver sandal heels. I look in the mirror and decide that I am satisfied with how I look.

I find Faith waiting outside the mountain for me. She looks at me with approval, ''That dress looks much better on you. Good choice.''

She takes my arm, and we walk to the little city together. We go to the square in the middle, which has a lot of different restaurants surrounding it. It's getting a bit dark but there are lights hanging everywhere on the trees and the terraces of the restaurants. In the middle of the square, there is a band playing and most of the seats seem to be taken.

We go to a cute little cafe on the right side with wooden chairs and tables. Holly, Nolan, Zeus, and Gabriel are already sitting at one of the tables. Nolan sees us first and whistles, ''Fjietfiew, pretty ladies incoming.''

Gabriel looks up and when he sees me it seems like his eyes are almost falling out of his head.

''Hi, guys,'' I say and walk to the S=seat next to Gabriel. He keeps looking at me and Zeus gives him a nudge with his elbow, ''Be careful you don't drool on the plate.''

Gabriel shakes his head, ''Sorry Noelle you are just the most beautiful woman I have ever seen.''

I have seen the way Gabriel looks at me, but he never said anything about it. I don't really know what to say so I just smile at him. He is wearing grey chino pants and a dark blue blouse. I bend a bit forward so that only he can hear me when I whisper, ''You look very handsome yourself.''

Then I turn to Nolan, ''Is everything arranged?''

Nolan winks at me, ''Ow yeah.''

I hear a familiar voice and I look up to hairy legs in a short waitress skirt.

''Have you all decided what you want to eat?'' Thesseus asks wearing a short waitress dress and a note block in his hands.

Holly just stares at him, and Gabriel asks surprised, ''Thesseus? Why are you wearing that?''

Thesseus looks at me sourly, ''Ask her.''

Holly looks at me amused, ''Ow please do tell.''

I lean back and say, ''Ow it's just that Thesseus told me he always dreamed of being dressed as a waitress so I thought I would help him and make that happen. Right Thesseus?'' Thesseus grits his teeth, ''Yes most generous of you indeed. Now if you all please let me know what you want to order.''

We all order and when Thesseus walks away Holly kicks my feet, ''Now what really happened?''

I smile at Nolan, ''He lost a fight from me again.''

Gabriel chuckles, ''I don't think he will ever want to fight with you again after this.''

After a short while, the food gets brought and we all enjoy it while talking and listening to music. The food and the mood are great and after 2 hours we have finished the 3-course meal. ''That was delicious,'' I sigh content. The band sets in a salsa song and Holly drags Nolan to the dance floor. Faith follows them and starts dancing with a group of girls. Zeus looks at us and says, ''I will go talk to some of my students at the other cafe for a while.'' He walks away and then it is just me and Gabriel.

Gabriel stands up and holds out his hand, ''You want to dance?''

I take his hand and let him lead me closer to the band where everyone is dancing. He takes my hands and starts to dance the salsa. I am surprised that he can actually dance but I follow his lead eagerly. Our bodies seem to sway on the rhythm in harmony. The dancing makes me feel very happy and free. When the salsa song ends a slow ballad sets in. I look at Gabriel a bit unsure, but he pulls me close to him and we slowly sway on the music. I lay my head on his shoulder and breathe out, feeling completely relaxed. He has his arms around my waist and pulls me closer so I can feel his warm chest against mine. I realize that for the first time I actually feel safe.

After a few more songs Gabriel leads me off the dancefloor, ''It is getting late so I have to get back, but will you let me walk you home?''

I nod at him in agreement. I look back and see Holly and Nolan totally ignorant of their surroundings dancing and kissing. Faith is sitting in a corner kissing a brown-haired beautiful girl. Zeus must have gone home earlier. I smile seeing them all so happy and then turn around to follow Gabriel.

''Holly and Nolan look so good together. Why aren't they a couple?'' I ask.

Gabriel rubs his hands together, ''It's not always easy to open your heart completely when you have experienced some traumatic things. They always look like this before Holly has to leave for a while but then when she is back, they have huge fights again, so I don't know. They can't be with or without each other it seems like.''

I shiver from the cold and Gabriel puts his jacket around my shoulders.

''That was the most fun night have I ever had I think,'' I say to him.

Gabriel looks happy, ''Yes my best memories are of the nights going to the Cafe Blanche with the gang.''

We talk for a while until we reach the entrance of the mountain. I look up at the sky and take a deep sigh, ''It's so great to be able to see the stars and the moon. It is so beautiful.''

I hear Gabriel reply, ''Yes it definitely is.'' But when I look at him, he is just looking at me. I blush and feel my heart beating faster when he walks closer to me. He looks deep into my eyes and puts one hand behind my neck and caresses my cheek with his thumb. I hold my breath and stare into his eyes. His eyes are beautiful like ice, and it makes me calm and nervous to look at them at the same time.

I shut down my eyes and take a step back, ''I better go get some sleep. Good night, Gabriel thank you for tonight.''

He just stands there like there is so much he wants to say but he can't. I close the door behind me and rest against it with my back. My breathing is going very fast, and I put my hands in my hair.

''I cannot fall in love with this guy. I am just making the same mistake all over again,'' I think to myself. I take a deep breath and decide that I must focus on the war that is coming. Tomorrow, I go to the Sky Realm, so I better get some rest. Maybe it is good to be away from Gabriel for a while. I don't know if I can control myself if he keeps looking at me like that. I go to bed and try not to think about Gabriel's hands on my body and all the things I would want him to do to me.