"This is so itchy," she grunted, her fingers already tracing the fabric strap with flower designs on it. The flower choker hid her neck perfectly as he said. They were walking into the woods where the festival was held. Noah gently pried her hand off her neck.
"Careful or you'll blow your cover," he said.
He couldn't stop looking at her the moment they left his house.
"Why on earth do you have two costumes?" Aralyn asked with a gasp.
In his hands, he held two costume. He held out his right hand.
"This is a Moon Priestess, which I have to admit screams you perfectly," he said.
Aralyn watched the design. The colors on the outfit was shades of silver, soft white and pale blue. It was a sleeveless dress with a high collar and has its own thin, translucent veil. It was indeed a beautiful costume, but she couldn't risk herself of giving her away. "No."
Noah sighed and rolled his eyes and held out his left hand as he said, "This is a Forest Spirit. A Dryad. I think it looks good on you, but not as much as this Moon Priestess."
"I'll take that," she said.
"Really?"
"Yes."
The dress was simple with its deep green and hints of gold. It looked like it has fitted bodice, which Aralyn wasn't sure of it at first, because she didn't want to look too sexy in it and took people's attention. But good thing it has its own natural choker and a light hooded cape. That would help to hide her glow underneath.
Noah looked unimpressed and hand her the dress. "I'll wait outside," he said and closed the door.
He waited patiently, and when he did, unwelcomed thoughts came barging in. Was his dad a witch? He leaned on the railing, gaze distanced as he dwelled on it. He knew Aralyn was a witch. A supreme one at that, but his dad? He shook his head with a dismissive smirk.
"Dad's not a witch. He couldn't be," he muttered. He heard a knock.
"Noah? I'm ready." She called out.
When Noah came back inside, his jaw dropped to the floor.
Aralyn looked… otherworldly.
The deep green dress hugged her just enough before cascading down like layered leaves, each step she took making the fabric whisper softly against itself. Hints of gold caught the light like sunlight filtering through a forest canopy. The natural choker wrapped delicately around her neck, tiny flowers and vines resting against her skin as if they had grown there on their own.
Her deep blonde hair fell freely over her shoulders, slightly tousled, the strands catching warmth under the dim light, and the hooded cape draped behind her like a shadow of the woods following her every move.
There was nothing loud about her beauty. Nothing demanding.
And yet, he couldn't look away.
"Woah," he breathed. For once, he couldn't find anything to say. He thought she would look splendor if she wore the Moon Priestess, but this one did took his breath away.
Aralyn began to get nervous when he went silent. She began fidgeting with her fingers.
"I think I should change," she said but Noah held her arm gently, stopping her.
"No no. You look... beautiful. Seriously," he said, giving her that rare smile again. "I have to be honest, you would be majestic queen if you wear the Moon Priestess."
"I can't. It would draw lots of attention, and I don't want that," she said nervously. "And for the record, I feel expensive wearing this. That brings me to the first question; why do you have two costumes? Don't tell me you wear them."
Noah scoffed and looked at her smugly.
"If I did, I would be more prettier than those girls," he said as he flipped an imaginary hair. "And the guys would look at me like I'm something to eat, so no."
"Then what about me? Don't you think they will thought about the same thing?" She asked, doubt creeping in.
"You're with me, remember? There's no way I'll let you outta my sight," he said confidently, adjusting the fabric on her neck.
"But what if-"
"Ta ta ta. You'll be staying by my side. I rest my case."
"You're pretty confident for someone who can walk around doing nothing, taking people's attention and would pull you away at any moment," she said.
He only smiled. "That's because I am confident, Scarf, and yes, you're right about that. They would take the chance to talk or to pull me away," he quoted, "but tonight I'm yours."
Aralyn's heart stopped beating. Tonight I'm yours. Those words only lived in her memories she had once shared with someone she held dearly.
No, it's just a coincidence, Aralyn. People talk like that all the time, she thought to herself.
When they arrived, Aralyn had to take a double take on the sight. The clearing was filled with the townspeople in all sorts of costumes, but Aralyn could see every one of them wore a leaf crown on their head.
Noah stood by her side, and looked like he had stepped straight out of the same forest she was trying to blend into.
He wore a loose, off-white shirt with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows, the collar slightly open, revealing just enough skin to make it unfair. Over it, a dark green vest fitted his frame, embroidered with subtle leaf patterns that only caught the light when he moved. His black jeans were tucked into worn leather boots, giving him that effortless, roguish look he seemed to carry without trying.
A simple leaf crown rested crookedly on his head, like he had put it on without a mirror and didn't care to fix it. Somehow, that made it worse. He looked like trouble.
He leaned close to whisper, "Breath, Scarf."
Aralyn forced herself to calm down. Up ahead, she saw Sentinel stood tall and mighty with lights hung around its huge form, glowing warmly against the night. No chairs in sight, only the long wooden table in the center with various of home-cooked meals and baked goods.
For a moment, the tray of rye cinnamon rolls felt too cheap in her hand.
As they walked closer, a woman suddenly came into their path. Aralyn immediately recognized who she was and held the tray closer to her body.
"What're you doing here, freak?" Maya fumed.
She was dressed in a flowing, pale green gown that clung to her frame, the fabric layered and sheer at the sleeves. Silver embroidery traced along the neckline and down her arms like vines. A delicate circlet rested on her head, and her long dark hair had been styled into soft waves that framed her face perfectly. Her ears were elongated, sculpted to a sharp point, making her look almost… otherworldly.
Noah blinked once. "Arwen? Seriously?"
Maya shot him a glare. "Shut up."
Noah was about to compliment when Maya beat him to it first. All of the words died down in his throat, his gaze hardened. "Relax Maya, what is your problem?"
"You shouldn't even be here," she said still seething, and looked down on the tray with a mocking smile. "How cute. You think this," she gestured to the rolls, "belongs on that table? There's no way I would let you put that thing on it."
Maya came forward, trying to take the tray. Aralyn instinctively stepped back, but Noah marched up front, shielding her.
"What's the matter with you? She's just trying to enjoy the festival like the rest of us," Noah said angrily.
"Since when do you care?" She spat, sizing him up. "What, she's one of your playthings now that you need to protect?"
Noah let out a short laugh, humorless. "Plaything? That's what you think of people now?"
"Oh please," Maya scoffed. "You hop from one girl to another like it's a sport. Don't act like you're suddenly some knight in shining armor."
Noah's jaw tightened. "At least I don't tear people down just to feel better about myself. If I were you, I would be very careful of what I'm about to say next," he said icily. " So back off."
"Or what, prince charming? You gonna hit me? You gonna hit a woman?" Maya provoked, crossing her arms.
The corner of Noah's lips twitched as he stepped closer. "You know I would very much like to identify as a woman nowadays," he said with a smile. He remembered how Maya joined a protest years ago to protect the rights of those who wanted to identify themselves as the other way. "You sure you want that?"
Maya flinched and let her arms fall to her sides. "Whatever," she muttered, but not before throwing Aralyn one last sharp look. "Stay where you belong."
She turned and walked away, her gown swaying dramatically behind her.
Noah exhaled slowly, tension still lingering in his shoulders before he turned around to face Aralyn, who looked at him with wide eyes.
"You're okay?" he asked.
Aralyn only nodded but didn't make a single sound.
"Why do you look at me like that?"
"Nothing. I just... thought you looked scary for a second there," she admitted.
Noah sighed and put his hand over the small of her back with light touches. Not quite there, but she could feel it as he guided her to the long table.
"I don't know what her problem is, but I will never let anyone talk to you like that," he said under his breath.
Aralyn placed the rye cinnamon rolls on the white table cloth. Everything looked so good and mouthwatering.
"Aralyn? Is that you?"
A soft voice took their attention.
Clara Whitlock stood a few steps away, looking like she had stepped out of a storybook.
She wore a soft, pastel-toned dress in shades of pale lavender and green, the skirt layered like petals. Tiny shimmering details were scattered across the fabric like morning dew. A pair of delicate, translucent wings rested on her back, catching the light whenever she moved. In her hand, she held a slender scepter topped with a small glowing crystal that pulsed faintly like a heartbeat.
She was breathtaking. But somehow, it didn't quite hold Noah the way Aralyn did. Clara lit up when she saw Aralyn, letting her scepter fall to the ground to hold Aralyn's hands.
"I'm so glad you came!" she said happily, almost jumping. "And Noah, you looked... not bad," Clara added with twinkling eyes.
Noah chuckled. "Not bad? I'll take it."
For some reason, it made Aralyn feel that bitterness again, creeping quietly beneath her ribs.
"How're you, Clara?" Aralyn asked.
"I am feeling great, by the way. And have you eaten yet?" Clara naturally linked her arm with Aralyn's, and Noah fell into step toward her other side. "I made lemon bread. I was hoping you could try it. It's my first time baking," she said.
Noah leaned slightly, peeking past Aralyn. "You made it? That's dangerous. What if it's actually poison this time?"
Clara gasped softly, swatting his arm. "That was one time!"
"Uhuh, sure," he teased.
Clara rolled her eyes, but she was smiling. "You still came back, didn't you?"
Noah grinned. "Yeah, guess I like living dangerously."
Clara's laughter rang light and easy, and for a brief moment, Aralyn felt like she was standing just a step outside of something she couldn't quite reach.
Clara turned back to her, squeezing her arm gently. "Come on, I'll show you where it is."
Aralyn nodded, letting herself be pulled along, though her gaze flickered briefly toward Noah. He caught it. And for once, he didn't joke. "I'm right here," he said softly.
"Let me get you a slice," Clara cooed and sliced her lemon bread before plating it on a paper plate. She gave it to Aralyn who slowly took a cautious bite. "So? How was it?"
Aralyn's eyes widened as she chewed slowly. "This is incredible," she said. "Here, try it." She then gave it to Noah who took a bite.
"Whitlock!"
Clara's face fell and pouted. "It's not even a minute they already call me back."
Aralyn couldn't help but nudge her shoulder.
"Hey, we'll still be here," she said casually, making Clara's eyes brighten up again.
"Really?"
Noah only nodded as he kept chewing with more effort now.
Clara squealed and hugged Aralyn within seconds before letting her go. "Mingle around, you two!"
Two sets of eyes followed her until she was far away. Aralyn smirked and watched her side as Noah struggled to keep his face straight.
"She's gone."
It was all he needed.
Noah's eyes darted around frantically, scanning for a bin, a table edge, anything. There was nothing. Just people, laughter, and nowhere to discreetly spit out the bite currently betraying him.
His jaw worked once. Twice. Regret hit him immediately. He forced himself to swallow. A visible shudder ran through him as he squeezed his eyes shut for a second, like he had just made the worst decision of his life. Noah grabbed a juice box from the table and jabbed the straw in with unnecessary force before taking a long sip.
"Why didn't you tell me, Scarf?" he groaned, tongue sticking out slightly as if trying to get rid of the taste.
Aralyn's laughter bubbled up into the air.
The sound of her laughter was so carefree and airy that Noah almost didn't regret forcing the disaster down, making him straighten his back a little.
"You just love watching me suffer, huh Scarf?"
"I'm sorry. I'm sorry," Aralyn apologized, though her smile betrayed her as she took a few napkins from the table and handed them to him.
"Thanks. Guess I'll keep doing it then," he said without looking at her, wiping his mouth.
"Doing... what?"
"To make you laugh again. It's addictive," Noah said with a smile that reached his eyes.
A smile that made her heart flutter again.