49. THE MASQUERADE BALL

"Dear Reader,

You have no doubt heard that the students of Flamenco Caliente High School in Ciudad Enamorada chose a masquerade theme for their Prom. To suit such a grand affair, an elegant manor on the town's outskirts was selected, promising an evening of mystery and intrigue...

...Though they themselves chose the theme, the young attendees simply could not resist displaying at least a little rebellion and some arrived without masks at all, an act of sheer impertinence, if you ask me. In the end, however, it made little difference, for no one could escape my watchful eye...

...Thus it was observed that Regina L. devoured an entire tray of macarons. Carmen B. arrived alone, grimacing at her phone, like perhaps someone stood her up. Why Elena L. danced alone? Did she and R.L. have a quarrel? And what occupied Diego L. and Carmen in such animated conversation?...

...At last, Olimpia D. herself was spotted, despite her own school career ended quite some time ago. Certain witnesses claim she attended at the invitation of Diego L. Could we have just uncovered the couple of the season? One thing is certain, Gentle Reader: this evening shall be unlike any other."

Diego: Fair lady, would you honor me with a dance?

Olimpia: Ugh, I don't know. I'm really not in the mood for dancing. One of the horses passed away yesterday, and...

Diego: Ollie, please. This night is literally never happening again. We have to dance this waltz.

Ollie eventually let herself be dragged onto the dance floor, which only made her enjoy it even less. To make it worse, Elena kept giving them strange looks. She'd have to ask about that later. For now, she just had to survive the evening, the photos, and, horror of horrors, the commemorative portrait.

Still, Ollie knew exactly how to improve her mood.

Olimpia: Okay, I have an idea.

Diego: Should I be worried?

Olimpia: Only if I get caught.

Diego: That is not reassuring.

Olimpia: Relax. It's not like they can expel me from school a second time.

"Dear Gentle Reader,

Those who claimed the refreshments at the Prom tasted peculiar, if not outright dreadful, were correct. Yet who could have perpetrated such a wicked prank? The rumors were plentiful. And though I know the truth, I shall not reveal it, for even I, dear Reader, must keep a few secrets." 

Of course, Ollie wouldn't be herself if she simply pulled a prank and left the rest to fate. She knew Carmen was responsible for the refreshments, so why not pin the entire thing on her while she was at it? (In doing so, she completed her aspiration.)

First, she approached Carmen with a series of compliments and words of praise. 

To Ollie's surprise, Carmen readily believed that the teachers had noticed the drinks running low and, taking her role seriously, hurried off to refill them. After that, Ollie hardly had to remark the odd taste of the punch and Carmen's suspicious habit of adding something to it.

The gossip quickly spiraled out of control. More and more distrustful glances were cast in Carmen's direction. Carmen soon realized she was framed, but she had no proof against Ollie. Unwilling to worsen her situation any further, she could do little except ignore everyone around her.

At one point, Diego asked if they could talk somewhere a little more private.

Although Ollie wasn't convinced this was the right day for a serious conversation, she eventually followed him.  

Diego: You know, we barely get to see each other lately. And I was thinking... since you were already supposed to stay over at our place after Prom, I thought it'd be nice to do something special. So... I planned a romantic surprise and booked us a hotel room.

Olimpia: You did what?

Olimpia: And what exactly were your plans for this hotel room?

Diego: OMW, no! No, no, that's not what I mean. We don't have to do anything. I just thought it'd be romantic, you know? We'd have some privacy, no one bothering us. Unless you wanted to, then... well... we could...

Olimpia: Did it ever occur to you that maybe you should've talked to me first? Asked what I think? Whether I'm ready?

Diego: I wasn't trying to pressure you or rush you into anything. You're taking this the wrong way. I just wanted to spend time with you.

Olimpia: Which is why you booked a hotel room?

Diego: It was supposed to be a surprise... something different.

Olimpia: A surprise would be a gift. Not...

Diego: I think you're kind of overreacting. You're acting like I planned Watcher knows what.

Olimpia: Didn't you? Look me in the eye and tell me that thought never crossed your mind.

Diego: And even if it did, so what? We've known each other forever. Thinking about stuff like that is pretty normal when you care about someone. I try to plan something special, and you immediately assume the worst.

Olimpia: So you're admitting it!

Diego: Is it really that awful that I want that? That we're together and I think about you that way?

Olimpia: Yes! Because when you planned all this, you weren't thinking about me. You were thinking about yourself and what you wanted.

Diego: You're acting like a child.

Olimpia: I AM acting like a child?

Olimpia: This is pointless.

Diego: Yeah, it is. We're arguing when we should be talking this through. You're right. I should've asked what you thought instead of bringing this on you like an idiot...

Olimpia: No, Diego...

Olimpia: I mean this. Us. Being together.

Diego: What are you talking about?

Olimpia: I tried, Diego. I really did. But I don't feel the same way about you that you feel about me.

Diego: But...

Olimpia: I'm sorry. But it's over.

Olimpia: I think I'd like to go home now...

"Gentle Reader, it may sadden you to learn, or perhaps delight you, that Olimpia D. was seen leaving Prom tonight without Diego L. at her side, following what witnesses describe as a particularly heated exchange...

...Has the hottest couple of the season already grown cold? Or is this merely a misunderstanding that blossomed through the fertile soil of rumor? One thing is certain: Miss Olimpia would do well to remember that the brighter a Lady shines, the faster she may burn.

Yours faithfully, Lady Watcherdown"

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