Chapter 100: Hidden Desires
**Thelma Zane’s POV**
Everyone had donned their school uniforms early in the day, for two practical reasons. First, they wanted to avoid dirtying their precious gowns or suits. Second, the uniform allowed them to maintain a sense of intrigue, revealing their stunning attire only when the time was right.
Dorothy reluctantly locked away her exquisite fur shawl in the storage cabinet. It was a necessity since the school’s insurance likely wouldn’t cover the enormous cost of her dress, which was worth two hundred times more than any regular wardrobe item.
“If I had known how inconvenient this would be, I’d have brought the gown to school and changed here,” Mara grumbled. “It’s gorgeous for dancing, but walking in it is a nightmare.”
Her complaint was shared by many other girls, though none would dare voice it aloud. Despite the impracticality of their outfits, they still wore their “battle robes” with pride, determined to endure any discomfort for the sake of beauty. The logic seemed universal: opportunities to wear gowns were rare, and they intended to make the most of it–even if it meant suffering in silence.
Still, I couldn’t help but feel uncertain. “Why don’t we change into our school uniforms for now and then switch to our gowns before the dance? It’ll save us the trouble of dealing with all this discomfort.”
Dorothy quickly agreed. “The price of beauty is far too high! We’re not even graduating–let the seniors have the spotlight. I’d give anything for my flat shoes right now.
Avril, ever pragmatic, shrugged nonchalantly. “This is why I chose a tuxedo. It’s stylish, comfortable, and entirely practical.”
With that, we headed to the stadium’s locker rooms. The area was already crowded, with girls waiting impatiently to shed their gowns and slip into something more comfortable.
Mara frowned at the chaos and suggested an alternative. “Let’s go to the drama club’s room. The second floor isn’t open to the public, so we can use the props warehouse to change.”
The drama club had seen better days. Once a vibrant hub of creativity, it had lost much of its luster following Ryan’s departure. To fill the leadership void, the club had appointed an acting president: Carolyn.
“It’s ridiculous,” Mara said as we climbed the stairs. Her exaggerated expression made her dissatisfaction clear. “Carolyn has
only been in the club for half a year. She’s done nothing of note, yet she gets to be president?”
“Acting president,” I corrected softly, though Mara wasn’t appeased.
“She doesn’t deserve that title either,” Mara continued. “Do you know what her first act as president was? She kicked out every actor who had formed a play and demanded re–auditions. And guess who appeared on the shortlist for the lead in every production? Carolyn herself. She craves the spotlight so badly she should be a projector, not an actress. That way, she could have the stage all to herself.”
“You liked Carolyn when she first joined,” Avril teased, clearly enjoying the conversation.
“That was before I knew her true nature,” Mara shot back, rolling her eyes. “Who wouldn’t be drawn to an angelic face like hers? But beneath that facade lies a heart full of self–interest. Even the boys who once idolized her now roll their eyes whenever her name comes up.”
“Then how did she end up as acting president?” asked, genuinely curious.
Mara shrugged, unlocking the door to the props warehouse. “Because she has a powerful father. If my dad were a duke, I could do whatever I wanted too.”
I reminded myself not to jump to conclusions. Perhaps Carolyn wasn’t as manipulative as Mara claimed, and her father, the southern Duke, couldn’t be so oblivious. Still, Dorothy and I exchanged weary glances and sighed.
Once inside, we quickly changed into our school uniforms. For the first time, I felt an immense sense of relief wearing the simple attire. My gown, adorned with stars embroidered in silver thread, was undeniably beautiful, but I’d felt like a piece of ham tightly wrapped in cloth.
As we prepared to leave, faint noises echoed through the corridor outside. I gestured for the girls to stay quiet and peeked through the narrow gap in the door.
To my astonishment, I saw Carolyn and Ryan.
I:
They were locked in a passionate embrace, kissing with abandon despite being in a public hallway. My heart sank, though not from disappointment. It was frustration–how could Carolyn use her position and Ryan’s trust like this?
The girls exchanged wide–eyed looks of shock.
“Drama,” Mara mouthed, her lips forming the word silently.
We were trapped. Leaving now would undoubtedly draw attention, but staying meant witnessing more than prayed the situation wouldn’t
e cared to. Frozen in place, we silentl
escalate further.
Then Carolyn’s voice broke through the tension.
“Take it slow, darling. We have plenty of time,” she cooed, her tone sickly sweet. “Can you satisfy me? Oh, I know you can… my good boy.”
Ryan responded with embarrassing eagerness, murmuring, “I’ll satisfy you, Carolyn. I’ll give you everything.”
Chapter 100 Hidden Desires
I clenched my fists, anger simmering beneath my skin. How could someone as cunning as Carolyn tarnish her image with such behavior?
But before I could react, Avril moved.
She kicked the door open with an authoritative force, stepping out like a proud flamingo on stage. Her expression was a mixture of amusement and disdain as she addressed the startled couple.
“Well, good day to you, Mr. Genius and Miss Duke,” she said, her voice dripping with mockery. “Are you two rehearsing? Quite the performance, I must say. A pity it’s a little too risqué for the drama club’s usual repertoire. Otherwise, it would’ve been perfect for the main stage, don’t you think?”
In that moment, Avril was nothing short of magnificent. The boldness of her actions left Carolyn and Ryan speechless, and even we couldn’t help but admire her audacity.
It was clear that tonight’s drama wasn’t confined to the ballroom. If anything, the true performances were happening behind closed doors–where secrets, ambitions, and hidden desires collided.
