Dean glanced at Yvaine, “Are you making fun of me?”
“No,” A smile lingered on her face as she quickly shook her head, “it’s just…” She tried to hold back another laugh, “Your reaction was kind of cute.”
Dean blinked, “M-my what?!”
For a moment, neither of them spoke.
Then his eyes suddenly shifted past her shoulder.
“…Don’t move.”
Yvaine frowned, “What?”
“There’s a spider.”
She narrowed her eyes suspiciously, “Very funny.”
“I’m serious.”
“You got embarrassed, so now you’re trying to scare me.”
Dean pointed toward her shoulder, “It’s literally crawling beside your face.”
Yvaine sighed dramatically, “You know… that’s probably the oldest trick ever.” She casually turned her head.
Her eyes landed on a large black spider slowly dangling from a thin thread.
…
“AAH!”
She instantly stumbled forward.
Without thinking, she buried herself against Dean, her eyes squeezed tightly shut.
“I hate spiders!”
Dean froze.
The dim lantern beside them flickered softly, throwing a soft yellowish warm glow on Yvaine’s face.
For the first time, Dean noticed her face so closely.
It was as if his own portrait came alive.
The way her eyelashes trembled.
The loose strands of black hair framing her face.
She looked… extremely beautiful!
Not because she resembled the girl from his dream or his portrait.
But because, standing this close, those soft lighting on her face was simply making her more beautiful.
A small chuckle escaped from Dean’s mouth.
Yvaine slowly opened her eyes, “What?”
Dean pointed towards that spider, which was hanging in the air, “It’s fake.”
Her entire face slowly turned pink, as she looked at that plastic spider.
She immediately stepped back, clearing her throat, “I..”
She looked anywhere except at him, “…I knew that.”
Dean couldn’t help smiling, “Of course you did.”
Yvaine shot him an embarrassed glare, “Don’t laugh.”
As they continued walking, Dean didn’t notice, but somehow, the Ghost House didn’t seem frightening anymore.
Soon, the wooden exit doors opened.
Festival lights welcomed them back.
Students laughed as they wandered between food stalls and game booths.
Dean glanced sideways, “Would you… like something to drink?”
Yvaine looked at him thinking, “I’d like that.”
They walked toward a small coffee stall near the center of the grounds.
The student volunteer smiled looking at them, “The usual, Yvi-Yvi?”
Yavine nods.
The student volunteer looked up at Dean for his order, “And for you Dean?”
“Is Cascara on the menu?” Dean said while looking at the menu card.
“Yes, they have it. Kyle, make two.”
Dean looked confusingly at Yvaine, while the student volunteer started preparing two orders of Cascara.
“I didn’t know Cascara would be available tonight.”
“Actually my department is handling this booth, so I added Cascara on the menu.”
“I’ve never seen someone else order this.”
“A Cascartic coincidence!” Yvaine smiled.
Dean nodded.
Kyle placed both cups on the counter.
They both took their cups and walked toward an empty bench beneath a maple tree.
For a while, neither of them spoke.
They simply sipped their coffee while watching the festival.
The silence didn’t feel awkward anymore.
“Dean!”
A cheerful voice called out.
Both of them looked up.
A girl from the Art Department hurried over.
“There you are!”
“Miley?”
She slowed to a stop before noticing Yvaine sitting beside him.
Her eyes moved between the two of them.
“…Wait,” Miley pointed at them, “Are you two dating?”
Dean nearly choked on his drink, “What? No.”
“Oh,” Miley visibly looked relaxed.
She smiled at Dean, “I’ve been waiting for a chance to ask.” She took a small breath, “Would you like to have dinner with me tonight? If you don’t mind…”
Her face instantly brightened, “Great! Then I’ll see you later.” She waved enthusiastically before disappearing back into the crowd.
Yvaine quietly took another sip of her Cascara.
Then, with a polite smile, she asked, “So… Do you like her?”
Dean looked genuinely confused.
“That girl?”
Yvaine nodded.
He shook his head, “No.”
She lowered her gaze to the cup in her hands, as she smiled faintly, “…She seems nice.”
“She is, but I’ve never thought about her that way.”
She didn’t realise she’d been holding her breath until now.
Dean took another sip before glancing at her, “Can I ask you something?”
Yvaine nodded, “Sure.”
He hesitated for a moment, “The melody you were playing earlier…”
Yvaine tilted her head slightly, “What about it?”
Dean looked at her as his heartbeat slowly quickened, “That melody—”
Two hands suddenly covered his eyes, “Guess who?”
Dean nearly spilled his Cascara, “Joey, I know it’s you.”
The hands immediately let go, “Aww, you didn’t even try!” Joey groaned dramatically before stepping in front of them.
He looked between Dean and Yvaine.
Then a mischievous grin spread across his face, “So… Did my Dee enjoy the Ghost House?”
Dean gave him a bombastic side-eye.
“I’ll take that as a yes.” Joey wiggled his eyebrows.
Yvaine let out a small laugh.
He then pointed toward the Art Exhibition Hall, “Your collection is causing quite a commotion.
Now you owe me a good party.
You want to join?” He looked at Yvaine and then Dean, “She deserves it.”
“Okay. If Dean wants.”
Yvaine looked at Dean with her big curious eyes.
“You are invited, I guess it is half of your contribution in my portrait.”
Yvaine smiled, “Okay then, see you both later. I should head back. My friends must be probably looking for me.”
Dean nodded, “Yeah. See you later. It was nice meeting you, Yvaine.”
“Me too, Dean.”
She started walking, but then stopped.
She turned and looked at Dean as she softly smiled and waved before slowly disappearing into the crowd of students.
Dean’s eyes followed her until she was no longer visible.
Only then did Joey gently nudge his shoulder, “…Nice meeting you, Yvaine?”