Ara's POV
Still, I'm so confused… what happened today.
U—Urghhhh.... I have two nicknames.
Ray and Noor...
Boring.
Well, maybe not boring. Maybe just... confusing. One from goblins, and one from the boy I'm supposedly boycotting. Or trying to.
I press my face into my pillow and groan. I'm not used to this. People giving me names, caring what I think, noticing when I disappear. I don't know what to do with it all. I'm feeling—good...
Especially not when the same boy who calls me "Noor" somehow makes my heart race and my brain short-circuit.
Ugh. No. Stop thinking about him.
But then why is his voice still ringing in my ears?
"Bye, Noor."
I roll to the other side. "No. Nope. Not doing this."
I decide to text Samriddhi and Gaurav.
---
Me: URGENT!!! Aarav is lacking brain cells...
Sammie: What did he do?? Ray...
Nick: He proposed?? You??? Tell us everything.
Me: No. He gave me a nickname. Noor.
Sammie: ...
Nick: ...
Sammie: Girl, that's basically called the first phase of a proposal.
Me: HATE YOU BOTH :(
Sammie: But Noor sounds pretty though.
Nick: Aarav nailed it...
Me: I'm leaving!
---
I shut my phone, wanted to throw it but I control myself. I'm not ready to process all this. Not yet.
Tomorrow is a new day. With new type chaos.
And if he calls me Noor again...
I honestly don't know if I'll scream or smile.
Maybe both.
---
Oh. My. God...
Tomorrow at the school corridor—
I didn't mean to punch him. Maybe I did. A little. But I'm exhausted from that irritating leech!
It all happened too fast.
One second before Aarav was smirking and continuously following me. Idiot. With that new name—Noor. And now, my fist was colliding with his jaw.
Yes! I punched him!
Like Liza!
The corridor—silent, Nick—gasped, and Sammie—forgets to breathe. Nothing special.
Now, Aarav is rubbing the spot where my knuckles had landed.
"Ara, you are living in real life. You are a real living human being. You are not an NPC," Sammie whispered from behind.
"We know that you become a volcano in the morning, but you don't want to explode like this in front of everyone!" Nick also whispered.
"I think she's super annoyed by the super name—Noor."
I just want to leave this world and live on Mars.
And the Next event is disciplinary committee...
Wow!!! Just wow!! I didn't know that this type of mild violence is not allowed here. A teacher saw us. That's the whole reason.
The room is filled with the smell of ink, papers, and justice.
Three professors, teachers, officers—I don't know who they are. They all just stared at me and his jaw. They were all sitting in a row, and we both sat opposite them.
Then suddenly a girl entered the room, forcing me to look at her.
"Yaori??? Are you really back??" one of the officers asked the girl...
"Yeah, I'm back! My suspension is over now. I'm just here to take some documents," she answered.
She wore a black hoodie. Looked so pretty and self-maintained. I have no comparison with her. Her skin is just!! I could study with the glow of her skin!!!!!!
"Yaori!!!" the person sitting just next to me screamed! I was just about to get a heart attack in my brain cells. Oh my god! Help me!
I don't know why but he stood from his chair and hugged her tightly?!?!! What!!??!
Then I turned to the officers. No reaction—like this is normal. I'm confused.
Suddenly the door opens again, this time the person who appeared is Sammie. She dragged the girl named Yaori outside the room. Great job.
Then the meeting continued. Aarav was trying to defend me. But why??
My brain cells accidentally drowned in sewer.
So the committee decided not to suspend me, just cancel my sports activities for a whole week!!!
---
After getting out of that room with the smell of justice, I spotted that girl leaning against the wall. Arms crossed. Probably waiting for Aarav.
"Now tell me, how are you?" The person next to me asked Yaori. I don't know why but the volcano is still so hot.
They both left me alone so I went straight home just thinking about that stupid incident.
I entered my home, threw my rucksack on the sofa, and jumped on it. Liza asked what happened. I replied—nothing.
But I knew that she's aware of today's incident. I have to ignore her. So I moved to my room. I just crawled onto my bed. Then Liza came to call me because Uncle was calling everyone.
"Is everybody here now?" Uncle screamed in a funny way. I wanted to laugh.
"Okay then" he continued "so my childhood friend invited me to their business party. So we have to go there," he declared.
"Okay but why is the party being organised?? And who really invited you????" Leo asked. I'm also curious.
"Rian Cathel Rylan invited us to the Royal Rylan Business Gala... After all, I'm the owner of one of the top 10 companies in the world and, most importantly, he's my best friend," he explained. He is rich.
"Did you just say—RYLAN?? Do you really mean that Rylan family??" Liza asked in shock.
"Is there another one?" Uncle chuckled.
"Rian called me personally this morning. It's a massive event—only select families from elite business circles are invited," he explained more.
"Yah, I remember. We had a dinner together in past with Rian." Aunt added.
I blinked. Royal Rylan? I've heard the name before. Somewhere, whispered between the stories of old money, old wealth, and dangerous powers.
"It will be held this upcoming Friday. Our entire family is invited, including Ara."
"Why me??"
"Because now you are also part of our family... everyone knows that. You are not different from us," he described.
Really.... I— I have no words...
My own mother never ever said that. She never even took me to any party or gala.
"So be prepared, okay," Uncle announced and left. Now he's busy with his calls and meetings, Liza is asleep on the sofa, Leo is just doing nonsense, and Aunt is busy choosing some references.
So that's all. I'm here on my heaven-like bed.
On the next day, everyone decided to buy some royal dresses for The Gala. Including me.
To be honest, I don't like to wear dresses. I have no interest in wearing expensive and royal dresses.
Everyone already starts buzzing around the house. Aunt was on a video call with a designer. Leo and Liza are just chuckling around. Uncle was busy with video conference.
"Ara! What are you doing? Get ready quickly we are leaving in ten minutes!" Aunt ordered just after ending the video call.
Royal Shopping...
I groaned and pulled a hoodie over my head. I didn't want to go. The thought of trying on gowns, pretending to be some rich heiress, walking around under chandeliers—I mean, no thanks.
But when I stepped into the living room, I paused. Everyone looked so... excited. It was a weird kind of bonding moment, even if I was internally screaming.
So I sighed and followed them to the car.
The boutique was something else. It was like stepping into royalty. Tall glass doors, golden trims, white floors so clean I could see my reflection, and racks upon racks of glittery, silky, flowy things I didn't know the names of.
"Welcome, sir," a woman in a black blazer greeted Uncle. "We've been expecting you."
I still wasn't sure why I was included, but I wasn't going to question Uncle again. Not when he said I was part of the family. Not when he looked proud of saying it. I'm feeling different.
"Ara, go with your aunt and Liza. Let them help you pick something," he said gently.
I nodded. Liza took my hand and pulled me towards a separate section marked "Private Collection."
"We're not buying you something basic" she said with a sly grin. "You're going to look like fire."
"I'd rather look invisible," I mumbled.
Liza ignored me and started going through dresses like a professional. Aunt joined her soon. Meanwhile, I stood still like a historic statue.
"Try this," Aunt said, handing me a soft pastel-blue puff gown that shimmered slightly under the lights. The whole party is going to be Royal so the whole collection is full of puff gowns or glam dress.
"No," I replied.
She gave me a look.
"Fine."
I walked into the huge changing room and slipped into the dress. It fit like it had been made for me—but I didn't feel like myself in it. When I stepped out, Liza's eyes widened.
"Oh. My. Gosh."
Aunt covered her mouth and gave a teary smile. "You look beautiful, Ara."
I blinked. No one had ever said that to me. Not like that. Not with so much... honesty. I really feel different.
I turned to the mirror. The girl staring back at me wasn't me. Not the same Ara who ran from emotions and hated attention. This one looked like she belonged in a fairy tale. I want this thing.
"Let's try more," Liza said, suddenly switching into full stylist mode.
Dress after dress, glitter after glitter, heels after heels—we tried everything. Others made me feel like I was drowning in fabric. But somehow, we laughed through it.
Somehow Aunt Rhea and Liza managed to select the three dresses for final selection.
Meanwhile, Leo and Uncle were in another section trying on suits. Leo ended up choosing a black and silver jewellery combo, looking like a boy-prince out of a storybook. He kept checking himself in the mirror and winking. I had secondhand embarrassment.
Uncle, on the other hand, looked like a CEO right out of Forbes. Sharp black tux, crisp black shirt, and a wine-red pocket square. He looked proud and rich—and warm, somehow. Like a man who never let power change his heart.
Aunt on the other hand feels like—no words. A wine red chiffon off shoulder gown.
Liza— it's better to not talk about her dress. She chose a white and black combo. I mean a little shade of black. Along with diamond earrings and off shoulder. Including gloves also.
By the end of it all, I had to admit—it wasn't awful.
Okay, it was slightly magical.
I mean, who knew expensive boutiques served free hot chocolate and sweets? Not only sweets, they gave us a whole menu.
By honest, I never saw this type of pieces of a wonderful collection.
As we left the store, Uncle placed a hand on my shoulder. "You made the right choice."
I glanced at the choice I made in my hand. "Did I?"
"Yes. You'll see."
I didn't reply, but my heart felt oddly full.
And just as we were getting into the car, I saw a figure across the street. A guy in a hoodie, standing still, his eyes scanning us.
He was too far to recognize, and when I blinked, he was gone.
Probably nothing.
But somehow, the air around me shifted.
The Gala was coming.
And with it, something else I couldn't name.
Something... different.
Everything is different... The Noor, The Ray, My new family, The goblins, New country, My new school, Yoari, The boy sit behind me, and the upcoming gala. A party I'm going to attend after a long time.