Extra's Ascent

"Aldrich, I want you to meet my parents," Fiona said, standing beside him as she introduced him to the two adults before them.

The man was tall, with a handsome and composed expression, while the woman presented a beautiful contrast to Fiona, sharing the same blonde hair.

"Good evening, Mr. Helmswoth, Mrs. Helmsworth," Aldrich greeted, a bit awkwardly. He wished he had known about this meeting in advance.

"Evening. I didn't expect you to find such a handsome date on such short notice, dear," her mother complimented.

Mr. Helmsworth scrutinized Aldrich with a measured gaze, observing him closely.

"How are you enjoying the party so far, Aldrich?" he asked.

Aldrich managed a light-hearted smile, trying to mask his nerves. "It's been great, Mr. Helmswoth," he answered, choosing his words carefully to cover his true feelings about the event, which weren't particularly enthusiastic.

"Please, call me Jake," Fiona's father corrected with a friendly tone.

"Right, Mr. Jake. I find the event truly charming, and I'm grateful to Fiona for giving me the chance to accompany her tonight," Aldrich replied, smiling at Fiona beside him.

Mrs. Helmswoth shifted her gaze to her daughter, noticing how Fiona looked at Aldrich as he conversed with her father.

"You know, darling, we should leave the young lovebirds to enjoy themselves. We should follow their example," Mrs Helmswoth urged, taking her husband by the arm and gently guiding him away.

"Aldrich, do stop by the mansion sometime. I'd love to chat with you more," Jake said as he was ushered away by his wife.

"I'll be sure to do that, sir," Aldrich replied, amused as he watched Jake get led off.

With her parents out of sight, he turned back to Fiona. "So… meeting the parents on the first date? Don't you think we're moving a bit fast?" he teased.

"Hey now, don't get any ideas. I just thought it would be nice for my parents to know who I'm spending time with," she replied, a bit flustered by his playful remark.

"Oh, so we're 'spending time' together, are we? Does that mean I'm doing well enough for you to consider hanging out again sometime?" he asked with a grin.

"You tell me… Mister Aldrich Aldaman," she answered, smiling.

For the first time since meeting her, Aldrich felt a faint sting in his heart hearing her say his full name with that smile.

"I'd really like that," he replied, his tone suddenly serious. "But what about your friends? Wouldn't they have any issues with you hanging out with someone from Midstate?"

The social hierarchy set them worlds apart, and Aldrich knew it.

One of the major themes of the night seemed to revolve around illustrating that divide.

People from Upstate often looked down on those from Midstate or Downstate, treating them as outcasts.

"It's not personal, really," he continued hesitantly.

"Then you're in luck since I'm pretty much an outcast myself."

Her words jogged Aldrich's memory.

He recalled why she hadn't brought a partner and why Dante had stepped in.

"It's because of your best friend's boyfriend confessing his love for you, and your best friend finding out, isn't it?" Aldrich surmised, seeking confirmation.

"Pretty much," she replied.

Aldrich remembered hearing about it. Or at least, the details had come back to him now.

Fiona's best friend, Selina? The two of them had been inseparable for as long as anyone could remember.

Their parents were friends and close business partners, making them more like sisters than friends.

And Edward, the boyfriend caught in the mess, was also part of that tight-knit circle.

The three had been the best of friends—or so it seemed.

Then, five years ago, Edward realized he had feelings for Fiona, not for his girlfriend, Selina.

Despite their childhood bond, he took a risk, confessing his feelings to Fiona.

She rejected him, of course, but Selina found out and was anything but forgiving.

Selina retaliated by ostracizing Fiona, turning her into a social outcast among their circle of friends.

It was a brutal psychological battle, one that had left Fiona deeply lonely and depressed.

To escape, she left for five long years.

But now, she had returned, forced back by her parents and the need to complete her schooling.

During her absence, Selina, who wielded as much influence as Fiona once had, had taken control of the Upstate social scene.

Her word was law, and she used that power to ensure Fiona's exclusion from their group.

"Well, I guess that works out in my favour," Aldrich remarked, grinning.

Fiona chuckled at his response, glancing away.

"So… Any plans for the institute?" Aldrich asked as they walked back to their side of the table in the grand hall.

"A few. My parents have been pestering me to enrol. My mates are already in, and I'll be joining them at the start of the second term," Fiona explained, sounding weary but glad to share.

"That's good, right? Maybe if I also get in, I'll see more of you." Aldrich said.

"Really? Are you planning on enrolling at Eldora Institute too?" she asked, her face brightening.

"Yes, that's the plan. I just hope I meet the requirements during the assessment test," Aldrich replied.

"If Eldora is your goal, then you must be quite the mystic," she remarked with a smile.

"I wouldn't say 'quite the mystic. Just enough to dream about being a future Eldora graduate. My younger sister is a student there, so I thought, why not me?"

"A younger sister? You have a sister?" Fiona asked, surprised.

"Indeed, I do. She came with me tonight. If you spot someone in the crowd with silver hair like mine, only longer and more… feminine, then congratulations—you've found her."

Fiona chuckled, amused by his description.

"Is it strange that I really want to meet little Miss Aldaman now?" she suggested as they reached their table, taking her seat.

"Not strange at all. You're welcome to meet her if you like. But just a heads-up… she can be a little feisty. You know what I mean."

"Feisty?" Fiona repeated, her eyes gleaming with curiosity.

"Yeah, she's…"

Aldrich's words were cut short by the clinking of metal against glass.

"If I could have everyone's attention, please," called a woman, responsible for the sound.

Her voice and manner drew the attention of the entire hall.

With the majority now focused on her, she continued.

"The cotillion event will begin shortly. Ladies, please take your places, and escorts, please assume your positions," she announced with formal precision.

"Well, I guess that's our cue," Fiona remarked, gesturing toward the event's start.

"Right. I guess it is," Aldrich replied, his nerves stirring again.