NOVEL WEB Chapter 6: 100th kiss.
~~back to the present~~
"Cheers!"
Drinks clinked together, spilling their contents as laughter erupted around the large table. The club was alive with music, but the students at the center of attention carried themselves differently—poised, exuding an air of authority. Unlike the surrounding crowd dressed in flashy outfits, they were neat, polished, and unmistakably distinct.
"Everyone, everyone! Let's have Derek do a toast!" a slurred voice cut through the chatter, drawing attention to one particular young man.
Derek, tall and strikingly handsome, stood up, his presence immediately commanding the room. Conversations quieted, and curious onlookers craned their necks, trying to catch a glimpse of the speaker whose magnetic voice echoed under the dim lights. At his table, a feast fit for royalty was spread—delicacies of all kinds, with expensive cuts of meat sizzling on an open grill set up exclusively for them.
Raising his glass, Derek spoke, "Tonight, we gather as bright young minds brought together from all walks of life, united by a singular goal. We endured a grueling journey, swearing oaths and dedicating our lives to the service of others." He paused—not for effect, but to listen.
"Is that them?" someone whispered from a nearby table.
"Y-yeah, I think so. They're the elites, right? Students from that institution."
"What? No way! I heard they never leave campus. Always buried in books. How could it be them?"
"But they just mentioned an oath! Where else would you take an oath like that? It has to be them!"
Excited murmurs spread through the crowd. "I think it's them—the medical students from St. Francis Eve Institution, the prestigious medical school."
"Wow... so it really is them. Look at them—all rich, probably geniuses too, nothing like us."
Snickers erupted from Derek's table at the remark.
"That's not true!" a defiant voice cut in. "I heard they admit ordinary students too—people without status or wealth."
Derek cleared his throat. "Our backgrounds don't matter in the battle that is medical school. It's a hell we all have to survive together. And we did. So, here's to our final exam!" he declared, his voice carrying over the club.
"Here, here!" the students roared, glasses raised high, their euphoria infectious. Even those outside their circle found themselves swept up in the moment, clinking glasses and laughing, drunk on the energy of future doctors celebrating their triumph.
But not everyone shared in the revelry.
Seated beside Derek, a young woman sat quietly, her presence almost overshadowed by the roaring celebration. Her light blue dress was simple yet elegant, and a jacket was draped over her chair in case the night grew cold. With her neatly tied hair, she looked more suited for a dinner date than a nightclub.
Derek turned to her, lifting his glass expectantly. "Cheers," he said.
She didn't raise hers.
"You know I don't drink alcohol," she said, eyeing the untouched beer Derek had placed in front of her when they first arrived.
Derek blinked, as if just remembering, and gave her a sheepish smile. "Right, of course. I asked the waiter for juice, but he's taking his time." He flicked his gaze toward the waiter, who hadn't received any such request, yet immediately understood Derek's silent command and scurried away.
The girl rolled her eyes. "Don't bother him. I was leaving anyway." She stood, brushing past Derek before he could stop her.
"Ella—" he called after her, but she was already weaving through the crowd.
The club was suffocating—bodies pressed together, the air thick with sweat, alcohol, and something more illicit. She barely avoided stepping in a puddle of vomit and sidestepped another person about to add to the mess.
A fancy club for the rich? Ha. More like a zoo filled with wild animals.
Finally, fresh air.
The night breeze greeted her as she stepped outside, cleansing her senses of the pungent club stench. She checked her watch and, without hesitation, turned south. The road sloped downward, leading her toward a more peaceful destination.
A wooden bridge came into view, well-lit and polished, its rich brown hues glowing under the moonlight. Beyond it, an open clearing stretched out, offering an unhindered view of the stars and the sea life that surfaced at night. This was where she was supposed to be. This was the setting for their date.
But instead, she had been dragged to a club.
She thought she could tolerate it, but the loud chatter had grated on her nerves. So, she made her escape.
Fireworks.
That was what Derek had promised—a night by the bridge, watching fireworks, and sharing their 100th kiss to mark their one-year anniversary. It wasn't something she had particularly longed for, but Derek had planned it all down to the last detail. She simply went along with it.
"It's going to start soon," she murmured, gripping the wooden railing.
Then—footsteps.
She didn't need to turn to know who it was.
"Ella!"
Derek's voice cut through the night.
She turned slightly, just enough to catch a glimpse of him from the corner of her eye. He was flanked by his ever-present followers—his minions, as she privately called them. The medical elite, class of 2066.
Slowing his steps, Derek finally reached her. "I'm sorry. I know this is what I promised, but couldn't you be a little more understanding? The class wanted an outing, and it could be our last together."
He reached for her hand.
She pulled away.
The fireworks had yet to begin, but in that moment, the night already felt like a spectacle waiting to unfold.