But she noted how this warmth was so different than being held by someone. Lying awake, she let her mind drift to the masquerade. Her first dance with Phil was very eventful. Most of it was her 16 year-old self was just so infatuated with him when she just barely met him. It was very embarrassing, and she even had her first kiss stolen by this guy. The hug that he gave her was warm and very soft. But after she had turned back, she didn’t feel the same anymore. Sonja recognized that it was just her mind playing tricks on her, trying to get her to fall for anyone that showed her any form of affection. It was just her 16 year old self. They were only friends now.

So why did Noire insist her fondness for Zavier was different?

She was also just her 16 year old self when she danced with him. Granted, he was much different now, as back then he seemed to be more cheerful. More like a dork, happier like during the Fireworks Festival. And they didn’t do anything... drastic, other than be themselves. She had a good time with him. It was nice. When she felt insecure (which, she didn’t remember being this bad when she was younger) he had hugged her. He hugged her and it felt so warm. Different than Phil’s hug. No, she felt safe in his arms. Comfortable. Like as if it was--

There were those words again. She used the same words when describing him to Noire. And Noire said that her feelings were so valid. That she should talk to him. That she should just tell him, cause the heart wants what it wants. But she was 16, so how could she trust that feeling?

Except now she wasn’t 16 and still thinking about it. Still thinking about how it was nice to be there, dancing with him. How his arms felt right to be in. How at the Fireworks Festival he called her pretty. How he had trusted her and didn’t run away, even if he didn’t know her very well. How he had given a flower to her on her birthday, and she wasn’t even expecting getting flowers then. All of these thoughts were buzzing in her mind.