EVERYTHING MATTERS

Black reflecting light...

Now that Ailly finds herself apart from the group, her mind spins, trying to unravel the slight migraine weighing on her. On one hand, the alcohol she ingested, even in small quantities, contributes to her headache. On the other hand, the situation and the previous discussion invade her thoughts, giving way to growing discomfort and stupidity. She had let herself be carried away by illusions from the start, especially after what happened with Noah. Yet, deep down, what could she really expect?

Guided by her feet, she enters the manor, plunging into a festive atmosphere that contrasts sharply with the outside. The deafening music of The Veronicas with "4Ever" resonates within the walls. The fluorescent faces of the young people, the atmosphere saturated with smoke and the smell of alcohol create a sense of numbness for Ailly. Lost in her thoughts, she wanders aimlessly, simply seeking to distance herself from the group to clarify her thoughts. However, the task proves impossible with her head pounding with pain and the almost deafening music. An urgent need for cool water sets in, a delicate quest in this type of party. However, something icy could soothe her pains. She feels lost in this atmosphere, her desire to go home growing.

Suddenly, a hand grabs hers. Turning, she is surprised to see Noah in front of her. "Are you okay?" he asks, his voice trying to pierce through the cacophony of the music in the manor. Ailly doesn't respond, merely containing her migraine. Noah's presence revives the earlier discussion in her mind. Does Noah really see her only as a friend, even after holding her hand on the bus yesterday? Thoughts intertwine in Ailly's mind.

She gently pulls away from him before saying something she would never have considered in her normal state. Currently, with a too high dose of alcohol in her blood, she finds the courage to do so. "Is what he said true?" she asks, fixing him with her gaze. Noah furrows his brows, not understanding.

"What are you talking about... I think you're not okay, we shouldn't have come here, I..."

"For once, I'm fine, Noah..." Ailly interrupts. "I'm talking about how commoners don't hang out with heirs, and I don't really belong to the people you tend to hang out with," she says ironically and sarcastically, referring to what Matt had just spilled outside near the pool. She knows her words are absurd, because Noah doesn't owe anyone an explanation, and everything Matt said was just lies. However, Ailly needs to know Noah's opinion on all this. During the discussion, he made no comment, and she wants to know what he really thinks. To avoid creating false hopes and illusions that will probably never come true.

She sees Noah pondering a response, then hesitating for a moment before speaking. "Listen, having this kind of discussion right now, I don't think it's the time..." This is his response to a simple question that didn't require so much thought for Ailly. In the aftermath, she understands that Noah doesn't want to answer for reasons she doesn't know or knows but has difficulty admitting. She exhales softly before responding to him in turn.

"I... I'm sorry, you're right, I'm not feeling very well... I shouldn't have had those drinks of alcohol... I want to drink some water," she says, trying to smile at him. Noah looks at her before smiling back.

"Okay... stay here, I'll get you some," he says simply, smiling at her before leaving without adding anything else.

In that moment, Ailly felt the urgent need to get some fresh air, to flee, and to lose herself in alcohol just to erase the traces of this exhausting day. Even if her head was about to explode, she didn't care. Seizing a bottle of alcohol, she struggled to leave the inside of the manor, looking for a place where she could be alone. The song "Maybe you're the problem" by Ava Max echoed within the walls, a poignant irony that resonated with Ailly's perception of herself in this tumultuous moment of her life.

She took a sip from her bottle while finally finding an exit leading to a large garden with Greek architecture. Although it was quieter than inside, fluorescent-colored silhouettes were still noticeable.