[color=FFFF00]B e l l e  D ' V o i r e[/color]
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Belle had to swallow a bundle of nerves as the queue in front of her and Alex shortened rapidly. Music wafted towards them from beyond the entryway and Belle pulled a scrunched-up note from her shoulder-bag as she shuffled forwards again. God, she hoped someone had spiked the punch. She gasped when Alex nudged her side with her elbow.
[color=9932CC]"Nerves, Belle?"[/color] Alex asked, smirking mischievously. She and her date had rendezvoused before meeting Belle, and the short walk to the campus had been a brief exercise in how to make a man feel uncomfortable as possible in as few glances and giggles as they could muster. It had been entertaining, and after a brief interim outside the campus where [i]Belle[/i] had suddenly become the uncomfortable one, the date had gone ahead to meet a few friends and the two girls had joined the queue.
[color=FFFF00]"Always, Alex. You know how I get with crowds."[/color]
[color=9932CC]"I know, but this is different. You're practically buzzing."[/color] 
Belle shrugged, looking at Alex from the corner of her eye. [color=FFFF00]"I made some friends in that new class I'm in. I guess it'll be nice to socialize outside of school."[/color]
[color=9932CC]"Even if we're still technically in school?"[/color] Alex replied, Belle chuckling at her response. The queue moved forward again, the girls paid their entry fee, and then they were through into the main hall.

They were in the hall barely ten seconds before Alex had crossed the room to grab some punch for the pair of them, flitting past her date at the same time. Belle swept her gaze across the room, scouting out familiar faces. There were a few braver souls on the dance floor, but everyone else was staying within their personal circles, near the edges of the room, occasionally venturing forth to greet others or to refill on punch and snacks. 

She noticed Mr. Lehrer first, giving a beaming smile as he nodded towards her - she had grown quite fond of him over the course of the week as she attended more Social Conscious classes - and then Elroy, arm on the mend and outfit appropriate, if odd. He looked queasy. She saw Sebastian leaning against the wall, a darkness brewing on his face, and gave a polite wave as they matched gazes. 
[color=9932CC]"Oh my god, are you waving at [i]Sebastian Scott[/i]?"[/color] Alex asked, scoffing incredulously as she returned with punch and an armful of appetisers. [color=9932CC]"You know he's like, top casanova-wannabe, right? You didn't-"[/color]
[color=FFFF00]"No, Alex, of course not."[/color] Belle replied, giggling as she cut her best friend off. [color=FFFF00]"He's just in my class. I don't think I get on with him very well."[/color]
[color=9932CC]"You get on with everyone, Belle. It's your thing. You don't like to upset the beehive."[/color]
Belle shrugged. [color=FFFF00]"It's easier to be kind than to be cruel."[/color] She said, taking a sip of her drink. No one had spiked it yet, she could taste, and she was almost disappointed. Students kept trickling in to the hall, and she scanned every face, looking for Aiden or Rita - someone [i]friendly[/i], at least.