A line of cars forces James to wait patiently for a few minutes before being able to park in the high school parking lot. Balloons and lights reflected the excitement around this annual event in high school life. At the sight of all this setup, Thomas’s excitement surged and he began to feel his heart rate pick up more and more. Once the car had stopped, James switched off the ignition and turned to Thomas and Alicia.

— We'll pick you up at midnight. We will take advantage of your absence to have a movie and a romantic restaurant.

— Have fun, Tracy added.

Alicia was the first to get out of the car, followed quickly by Thomas. They both waved at James and Tracy, then the car started again and left the parking lot. The two teenagers walked towards the main entrance of the school, guided by two rows of lighted stakes that marked the way.

Thomas looked around him, and was amazed by the ambience that was already emerging around the parking lot. Many teenagers were getting out of the cars, all dressed with great effort. Some wacky outfits and other questionable combinations made him smile, while others impressed him. Everyone had put on their 31s, following their own definition of 'getting on their 31s', and everyone was obviously looking forward to attending the party. Thomas saw a group of young girls hugging each other, while their riders laughed among themselves, as well as people congratulating and kissing. What he now had in front of him completely reflected his situation. Not that he was on bad terms with Alicia, but the love that hovered in the distance was far different from the almost brotherly friendship that existed between him and her.

— You’re happy ? Alicia asked.

— Uh… yeah, but why are you asking me that?

— I heard you on the phone with your parents earlier in your room. You sounded excited about this evening.

— Yeah that's right. It’s the only party I could go to so I hope I can make the most of it.

Alicia smiled, then opened one of the glass doors to the main entrance. She handles it after Thomas has passed and says to him:

— I don't know what you expect tonight, but anyway you put the package on the outfit ... and on the perfume.

— Does that smell that strong?

— I think you probably put on a little too much, Alicia replied. But by the time a girl comes and asks you for a slow, the "too much" will certainly be gone.

Alicia and Thomas walked through the main hall, down to the cafeteria, and then headed outside the campus, following the path a row of multi-colored balloons appeared to be indicated. Outside, the spectacle was even more magical than in the parking lot. The same lighted stakes were set up on either side of the driveway, and helium-filled lanterns floated above, each simply held by a wire hanging from the stake. The lit gymnasium was easily visible in the dark night. Thomas couldn't stop staring at the beauty of this whole facility.

As he approached the gymnasium, Thomas could hear the atmosphere surrounding it. A mixture of rock tones, vocals and screams escaped the building and captured Thomas’s heart. He hadn't had the chance to experience the gym yet during his first week of class, he had only seen it when he signed up for the photo club. In the gloom of the night, he couldn't inspect the exterior details, but the light that escaped from the large glass doors allowed him to make out the entrance.

— After you, said Alicia.

Thomas then took the handle of the door in front of him and opened it. Immediately, the music grew louder and he realized that, even though the party had only just started, students were already in the middle of the gymnasium setting the dance floor on fire. Thomas noticed the side stands, illuminated intermittently by beams of light arranged on the ceiling. A few students were sitting there, obviously waiting for something. Looking up, Thomas saw pennants hanging in the colors of the high school basketball team from the ceiling, and understood from the inscriptions on them that the high school's history in the sport was a prosperous one.

— Basketball here is an institution, said Alicia.

— I see that, it's impressive.

At the back of the gymnasium, a stage had been set up and musicians were finishing setting up their instruments. Nearby, staff were bustling about behind tables covered with a large red tablecloth. While some took bottles out of large bags, others set up rows of disposable glasses with military thoroughness. Suddenly, the music dropped until it was no longer audible, and everyone made their way to the stands. Thomas followed suit and moved to the front row, next to Alicia.

Mr. Washington appeared moments later, microphone in hand. As usual, he patted it with a few light taps, and came to stand in the middle of the floor. With the lights fully back on in the gymnasium, Thomas could make out the leaping tiger logo on the center circle under Mr. Washington's feet.

— Welcome everyone ! he announced. Nice to see you all so well dressed, I hope you find me at least as stylish as you are tonight.

Light laughs were heard from the stands, at which the principal smiled. The three-piece suit he wore was a bit classic, but it had to be.

— This evening is an opportunity for all of us to celebrate the New Year, but also to share a few moments with the final year students. I wouldn't go any longer, I'll let you enjoy the dance floor and the cocktails generously offered by our dear staff. Thanks to Mr. Morrison and his music club for making us the pleasure of playing for us this evening.

The principal began to applause, quickly picked up by a few groups in the stands, visibly impatient for the music club to start playing. Mr. Morrison, a man in his early forties with red, curly hair, waved a wave to the principal, then took a seat behind the drums. He was then joined by 3 students, a guitarist, a singer and a pianist. As soon as the drumsticks made the cymbals tremble, many students rushed to the floor to get drunk on the rock music that immediately filled the place.

— Are you coming to dance? Thomas asked Alicia.

— Oh you know, I'm not too dance, she indicated. But go ahead, have fun, I'm going to go get myself a drink.

Thomas then took his courage in both hands, and walked down the steps to find himself on the floor, alone among the groups of dancing students. Shyness took hold of him and prevented him from making the slightest gesture. Pinned to the ground around all this commotion, it was only after a few seconds that he took a deep breath and began to move his arms, trying somehow to keep up with the cacophonous rhythm of the various masses of people swaying their hips. . He tried to ignore it, concentrated on the decor of the place rather than risking meeting the gaze of the other students. He wanted to make the most of this moment, just think about it and ignore the rest.

Yet the bubble he was starting to erect suddenly burst. In a split second, Thomas stopped. He hadn't met anyone's gaze, however, but what he had just seen had cut his legs and blocked his arms. He stood there, frozen like someone who had seen Medusa. In the distance, the sight of this young girl, wearing a pastel blue dress with slightly transparent sides, had the same effect on him. Thomas couldn't make out her face, but noticed her long dark blonde hair that fell over her bare back, just above a corset adorned with stones that shone brightly in the spotlight. For a moment, one of the dancing students obstructed Thomas's field of vision. When the view was clear again, the girl was gone.