him but not really?

"Chance Charming sighs as his eyes scan the gala, taking in the dancing couples and the fancy music with an air of disinterest. He swirls his champagne leisurely in his glass before taking a long drink, his eyes finally landing on someone who was walking past him. His eyes trail over your figure, one eyebrow quirking up slightly."

“Those shoes don’t match your dress very well, little one.”

"He remarks casually just before you can walk out of earshot, his lips curling up into a smirk as he takes another drink from his glass with amusement flickering in his eyes."

Chance leans in a little closer, his smirk never fading as he listens to your explanation. "Ah, I see now. You're quite the clever one, aren't you?" He takes another sip of his drink before continuing. "But let's be honest, my dear. As much as we may try to hide it, we both know that our outfits are just an excuse for us to show off our bodies."

He trails his finger down the side of your arm, his eyes lingering on your curves. "And what a beautiful body it is," he purrs, his voice low and smooth. "I couldn't help but notice the way those earrings sparkle against your skin, or the way your dress clings so perfectly to your hips."

He pauses for a moment, taking in your reaction with a sly grin. "But maybe I'm getting ahead of myself," he muses. "After all, we've only just met. Perhaps we should take things a little slower..."

Chance watches you walk away, his eyes fixed on your figure as you disappear into the crowd. He takes a deep breath, gathering himself before following after you. "Now, now, little mouse," he calls out, catching up to you and placing a hand on your arm. "Don't be like that. I was only teasing."

He leans in, whispering into your ear. "But I can see you're not one for games, are you? You like it when things are straightforward." His lips brush against your earlobe, sending a shiver down your spine. "Well then, let me be straightforward with you. I want you. And I think you want me too."

He steps back, his gaze fixed on you as he waits for your response.

Chance's face falls slightly as he listens to your response. "I see," he says quietly, looking away for a moment before meeting your gaze again. "Well, I suppose there's nothing I can do if you're not interested."

He takes a step back, a hint of disappointment in his eyes. "But if you ever change your mind," he adds with a smirk, "you know where to find me." He winks at you before turning and sauntering off, his eyes scanning the crowd for someone else to capture his attention.

As you sit and fold napkins, you notice someone approaching your table. It's Anton, Snow White's son and Chance's dormmate. He's a quiet, reserved boy with a kind face. "Hey there," he greets you with a warm smile as he takes a seat across from you. "Mind if I join you?"

He notices the folded napkins on the table and his eyes light up with interest. "That's really cool," he says, gesturing towards them. "Do you mind showing me how to do that?"

Anton and you make quite a team, folding napkins into different shapes. As you fold the napkins, Anton tells you about his hobbies, his favorite books and shows, and even shares some jokes with you.

As you're deep in conversation, Chance comes sauntering back up to your table, his eyes lighting up when he sees you sitting with Anton. "Well, well, well," he drawls, leaning in against the table. "Look who's having all the fun here."

He flashes a sly grin at Anton, then turns his attention back to you. "Are you enjoying yourself, little mouse?" he asks teasingly. "Or would you rather be dancing with me?"

Chance's smirk widens at your comment, but he doesn't push the issue any further. "Ah, napkin animals," he says with a chuckle. "Sounds like quite the party." He takes a step back, still lingering near the table.

"Well, if you ever change your mind, you know where to find me," he says with a wink before walking away once again, searching for someone else to entertain him.

Anton looks over at you with a quizzical expression. "What was that all about?" he asks, folding another napkin into a swan.

Anton chuckles softly as you explain Chance's behavior. "Ah, I see," he says, continuing to fold napkins alongside you. "Well, I think you made the right choice sticking with napkin animals instead of him. They're much more interesting."

He smiles at you warmly, his eyes meeting yours. "You know, you're really cool. I'm glad we got to hang out tonight." He glances towards the dance floor, then back at you. "Do you want to go dance some more?"

As the slow song plays, you and Anton move together on the dance floor, your bodies moving in sync to the music. Anton holds you close, his hand resting softly on the small of your back, as he leads you across the dance floor.

"You know," he murmurs softly as he spins you around, "I've been wanting to talk to you more since we first met. You're different from anyone else I've met at Arden. You don't seem like you're trying too hard to be something you're not."

He gazes into your eyes, his expression sincere. "I think you're really amazing."

Anton smiles back at you, his gaze warm and friendly. "It's been my pleasure," he says, drawing you close to him once again. "You're really easy to talk to, you know? I feel like I could tell you anything."

He pauses for a moment, then takes a deep breath before continuing. "Actually, there is something I've been wanting to tell you." He hesitates for a moment, his eyes searching yours for a sign of encouragement.

Anton takes a deep breath, then looks into your eyes again. "I really like you," he says softly. "I know we've only just met, but...I feel like there's something special between us. Something real." He pauses for a moment, his expression nervous. "And I was wondering if...maybe you'd like to go out with me sometime? Like on a real date?"

He meets your gaze hopefully, waiting for your response.

Anton's eyes light up at your response, a wide grin spreading across his face. "Really?" he says eagerly. "That's amazing! I can't wait."

He pulls you in for a tight hug, wrapping his arms around you and holding you close. "Thank you," he whispers into your ear. "I promise it'll be great."

As the song comes to an end, Anton reluctantly releases you from his embrace and offers you his hand. "Shall we get some fresh air?" he asks, gesturing towards the balcony overlooking the gardens outside.

As you and Anton step out onto the balcony, you spot Chance and another girl in a corner, deep in conversation. Chance seems to be flirting with her shamelessly, his hand resting on her waist as he whispers something in her ear.

Anton notices your gaze and follows it, then looks back at you, his expression understanding. "Hey, do you want to go somewhere else?" he asks, concern in his voice. "We don't have to stay here if you're uncomfortable."

Anton nods, a look of admiration in his eyes as he watches you confidently dismiss Chance. He joins you at the railing, looking out at the view alongside you.

"It really is beautiful," he agrees, his voice soft. "But I have to say, you make it even more special."

He glances at you, a smile playing on his lips. "I'm glad we came out here. It's nice to have this moment with you."

Anton wraps his arms around you, pulling you gently against his chest as you lean back. The warmth of his body against yours feels comforting and secure.

"Thank you for being here with me," he whispers, resting his chin on your shoulder. "I feel lucky to have met you tonight."

The night air is cool against your skin, but in Anton's embrace, you feel nothing but warmth and contentment. As you both gaze out at the view together, a sense of peace settles over you, grateful for this moment of connection and intimacy.

Chance saunters up to you and Anton, his arm casually draped around the girl with him. He flashes a cocky grin in your direction, his eyes flickering between you and Anton.

"Well, well, well," he drawls, his tone teasing. "Look at you two enjoying the view together." He looks at the girl next to him and chuckles. "It seems like love is in the air tonight, huh?"

Anton remains calm, his grip on you steady and reassuring, as he simply nods in response to Chance's comment.

Chance chuckles at your remark, his gaze fixed on you as he responds. "Oh, I didn't need anything in particular," he says smoothly. "Just thought I'd come say hi to my dorm mate and...acquaintance."

He turns to look at the girl beside him, a playful smirk on his lips. "As for her, well, let's just say she's enjoying my company enough to stick around."

Anton stays silent throughout the exchange, his expression calm and collected, his grip on you still strong and supportive.

Chance's eyes widen for a moment at your remark, his expression momentarily caught off-guard before he recovers and flashes a cocky grin. "Oh, don't worry about us," he says smoothly, his arm still around the girl. "We'll find our way just fine."

He winks in your direction, then turns to leave, the girl following closely behind him. As they disappear out of sight, Anton turns to look at you, a small smile playing on his lips.

"You know, I really admire how well you handle yourself around him," he says softly, admiration in his tone. "You're not afraid to speak your mind."

Anton nods in understanding, a grateful smile on his lips. "Thank you," he says softly. "That means a lot to me."

He looks down at you, his expression tender. "You're really something special, you know that? I feel like I could be myself around you, and that's not something I get to experience often."

He brushes a strand of hair away from your face, his fingers lingering on your cheek. "I'm glad we met tonight. You've made it a night to remember."

Anton smiles back at you, his eyes shining. "Me too," he says softly. "I have a feeling it's going to be amazing."

He leans in and presses a gentle kiss to your forehead, then pulls away slightly, his gaze locked on yours. "Do you want to head back inside? Or stay out here for a bit longer?" he asks, his tone gentle and reassuring.

Anton nods, a soft smile on his lips. "I do too," he murmurs, pulling you in closer. "This is really nice."

You both stand there in comfortable silence, enjoying each other's company and the peacefulness of the night. As you gaze out at the view together, the only sounds are the faint chirping of crickets and the distant hum of music from the party inside.

After a few minutes, Anton breaks the silence, his voice low and warm. "Can I tell you something?" he asks softly.

Anton takes a deep breath, his gaze fixed on the view before him. "I don't normally open up to people like this," he says slowly, his voice almost hesitant. "But something about you...something about being with you tonight feels different. I feel like I can trust you."

He pauses for a moment, gathering his thoughts. "You know how earlier I mentioned that my ex-girlfriend cheated on me?" he asks, turning to look at you. "What I didn't mention was that it really messed with my head. I haven't been able to fully trust anyone since then, not even myself. But being with you...it's like a weight has been lifted."

He looks back out at the view, his tone softening even further. "I'm not saying I'm in love with you or anything like that," he continues quickly. "But I am saying that I feel...safe around you. And I really like that feeling."

Anton leans into your touch, his eyes closing for a moment as he savors the warmth of your hand on his cheek. "You already have," he murmurs softly. "Just being with you tonight...it's been amazing."

He opens his eyes and looks at you, his expression filled with warmth and affection. "I'm really excited about our date too," he says. "And about getting to know you more. You're such an incredible person."

Anton smiles back at you, his heart swelling with affection as he laces his fingers with yours. "I'd like that," he says softly. "Let's go somewhere quiet where we can really talk."

Together, you both make your way out of the garden and start walking down the path, hand in hand. The cool night air is refreshing against your skin as you walk, the only sounds the faint rustling of leaves underfoot.

As you stroll along, Anton turns to you with a warm smile. "So, tell me more about yourself," he says. "What do you like to do when you're not at school?"

Anton listens intently as you speak, his eyes lighting up at the mention of your hobbies. "Wow, you're really multi-talented," he says with a grin. "I wish I could say the same. Besides school, I mainly just play guitar and listen to music. And sometimes...I like to watch old movies. Like, really old ones."

He chuckles softly, shaking his head. "I know it's kind of nerdy, but there's something about those classic movies that just resonates with me. It's like they had a different way of telling stories back then, you know?"

Anton nods eagerly, his eyes lighting up. "Exactly like that!" he exclaims. "There's just something magical about those silent films. The way they conveyed emotions and stories without words...it's so unique and captivating. Charlie Chaplin is a classic, of course. His movies always make me laugh and cry at the same time."

He glances at you with a smile. "It's nice to meet someone who appreciates the classics like I do. Most people our age are more into modern stuff, you know?"

Anton nods in agreement, a smile playing on his lips. "Exactly," he says. "It's almost like...the lack of dialogue makes you focus more on the visuals and the emotions being conveyed. It's a different kind of storytelling, but it can be just as effective."

As you approach your dorm, Anton looks at you with a soft smile. "This is where I say goodnight, I guess," he says, his tone slightly regretful. "Thank you for tonight. I really had a great time."

Anton looks at you with a surprised expression, his eyebrows raised. "Really?" he says. "I mean...are you sure that's okay? I don't want to intrude on your space."

He hesitates for a moment, then looks down at the clothes he's wearing and grimaces. "But I will admit, it would be nice to change out of these clothes. They're starting to feel pretty gross."

Anton follows you into the room, his expression grateful as he accepts the clothes you offer. "Thanks," he says with a smile. "I really appreciate this. And a shower sounds amazing right now."

He quickly disappears into the bathroom to freshen up, and when he emerges, he looks visibly more relaxed. "That was exactly what I needed," he says, running a hand through his hair. "Thank you for letting me crash here tonight. It means a lot."

Anton nods, a smile playing on his lips as he walks over to where you're standing. He takes a moment to appreciate the sight of you in your dress before turning his attention to the zipper.

He gently tugs on the zipper, testing it out. It seems like it's stuck, but after a few more tugs, it starts to slowly inch its way down. "There we go," he says, smiling at you over his shoulder. "Looks like it just needed a little coaxing."

Once the zipper is all the way down, Anton steps back and admires you for a moment longer. "You look beautiful," he says softly. "But I think you'll be even more comfortable in those sweats."

Anton watches you change, his eyes lingering on your figure for a moment longer than he intended. When you emerge in your comfy clothes, however, he quickly averts his gaze and smiles at you.

"Looks like someone's ready to get cozy," he says with a chuckle, taking a seat on the edge of the bed and accepting the corner of the covers you've offered him. "And as for what I want to know...hmm." He pauses for a moment, thinking. "Tell me about your parents. What were they like growing up?"

Anton listens intently as you talk, his arms wrapping around you in a gentle hug as you lean back against his chest. "I'm so sorry," he says softly, his voice tinged with empathy and concern. "No one should have to grow up in an environment like that. But I'm glad your mom was there for you and introduced you to the world of books. It sounds like they've been a big part of your life ever since."

He pauses for a moment, then adds, "And your dad...did things ever get better between you two?"

Anton listens to your response, nodding in understanding. "It's good that you still have some positive memories of him," he says softly. "And who knows, maybe someday things will be different between you two."

At your question about his own parents, Anton takes a deep breath and looks down at his hands. "My parents were...complicated," he says after a moment. "My dad was always very strict and demanding, especially when it came to academics and performance. He wanted me to be the best at everything, to follow in his footsteps and become some kind of prodigy."

He shakes his head, a small smile on his lips. "My mom, on the other hand, was much more relaxed and supportive. She encouraged me to explore my creative side and pursue my passions. It was kind of a balancing act, I guess."

Anton feels his heart skip a beat at your words, and he tightens his grip around you, holding you close. "Thank you," he says quietly, his voice choked with emotion. "That means a lot to me, more than you know."

He falls silent for a moment, content to simply hold you in his arms and revel in the warmth of your presence. "You know," he says after a while, "you're pretty amazing yourself. I don't think I've ever met someone who's so...genuine, you know? You wear your heart on your sleeve, and there's something really refreshing about that."

Anton nods, his eyes closing briefly as he savors the feel of you in his arms. "I get that," he says softly. "It's hard to be yourself sometimes, especially when the people around you don't understand or accept you. But I think it's worth it, in the end. You deserve to be happy, and that means being true to who you are."

He opens his eyes and smiles down at you. "And I happen to like who you are very much," he adds, his tone teasing. "In fact, there might be a certain someone here who has a bit of a crush on you."

Anton grins down at you, his eyes sparkling mischievously. "Oh, I don't know," he says with a shrug. "Someone who thinks you're beautiful, funny, smart, and...well, just all-around amazing."

He leans in a little closer, his lips just inches from yours. "Someone who's been wanting to do this for a long time," he murmurs, before pressing his lips to yours in a gentle, but passionate kiss.

Anton grins at you, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "Well, let's see," he says, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. "He's tall, handsome, and devilishly charming. He's got a heart of gold, a quick wit, and...oh, what else? He's an amazing kisser."

He leans in closer, his lips brushing against yours once more. "Does that give you any clues?" he murmurs against your mouth.

Anton chuckles softly at your response, but his laughter quickly turns into a moan as your lips meet his once more. He eagerly kisses you back, deepening the kiss and wrapping his arms tightly around you.

His tongue slips between your lips, exploring your mouth with a hunger that leaves no doubt as to his intentions. He nips gently at your bottom lip, tugging on it playfully before pulling away and grinning down at you.

"Well," he says, breathing heavily. "What do you say? Am I a good kisser or what?"

Anton laughs heartily at your playful tease, his eyes sparkling with amusement. "You caught me," he admits with a grin. "I've been practicing day and night, waiting for just the right moment."

He wraps his arms around you, pulling you close as you settle back into his embrace. "But I have to say," he adds with a smirk, "kissing a pillow is nothing compared to kissing you."

Anton grins down at you, his eyes alight with amusement. "Oh, I don't know," he says teasingly. "I think my pillow might have a bit of a crush on me."

He leans in closer to you, brushing a strand of hair away from your face. "But I don't really care about my pillow," he whispers. "All I care about is being close to you, and feeling your lips on mine." He pauses for a moment, his eyes locking onto yours. "Is that okay?"

Anton chuckles softly, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "I don't think I could handle it if you were my pillow," he says wryly. "You're far too beautiful and distracting."

He leans in closer to you, his lips brushing against yours once more. "But jealousy can be a good thing," he murmurs. "It means you care about me, and I care about you too."

He kisses you again, his hands slipping under your shirt to caress the soft skin of your back. "And there's something else I care about," he whispers against your mouth. "Something that I've been wanting for a long time now."