Nora hadn't realised just how small their house was until it was crammed with guests. Benny, Simon, Rafe, her mum Ayame and Grandma sat snugly around the small dining table, having drinks before the Leaver's Ball.
Rafe had looked weirdly nervous about meeting her mum, but now, an hour and two glasses of wine later they sat and talked as if they'd known each other for years. Simon, Benny and Grandma had their eyes glued on the television, watching the Great British Bake-off Finale while polishing off a bottle of Prosecco.
Nora gazed at her long lavender-coloured chiffon dress gifted by her mum, she had never felt so beautiful in her life. She could have stayed there forever with her friends and family, but the clock on the wall caught her attention. She stood up a little too fast and felt the wine hit her in a pleasing way.
"Guys, let's go, we're already late for Leavers Ball," she said, grabbing her shawl and her bag.
"Chotto matte Nora-chan we have to take pictures!" her mother said. "Let's go outside, quickly."
Rafe grinned and laced his arm around Nora's shoulders as her mum went to rummage through her things in search of a camera.
"Your mum is so adorable. And seriously, she looks like your younger sister. What is it with Asians and not ageing," Rafe said, ruffling his hair.
"Stop it," Nora said, grabbing his arm, "it took me ages to style your unruly hair!"
"Style?" He asked, recalling how much gel and combing and swearing they went through.
"You're never touching my hair again."
"Okay everyone, please get ready! I want this photo framed!" Her mum commanded in a childlike voice. After taking several photos, some with just couples, some altogether and mostly downright goofy, they headed out to the school grounds.
Upon arriving, they made their way to the football fields where three giant round marquees were set up. Inside the first, they discovered a dance floor and various stands serving Pimms, Aperol Spritz and other beverages. The second marquee was dedicated to food. The third marquee had school year photos from different events, and of trophies ready to be handed out. It was a hot summer's day, and the boys struggled to look cool in their tuxedos.
The girls looked beautiful out of their uniforms, in bright coloured silks and chiffons that made them look like flowers on the field of greenery.
Rafe's group of friends gravitated towards him. It was nice to see Jack out of the picture form. good. His suspension had been mourned by no one. Benny felt more at ease with everyone and had become close with Amber when he found out they were both going to the same university in London to study English Literature.
"Tch. My feet will get dirty," Nora muttered, as her heels sunk into the muddy ground.
"Oh, don't get your knickers in a twist. You have plenty of shoes," Rafe replied, giving her a nudge.
Nora smirked and leaned into his ear. "I'm not wearing any knickers."
Rafe sucked in his breath and ran his hand down her back. "Let's go home. I've seen enough of this party. It's lame."
"No!" She protested with a laugh as he began to drag her back to where the cab had dropped them off.
"Guys, what are you doing? Let's go!" Benny called as the others entered the tent. A crowd had gathered to listen to the headmaster's speech about all the achievements they had reached as a community, how many matches they won, which competitions they beat and how much money they'd raised for charity over the year.
"And now, we would like to take this moment to recognise some of the outstanding talents of the school. In the sports category, I would like to award Captain of the Year to William Manuel." There was instant applause. Bashfully, he went up to the stage to grab a small trophy.
After the crowd settled down, the headmaster read out another name. "Player of the year, Rafe Ferreira." There was another wave of applause and hooting. Boys wolf whistled jokingly as Rafe sauntered up to the stage and accepted his medal with a grin. They all interpreted the word 'player' in a different way and Nora rolled her eyes when Rafe winked at her.
"Settle down boys and girls," their headmaster said to the rowdy crowd before continuing to read out the achievements in other categories.
When he finished, he took out a separate list and adjusted his glasses. "Now these awards were nominated and voted for by the pupils and put together by the student council. Luke Mason voted as the most likely to be a father of five by the age of thirty..." There was laughter as Luke shook his head and went up to get his 'reward'. Amber looked queasy.
"James Volenko, voted as the most likely to end up on the cover of Forbes..."
"Marcella Lo voted most athletic girl..."
"Alex Price is most likely to marry a porn star...Oh for god's sake, I can't believe this is on here," the headmaster grumbled and shuffled the papers whilst Alex walked to the stage with so much self-importance, one would think he'd won the Nobel Prize. "Alex, go away there's no prize for marrying a porn star."
"That's a prize in itself already," Luke shouted and everyone laughed. The headmaster shook his head but wasn't angry. It was a fun day, a celebration, and the headmaster went along with the jokes.
"And last but not least, voted the smartest student in school, Nora Fujioka, please come up."
Hearing her own name sent a chill down her spine as she hated the attention. There was a round of applause and Rafe kissed the top of her head and nudged her towards the stage. Amber and Hazel, both on the student council, each gave her a conspiratorial wink.
"Oh please, don't pretend you're surprised," Hazel said with a roll of her eyes, "Go!"
"You've earned it," said Amber. Nora smiled and looked at the ground. She was flattered and overwhelmed. Hesitantly, she went up to get her small trophy, recognising her as the cleverest person in school. Her cheeks were flaming as she went back to find her place next to Rafe, overwhelmed by the attention and recognition.
"This was very sweet of your friends to organise this," she mumbled, snuggling closer to Rafe, who wrapped his arm around her shoulders. Her knees were still shaking from the embarrassment of having to go on stage.
"I know. It was the girls' idea, not mine."
She smiled at them. It was nice to end school on good terms with everyone.
The awards ceremony ended and everyone dispersed to get some food, and drinks and hit the dance floor. The tent heated up quickly in the hot summer evening, so Rafe took Nora out for a quick walk on the school grounds.
"You know, I never thought I'd say this, but I think I'll actually miss this school. It's the longest I've ever spent in one place," Rafe said looking at the students mingling. "And I'll definitely miss this town. It's become a home... I'll show this place to my kids one day -and send them here if they misbehave."
"I didn't think I'd miss it either, but I've grown fond of the place. And the people, eventually..."
"Have you packed your things for London yet?" Rafe asked, rubbing his thumb over the back of her hand.
"Nearly there. Benny and I haven't decided on a flat yet. He prefers the Shoreditch area, but I'm more of a Soho girl," Nora said. "Simon will live with us, too . He also likes Shoreditch so I'm not sure I will win this battle. And actually, rent is cheaper with Simon on board so it's a win-win for both myself and Benny."
Rafe nodded. "What about," he asked after a moment of thought, "Knightsbridge?"
"That's not a place for a student! That area is for Russian oligarchs and Arab sheikhs. Who do you think we are? Money launderers?"
He let out an exasperated sigh. "Okay, let me try it another way. Nora...Since I'm starting university in autumn, I will need a tutor. Preferably a live-in one so she could keep an eye on me at all times. If she cooks Japanese food that's a bonus."
It took Nora a minute to digest what he said. "Really?...Are you sure you need a tutor? I think you'll be fine on your own."
"I do, I really do," he said and kissed her hand.
"Well if I'm going to put up with you, I will have to triple the rate. Plus, I don't work on weekends."
"Whatever you want," he said, playing along with the joke. Then after a second his smile faltered. "Wait...you do know I'm asking you to move in with me? I don't actually need a tutor..."
"Really?" Nora said, faking disappointment. "And here I thought I'll have a well-paid part- time job in London."
"Please tell me you're joking, or I will throw that trophy in the bin because you aren't that smart."
"Oh, don't get your panties in a twist. I'd love to live with you Rafe," she said, planting a quick kiss on his lips.
"That's great. And I'm not wearing any panties either," he said with a grin, kissing her back.
"Oh god please tell me you are," Nora said laughing out loud.
"Let's go, we're going to miss the fireworks," Rafe said as he tugged her back towards the party.
"You won't mind living with your tutor in London?" Nora teased. "You know how intense I can get."
Rafe kissed her on the lips. "I'm not going to live with my tutor, I'm going to live with my girlfriend."