Phantom

by Laura DeLuca

  Rebecca slid down from the table, and scanned the crowd for a friendly face. She spotted Debbie and Carmen at the small concession stand, buying a couple of sodas. She weaved her way through mummies, witches, and what appeared to be the entire cast of The Wizard of Oz before finally joining them just as they stepped away from the line with their drinks in their hands.

  Rebecca’s mouth fell open when she saw Carmen’s sexy prep girl school costume. It had to be only marginally dress code appropriate. The plaid skirt was so short that if she wasn’t wearing white ruffled bloomers underneath, there would have been very little left to the imagination. The white tie top displayed her dark olive skin and newly pierced belly button. Her thick black hair was pulled back into two big ponytails, and she completed the look with white, nylon knee-highs and black Mary Jane’s. Once again, Rebecca was left feeling juvenile in comparison.

  At least Debbie’s choice was a little less revealing. She had chosen a cute gray fifties skirt with a white poodle embroidered along the hemline and a sequin trim. On any other girl, it probably would have fallen just below the knee, but on the six foot tall Debbie, it had landed just above. Her blonde hair was too short to put in a ponytail, but the pink tie looked just as nice as a scarf around her neck.

  Both Debbie and Carmen looked up as she approached, and they both took a moment and examined her costume with the same curiosity with which Rebecca had examined theirs. Not far behind them, she noticed Mr. Russ was mopping up a spilled soda on the floor. She wondered why the strange old man suddenly seemed to be popping up everywhere she went. Did he ever go home? Or did he live in the basement of the school in the same way that the phantom had once lived in the cellars of the opera house?

  “Where’s Tom?” Carmen asked. “Shouldn’t you two be swapping spit or something?”

  Rebecca couldn’t help but to roll her eyes. “I’m sure that’s the last thing on his mind right now.”

  “What do you mean?” Debbie asked.

  “He drank too much and now he’s puking his guts up in the bathroom.”

  “Yuck.” Carmen crinkled her nose in distaste. “Well, forget him then. Come out and dance with us.”

  Even if she wanted to decline the invitation, Carmen didn’t give her the chance. She pulled her out onto the dance floor, along with Debbie. She refused to let them leave, even when an embarrassing line dance caused Rebecca to make a complete fool of herself. Despite her lack of coordination, she was having a good time, and she even forgot about her disappointment for a few minutes. But when the music slowed to the stereotypical boy band love song, and everyone broke off into pairs, Rebecca lost track of her friends.

  She found herself standing alone in a corner, watching dozens of couples cuddling and kissing. The fact that she was, once again, not a part of that romantic scene left her with the sudden urge to burst into tears. She leaned her head back against the wall and closed her eyes, hoping that shutting out everything would make the ache in her heart go away. Instead, she heard a sweet, delicate voice that whispered words that were clear despite the loud music. The same words that she had heard sung by the chorus many times as they rehearsed the dance scene from the masquerade ball. They seemed only fitting considering their setting.

  “Masks and hidden faces dance

  Each one waiting for their chance.

  To reveal the secrets hidden within

  Revealing truth, revealing sin.

  When all masks are stripped away,

  Will you find love or only dismay?”

  Chapter Thirteen

  Rebecca opened her eyes and smiled when she saw the darkly dressed figure beside her. She was never happier to see Justyn than she was at that moment. She knew her wide smile revealed that happiness. She saw her own feelings reflected in Justyn’s eyes, even though he tried to keep his face emotionless.

  “So, you made it.”

  “It would appear that way.”

  “No ghosts in the mood to chat with you tonight?”

  “Who needs spirits when I just walked through the mists into the world of fairy,” he whispered, and ran a hand along her sparkling fairy wings. “You look beautiful tonight, Becca.”

  While she wasn’t exactly sure what he meant about walking through mists, she somehow knew he was paying her a compliment. It was beyond a compliment. It was just like when he was reciting poetry. Once again she felt herself blushing. She was so flustered that she couldn’t look him in the eyes.

  “Ummm . . . thanks.”

  “So, where’s your date? If I had the pleasure of being your escort, I wouldn’t leave your side for a second.”

  The moment of dreaminess passed as she thought about Tom. Rebecca snorted, annoyed. “I would imagine he’s on his knees worshipping the porcelain god.”

  Justyn chuckled. “Can’t hold his liquor, eh?”

  Rebecca couldn’t help but smile, too. Justyn was really cute when he smiled. She wished he would do it more often. “I guess not. And what about you? How many beers have you had tonight?”

  “None.” He admitted. “I don’t drink.”

  “Really? Not at all?” She couldn’t hide her surprise.

  “I don’t believe in poisoning my body.” She must have looked as shocked as she felt because Justyn shook his head, half amused, but also slightly irritated. “I don’t shoot heroine either, in case you were wondering. Just because I’m Goth doesn’t mean I’m a lush or a drug addict.”

  “I didn’t mean to imply that you were. I just thought that I was the only sober person here.” She tried to think of a way to lighten the mood. “Where’s your costume?”

  He was dressed in his normal, everyday clothes. He had on a black t-shirt with fishnet sleeves and decorative silver d-rings and silver zippers on the shoulders. His black, tight cut jeans were adorned with ornate bondage straps. His heavy black boots were silver tipped and had multiple silver buckles. And of course, his pentacle was clearly visible around his neck. It was exotic enough, but not at all out of the ordinary for Justyn, and could hardly be called a costume. But when he lifted up his upper lip in a feigned snarl that revealed pointed canine teeth, she realized he had added an extra touch for the evening. The fangs looked so natural, that for a second Rebecca found herself wondering if they might be real. It was a ridiculous thought, but she still had to clear her throat before she could speak again.

  “A vampire?” she asked. “Are you serious?”

  “What can I say? I enjoy irony.”

  Rebecca laughed. “Obviously. But is that all? Just the fangs? No cape? No freaky contacts? No blood dripping down from the corner of your lip? If Halloween is really your favorite holiday, I’d think you’d do a little better than that.”

  “Well, there is this.”

  Justyn lifted his right index finger, revealing a large, full-fingered silver ring. It had an intricate skull design on the knuckle and a dangerous looking point on the tip. It was fashioned to look like a claw, and appeared to be capable of doing some serious damage.

  “Yeah, I’d say that’s sufficiently freaky.” Rebecca admitted with a small shudder. “I stand corrected.”

  She could see that he was amused by her reaction. “It’s just for effect. It isn’t sharp at all. See?”

  Justyn ran the tip of the ring teasingly along her cheek. Then he continued, following a path from her neck to her bare shoulders, all the way down to the very tips of her own fingers. He was right. The point was completely dulled. Yet, her skin was suddenly covered with gooseflesh. She found herself shivering even though her face was burning, and she knew it was his simple touch that was making her tremble more than his vampire accessories.

  Rebecca wasn’t sure how long they would have stood that way, their fingers touching, staring into each other’s eyes, barely hearing the thumping of the music around them. They might have stood frozen forever, maybe even drifted off into the fairy world that Justyn had mentioned. It certainly seemed in that moment that he was capable of anything, even transcendin
g into a fantasy dimension. The magical imagery quickly dissolved when Jay appeared, ruining the perfect moment. He danced his way over to them, completely out of beat with the music, but hardly seeming to care.

  “Hey, Becca. Hey, vampire.” He added casually. Justyn gave him a dirty look but stayed silent. “Where did Tom disappear to?”

  “He wasn’t feeling well,” Rebecca told him. She was a little nervous. What would Tom think if he knew she was spending time with Justyn while he was indisposed?

  Jay slapped himself in the forehead and shook his head. “I told him Captain Morgan and beer don’t mix. But did he listen to me? Noooo. Of course not. He never listens to me.”

  “He’s been gone for a while now. Maybe you should go check on him,” Rebecca suggested.

  She really was concerned about Tom, but she also wanted to get rid of Jay as quickly as possible. She admitted to herself, with a little guilt, that it was because she wanted more time alone with Justyn. On Halloween night, of all nights, it was hard not be entranced by his odd charm.

  “Great! Now I have to be designated driver and play nursemaid?” Jay complained. “Sheesh!”

  He wandered off, shaking his head and mumbling under his breath. Rebecca turned back to Justyn, who was watching Jay walk away with a raised eyebrow.

  “What is Jay supposed to be?”

  “I’ve asked myself that question every day since freshman year.”

  Justyn grinned. “I meant his costume.”

  “Oh, that. He’s a chick magnet.”

  “Hmmm. I see that Jay enjoys irony as well.”

  The laughter died on Rebecca’s lips as the blaring base eased into a gentle ballad. She found herself examining her shoes. Justyn wasn’t shy at all; he reached out his hand to her.

  “Since your date is otherwise engaged, do you suppose I might have the pleasure of this dance?”

  At first Rebecca thought she should say no. After all, she had come to the dance with Tom. It seemed inappropriate for her to be dancing with someone else, especially someone who had so obviously set out to be Tom’s rival from the start. But before she knew what she was doing, Rebecca found herself accepting the offered hand, albeit somewhat timidly. She almost expected to find his skin as cold as any real vampire’s, and was a little surprised when his hand was warm to the touch.

  They glided onto the dance floor. She ignored Carmen’s shocked stare. Other people were watching them as well. Among them was Wendy, who would probably waste no time telling Tom all about Rebecca’s disloyalty. It was impossible for people not to take notice. Justyn didn’t lead her in the modern, traditional slow dance where two people moved around in boring circles. Instead, he lifted her left hand with his right, draped his other arm around her waist, and began to lead her in the steps of a graceful waltz.

  He spun her and dipped her, and guided her in movements she didn’t know she was capable of with her two left feet. She thought briefly that she should have been embarrassed and self-conscious. She knew that people were openly gawking at them and some were even hiding their snickers behind their hands. But Rebecca didn’t care. It somehow felt perfectly natural to be waltzing with Justyn. In fact, she really couldn’t imagine him dancing in any other way.

  They turned and swirled to the slow love song, but Rebecca didn’t even hear the words. In her mind, she heard Mozart and Bach. In her mind’s eye, the room filled with teenagers and corny Halloween decorations faded away and were replaced with an elegant ballroom and beautiful people in swishing Victorian gowns and tuxedos with tailcoats. It somehow seemed like more than just a fantasy. It was like a long forgotten memory or a distant dream. Some part of her felt like she and Justyn had waltzed before, in some other time, in some other place. It made her feel almost giddy with excitement and longing.

  The music ended much too quickly, and Justyn’s hands fell away. Immediately the spell was broken and Rebecca was back in the school cafeteria. A new slow song with a hip-hop beat had begun to play. Rebecca hoped for an encore, but Justyn had already started to walk away.

  “Where . . . where are you going?” Boy, did she sound pathetic. Why didn’t she just get on her knees and beg him to stay?

  Justyn gave her a small half-smile. “I’m afraid I must take my leave.”

  “Time for you to get back to conjuring spirits?”

  “Time for you to get back to your date. Thank you for the dance, my lady.”

  Justyn was lost in the crowd before she even remembered to breathe. But she could still feel his arms around her waist; still smell his woodsy scent against her skin. She was left standing alone in the middle of the dance floor looking for a small glimpse of his shadow. She realized with a little wonder that she was trembling, gaping, swooning all over again. Every time she was around Justyn she turned into a weak-kneed mess. It really was getting ridiculous.

  “Becca?”

  Rebecca jumped at the sound of her name. She turned around and understood why Justyn had left so suddenly. She found a white-faced Tom standing behind her. His black pirate wig and beard had been lost somewhere during the course of the evening, and his blonde hair was a matted mess beneath it. Besides looking pale, he also looked embarrassed. Rebecca wanted to be mad at him for ruining their night together but she didn’t have the heart. After all, the dance hadn’t been a total loss, at least not for her. Not that she was going to admit that to Tom any time soon.

  “Hi, Tom. Are you feeling any better?”

  Rebecca actually thought he might cry with relief when she didn’t yell at him. “Yeah. A little. Listen, Becca. I . . . I’m really sorry about tonight. I was a total jerk.”

  “It’s okay.”

  He shook his head. “No, it’s not okay. And it wasn’t even the real me. I don’t usually drink that much. I only did it because I was nervous and I wanted to impress you. I wanted you to like me, and instead I wound up making a total ass out of myself. Now you probably hate me.”

  He looked so crestfallen that Rebecca wouldn’t help but take pity on him. “I already liked you, Tom. You just needed to be yourself.”

  “Does that mean you’ll give me another chance?”

  “Sure . . . why not?”

  Rebecca was in a generous mood. She reached out to take Tom’s hand and lead him onto the dance floor. She was only slightly worried that his stomach might not be able to handle it. But it didn’t matter because they never made it that far. A couple of boys came running from the hallway. They were screaming so loudly it was impossible not to hear them, even over the blasting music. One of them screamed over and over again in an eerie monotone, the same desperate exclamation.

  “He’s dead! He’s dead!”

  The other one was a little more rational. He found the nearest chaperone, who happened to be standing just a few feet away from Rebecca and Tom. They were able to overhear every terrifying word—words that very nearly made Rebecca’s legs give out from under her.

  “Come quick! Some man in a cape and a mask just killed Mr. Russ!”

  Chapter Fourteen

  Rebecca came very close to skipping school on Monday morning. She had barely slept the whole weekend, and she hated the thought of dragging herself through an endless routine of boring classes. But after giving it some thought, she decided that facing assignments was better than spending the day alone in an empty house, jumping at every sound.

  Every time she closed her eyes, she saw Mr. Russ’s face. What little sleep she did manage to get, she spent dreaming of him hanging from the rafters of the stage, with the phantom’s voice laughing in the background. Sometimes that phantom sounded like Justyn, but other times she was sure it was Tom. And sometimes it was the nameless, faceless monster that was stalking her waking nightmares. Those nightmares were the predominant thoughts on her mind when she joined her friends at their lunch table on Monday afternoon. Even the fact that Tom chose to sit with them didn’t cheer her up. In fact, he and his annoying sidekick, Jay, were only making the day that much worse with their i
nconsiderate and uncouth topic of conversation.

  “I heard he hung himself in the bathroom stall.”

  Tom made exaggerated gagging noises as he strung his own neck with an invisible noose. The others at the table laughed, but Rebecca grunted in disgust. Not that anyone noticed.

  “I heard he was strangled,” Carmen added. “They say when they found him, he had huge red hand prints around his neck.”

  Carmen was quick to chime in whenever anyone was talking about anything dramatic. She couldn’t stand being left out, so Rebecca expected no less from her. But she was surprised when even quiet Debbie starting to take part in the morbid talk. It wasn’t like her at all.