Masquerade

by Cambria Hebert

  “Careful,” he warned a second time. “Kiss me like that again and your dress may not make it.”

  I blushed, secretly pleased, and pulled back. “Can I get my bag?” I motioned at the door.

  He opened the door, and I reached in to grab my handbag. Out of it I pulled my pink gloss and reapplied it. He watched as if fascinated by my movements. When I was done he asked, “Where is your whistle? You aren’t wearing it.”

  I smiled. “It’s in my bag. It didn’t match my dress.”

  He smiled and offered his arm. “Ready?”

  “One thing?” I held out the bracelet he gave me. “Clasp this on me?”

  He took it and did as I asked, his fingers checking the clasp twice, even though it hadn’t come loose once since he’d fixed it. I could have had my mother do this for me at home, but I wanted him to do it. I liked the intimacy I felt between us when he put it where it belonged. When he was satisfied that it was closed, he leaned to press a kiss on the inside of my wrist. Goosebumps broke out across my arms. He looked up. “Cold?”

  “No.”

  He smiled, offered his arm and walked me toward the party. At the door he moved to open it for me, but I stopped him. Nerves were making their way to the surface, taking away my earlier elation.

  “What’s the matter?” he asked, leading me off to the side.

  “I…” I didn’t know how to explain to him that for the past ten months I hadn’t walked into any building or room without pulling up a hood or trying to hide. I almost felt like I didn’t know how to enter this ball with confidence. “Is my mask on straight?”

  His eyes softened. “Your mask is fine. You’re the best looking woman here.”

  “How do you know?” I teased, “We’re not even inside yet.”

  “I don’t have to be inside to know this. Besides did you see that girl that just went in? She had toilet paper stuck to the bottom of her shoe.” He laughed.

  I laughed too. “Why were you looking at her shoes?”

  “Because there was a huge wad of toilet paper hanging from it.” His eyes twinkled as he laughed.

  And just like that my nerves vanished. I was merely a girl going to a dance with a guy who was incredible.

  “I’m ready,” I told him as I slipped my hand into his. As long as he was with me I would be okay. When we entered I couldn’t help but brace myself for whispers and stares, tucking myself close to Sam’s shoulder, trying to hide.

  “Not tonight,” he whispered, pulling me from his side and taking my hand instead. “You’re far too beautiful to hide.”

  I blinked once at his words, shocked that he would take away my comfort. Then something horrifying happened.

  People came running toward us.

  Sam stiffened, just slightly.

  All my old friends from cheerleading and their dates stood close, staring. I wanted to run and hide, but we were surrounded. Sam squeezed my hand in reassurance.

  “Hey guys.” I meekly said.

  Chaos erupted.

  “OMG, that dress is gorgeous!”

  “Who did your hair?”

  “Who did your makeup?”

  They were all talking over each other, reaching out to finger the satin of my dress and the curled ends of my hair. I was shocked. No one had given me this much attention since…well Before.

  I smiled a genuine smile and stepped forward, out of Sam’s shadow. Just like that my old confidence came back to me. I gracefully accepted their compliments and dished out my own just like I used to. When everyone fell quiet, and I was about to turn back to Sam, Amber cleared her throat. “I think I speak for us all when I say it’s really good to have you back.”

  “T-thanks.”

  “I mean, we were all really worried. We knew you wanted space, but it’s nice to have our friend back.”

  I didn’t know what to say. They’d stayed away from me all those months because they thought I wanted space? They weren’t grossed out by my face? They hadn’t thought I was a freak! Amber was still staring at me, waiting for a response, so I said, “I’m ready to have my life back.” I couldn’t keep a large smile from taking over my face. My friends had always been my friends! The reason they had stayed away was because I pushed them away. Those baggy hoodies, my curtain of hair – I used it as a wall. I made myself unapproachable; it had all been me. My friends were far more accepting than I gave them credit for.

  Joy burst through me, and I felt like I might be glowing. I could have it all again. And I could have Sam. I felt so amazing…like I was soaring. I made everyone promise to stop by our table before I let anyone go, and when they did move away they were all smiling.

  I turned back to Sam, still smiling. “Did you hear that?”

  He stroked his hand across my neck and nodded. His eyes were a little sad.

  “Heven?” Kimber gasped from the entrance way. “OMG!”

  I turned to face her as she rushed over. “Holy crap! You look awesome!”

  “Thanks!” I said, enjoying her compliment and accepting it. I deserved it.

  “And so damn skinny. You bitch.”

  Beside me Sam stiffened, I squeezed his hand and laughed. “You look beautiful tonight, Kimber.”

  She was wearing a gorgeous designer gown in gold. Her red hair was up in a mass of curls, and she carried a glittery gold mask that had a handle on one side. She lifted it to her face and peered out of it. “I know.”

  Beside her, Cole rolled his eyes. He was wearing a mask that looked like the one the guy in Phantom of the Opera wore. That made me realize that Sam wasn’t wearing a mask at all…

  “Hey, Hev. Lookin’ good,” Cole grinned.

  Kimber elbowed him. He grinned again. I laughed, and it felt good.

  Kimber hooked her arm through my free one and began walking us all toward the ballroom. “Come on everyone,” she called. “Heven needs a few pieces of cake. When I stand next to her I look fat.”

  The ballroom was spectacular. The setting actually made me think of Phantom of the Opera in a way. The hotel was old and carried an authentic charm. The lighting was low, and large candelabras, dripping white wax, were centered every table. It should have looked messy, but it didn’t. The DJ was set up in the far corner with large swags of golden fabric draping from the ceiling to the floor, partially concealing his booth. Refreshment tables lined the left side of the room with a large punch fountain dominating the center of one round table. There was also a huge white cake adorned with iced roses in all shades of red. The center of the room was a giant wooden dance floor where many couples were already dancing. Round tables were scattered about the room, each one draped in a pale gold tablecloth.

  “This place looks great,” Kimber said as we approached our table. “This must have cost a fortune.”

  “It does look good,” I agreed as Sam pulled out a chair for me.

  “We’re going to dance,” Kimber said, pulling Cole toward the floor.

  I turned toward Sam and smiled. He pulled his chair so close that my knees bumped his as I turned. He leaned in and kissed me softly.

  “The feathers on that mask tickle.”

  “I noticed you aren’t wearing a mask. How come?”

  “I get tired of wearing a mask all the time,” he murmured.

  “What?” His words confused me.

  He blinked and leaned in. “I didn’t want you to confuse me with anyone else tonight, so I chose to keep my face revealed to you all times.”

  He was so romantic and charming. But still, what he’d said before…why do guys always have to be so cryptic?

  He palmed my face in his hands and drew me near. “Kiss me, beautiful.”

  “You guys need to get a room,” Kimber griped from behind. Sam drew away and looked into my eyes, smiling tenderly. What had we been talking about?

  “Speaking of…” Cole drew a key card out of his pocket. “I got us one.”

  “You did?” Kimber gasped, grabbing at the card, but Cole was too fast, tucking it bac
k into his pocket.

  “It’s for later,” he told her.

  She kissed him. Kimber and Cole had taken the ‘next step’ in their relationship last summer. I used to think that they were way too young, that she hadn’t been ready. But now…

  I looked into Sam’s whiskey eyes and thought that maybe if it was with the right person, maybe, age was just a number. I knew for sure that no one could ever make me feel like Sam, even if I lived for a hundred years. The words I knew he waited for were heavy on my tongue; I wanted to let them out right then.

  “Yes?” he asked, leaning in, as if he knew what was on my lips.

  I opened my mouth. “Dance with me.”

  I thought I saw a quick flash of sorrow in his eyes, but then he was standing, holding out his hand and leading me toward the dance floor. On cue, a soft, slow song began to play. His body molded against mine in a way that made my skin burn. I looked around sure that one of the chaperones would come and tell us to separate. No one came, and I sank even deeper into his warmth. If I wasn’t careful, I knew that I could completely lose myself in him. Something told me that was already happening. A stray thought whispered that perhaps that could be a bad thing, but I pushed the thought away. I’d think about that later, not tonight.

  “Are you having a good time?” he whispered in my ear.

  “The best.”

  “I want this night to be perfect.”

  “It is.” Again, the words I love you were heavy on my tongue. I could just lean up and whisper them into his ear…

  He stiffened and stood a little straighter, gazing around the ballroom.

  “Sam?”

  He stayed that way for several long moments, then finally, relaxed and looked down. He smiled ruefully. “Sorry, I thought I heard something.”

  I frowned. All I could hear was the music.

  “Did you want to say something?” he asked. The alluring hazel of his eyes almost, but not quite, recaptured the previous moment.

  Slowly I shook my head. “Never mind.”

  “You sure?” he pressed.

  I nodded. “Later, okay?”

  He gave in, and I laid my head against his chest. Our moment would come soon and nothing would spoil it.

  The Hate

  I’m sick of watching. Of waiting. I am always so close…but never close enough. She thinks she’s something tonight. Everyone is just fawning all over her. It makes me sick. I can see the smugness in her eyes and in the way she walks. She thinks tonight is going to be perfect.

  It’s not.

  He’s thinks he’s won, but it isn’t over.

  He’s wrong.

  It all ends tonight. It’s time she knows who lover boy really is. Little girl’s dreams are going to be shattered, and I am going to enjoy it.

  The Hope

  I sensed a change in the air. Tonight she would be put to the test. I feared she wasn’t ready.

  “There’s no way she’ll accept him.”

  I turned and took in his bleak, sad face. With a caress of my fingers, harmony and peace went to him, hopefully wrapping him in comfort. “Pray she does, or all could be lost.”

  “I wish she didn’t have to be involved.”

  “Trust Him. He knows what He is doing. Trust in love.”

  He nodded and came to join me at the water.

  “Let us watch,” I murmured.

  Gentle waves rippled the surface of the water. Images formed and solidified. A beauty and her beloved danced…

  We waited.

  Heven

  The night passed by in a haze of dancing and laughter. I reconnected with friends I thought I’d lost, and slowly, I learned to accept myself a little more. I hoped that come morning, when the mask I wore was gone, that I would still feel the same. Sam never left my side, except once to get some punch and cake, which he was currently feeding me. It was decadent, and I couldn’t remember the last time I’d enjoyed food more. He tried to fork another bite into my already-full mouth, and I shook my head and stole the fork from him.

  As I chewed I pointed at him with my fork, scooped up another big bite and held it out. He opened obediently, watching me as I fed him. His eyes flickered pure gold like they sometimes did.

  “You guys totally need to get a room,” Kimber groaned.

  I kept my eyes on Sam and smiled. His eyes flashed once more. I marveled in the fact that it no longer frightened me, I liked it. It made me feel…wanted.

  “Are you ready to go?” he asked, his smoky voice sending shivers up my spine.

  “Yes.” I glanced at my cell. It was eleven. “I have an hour before I have to be home. Can we go somewhere and talk?”

  He nodded, reached into his pocket and pulled out a key card. It looked identical to the one Cole had. My breath caught. Did he think…?

  He leaned close and whispered in my ear, “Relax. I got it in case we wanted to be alone tonight.”

  I pulled back, slightly shaken. I was ready to tell him that I loved him, but I didn’t think I was ready for a hotel room and all the things that went with it.

  “Heven?”

  I shook my head.

  Understanding lit his eyes, and he grasped my hand. “I didn’t get it for that.”

  I lifted a brow.

  “I promise. I know you aren’t ready.” He cleared his throat. “Neither am I.”

  Instead of being relieved, I was hurt. Why wouldn’t he want to? What guy didn’t want to? Maybe I was getting too attached to him; maybe he wasn’t as attached to me as he said.

  He let out a low sound, almost like a growl, and pulled me forward. “It isn’t what you think. I love you, and of course I want you.”

  “Then, why?” I whispered.

  “I just want you to get to know me a little better. I want you to be ready.”

  I nodded, accepting this.

  “So will you come with me? To talk? I promise I won’t pressure you.” He kept his sometimes-golden gaze steady on mine. His eyes were so gorgeous, almost hypnotizing.

  “I will,” I vowed.

  He smiled.

  “Let me go to the ladies room first, okay?”

  “I’ll walk you,” he said, standing.

  “I think I can find my way,” I joked.

  “I know. You’re just so beautiful I’m afraid someone might try and steal you away.” He smiled.

  “Well in that case,” I said, holding out my arm. He took it and tucked it beneath his and off we went. The trip to the bathroom was stalled by many people that we stopped to laugh and talk with. Then a slow song came on and Sam pulled me out for one last dance. I knew I would never forget how it felt to be in his arms. Finally, we made it near the restroom where Sam was distracted by a group of waving guys. He didn’t want to go to them, but I shooed him away. “It’s only the bathroom, Sam, I’ll be fine.” He nodded once and went to join the laughing group as I turned to slip inside.

  The inside of the tiny room was cold. Clearly the staff had the AC cranked up in the ballroom, making this much smaller room freezing. I went to the sink to check my makeup and mask. I took out my compact to quickly dust away the light shine on my nose. When I was finished, I put away the case and washed my hands. I heard the stall door behind me open then bang shut, but I didn’t bother to look up. When I did, there was a masked woman standing directly behind me. She was standing much closer than necessary, and I moved to try and put some distance between us.

  She wouldn’t let me.

  When I stepped she stepped, where I went she went. My hands began to shake.

  “Excuse me,” I told her, trying to get by once more.

  “He should have done his job, and then I wouldn’t have to be here right now.” Her dark red lips moved beneath a black mask that looked like lace. Her raven hair was bound up with a huge bunch of black feathers sticking out of the up-do.

  “What?” I tried not to sound intimidated.

  “How much do you know about your precious Sam?” the woman practically snarled. I watche
d in horror as she reached out and grabbed my arm. Hard. I looked down at her bronze hand grasping my thin, pale arm. Her nails looked like sharp, red talons, ready to draw blood.

  “It’s time, little girl. Time you knew the truth.”

  I had no idea what she was talking about and I didn’t want to know. I opened my mouth to scream, and she pinned me with a hard stare. “Make a noise, and I will slaughter you. Then I’ll slaughter him.”

  Sam! She was threatening Sam! My head spun with what this woman could possibly want.

  Just then the door burst open, and Kimber came striding in. “Heven, why didn’t you tell me you were coming in here?” She stopped short when she saw the woman grabbing me.

  “What’s going on?” Kimber demanded.

  The woman dropped my arm like I’d burned her and leaned in to whisper “Get rid of her. Or I will.”

  I believed her, and I was terrified. Why would she threaten to kill me? To kill Sam? Was this some kind of sick joke? My skin broke out in a clammy sweat and glanced to the stall she’d come out of. Had she been waiting in there for me? Who was this woman and why was she saying these things?

  “Kimmie,” I said, using the name only Cole called her. I prayed it would be enough to let her know that something wasn’t right. “Would you mind grabbing my clutch? I left it at the table.”

  Kimber smoothed out the gloss she was applying and hardly glanced at me. “Sure. Be right back.” She walked out without even a nervous glance.

  Not even two seconds later Sam burst through the bathroom door with a wild look on his face. When his eyes landed on the woman and her hand grabbing my arm, he let out a roar and lunged. In one smooth moment I was behind him, pressed up against the door. And he was leaping at the woman.

  “When I tell you to – run!” he called over his shoulder.

  What he did next shocked me.

  He punched the woman right in the face.

  She fell backwards, but caught herself against the wall and stood. “Ask him about his secrets!” She yelled at me. “Make him tell you what he really is!”