by B.M. Green
Chapter 31
“Attention students of Montgomery High. The prom for this year is approaching fast. This year’s prom, however, will be much different than any other prom we’ve had. This year, the prom will be open to only the seniors, and it will have a theme. Instead of calling it a prom, we are calling it a Masquerade Ball!” The classrooms buzzed with excitement, anger, and confusion.
“A ball?”
“We have to find costumes now?”
“And I thought finding a prom dress was hard enough.”
“Do we have to wear masks?”
“It’s a masquerade ball.”
“This stinks.”
“This rocks.”
“I don’t understand.” The rest of the week no one talked of anything else. Rebekah was going with Tom and Holidee was going with Zeke. Holidee and Zeke had agreed to put her engagement ring on a chain around her neck until they graduated, so no one knew of their engagement except for Zeke’s dad. Rip wasn’t going to go to the ball, even though they had all tried to persuade him. No one knew what they were going to wear. The seniors kinda liked the idea of having an all-senior ball, but the juniors were livid, because they weren’t allowed to go.
“So, what’ll we wear?” They were having lunch on the grass.
“Uh, Victorian-looking clothes?” Zeke rolled his eyes.
“Well, duh. I mean…I don’t know.”
“I think I should just go to the Halloween store and pick up a vampire costume. They always dress up Victorian-ish…and smooth.” Holidee laughed.
“Great. My date’s gonna be a vampire.” Tom smiled at Rebekah.
“Why don’t we go shopping for our dresses this weekend?”
“Sounds fun.”
“And Tom and I can go shopping for our, uh, suits.”
“I know what I want mine to look like.”
“Like what?”
“It’s a secret. You’ll see it at the ball.” They finished eating lunch and all went back to class. That weekend the girls went shopping together and the boys went shopping together. They all had tons of fun, trying on ridiculous outfits before finding the perfect one. When the ball finally came, everyone was ecstatic. Holidee got into her dress, which were different shades of royal blue. Her hair was pinned up and curly. In one hand, she was holding a gold mask on the end of a stick. The mask had feathers on one side that matched her dress. She looked in the mirror one last time before running down the stairs. Crix smiled at her.
“You look beautiful.” She smiled and hugged him. “Your parents would be proud of you.”
“I wish they could be here.”
“They are.” Crix touched her heart. “Right here.” Holidee looked into his misty eyes. She wanted to tell him about her and Zeke, and she would have if the doorbell hadn’t rung just then. Crix answered it as Holidee stepped beside him. There, on the front step, was Tom. He had a cream mask up to his face and then lowered it as he bowed before her. Tom was dressed in a deep plum jacket and pants with a light purple undershirt. His shirt had ruffles and his vest had light blue buttons. His black hair matched perfectly as did his mask with jewels and feathers of violet and blue. Tom looked up at Holidee and smiled. His eyes seemed to turn plum as well.
“Zeke and I thought it would be fun to switch dates and meet at the ball.” Holidee smiled. “Is my lady ready?” He held out an arm to Holidee, who took it and said good-bye to Crix. Tom led her to their transportation, which wasn’t a limo or car. It was a horse drawn carriage. Holidee tried to hide her excitement, but failed. “I thought you might enjoy this. Zeke and I want this night to be special for you ladies. It is, after all, your last dance.” Holidee smiled as Tom helped her into the carriage.
“This won’t be the last dance.” Tom looked at Holidee. “There will be plenty at the school.” Tom smiled.
“You look amazing, by the way.”
“Thank you, young sir.”
“You’re welcome, my lady.” They rode in silence for a couple minutes until Tom spoke up again. “So, how did he do it?” Holidee looked at Tom, confused. “Propose. How did he do it?” Holidee opened her mouth to protest, but Tom laughed. “I can read it all over you. Ever since we got back from spring break.” She paused.
“In the ocean. He sang an Irish song to me and proposed with the last line.” Tom smiled.
“Sounds like something he’d do. I guess I kinda rubbed off on him.” Holidee laughed.
“Good thing, too, because I’m a sucker for a romantic.” Tom smiled. “I like the outfit, by the way.” Tom looked down at himself. “Looks like you just hopped out of a Dracula movie or something.” Tom laughed.
“At least I got the look right.” Holidee looked at his hair and Tom read her eyes. “Like I said, tonight is a special night. I’m willing to sacrifice anything for tonight to be perfect, even my bandana.” Holidee smiled. They reached the school and they put their masks up to their faces as Tom helped Holidee out of the carriage. Holidee took his arm as he led her into the school. The gym was decorated like the Victorian age and the music was vintage too. Not many people were dancing, but some were trying. Tom led Holidee over to the other side of the gym, where a guy was dressed in a deep green suit that matched his eyes. His mask was hanging in his hand as he talked with a girl in a deep red dress. He turned and smiled at them. He looked at Holidee.
“You look beautiful.” He kissed her on the cheek and took her from Tom. Tom walked over and stood next to Rebekah.
“Not many people are dancing.” Tom and Zeke both looked at the dance floor.
“Not many know how.” Rebekah and Holidee laughed. The four of them walked up to the balcony to get their picture taken. Then they walked back down the stairs to watch the dance floor again. Zeke slyly looked at Tom and smiled. “Why don’t we show these wannabes how to dance?” Tom smiled. They took off their jackets and set them on a chair by the girls. “We’ll be back.” Then they walked to the DJ and then onto the dance floor. A song slowly came on. It was Irish. Holidee smiled. It started out slow and gradually got faster. Tom and Zeke laughed as their feet kept to the beat, their hands staying on their hips. The song kept speeding up and pretty soon everyone lined the dance floor and started clapping to the beat. Tom and Zeke made everyone laugh and cheer as they continued dancing for several minutes. Then the song changed into a medieval slow song and they stopped. They didn’t leave the dance floor, however. They both looked at Rebekah and Holidee. They shook their heads with a smile. Tom and Zeke walked over to them and took their hands, leading them onto the dance floor. Zeke pressed his hand gently against Holidee’s palm in the air. He placed a hand on her waist to guide her hips. He stepped to her right and she stepped to his. Tom and Rebekah did the same thing. Slowly they caught on and Tom and Zeke no longer guided them. They would switch partners every now and then and everyone began to cheer again. Holidee felt like she had fallen back in time. More and more people joined the dance floor and caught on quickly. Pretty soon everyone was on the dance floor, following Tom and Zeke’s lead. The song gradually ended as a faster one started up, and Zeke grabbed Holidee’s waist and twirled her around. The room spun as she was handed off to Tom and back to Zeke. Everyone’s face wore a smile as the night ticked by. They danced the whole night to music they had never heard before. When the dance finally ended, everyone went home, their feet tired from the dancing. Zeke took Holidee home and kissed her goodnight. Tom took Rebekah home. They all slept well that night, their dreams filled with dancing and costumes.