Welcome To The Masquerade

- 7. welcome to the masquerade -

- thats the dress i described for riley to wear in the story. i tried to find a perfect match; can't find maya one. -

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riley
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I got out of the taxi, paying the driver and watching it leave.

I turned around, and inhaled. I exhaled. "I can do this."

I pulled the mask down my face, and walked up the stairs. I opened the door, and walked through the busy hotel hall.

I found it.

The door said "High school Masquerade" so I went in.

Jesus christ.

The entire place is filled with freshmen, sophomores, juniors, and seniors.

They all have masks on, with black and white, dark night colors and jewelry.

I paused on the top of the staircase, in awe.

I guess the door isn't what they're looking at.

They're looking at me.

Silence.

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lucas
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I got to the masquerade early. I was bored.

A lot of girls came up to me.... same questions, same answers.

"Wanna dance?" "No."
"Hey, wanna get some snacks?" "Nah."
"Need some punch?" "No thanks."

"Wanna go make out?" "Sure- I mean, no thanks."
"There's a free bedroom upstairs-" "No, thank you."

I was dancing alone, leaning against the wall on my phone, or eating/drinking alone on a small table.

Yes, we were allowed to drink; some senior bribed the hotel guys to cover for us.
He's rich, okay?

I heard a quiet "sssshhhh" of the doors opening.

Everyone went quiet.

I looked up at stairs.

There is a girl, a brunette, with long brown hair, a black mask, and a blue dress. The thing that catches my eye, however, were... her eyes.

Beautiful, a bit shy, and confident.

Something I.. need, in myself.

Next thing you know, I'm walking over to her.

Something is... urging me towards her.

I walk right in front of her, as the
music starts. People down there are dancing.

I stick my hand out.

"Would you like to dance?"

She blinks, then I feel her take my hand.

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riley
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A boy asked me to dance.
I want to say no, but...

His tone, body, face....

A bit hard to resist, hard to figure out who he is.

I took his hand.

"Sure."

We danced.

"You dance really well... for a ball, that is." He smiled.

I giggled. "Yeah, thanks. I take that as a compliment."

He lifted me off the floor and set me back down as we danced across the hotel floor. "It was."

His hand slowly swept mine into his as we swayed in sync.

"So.. what's your name?" I asked him, half-memorized by his soft yet husky voice.

"My name," he replied, "is Lucas."

I looked up at the cute boy I was dancing with to see blondish hair and a cowboy look.
Yeah. It's Lucas.

"And, yours, m'lady?" He asked politely.

I stuttered my next few words. "My name is-"

The clock ticked loudly.
It's 12 midnight.
I'm late.
Use this as an excuse, Riley! Come on!

"I-I'm sorry," I said apologetically, "but I have to go."

I let go of him, lifting some of my dress skirt in my hands as I run out the door.
His footsteps came shortly after mine.

"Wait!" He yelled. "Wait!"

I'm sad. I won't be able to have such a time with him again, chances are.

I called a taxi over and got in quickly, stuffing cash into the front seat.
"As fast as you can, New York City."

Damn, why did this stupid dance have to be in Manhattan?

On account, they aren't that far apart...

Are they even near each other?

Dammit, Riley, I need to learn more about these cities here.

All I know, is that was a complete success, and complete failure.

Bright side?
I danced with Lucas Friar.

Wait... shouldn't I hate him?
Whatever.

But.... it felt so... right?

Oh shit.. where's my mask?

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lucas
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I picked up her mask as the taxi drove fast away from the hotel.

Who was she?

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Man, Lucas. You're in for a wild ride through the feels train.

And, you as well, Rucas lovers.

:)

-🍷