The bell rings signaling the first class of the day has started. You take a seat and wait for the teacher to start class. "Y/n," a voice from the front says your name. It was a man. You look at them and tilt your head wanting to know what they wanted. Normally, it wasn't anything good.
He shakes his head and turns back around. You frown. What was that all about? You shrug it off when you see the teacher walk in.
"Before we start today's lesson, I would like to inform you all about the masquerade ball. It's next saturday between seven to eleven. Doors will close once the clock hits seven. Make sure you're properly dressed. Understood?"
"Yes, sir!" Everyone replies in union. A smile of satisfaction appears on his face and with that, he begins the class.
••••••
"Do you know what you're wearing to the ball?" A girl asks another girl. You turn to them and watch a group of girls discuss their plans. You look back at your food and sigh. You were sitting alone and enjoyed it that way. Though, you had a hard time eating lunch due to the states that came your way.
Naturally, ever since you were young, your body was slightly bigger than others. You didn't mind how you looked, you loved it in fact but others began bullying you because of it.
That being said, you avoided eating in public but sometimes the food was too tempting. "Can I sit with you?" A voice startled you.
You look up confused. The guy standing before you had a sweet smile on his face as he held the test in his hands, waiting for you to answer. "Miss?" He waves his hand to catch your attention.
"O-Oh, of course you can." You shyly smile. His smile widens and he sits down. "Thank you." An awkward silence is present as you don't even know what to say. He senses your state and looks up but you jump in your seat not expecting that to happen.
"What's your name?" Oddly enough, the question surprised you. "Y-Y/n." You mumble.
"That's a pretty name," he says and smiles. You can't help but gawk at him. His smile was beautiful. "Thank you." You shyly smile and return the question feeling your cheeks flush.
He can't help but laugh after seeing your flustered face. "Jackson." Throughout lunch, you were engaged in a one on one conversation with him. It was an interesting feeling since no one ever really had a conversation with your much less wanted to.
When the bell rings, you bid goodbye to your new friend (he claimed) and left to your next class with him escorting you.
"I'll see you after school." He waves and heads to his class which was next to yours. You couldn't help but stare at the spot where he was and couldn't help the grin etched on your face.
Finally someone in your life liked you that wasn't your family.
••••••
Ever since, you began to hangout with Jackson. It was a beautiful feeling knowing you could share your problems and complaints to someone besides your family.
On the first day of friendship, Jackson had asked you about the masquerade party. For a second you believed he was going to ask you out but after that, he never mentioned a thing.
It was the day before the event and you were still debating whether or not you should go. You were thinking of asking Jackson out but you weren't sure if he was going to even be there.
In the end, you decided not to do it. "Y/n, look what I got for you." Your older sister barges into your room with a white box. When you glance at it, you thought it was a large cake but when she opens it up a dress appears before your eyes. "Who's it?" You watch her pull it out.
"It's for you, silly." She replies and hands you the dress. "For me?" She nods and sits on the bed watching as you admire the dress from head to toe.
"A little bird told me there's a masquerade party tomorrow." You tilt your head and look at her. "Who told you?" She merely shrugs and smirks.
After you place the dress down you remember what you said earlier. "Wait, but I decided not to go." Your sister jumps to her feet and approaches you like a maniac. "What do you mean you're not going?! I even bought you the dress!"
You shut your eyes trying to come up with an excuse but every excuse was bizarre. Noticing you weren't going to answer, your sister begins to freak out.
"Please go, hm? You always spend your time at home and never like to go out. This is your last month of school. I want you to at least enjoy this before you head off to the college you've been wanting to go."
You nibble on your lip and think for a brief moment but seeing your sisters sad look made you give in. Especially due to the possibly large amount of money she spent on such a beautiful dress.
"Fine. I'll go."
••••••
Before you eyes was the building in which the event was held. After five 'painful' hours of getting ready you were now feeling anxious as you stood outside of the hall.
Your family was right behind trying to push you in but because of how nervous you were, your legs couldn't seem to move.
The mask that your sister placed on you was beautiful but required you to be cautious with it. Apparently it was really expensive.
"Honey, there's only ten minutes left before the doors close. Get in." Your mom reminds you. You look at them and take a deep breath before finally taking the first step.
The moment you enter, you go straight to the table near the corner. It was to avoid interacting with anyone-not like anyone ever would.
It was reaching the end of the event yet you were still sitting. Couples were busy on the dance floor and there you were. . . watching in envy.
"This will be the last song of the night so everyone grab your partner and head to the floor!" The one in charge of music says. Couples rush to their feet abandoning whatever they were doing before.
You glance at your phone and realize there's only a few minutes until the event ends. That being said, you head to the exit but a guy stops you before you could leave.
"I'm sorry to disturb your path but may I have this dance with you?" He extends his hand out and slightly bows down.
There was only one thing to say. "I'm sorry but I don't know how to dance." You were embarrassed but the mask covered you well. The man chuckles and gently takes your hand in his.
"That's all right. I will guide you." In the end, you agree and let him drag you to the floor. The song soon began seeing everyone was ready.
The music plays and the man moves you with him making sure he wasn't going too fast especially with the heels you're wearing.
"I'm wondering why a beautiful girl like you didn't have a partner?" He strikes up a conversation. You blink and after a few seconds you answer him. "I was going to ask a friend but I wasn't too sure if he was even going to show up or not. I wasn't even supposed to be here but my sister convinced me." You let out an awkward chuckle.
His smile is evident when he hears your response and without further ado, he spins you allowing your dress to flutter out and rest when he takes a hold of your body. "I see."
When you glance at him, you feel something odd. He looked and sounded awfully familiar. You were in a daze and didn't realize the song ended. Couples were slowly beginning to leave the area.
"If you don't mind, may I have the please to take you home? It wouldn't be too appropriate for you to walk alone at this hour." He says and walks with you to the parking lot leading to the exit.
You blush and meekly nod. "That would be nice. Thank you." Sorry sister. Please don't be mad at me. He smiled and took you to his car.
During the ride, a peaceful silence fills the air. Even if you were sure you wouldn't meet him again, you felt loved in his presence.
"Oh? How do you know where I live?" You realize by the time you're snapped from your trance that you arrived home. He doesn't say anything and gets out of the car to open the door for you.
You slowly walk with him on the long driveway and to the front door of your house. "Well this is my house." You let out a shaky breath feeling nervous.
He hums and proposes something. "How about this? In the count of three we both take off our masks and reveal who we are?" You nibble on your lip and slowly nod. You reach for the back park and slowly untie the knot. "One. . . Two . . . Three."
He swiftly takes it off and right when you close your eyes to take yours off, a pair of lips are on your cheek.
You snap open your eyes not expecting that out of all things. You were even shocked to see who it was.
"Y/n." You didn't realize he moved back a bit and was looking at you flustered. "Jackson," you let out a gasp and the desire to run in and hide under your bed was evident.
He reaches back and helps you remove the mask before he shyly grins. "Hey, princess."
Your brain was starting to question many things. Why would my sister buy such an expensive dress and mask? How did she know about the event? "Did. . . you prepare all this for me?"
Jackson nods and takes a step forward. "I didn't know how to ask you out. While you were at school yesterday, I spoke with your sister and gave her the box. I begged her to give it to you."
"Why though?" You tilt your head to meet his eyes. "Simple. I fell in love with you." His response made your face and ears flush red.
He then continues. "I have a question. Do you feel the same?" It only makes you even more red. You robotically nod. Never did you expect the person you like to like you back.
"That's all I need to know." He pulls you in for a kiss, gently holding you by the waist as he pulls you closer.