Permission to Love

Chapter One

Kathryn slowly opens the door to her house and steps inside, making sure her steps are quiet before gently closing the door behind her.

"Where have you been?"

She silently curses the door in front of her while keeping her back to her father. "I was just getting some air, I guess I got a little too much and lost track of time," she lies and slowly begins to show her well-developed, innocent smile. 

He sets down the newspaper in his hands and stands up from his seated position in the armchair.

"Where's mom?" Kathryn asks quickly.

"She's upstairs, sleeping; which is exactly what you should be doing right now. You do know your mother's foundation ball is tomorrow, right?"

Kathryn groans and tosses her head back in aggravation. "Seriously, that's tomorrow?"

"Yes, that's tomorrow and you're not backing out of this one. You already used the sick card for the last one."

She sighs in frustration and turns around to make her way upstairs. "Fine. I'll go. Just know that while I'm there I'll be wishing I was anywhere else."

Her dad stares after her and shakes her head in disappointment. He didn't understand how a girl who was given so much could still be so unhappy.

She makes her way to her room and falls back on her bed with a sigh. The truth was; tomorrow night when she was at that ball, she wouldn't be wishing she was anywhere else, she would be wishing she was anywhere else as long as it was with him. They were given so little time together and when they were it was either interrupted by the timer on her phone; set to the exact time her father would arrive home or plans were ruined by important parties and balls. Living life as the daughter of upper class citizens may seem glamorous and perfect to those looking in but to those living it; well, let's just say they were dealing with prejudices and scrutiny of a different kind.

~~~

Kathryn's putting the finishing touches on her makeup when she hears the sound of small rocks hitting her window. She turns around and picks up her long flowing dress so it doesn't get caught in her feet before walking over to the window. This was another reason she hated the life she was born into; dresses that should come with a warning label. She stands in front of her window and looks down, smiling when she sees James at the bottom. She opens the window and whispers down to him just loud enough for him to hear. "What are you doing here?"

"I missed you."

She smiles and she can feel the heat rising to her cheeks. There are no words to describe her feelings for this boy, or the feelings he gives her each and every time he is near. "I miss you too, but we can't sneak away tonight, I'm being forced to attend a ball. A masquerade."

His face turns to disappointment as he speaks sadly. "Another one?"

She nods with irritation and sighs. "Maybe tomorrow?"

"That's too far away." He stares up at her with saddened eyes before a small smile appears on his face. "Where is the ball?"

"The Weston's"

"Perfect, I'll meet you there." He smiles and turns to walk away, already thinking of ideas on how to get Kathryn away from her parents.

"Jamie!" Kathryn shouts in a whisper, wondering what he was thinking. How could he ever attend without causing a complete disaster? 

He turns around with a large smile. "It's a masquerade." That's how. He smiles and bows mockingly, causing her to laugh out loud. "I will see you soon, my love." He shouts softly with a humorous accent before rushing off. Kathryn laughs softly and stares after him with eyes of longing until he is completely out of sight. She sighs and turns around, walking back into her room and picking up the white laced mask lying on her bed. She slowly walks out of her room, anticipating the night to come only because of the boy who she hopes will take her away from it all.