𝐋𝐈𝐀𝐑'𝐒 𝐌𝐀𝐒𝐐𝐔𝐄𝐑𝐀𝐃𝐄 || sodapop curtis

008 | masquerade-preparation

❝She threw away her mask and put on her soul.❞

Tonight was the special night everyone was waiting for- or at least the first night. I just had to be brave, and honestly knowing how gorgeous I actually looked right now- gave me the confidence I needed. Butterflies made their way through my stomach as I sat on the love seat in the dressing room, waiting to put on my dress.

"Are you ready to put it on?" Asked Harlow with a smile.
"I sure am."
"Great. Now let's get you that dress."

She led me back to the room where I would change, and there was the dress, hanging alone on a clothing rack; I immediately locked eyes with it when I walked in. Harlow left the room, allowing me to change. I slipped off my current clothes, those of which I had just brought with me. I pulled the dress over my shoulders, and looked in the mirror. It was absolutely stunning. The way the crystals flooded down the chest was mesmerizing- I think I got lost in my own thoughts, because there Harlow was, knocking on the door.

"Do you like it?"
"I love it!"
"That's great, I wanna see it!"
"Alright, I'm coming." I said, slipping on the matching shoes that lay below the dress. they were gold stilettos with a thin band of butterflies climbing up my ankles.

I walked out of the dressing room to see Harlow waiting for me. Her whole expression changed when she saw me.

"Oh my goodness Francesca Baker! You look fabulous!"
"Thank you so much, Harlow." I said, my face turning red.
"I have to go get Vera."

She quickly ran out of the room, returning with Vera in no time. Vera looked completely speechless when she saw me- it was almost like she had never saw a dress before.

"Oh my my! What an amazing pick! I don't think I have ever saw such a perfect fit!"
"Yes, I very much agree." Added Harlow.

I was led through a long hallway into another room to get my "last touches." I sat on a large chair in front of a vanity, staring at myself in the mirror in disbelief.

•••

A woman who sat alone at a desk would do my nails. She clipped, filed, and buffed them to a perfect oval shape. I wasn't used to getting such treatment, for it was quite expensive to get your nails done, mainly only socs did. The lady painted them a white color with a silver sparkle ombré.

Harlow took me to a wall where many masquerade masks hung, but none were the same as another.

"So, which one would you like to wear?"
"Wow, they're all so beautiful, I don't know if I can choose..."
"Here," She said handing me one. "Try a few on."

I tried many of the masks on, only one of them stood out to me. It was black with clear rhinestones down the sides, and feathers complimenting the sides.

"This is the one." I said to Harlow.
"It matches perfectly."

These was in my hand, and I was ready. I mean physically, I was ready. But mentally, I was nervous- there were so many things that could go wrong.

"So, are you ready for the big night?"
"Never been more ready."
"Great!"
"What if I can't dance?"
"Just go with the flow, it's not that hard."

And with that, we were off. Off to the night everyone had been waiting for. I climbed into a very fancy white car, even the interior was white. Harlow waved me goodbye as we drove away. I had only one thought: prince Sodapop of Venice.