"Do you really want me to go?" I asked warily to my best friend, Jessie.
"Of course! Why wouldn't you want to go to a masquerade party?!" She exclaimed nudging me playfully.
"Because I'm not a sociable person." i retaliated.
"But Ellieee," She wined.
"Fine! I'll Go to the stupid party. I just need a mask though." I gave in. I really didn't want to go but Jessie's puppy-dog eyes were begging me to go.
"Yay!" She ran back into her closet to pull out another mask while I finished putting my dress on.
"Hey Jessie?"
"Yeah?"
"Can you zip me up?"
"Hold on a sec. I've found the perfect mask for your dress."
I was standing in her bedroom with my short royal blue dress half zipped up and my short blonde hair tousled just above my shoulders. My make up was impeccable, accenting my icy blue eyes. All i needed was the mask. I was lost in thoughts when Jessie came out of her closet with a silver mask with beautiful swirls of royal blue extending up and off to the side.
"Oh Jessie! It's breath taking!" I whispered amazed by this small object i was holding.
"My father brought that back for me from Italy," She said.
When we were done, we hopped into my BMW and pulled up directions to the event.
***
We had been there for a short while, when a tall boy came up to Jessie, leaving me alone at a table with a glass of champagne. As i panned the room, there were couples everywhere, hardly any single people. This made me feel stupid. I was just about to get up to tell Jessie that i was going to go home when a large hand grabbed mine forcefully. I quickly turned to see who it belonged to.
I skimmed over his tall body taking in all of his features. He had sleek black hair that shined in the dim light of the large room. He had shining brown orbs the bore into my cold blue ones. I guess he was trying to look you my reaction, i was caught by surprise and it was obvious on my face.
"Come with me." The boy said huskily before dragging me to the middle of the dance floor ensuring my escape impossible. i was dumbfounded that this stranger was taking me without my consent. I didn't even know his name. This made me fume with anger towards the tall boy. I snapped my hand out of his then quickly spun around to leave the astounded boy in the middle of the dance floor. My blonde hair was flowing behind me when my flee was almost ensured. I kept walking briskly towards the wooden doors to the outside where my car wasn't that far away. I pulled my phone out of my clutch to leave a message with Jessie telling her that i had to leave and that I would pay her fare for the cab tomorrow. But before I could finish my intentions, a large arm grabbed my waist stopping me instantly.
"Get off of me." I almost growled at the tall boy.
He spun me around, pulled me closer to his warm body and roughly kissed me. I didn't react. I didn't kiss him back. I just stood there not giving in to this stranger. When he pulled away he let out a low laugh.
"The name's Zayn" He chuckled. Clearly happy with my reaction. He smiled down at me, his eyes glistening with delight.
"Okay" i responded bluntly. "Why does this concern me?"
He swiftly took off his mask, "Don't you recognize me?"
I thought for a second. Who does he think he is? I don't know this boy. He was starting to really get on my nerves. He needed to leave.
"No" I plainly said. I refuse to surrender to this stranger.
His face immediately sunk with my answer, though never taking his eyes off of me.
"That's too bad." He paused "I would have thought you would have known me from a band."
I had no idea what he was talking about. What band? I couldn't take anymore of the brown-eyed boy. I swiveled around, pushing the doors. I was going to get away. I silently praised my compulsiveness. My freedom almost assured. I quickly scurried to my car when a sudden realization hit me. I dropped my phone. I looked behind me to where i had come from and sure enough Zayn had picked it up and he was looking through it. I decided to leave it. i didn't really care about it.
I stuck the key in the ignition. With the car roaring to life I sped off towards home.
***
I was finally home after this eventful night. I quickly picked up my home phone and dialed Jessie's number, left her the message that I had intended to leave a while ago and then walked down the hallway to my bedroom.
I peeled off my dress and hung it up, placed the mask upon my dresser. I slipped on a pair of shorts and a t shirt.
I was just about settled with a book on the couch when the door bell rang. Quickly i got up and jogged over to the door, thinking that it may have been Jessie, i opened it. Only to discover a rose and my phone. Puzzled i picked up the two item and brought them into the small kitchen. I pulled out a vase and filled it up with water placing the red flower into it. I stared at it for a while thinking about who it may have come from. I was snapped out of my thoughts when my phone buzzed on the counter. I picked it up and looked at the screen. It was Zayn. I answered.
"So your name is Ellie." Zayn said with a gruff laugh.
"Did you follow me home?" I asked bluntly.
"If i did, why would it matter?" He paused. "You have your phone back."
"I knew i dropped it. I decided to leave it." I retaliated. I was starting to get really tired of this boys actions. "You didn't have to bring it back."
There was silence on the line for a few moments while Zayn pondered about something.
"I'm coming to pick you up at 7 tomorrow evening." He said more as a statement than a question. "Be ready."
I didn't have enough time to object, because he had hung up before i said anything. I am not going out with this boy. I silently confirmed.
I jumped when the door bell rang a few moments later. I got up and opened the door. Zayn was standing there with another rose in his hands. He didn't say anything, he just took my hand and wrapped my fingers around the slim green stem of the rose. Confused I looked at him. He didn't say anything, just stood there his sparkly brown orbs staring at me. My icy blue ones couldn't take this intensity. I looked down. He gently took my chin in his hand forcing me to look at him.
"I will see you tomorrow," He said softly. He then placed one hand on my hip and pulled me into a warm embrace. Still shocked I didn't hug him back. I just grasped the rose still in my hand.
His warm body relaxing me into a sleepy state of mind. "Okay"
Zayn realized that I was tired from the events of that evening. He effortlessly picked me up bridal style and walked into my home, something I wouldn't have let him do. I didn't object, for I was too sleepy to care. He carried me to my room, gently put me down onto the bed. He pulled the sheets over my exhausted body and kissed my forehead lightly before taking notice to the rose still firmly grasped in my hand. He shyly smiled and left me to sleep.
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