Shy

Clara

Getting ready for Kia's school winter formal is so exciting. The theme is masquerade and I've always wanted an excuse to buy a beautiful mask.

I sit in front of Kia's mirror and carefully apply some make-up. I'm not really a make-up person, so I opt for a lighter, natural look. My hair is curled and has been put up into an elegant up-do thanks to Kia.

Behind me, Saskia climbs into her dark blue minidress, which sparkles as she turns and matches her dark eyeshadow. Her hair has been freshly trimmed into the pixie cut that seems to frame her face so well.

I shimmy into a white floor length, backless dress that I had bought specially and finger the lovely mask that I had bought to match. Its an intricate lacy white mask with so many gorgeous details. I carefully put it on, smiling as it catches the light.

I slip into some small gold heels and glance at myself in the mirror. Not bad, Clara, not bad at all.

Michael is meeting Kia here and we're all getting a taxi together to the dance, and honestly, Michael's a lucky guy. Kia looks stunning and I make sure she knows it.

We take one last picture together and slowly make our way down the stairs. Michael is already here and I watch his face as Kia descends the stairs. He looks captivated by her and I smile, wishing that I could have someone look at me that way.

Michael's wearing a dark blue suit, but has chosen a silver tie to match with Kia's sparkly dress, and he looks lovely.

I follow Kia down the stairs and my eyes automatically gravitate towards Kit. I didn't even know he was coming to the dance.

He's the definition of striking, wearing an all black suit, shirt and tie, and instead of the classic black mask, he's opted for the phantom of the opera style. He's added his own flare however, as his eyes are covered with a bold sweep of black mesh fabric.

He looks so handsome I can hardly breath and I decide to look away quickly before I stumble down the stairs.

I reach the bottom of the stairs and can't help myself as I sneak another peak at Kit, blushing when I find him looking towards me with a small smile. Kia and Michael chat amiably, walking out the front door to wait for the taxi and I hesitate.

Kit right now is a very dominating presence but I feel so comfortable. I'm nervous and excited all at once. I can't help feeling, however, that he's sort of stuck with me. His sisters best friend who's tagging along for the ride and I quietly wonder where the girl he asked to the dance is.

Kit puts on an overcoat and turns to me, hesitating for a moment before holding out an elbow with a small smile. I smile in return and link my arm through his, glad to see that he doesn't mind so much.

For someone who is very shy, he seems amazingly confident, although he hasn't actually spoken a word yet. Maybe he doesn't know who I am?

Kit closes the door behind us and we walk towards the road where Kia and Michael are either arguing, or having a passionate debate. I can't tell which.

The taxi arrives and we all pile in. Kia and Michael fill the silence with a debate on how to figure out if an egg is old and I ponder if they're always like this.

"No, idiot, it's when the egg is old that it sinks. Tell her, Kit. You're freakishly smart." Michael says smugly and Kit shakes his head.

"Sorry Mike, Kia's right." Kit says quietly and I shiver at the depth of his voice.

"What?! You're only saying that cause.."

Kit interrupts Michael, shrugging off his coat awkwardly.

"It's not because she's my sister, it's because she's right." He says, gently laying his coat on my lap as Kia turns around from the front seat and pokes her tongue out.

I glance down at his coat, frowning. I hadn't even said I was cold, but I had been wishing I had had the foresight to bring a jacket. I smile widely at the kind gesture and try not to get overexcited. He's just being kind.

"Thank you." I whisper

"You're welcome." He murmurs back, his eyes still focused on the road ahead.

We arrive at their school and I subtly return Kit's jacket. He shrugs it back on and pays for our taxi. We walk up to the gates together and into the hall. It doesn't look like a hall to me, for it's been completely transformed with fairy lights, streamers and decorations.

Tables and chairs are laid out for people to relax and chat to their friends and a wide space at the back is available for people to dance. A DJ is set up at the back and a small table of refreshments is by the door.

The whole room is dim and coloured with black and purple streamers.

Kia and Michael walk in hand and hand but I hesitate. I know that lots of my dance friends are in there, but that doesn't make it any less nerve-racking. Kit turns around and watches me for a moment, and I wish that I could see his eyes, just to get an inkling of what he's feeling.

He walks back towards me slowly and extends a hand. The action is so familiar, even though we're practically strangers and I take his hand without a second thought. He smiles and holds the door open for me as we enter the hall.

His gaze is intense, but not in a bad way. I can feel it without even seeing his eyes. I try to pull myself together as we walk through the hall, joining Kia and Michael at a table with their friends.

I recognise some faces from the party and smile as they all say hello.

Kit's hand brushes my back and with a lingering glance, as if to ask if I'm alright, he leaves to hang up his coat.

"So, you're the girl that Kit asked to the dance?" Someone says next to me and I turn, gazing upon a small, ginger-haired girl in a green dress.

"Oh, no, I'm just here with Kia." I remark, gesturing to her but the girl rolls her eyes.

"I'm not blind, I saw you guys walk in together." She states as I awkwardly shuffle from one foot to the other. I find myself at a loss of what to say, knowing it probably looks that way from an outside perspective but not knowing how to convince her otherwise.

"I'm not sure what he see's in you." She states with a grimace and I frown. I open my moth to respond but someone beats me to it.

"Caroline. I'm glad you've met Clara, she's a very close friend of ours." A voice states from behind me and I've never been so relieved to see someone.

Caroline rolls her eyes and walks off as Kit steps closer to me.

He knows my name, he knows who I am.

"I'm sorry. Caroline has no right to say anything like that to you." Kit says awkwardly and I wave it off. He moves to step away but hesitates.

"You look angelic this evening." He states quietly, his hands fidgeting with his suit jacket and I blush, not quite sure how to respond.

I meet Kia's friends through the evening and although she's a bit preoccupied with Michael, I'm never left alone again. Kit is always nearby and I find his presence very comforting. I constantly keep an eye out for Chris, anxious to speak to him again but I don't recognise him.

A slow song begins to play and I yearn to move to it. Either with my violin or with another person and it's the first time I really wish that I was here with someone. I glance over at Kit and deflate slightly when I notice he's conversing with someone. I look back to the crowd and wistfully watch them.

A small tap on my shoulder brings me back to the present and I glance up to see Kit holding out a hand.

"Did you want to dance?"