𝙊𝙉𝙀 𝙒𝙄𝙇𝘿 𝙉𝙄𝙂𝙃𝙏

A Brief Intermission

Francis gently lifts the bottom of his mask up to reveal his face after keeping it hidden for nearly thirty whole minutes and brings a water bottle to his mouth, chugging the water from the bottle. After a moment, he finishes it off and lets out a sigh of relief.

"Ah... that hit the spot." Francis says, screwing the cap back on the now empty bottle. By now, the music in the house had fallen silent as most of the party goers were still outside. However, the sound of voices of party goers conversing as they refilled their drinks or ate snacks reverberated through the home. Francis, Drake, and Sullivan sat at the top of the staircase in the foyer away from the rest of the congregation.

"Dude, how did it feel being out there?" Sullivan asks, holding a second water bottle in his hands.

Francis let out another sigh, reclining his back against the steps. "It was unbelievable. I felt so... free." Francis answers.

"See? What did I tell you, man?" Drake chuckles, gently bumping Francis' knee with his fist.

"You were totally right, man. Once I got out there and my feet started moving, it was like the whole world faded away and it was only about the dancing." Francis says.

"By the way, we've been meaning to ask you." Sullivan then says, handing off the second water bottle off to Francis. "What is up with the whole fox mask thing?"

Francis cracks open the bottle, bringing the bottle up to his lips. "It was Party Pat's idea." He answers before he starts to chug the water.

"Well, we already figured that." Drake says. "What we mean is why he asked you to do it in the first place."

Francis continued to chug the water. After a few moments, he finishes and brings the bottle away from his lips, letting out a breathy sigh of relief. "He thought it'd create more excitement at the contest because of those videos. I'm guessing he got the idea when he saw my entry name on the signup sheet. He told me that if I went out there while hiding my face, it'd make people more excited if they couldn't see what I looked like."

"Jesus. Party Pat sure knows how to make these parties unforgettable." Sullivan says.

"Damn straight. Everyone went nuts when they saw you go out there in that mask." Drake says, gently shaking Francis' knee.

"You are gonna be a legend after tonight if you can win this thing, Fran." Sullivan says.

"Well, I have to beat out three more people for that to happen." Francis chuckles.

"It's like you became a whole new person as soon as you put on that mask. I like this kick ass side of you, man." Drake says, crossing his arms and leaning back against the railing of the staircase.

"Heh, thanks dude. I'm starting to like it too." Francis says.

"If you win this thing, you gotta share your first drink with us to celebrate." Sullivan says, standing up on the staircase.

Francis pondered to himself for a moment. "You know, I just might take you up on that."

"Fuck yeah. And don't worry, we know it'd be your first, so we won't make you anything that will kill you." Drake says, chuckling as he stood up as well.

"Sounds like a plan, lads." Francis says, gazing up to his two friends as he pulled the mask back down over his face. Sullivan and Drake hold their hands down to Francis as he then takes their wrists and hoists himself back onto his feet.

"Why don't we head back outside? I've been dying to get my groove on all night." Drake says as he begins to descend back down the stairs.

"Not a bad idea at all." Francis says, following Drake and Sullivan back down the stairs, through the foyer, and into the lobby of the home. As they entered, many of the party goers had spotted Francis as he passed through, letting out whoops and exclamations out to him.