The World We Knew

Chapter 1.

The ballroom was beautifully painted, built and themed. The chatter and the warm feel of Christmas was known throughout the room. Lovely, honestly. The food, the smell, everything was lovely. The music as well, I've always adored classical music. I walked around the room, soon stumbling upon the sight of a Hungarian waltz, I'd always wanted to participate in one, yet I'd never have a partner. I was the odd one out of the group. Everyone would find their own partner, whilst I stood and watched from afar. Once again, I did that exact thing I'd always do, I admired how smoothly they danced on the floor. How happy they look. How thoughtless and in the moment they are. How lucky they are to have one another with the slightest of problems in-between. I envy them, I wish I could be the one swaying on the tiles. My attention drew to the floor, as I thought about it more. No man wouldn't have chosen me, for a good reason. I am truly a mistake. I can't get away from mistakes. I'm nowhere near the standard, I'm too much or too less. Never right. I'm nothing like those women. My eyes almost began to water but I held it back for the sake of embarrassment. Suck it up, I told myself. I began to walk away from the scene into the mansions garden. No one was out there. Just me and the outside. The feel of safeness. I sat on a bench; I took out a book and read. William Shakespeare was really an inspirational and entertaining man. My favorite book of his was the one I'm reading right now, A Midsummer Night's Dream. I could talk about this book for hours. Books were the one thing that could help me escape the situation, even if it's just for a small span of time.

Two taps were placed on my shoulder. I closed my book and turned to the person who wanted my attention.

"Hello, dear." She smiled softly. 

"What are you doing here?" I replied.

"Oh, just out for a walk, your lonely figure caught my attention, I didn't expect anyone out here either."

"shouldn't you be with your partner? Or are you looking for them?" I wasn't used to someone actually coming out here in the garden, it was quite surprising. I was anxious enough to start fiddling with my fingers, I never really like conversations. Yet I always knew how to hold one so I wouldn't seem rude or anything like that.

"I needed to get some fresh air from that crowd, you know?" she'd chuckle softly at that remark and so did I. "let's get inside, dear, before you get even colder out here. I think it gets quite cold late in the evening." She continued as she took my hand and partially dragged me into the mansion where the masquerade was held.

I hated crowed places. But her being friendly to a random stranger slipped my mind. I didn't think anything about it which was unusual for me. She'd bring me to the food court and invited me to her table with her friends and partners. I was very uncomfortable, but I kept our conversation up easily. I just wanted to get out of here, I don't know why I agreed to go here in the first place. Yes, some of my friends are here, but they're all busy with others, I didn't want to disturb them or annoy them at any cost.

After a while of bonding and just chatting with the lady, which I now know her name as Miranda, she's really nice and sweet. She's really a good friend, everyone agrees with that. I stood up and said my goodbyes as she grabbed my arm, stopping me in my tracks as I look at her in confusion.

"Uh..." I muttered under my breath

"Don't go just yet! I have something to give you." she said quickly with excitement. "Open the box when you get home safely, okay? It's more of a welcoming gift to friendship, I do it with everyone."

"You really didn't have to do this-"

"Well, I did. " She cut me off. She was really stubborn about this, but I didn't say anything else, nodded and thanked her as we said our goodbyes once more.

I stared at the box, wondering what could be inside, wondering why she was so generous. I sighed, I shouldn't think about this too much, she's just a friendly girl, and innocent one at that, she just wants to make people feel welcomed and happy. I don't mind that as much as I used to. I smiled softly at that thought.

Once I was a foot away from my bed, I flopped on it and looked at the gift beside me. I remembered I had that and sat properly, crisscrossed as I grabbed the box and began to unwrap it. The beautiful gold ribbon on the black box was now on the floor. I was beaming with glee; I hadn't gotten a present in a long while. Usually, I was the one handing out presents. I was so happy I actually got one. Inside was a beautifully hand-written note. Underneath it was a blank journal for me to keep notes in, a pen and some snacks and chocolates. Why did she give me all this? I don't know, but I am sure that this was all for a good reason. I left the note in the box and grabbed the chocolates and walked to my balcony, it was a beautiful view. Shimmering stars in the night sky and the Milky Way. It was quiet and all you could hear was nature and its animals. I sighed and my smile began to calm down. BANG, BANG, BANG. My head recoiled multiple times. I fell off the balcony. I screamed, but it was too weak to be heard. I was bleeding on the snow with a few gunshots in my torso, I look up to see who it was. My eyes were too tired to open properly. But the last thing I heard was. "Heh, bitch." They laughed. BANG. It went black.

The suns morning rays were bright on my face. I blinked my eyes, regaining my vison. What a horrible nightmare. I stood up and began to walk downstairs to my cat to feed her, she'd usually run to me once she saw me. Hm, that's weird.... I began to pet her. No reaction. I furrowed my eyebrows in confusion. I tried petting her again. Nothing. I began to panic and tried to speak to her.

"Millie?" I shook her once. "Millie." My breathing became irregular. "MILLIE!?" I began to break down I ran outside and tried to talk to someone, anyone! NO, NO, NO, NO! I began to run in circles. they all ignored me as if I was the wind. As if I was a ghost- I can't be dead, there's no possible way. NO. I sprinted back to my house and stumbled across my dead body. I fell to my knees as I saw myself. I didn't want to be dead. I tried to get back into my body. Nothing worked. I soon burrowed up into a ball and sobbed. I was alone. I can't do anything now. Who. No, why would anyone do this? WHAT COULD I HAVE POSSIBLY DONE TO INTERFIRE WITH SOMEBODY?! I hugged the body, as if I hugged a dead relative. "No, no, no, no, no..... Please.... Please don't be true... be a dream..." I sniffled in-between my wails.