Coffee People - Pedro Pascal by Emma Star

Chapter ten, Just This Once

Playlist for this chapter:

- MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT - Elley Duhé

- Earned it - the Weeknd

- Run for the hills - Tate McRae

The place is alive with excited chatter and beautiful dramatic classical music. The soiree is filled with color. Everyone is dressed to the t in gowns and suits. Accompanying their beautiful dresswear are all sorts of masks. Some people chose masks that cover their entire face and others, like me and my friends, chose ones that cover only the area around the eyes.

'Look at this place.' Lydia says, clearly impressed.

The masquerade ball takes place in the spacious canteen on campus. All the tables and chairs are gone and in their place are tall tables. The middle of the room is left free of anything, it's where several masked couples are already swaying. The whole place is dimly lit and draped in velvet fabrics, it's as if we are transported to the regency era. I scan the room, looking for people I recognize, looking for him, but I can't make out the features behind the masks. Which is, of course, the purpose of them. It's still quite early and it isn't as busy as I would like it to be. I don't attend social gatherings that often and when I do I make sure to arrive fashionably late to avoid the awkwardness of a starting party. But Lydia insisted we make the most of the evening and arrive as early as we could manage. It wasn't too early seeing as we had to get ready after school and we'd all had a long day, but still I would have preferred to arrive even later.

'who wants a drink.' Jessie says, smiling.

Lydia exclaims a loud 'yes' right as I give my hm of approval.

We pass several people who look vaguely familiar behind their masks as we cross the room towards the bar. I think I spot one of my teachers from last year talking to one whose class I'm taking this year. Lydia stops people left and right, recognizing them despite their masks. She makes small talk with them as Jessie and I stand idly by, which is why it takes us so long to reach the bar. Lydia orders a Aperol spritz, I order a mojito and so does Jessie. I'm still surprised they serve alcohol at these school functions, but hey I'm not complaining. Lydia's theory is that the dean knows no one will show up to these functions if they weren't serving it. Alcoholism amongst my peers is quite the subject of conversation and there are a few people working to ban the substance from these types of events.

When we find a table to stand at we drink and talk for a little while as the rest of the guests arrive. The place is packed, more than usual which i suspect has to do with the theme of the evening. I've heard a lot of people talk about it the last few weeks. Even the professors were talking about it. In every one of my classes at least one person was curious enough to ask the professor if they were going. That's how I know my English professor Mr. Kohl and my Journalism professor Mr. Mickelson are in attendance somewhere. Tom and Betty aren't coming, they're visiting Richard, Emily and Denisse this weekend. When asked on Monday, professor Peña said he wasn't sure yet. A murmur went through the room at his answer. I imagine a few people were dissatisfied with his vague answer. I would never admit it but so was I. The thought of him, dressed in a fine suit and a mask tied around the back of his head, his eyes looking even darker than usual kept me up last night.

I'm pulled from my thoughts when a man with dark wavy hair approaches Jessie, holds out his hand and asks her to dance. She rolls her eyes at him but takes his hand anyway. Lydia and I look at each other in confusion. With the familiarity in which he approached her I'm sure they know each other, but she's never spoken about him to us. But then again, she never really talks about her love life with us.