Holiday One-Shots

February 10th

A/N: I know it's late and I have a long way to get on track but trust me, you'll get your updates soon. Also, I've change the title arrangements to dates. Anywayssss... here comes Phantom part 2 !

Mardi Gras One-Shot; Part 2:

Phantom

We make it home at a quarter til midnight. Bre, Sasha, and Emily had already left and ordered us to get ready. I'm slightly drunk, which probably won't be the last time tonight. I was almost in tears for the liquor I had to spill. It seemed like every five minutes my sister was handing me a new cup.

"Where are we going?" I ask, already have falling victim to her antics. There is no point in fighting it, Mandie knows how to aggravate me into getting/ doing what she wants.

She smiles as she enters my room, leaving the door open for me. By time I reach the room she's already ankles deep inside my closet.

"Don't worry about that."

"Then how in the hell am I supposed to know how to dress or what to wear?" I damn near scream. I'm seriously not in the mood for her childish games.

She smiles at me, causing my aggravation to slightly increase. "Don't worry about that dear sister." She tosses a stunning dark blue gown with beading and jeweling dancing across the top and placed subtly among the bottom.

"Okay," I say stunned, "You definitely win sister of the year."

"I know." She flips her hair. "Now get dressed, we have a party to go to." She begins to leave the room but stops. "And don't forget the mask, you'll be needing it."

I want to ask her what she means by that but I won't even bother. I totally forgot about our tradition, but -some how- it doesn't piss her off. She definitely gets a mean free pass for the rest of the week. I mean, she went above and beyond with this dress. Plus, everything she does is out of love. My sister wants to help me, control me, spend time with me, get me laid, through a lot of shade. Either way I'm sure she has good intentions deep down... somewhere.

"You're not wearing those." Mandie says, catching me completely by surprise. She stands in the doorway with a fluffy, pink high low dress. "Step away from the flats." She glares warningly, looking from me to the shoes.

I glance down at the shoes but Mandie is already there. She takes the shoes in her hands. They are soon replaced with shimmering silver wedges.

"Be quick, our ride is here." She says before leaving the room.

I slip on the heels and grab a shawl before leaving out the door. The girls cheer at the sight of me and I simply stare confused at them. They got a limo. They seriously got a limo. They went all out this year.

"Did you seriously forget about the Zulu Ball? It's tradition." She lays her hand on her heart in pretend shock and I completely understand. It has been a tradition to go since I was old enough to have a fake ID.

Mandie pulls me to the limo and our long and tedious journey begins. Before long we pull up to the hall hosting this year's event.

Well dressed and over priced people walk in with over the top hats and mask. Even though this is a formal event don't be surprised by the underdressed people showing of all of their assets.

I slip on my pale pink mask with beading around the perimeter of it. The driver opens the door and we gladly climb out of the car. We walk into the building mesmerized by it's decor. No matter how many years we come here it's never the same.

Within seconds the girls are gone and I'm alone. I'm not going to lie, this is always the best part of the evening. I'd rather have fun for myself.

I make my way to the bar where I sit and watch the crowd of people dance and have fun. People come and go, drink after drink after drink. The music is loud and the room dimly lit. It's a glorious occasion that I truly love every bit of.

My eyes lock on the masked pianist, playing a tone far too heavenly for human ears. Before long he's eyes meets mine. I can't force myself to look away, I can only stare. Our eyes bore into each other like lions targeting their prey. He's dressed like a phantom sent to mesmerize me and everyone in his wake. His grace and charm intrigues me. His music implores me.

The pianist smiles a bit, showing off some of his perfect white teeth. He's attention then goes back to his marvelous music. I'm soon entranced by it. My body sways without my consent, but I don't mind.

Soon the music stops and a band takes its place. I order a drink but before it arrives a voice captivates me.

"What is such a glorious being doing here all alone?"

I turn in my seat, coming face to face with the masked pianist. I'm so taken back I'm unable to reply or even think.  Words are stuck in my throat like a fish gasping for air.

"You've come for the past four years yet I've never seen you dance, why?" He asks, I can see the puzzled look in his frost colored eyes.

I reply with a question. "How are so sure the person you're referring to is me?" I ask, wondering how he could be so sure.

"You are the most radiant girl in this entire ball. Each year you come with the same amount of women and leave by yourself. You sit in this seat and watch the people with the most beautiful smile I've ever seen."

I play with my hair not knowing what to say or do. He's definitely talking about me. The question is, why is he talking to me now. "I'm flattered, but, after all these years why do you choose now to confront me?"

"Because of this." He goes into his jacket pocket and pulls out a very familiar rose. He gestures it to me and I slowly reach out for it. My eyes are unable to leave the rose. A soon as I grab it I look to the newly familiar man with an open mouth and confused face. " I felt obligated to return it to it's rightful owner."

"H-" I search his chestnut eyes. I pull him away from the crowded hall and into an empty sidehall. "So you're the one- th- the guy from the float?" I ask, feeling as if I am damn near losing my mind.

He smiles and nods, beginning to agree but not able to let the word 'yes' form due to me cutting him off. "What about that girl- your girlfriend? An- and how did you even know it was me?" I definitely feel like my life is a lie right now.

"It was a lucky geuss. But from your friends, that beautiful smile, and those marvelous eyes of yours," He says, running his fingers along my chin causing me to melt beneath his touch, "I was more than confident."

"And your girlfriend?" I ask, becoming speculative due to him glazing over that question.

He smirks at me. "She's exactly that, my girlfriend." He says putting emphasis on the friend bit. "Oh jealous one. You take a girl on a date once and they think you're theirs."

"So you admit to having a thing of her?" I more say than ask.

"For the past four years I've only had eyes for you." He says in a very serious way. So serious that I have no other option but to believe him.

"Take off your mask." I demand in a plain tone, not giving any room for arguments. Before he can protest I say it again. "Can you please take off your mask -for me- please."

He smiles and does as told. Relife strikes me as I'm hit with a feeling of deja vu. "It's you." I mumble, running my hand along his face. Him being the guy from the float didn't need to be clarified. But as I look up to him, into his beautiful eyes for what seems like the first time, I know that he's the one from my dreams.

"It's me." He says as our lips connect.