Short Stories: A Collection

Our Own Fairytale

Written on 23 Aug 2011.

Copyrighted © 2012, permafrost All rights reserved

Our Own Fairytale

I couldn't help but gawk at the scene right in front of me. The school hall was decorated so beautifully -- for once -- with thick cloths of white and black criss-crossing each other up on the ceiling. Around, the walls were covered also with cloths, but that of maroon. Tables lined the back of the hall and were laden with plates of food and big bowls of drinks, and at the front were a few pairs dancing like they were in an actual ball. Not only that, people around looked the most splendid in their best coats and dresses, all in a rainbow of colours. What really made me drown in awe was the fact that every face was behind a mask.

As for me, I was in a white dress that went down to my knees. What I loved about it was that there were silver strings attached around the waist, and at the right side was a pair of butterflies. My shoes were a pair of white wedge espadrilles, and my mask, too, was white, covered with a few sequins at the corners. I didn't bother putting much make-up, because I wasn't the type to. I just applied some blush and lip gloss, unlike my friends who even put on eyeshadow even when they were wearing a mask. My hair, which was previously straight, was not curled.

I continued to look around me, and saw that there were already couples who had already taken down their masks. I couldn't help but roll my eyes. I guess I'm the only one who doesn't believe that crap.

There was a school graduation night rumour. It was continually passed down through each year's graduation batch that, if one boy asked a girl to dance, and was able to guess who the girl was behind that mask, then it was destined that they were going to be together forever. If he, on his first try, did not get it right, then he would have to remove his mask, because it meant that he was already out of the game. But I for one, did not believe in this kind of thing. I found it ludicrous.

Just as my girl friends and I were walking towards the back to get some refreshments, I felt a tap on my shoulder. Turning around, I found a male student bent down slightly, his left hand behind his back, his right hand outstretched with his palm open. Wow, that was fast.

"May I have this dance?" he asked gracefully.

He was basically all... black. His mask was covered with a bit of plume, his suit was ebony, and so was his pants. Good thing I wasn't born a boy. This outfit is so dull. But I liked his hair. It was gelled up into a not-too-stylish hairstyle that really suited this occasion.

I looked towards my friends, who gave me an OK sign. I could tell they were amazed, especially with the sheepish grin on their faces.

I took a deep breath, and said, "Sure." And with that, I was swept into a dance.

"So, are you enjoying yourself?" His eyes stared right into mine.

"I just arrived," I said nonchalantly in a way that says 'Are you stupid or what?'

Smiling, he said, "Ah I see. Are you waiting for any one boy in particular to guess who you are?"

"Not really. I don't believe in this kind of thing. It'll totally be like a fairytale if it does come true. I mean --" I swallowed. "-- seriously, if the guy is able to guess who the girl is, wouldn't it be possible that he was told by someone who that girl is? It's just so stupid."

He gave an amused chuckle. "So you don't believe in any of it?"

"Nope."

"What if I say I can guess who you are right now, princess?"

My eyebrow raised behind my mask. "Princess?"

"Well, you said this is like a fairytale. So why not we make this into our own fairytale?"