Incubus

| Three |

   Saturday passed by fairly quickly. I caught up on some essays that were due and browsed for universities I could apply to. My mother had been down my throat lately about that. She was a very successful lawyer and she's wanted me to follow in her footsteps ever since I could talk. She only wanted that to uplift her perfect family reputation of course. We couldn't have her clients thinking she was any less than perfect now could we? I rolled my eyes just thinking about it.

    My father, if you could call him that, was also a lawyer. He was rarely ever home and the most I got from him every year for my birthday was a card in the mail. The fact that he didn't give me presents didn't bother me, it was that he couldn't even be bothered to come and see me on my birthday. Hell, even a call would suffice. But no, I faithfully looked forward to that card in the mail every year.

    Mom acted like his absence didn't bother her but I knew somewhere behind those perfect walls she hated it as much as I did.

     I wondered what it would be like to have a happy family. I hoped I could create one someday.

    I was brought out of my thoughts to the sound of my mother calling me downstairs. I climbed off my bed and reluctantly went to see what she wanted.

     "You called?" I asked and slid into the seat across from her at our kitchen table.

     "Yes, we have a party to attend tonight for work." she stated, never once taking her eyes off her phone.

    I sighed. I hated having to go to her work parties. I even got detention due to her last one, a fact that I wasn't planning on telling her. During parties the whole night she puts on her perfect facade and I'm forced to play along with her. It was getting old.

     "Another one, Mom? There was one a couple nights ago." I groaned.

     "Brielle," she shook her head, "I don't ask you to do much, young lady. This party is being hosted by my boss so we have to go. Evelyn is retiring so this party is purely for her."

      I perked up at the mention of Evelyn. She was my favourite colleague of my mother. By far one of the sweetest women I have ever had the pleasure of meeting.

    "Is it formal?" I asked, already aware of the answer.

      "Of course." she nodded. "It's a masquerade ball. Your dress is in the living room and I also bought a pair of heels to match. I'll give you your mask in the car."

     She knew I wasn't a huge fan of heels. Clumsy was an understatement of what I was, so heels weren't my ideal shoe. Although, I couldn't deny my excitement about it being a masquerade ball. I've always wanted to attend one.

   "Do I have to wear the heels?" I asked meekly.

    "Yes you do." she narrowed her eyes pointedly at me. "If you want to find yourself a man you have to start dressing like a proper young woman. You should be happy I allow you to come to these parties. There are plenty of young rich men who attend." she wiggled her eyebrows suggestively.

    I had to snort at her allowing me to come. Pretending to like a bunch of stuck up rich people wasn't my idea of a fun night. As for finding a man, I wouldn't be against the idea. My life is fairly lonely so having someone to fill that void would be nice.

    "When is the party?" I asked.

    "In two hours so we'll be leaving in an hour." she said while looking at her watch. "You better start getting ready now to fix that." she gestured towards my hair with a distasteful look on her face.

    I self consciously touched my hair with a frown. "What's wrong with my hair?"

   "Too flat." she shook her head. The only thing flat around here was her chest. I on the other hand, didn't have that problem. "Curl it please."