Amans

16. Time After Time

"Everything alright?" Amara asked.

The man looked around anxiously, his energy had shifted so abruptly.

Amara thought they were having a great conversation, but now he looked like his mind was preoccupied.

She instantly regretted asking him to share his poem with her.

"You know--"

"Do you think your friend is looking for you?" Amans interrupted, he shifted uncomfortably on his feet.

"Oh," Amara face became flustered underneath her mask, "I don't think so, I was actually looking for her."

He nodded and inched forward uncomfortably.

Amara eyed him trying to read his expression, but his mask was making it very difficult.

"Are you sure you're alright?" she asked.

He smiled and nodded, "Yeah I'm just hoping she's not worried about you."

"My friend?"

"Yeah."

"Oh well," Amara looked around, "it's not like she wouldn't be able to spot me in this place."

Amans laughed, "Yeah and it's not like she wouldn't be able to see you amongst all these other people,"

"Right," Amara laughed, "well when the unmasking happens I'm sure she will."

"Unmasking?" Amans asked.

"Yeah," Amara smiled, "We all remove our masks at midnight, I'm not sure if that's apart of the traditional masquerade, but it was supposed to be mentioned when you RSVP'd. You didn't know?"

Amans grinned nervously, "Oooh yeah I mean, I was just seeing if you remembered."

She laughed, "Oookay..."

He reached in his pocket and pulled out his phone, glancing at it quickly before slipping it back in.

"Expecting a call?" Amara smirked.

Amans shook his head, "And miss continuing my conversation with you? Nah."

Amara blushed underneath her mask.

She looked up at the clock on the wall.

11:05

* * *

11:46

"Crazy how time flies huh?" She laughed and looked back down.

The man had a thoughtful expression on his face, "Yeah speaking of which, I actually have somewhere I have to be right now."

"Ohh lemme guess, mingle with other guests?"

"Ahh see I knew you would understand," he smiled and stepped beside her, "it was a pleasure conversing with you tonight."

Amara's smile fell as she realized he was actually leaving, "Oh you were serious?"

He nodded, "Regrettably."

"But the unmasking--"

"Let's not let the mystery die out," he winked and started to walk away.

"Wait! But I never got your name..." Amara's voice faded out as he slipped into the crowd and out of sight.

"So tell me why I've been looking for you for the last ten minutes only to find you at the refreshments table. I never expected you to turn into me."

Amara groaned and let her head fall, "Hi Kaya."

"Ouch! Are you that unhappy to see me?"

"No," Amara sighed, "I was just talking to this guy--"

"Oh, where is he?" Kaya grinned mischievously, "Aww did I scare him off?"

"No he had to go--"

"Go? Go where?? It's a ball." Kaya narrowed her eyes, "are you sure he wasn't brushing you off to find other prospects?"
"No, no it wasn't like that. I don't know, he didn't seem that way."

"Uh hu," Kaya murmured, "well the night is still young, I'm sure you'll find someone else to talk too. Especially after the unmasking, then we'll know who's actually a pretty face and who looks better with the mask on," Kaya laughed.

"Oh stop!" Amara giggled.

"Ok so are we going to have a good time tonight or keep sulking like a bunch of kids who didn't get any presents for Christmas."

Amara laughed, "I thought you never got anything for Christmas."

"Exactly," Kaya narrowed her eyes laughing, "come on!"

Amara shook her head as Kaya grabbed her free hand and pulled her onto the dance floor.

"Are you ready?" Kaya asked.
Amara nodded her head absentmindedly. She could care less about the unmasking, the one face she truly wanted see had already left.

"3!...2!...1!" Everyone shouted.

Then all masks were off.