The Spectre

Chapter Thirty Nine : The Boy Behind The Mask

I look in the mirror and see another girl. She was wearing a tube red dress that reminded me of a 1940's chanteuse. The dress has a slit starting from her mid-thigh exposing her left leg. Loads of crystals filled it's bodice to add effect while her black opera gloves complimented it by adding up some drama. Her reddish hair is loose, allowing her curls to bounce as she moves. Her eyes are in a dark shade, lips emphasized by a matte red tint. I tilt my head as I look closely at the girl in front of me, until I realized that it was me.

I was quite in a haze until I heard someone knock on my bedroom door. I opened it to find my mom standing outside who suddenly went awestruck as she took sight of her one and only daughter who miraculously became a lady at this very moment. It's as if she's also about to shed tears and I let out a sigh. "What is it mom? Don't stare at me like that. I know I look like a different person." I told her. Thanks to Bom and her wonderful choice in clothes.

"My baby.. You're such a sight!" Mom exclaimed and clasped her hands on her mouth. She gave me a hug for a few seconds and told me that my friends are already waiting for me downstairs. Bom's father allowed her to use their white limousine and she told us she would pick us up. I took my purse and my black and silver metallic mask and went downstairs. There I saw my friends, all three of them, wearing their fabulous dresses.

"Annyeong!" Bom removed her Ivory lace butterfly mask on a stick from her eyes and beamed at me. She's wearing a white Venus cut dress with silver and gold embroidery on top. CL's was a plum frothy goth gown while Bora on the other hand was wearing a black and white graphic print dress with long sleeves. "Oh my God, Arya! You look ravishing!" Bom commented. "I told you that dress will look good on you!" She clapped her hands. CL smirked and Bora nodded in agreement.

"All of you ladies are equally stunning I must say." Aunt Ingrid tells us, "Now off you go and have some fun!" She walked us out of the house and I gave her and my mom a final wave as the four of us got into the limo and went off towards the school. We arrived at Brentville High after a few minutes.

Before we could lay a foot outside the car we've put on our eye masks. I couldn't help not to admire Bora's classic gold venetian butterfly mask. It really matches her dress and she carries herself gracefully. I'm thankful though, and maybe she is too, that her swelling tummy is not that obvious. We walked towards the gymnasium as soon as we're out and even from afar I can already hear music blasting from the venue. I took a deep breath and felt CL took hold of my arm and signaled me to let Bom and Bora walk a few feet away ahead of us so I slowed down. Bora doesn't know about what we're going to do. I decided not to involve her. I don't want to be the reason if she'll have a miscarriage or something.

"You ready for this?" CL whispered to me. "Just act cool. We can do this." I turn to look at her and see her serious gaze behind the black satin brocade mask of hers. I nodded at her and she squeezed my arm. Finally we reached the gymnasium and it's already packed with students wearing ornate clothing, cocktail dresses, suits and tuxedos. What amazed me the most is that the gymnasium was perfectly transformed to look like one of those parties in the movie "The Great Gatsby". Everything's flashing and shiny and Confetti's strewn everywhere. I saw at least three disco balls and the school even hired a DJ who kept on playing techno music. It was crazy.

"Hey guys, I gotta talk with some of my classmates for awhile. I'll get back to you later ayt?" Bora excused herself and walked towards two senior girls whom I recognized as Joyce Harper and Eva Hernandez.

"I'll grab some punch. You guys want some?" CL asked me and Bom.

"Oh, I'll come with you. I want to see what kind of food they have." Bom giggled.

"Seriously, Bom? It's all about food huh?" CL asked her. "Whatever. I just want to drink. You comin'?" She turned to me.

"No. I'll just stay here." I answered.