Zero

14 : Birthday Masquerade

P A R T 1 4

The preparation for the party is disastrous. Neither of us have been to a party before and do not really know what to do.

I open the card Jet gave me and look at the details:

Venue: Nine, 99 Deux Boulevard, Nigels residence

Date: 6 August

Time: 5pm

Dress Code: Formal

Jet told me that formal dressing refers to dresses and tuxes. "Dress classy," he advised.

I think I have something suitable to wear in my black backpack - the problem is Jarren's outfit. It was difficult enough getting him to go; it is worse convincing him to wear a tux.

If we manage to find one at all, that is.

"C'mon, don't be so difficult!" I plead.

"Don't talk to me like I'm a kid," he replies.

In the end, Monty shows up with a classy tuxedo to lend to Jarren at my request. As we leave Jarren in the shed to try it on, me and Monty step outside.

"Just a piece of advice, Miss Pandora," Monty states. "The boy inside is a very troubled one. His past is very terrible and gruesome, so here is a warning not to talk about his family at all. He seems to take to you, which he usually doesn't for other people."

"You make him sound like an invalid," I say uncertainly.

"He is," Monty deadpans. "In his mind."

My mouth drops open. "Are you saying he's... he's... mad?"

"Kind of," Monty admits. "Just that he can control it. Most of the time. Just be careful what you say."

I nod slowly and we go back inside. Jarren is holding up the suit. "Fits perfectly," he announces.

"Great," Monty replies, satisfied. "I'll come back to collect it in a week."

He has also brought along a couple of masks we can use. "It's a masquerade ball, so you have to wear these," he tells us.

We thank him for the things, then he leaves, giving me a last warning look.

I look down at my diamond studded Doc Martens (they are my first purchase from that day when Paige brought me shopping) and sigh. I seriously doubt people wear boots to a masquerade, diamond studded or not.

Then I remember the rolls of cash still in the wooden box that Shir left for me. But what is the point of buying a pair of shoes for just one occasion?

In the end I decide to wear the boots.

When it is time to get ready I take a bath, applying shower soap, shampoo and conditioner (surprising that Jarren even has all these necessities).

Then I change into my outfit for the evening and it is time to go.

◇

Mindjournal #27

6 August 1645 hours

I am dressed and ready to go, waiting outside the shed.

Pandora, on the other hand, has been inside for the last fifteen minutes.

Then she appears and I am awestruck.

She's wearing a strapless black silk dress that ends mid-thigh in the front but nearly sweeps the floor at the back. On her face is a black mask rimmed with white rhinestones - one of the masks that Jones let us have.

She's also wearing her diamond studded boots which go with the dress.

Overall, she looks more stunning than usual and actually quite... "Beautiful," I murmur.

She tilts her head towards me, making me realise I said it aloud. "What?"

"Nothing," I reply, quickly walking away to the main road where our hired limousine is waiting.

Apparently the person throwing this party has limos picking up the guests from all over Zero to Nine.

If anyone from Zero actually got invited that is. Then I look at Pandora and realise it's her. She's probably the only one. I wonder why.

On our way there, sitting side by side in the limo, she turns to me and asks, "How's Monty related to you?"

"He's the guy that brings in food every week, as well as bathroom stuff and other necessities needed to keep a person alive," I reply. "And he's sort of my friend, I guess."

"Why can't you get the stuff yourself?" She questions.

"All the other Fours in the village... they don't really like me, don't really want to see me around," I admit.

"Why?" She presses on.

I don't answer. I don't see how I can without revealing anything. And if I start to see the sparks it will all be over.

Thankfully the limo halts and we have reached our destination - the Nigels' residence. At the top of the steps stands a man in a suit and mask, collecting invitation cards as proof that we have been invited so we can be allowed in.

I walk with Pandora up the steps, then nearly stop as I wonder if I'm supposed to, I don't know. Stop being so separated, I guess.

After she hands the man the card, we're let in and we walk into a world of grandeur.

Almost everything is either golden or white - the marble floors, the velvet tablecloths, the shining food plates, the stairs and the huge chandelier hanging from the ceiling.

The only pieces of colour in the main hall are the crowd's clothing, hair colours and the food.

"I'll go get us some drinks," I tell Pandora.

She nods, getting the hidden meaning - we split up and keep a lookout for any of the other teenagers.

I head to the huge banquet table as if searching for champagne, then look around.

There are masked guests everywhere. Only some of their collarbones are exposed, all of them females.

It feels wrong to stare so blatantly at girls' necks, so I just grab a couple of wine glasses filled with champagne and make my way back to Pandora. Perhaps she can take over.

I spot her near a marble pillar and at first I think she is alone.

But then I spot the guy next to her.

Leaning in for a kiss.