The Masked Runner

Chapter 1

"Come on Y/N, you can't just mope around and think about him anymore. You have to move on." Mariah says, looking worriedly at you. It's true, you may have been moping a little, and those tubs of ice cream didn't eat themselves, but come on! You were basically the side chick for one of the best boxers around, who had been your best friend for years, and he left the wedding without saying a word! You should have a little wiggle room. A year isn't that long! You huff, before sighing. You go to speak, but not before Mariah cuts you off. "I'm still going to that masquerade tonight, and there's still time for you to go and get ready." She says, tossing you a blue velvet mask. You feel the fabric under your fingers, and hum thoughtfully. "Can I leave when I'm ready to leave? I don't think I want to stay long." You say gently, glancing up at your best friend. She beams, and grabs your hand without answering your question. She yanks you into her closet, and begins to tear her clothes off her hangers until she gasps in approval and stuffs something into your hands. "Go, shoo. I'll be downstairs. We can get some Chinese before we go." Mariah says, gently shooing you into her bathroom. Jeez, you couldn't even have a say about what you wanted to wear, but as you unfold the fabric, you see why. It's a beautiful blue velvet dress, and it matches the mask beautifully. You look at it again before stripping and slipping it on. You... look sexy. You blink as you do a couple takes at yourself. You don't remember the last time you went out, or even when you wore this tight of a dress. You smooth the front of the dress down, and giggle a bit. With the tools you find in Mariah's bathroom, which is plenty, You do your makeup and hair. You slowly make your way downstairs, forgetting your wing-man was still home. You almost fall as you hear her gasp, and you cling to the railing as you make it the rest of the way down. She giggles and bounces in the spot, holding her hands over her mouth. "You look so good!" She exclaims, rushing over once you place both of your feet on the hardwood floor. You cling to her, still shaken up by her loud exclamation. She gently helps you onto the couch, crouching. "Sorry for scaring you, I just got excited because you look amazing." She's softer now, smiling gently. You chuckle appreciatively and gently pat her head. "It's okay, I understand Mariah. You still need to get ready." You point out, before watching her bolt up the stairs at the reminder. You chuckle, looking around before snatching up some blue platform shoes left on the table for you. You slip them on, humming thoughtfully as you stand again. You almost lose yourself in your thoughts again, but are abruptly interrupted once again as Mariah hops off the last step. She's wearing a nice, wheat gold dress, and she's holding a golden mask. She smiles at you and slips on some heels. "You found your shoes okay? I have almost no shoes your size, so sorry if they're a bit tight." She says calmly, almost a different person from when you were coming down the stairs a few minutes ago. You smile at her, and shake your head. "They're just a bit snug, but it's not as bad as you may think." You giggle as you grab your handbag, tossing your phone in. It's a miracle you haven't used it recently, but you have no motive to reach out to anyone anymore. Mariah grabs her bag as well, snatching her car keys. You two clamber into the car, and speed off the the nearest Chinese place.