Incarcerated

Ch.4 "Halloween Harvest"

October 31st, 2,328

I walk through the hotel doors and into the lobby. There is classical Halloween music playing, which is from what I hear, is always played at the begining of the festival. The slow dance is more towards the end of the dance and more elegant music is typically played. Where those who brought someone to the dance with them, dance with their dates. While the rest of us, stand off to the side or awkwardly dance with each other given that we are left with no other options.

There is also many lights flashing about the room making me clammy. I look to the other side of the room and see the foot and beverages stand. Hmmpf...typical...

There isn't any alcohol since this dance is for 16-17 year olds. I didn't go last year because I faked being sick. That didn't work this year, however. When I did that last year my parents didn't question me and instead freaked out while mummering something about my heart, I must have misheard them, there's surely nothing wrong with me, right? Even if there was by some fat chance , I'd definitely know by now. They aren't the type to withhold secrets from me or keep information to themselves.

"ROSE!" I hear someone shout from behind me and pull me into a backwards hug, " I'm so glad you could make it! Last year was a bust without you! I was afraid we'd have a repeat of last year there for a moment, " they chuckled.

At that, I ship around, I know that voice anywhere, "Joseph! I'm so glad to see you!" and I wrap him into a tight bear hug despite the fact that he's much taller and stronger than me.

Joseph has been my best friend since we were in grade school and now we're inseperable. We're practically glued hip to hip. Joseph has lettuce green eyes, and red hair. Though oddly enough, he has no freckles which usually comes with the latter traits. Which I find very strange considering his heritage.

Once I release him, he introduced me to his date and a spark of jealously flares up in me but I quickly push it down and keep a calm composure not wanting to create a scene. I look into his eyes as I pull away and I see what looks like a sense of longing? No, no way, I'm just seeing things right?

It's forbidden for me to feel like this so why do I feel this way? It's wrong, or atleast in this society. It's forbidden to feel like this for the opposite sex, besides he's my best friend nothing more.

He pulls his date by the elbow and says, " This is my date, Anthony. Anthony, this is Rose my best friend since we were children." Anthony holds out his hand for a shake with a polite smile. I reciprocate the smile kindly despite my slight jealously of him. I mean I can see why Joseph likes him, he's handsome. He has Sandy blind hair and dark brown eyes. He also has very cute dimples on each cheek, a bonus. He has a very muscular build, much like Joseph does but he's much taller. He's got to be atleast 6'7, while Joseph is 5'11. (He's still growing, according to the doctors).

I take Anthony's hand out of politeness and say, "It's a pleasure to meet you. I can assure you that Joseph is a great guy, he's my best friend so would know that more than anyone."

"Likewise," Anthony says while giving me a nod of thanks and retracts his hand.

Joseph then buts in and asks, "So Rose, where's your date?" I promptly ignore gun and act like I didn't hear his question over the loud music and inform them that I'm going to the food bar. What? It's my only way out of the question. Joseph initially looked confused and clearly knows something is up but doesn't question it when Anthony drags him off to dance with him. Thank you Anthony, you're my hero even though I may be jealous of you.

Since it's a fall festival/ Halloween dance, there's candy even if it's against our typical strict diets. We're allowed to cheat on holidays which I'm grateful for.

I walk up to the food and beverage stand and decide to get myself a glass of punch. Hopefully, some kid didn't spike it. We're always hearing stories about kids who prank others by doing it or messed up people who drug the punch so they can do criminal things to people which is just plain sick.

In some cases, which was quite a few years back before security was as advanced as it is today,  a chaperone drugged the punch and continued on to assault the children. They were always caught of course, but by that point the pyschological damage was already done and couldn't be taken back. Monsters like them need to rot in prison and suffer the worst death possible, unlike those who are interested in the opposite gender. I shudder, just thinking about those kind of people horrify me and leave me with a put in my stomach.

As I'm reaching out to get a glass of punch, someone crashes into me And me being the clutz I am, fall down spilling the punch all over myself. Son of bitch,I think to myself, Red dye us hard to get out of clothes, Mother and min are so going to kill me when I arrive home.

I sigh, shaking my head, and look up. It's a girl roughly my age, which makes sense, since the dance is strictly for people aged 16-17. She has short firey red hair, much like Joseph. She also has bright blue eyes and freckles. She has a pearl earring in her right ear.

She offers me her hand which is huge. She mutters an apology, looking very embarrassed. I eye her hand for a moment but finally decide to take it after a moment of hesitation. Her cheeks are dusted pink from her face flushing in embarrassment, which lights up her freckles making them even more noticeable.

She looks to be 5'11, the same height as Joseph. She is very tall for a girl.

She, oddly enough, is wearing a red dress that covers over one leg and exposes the other. She is very tanned in complexion. Sort of having olive skin. Her lips almost appear to be naturally in a pout.

"No, no, I assure you that it's fine, no need to apologise," I tell the taller girl. She lets out a sigh of relief before gaining her composure and crossing her arms.

She then, nods he head, "excuse my clumsiness and rudeness. I'm Opal, pleased to meet you," she then holds out her hand for a shake to be polite. I look around the floor, doesn't she have a date? Why is she here all alone?

I take her hand and while shaking, I say, "Rose, it's a pleasure to meet you." In this society, it's ideal to be polite and well mannered.

I try to pull my hand away from the shake but Opal's drop tightens, she then bows her head and KISSES my hand, "Well Rose, would you care to join me in a dance?"

At those words, I freeze up. I didn't know what to do in that moment but she mustn't know my secret so I reluctantly say, "It would be my pleasure."