Unmasked At Midnight

chapter two

"Although I called him Charming, he was far from being my prince."

"You ready to go?" I sigh with a hint of exasperation, hoping it doesn't show.

"Just need to apply some lip gloss, and... done!"

The bathroom door flies open and out walks Juliana in a rabbit costume. It's a white mini skirt with a fluffy tail on the back, a crop top in the same color, and a headband with the ears to complete the look. She has a huge smile on her face that drops when she sees my outfit.

"Cute costume. Amanda will love that," I compliment.

I had learned earlier that "Julanda" has been a thing for one year, right about the time they all had met each other. Even though they've had their own group going on for thirteen months, they have given the impression that they are perfectly okay that I'll join their clique, and I can't be more grateful.

"Is that what you're wearing?" Jules questions, scrunching up her nose, and completely ignoring my praise.

"Uhm, yeah. What's wrong with it?"

"Liz, everything is wrong with your choice of clothes. Who goes to a party in a t-shirt and jeans? You're not even wearing a mask!"

"You guys pressured me into coming, I'm not changing as well."

"But it's a masquerade costume party, and everyone will be wearing a mask and a costume," Jules whines.

"Then give me a mask!"

"Along with cat ears and a dress?" she smiles hopefully.

"Jules," I warn, my voice gravelly low.

"You can wear flats...?"

"...fine."

"Yay!" Jules grins victoriously, and hands me my costume.

"Yay," I mutter unenthusiastically as I accept the items with a forced smile and head to the bathroom to change.

A knock echoes through the room.

"Are you guys ready to go?"

"Alex, who the fuck let you up here?" Jules yells in frustration.

"Your dad. He trusts me, Jules."

"Yeah, we're ready," I sidle the hem of the dress down and open the door.

Alex flits his eyes up and down. "I didn't know you could look even better than you already did."

I roll my eyes, still wary around him. "Yeah, yeah. You won't be seeing this often. Now let's go."

🎭🎭🎭

"Hey. What do we have here? A cat and..."

The guy who opens the door eyes me up and down before shifting his gaze to Jules.

"Taken. She's taken," Amanda blurts out protectively.

"And I'm a bachelor, thanks for asking dude," Alex says with dripping sarcasm.

Jules nudges me with her elbow, "Oh. My. Gosh. Do I see a pool?"

"Jules!" I exclaim, already embarrassed by everyone's behavior.

"Cool, and yeah." the guy nods, an amused look on his face.

We glance at each other, and Juliana giggles. I give a small smile in response.

He pushes the door open wider and steps aside. Jules enters with a hop in her step while I slink in quietly.

"Wow," Amanda yells over the deafening music, "I thought Chase Adam's house was big just judging by the outside, but now that I've also seen the interior..." Her sentence trails off as she gasps at her surroundings in awe.