“There,” Savannah said, lowering her hair. “It’s perfect. Look.” She turned Isabella toward the mirror.

  Isabella stared at her reflection. “Wow.”

  “I know, right? This dress is awesome. And you look hot in it!”

  Heat rose to her cheeks. Isabella had never felt so beautiful. Without her glasses, her eyes actually looked pretty. She turned both directions to see how the dress looked from each side. Not bad.

  Savannah brought out the matching shoes. They were flats with teal jewels on them. They looked like ballerina slippers. “Those are gorgeous.”

  “And they feel like you’re walking on air. Try them on.”

  Isabella slipped her feet into them. “They’re a little big, but I think it will work.” She walked around the bathroom. “Yeah. They won’t come off.”

  Savannah started scooping up her hair. “Now to get the wig on you.”

  Chase looked at the clock again. Almost eleven. He stuffed his hands in his pockets and walked around the outside of the gym once more. She was coming, right? He didn’t want to hold out too much hope, but this meant more to him than he wanted to admit.

  Five had become his confidante. His best friend. And he wanted her to be more. His phone chimed, and he took it out to look at the message.

  On my way now. Sorry it took so long.

  Relief lifted the tension from his shoulders. I’ll be by the entrance.

  I’m wearing a teal dress.

  Can’t wait to see you.

  He adjusted his black mask and began walking toward the front doors.

  “Chase!” A voice called out, and he turned to see Delilah coming at him in full force. Her dress took up the whole hallway. She must have shopped for hours to find it. Or maybe she paid someone to make it for her. He wasn’t sure, but he did feel a twinge of guilt for leading her on.

  “Hi, Delilah.”

  “Your date still hasn’t shown up?” She made eyes at him. “Must be fate.”

  “She’s coming right now. In fact, I need to go meet her at the entrance.”

  Delilah pulled on his arm. “Come on. Stop pretending. I know you wanted to come here with me. You can stop being coy. Let’s dance.”

  He wriggled out of her grasp. “Sorry, I told you. I’m here with someone else.”

  Delilah put her hands on her hips. “Then where is she? Huh?”

  The doors opened, and Isabella stepped in. At least, he thought it was her. Her hair was piled on top of her head, a few curly tendrils falling down. And it was a deep red color. She wore a teal dress that showed off her figure, and she had on matching slippers. A masquerade mask with a large black feather extending up adorned her face. She nervously bit her lip.

  “There she is,” Chase said under his breath. He walked away from Delilah. As he neared, he couldn’t help but smile. “You made it.”

  Delilah followed after him. “Her? This is your date?” Her screechy voice grated on his nerves.

  He didn’t even turn to look at Delilah. His eyes couldn’t get enough of Isabella. “Yes.”

  Delilah made a disgusted snort. “Why, she’s so plain.” When he didn’t respond, she grunted and turned on her heel. “Well. I never.” She stalked off down the hallway, leaving him alone with Isabella.

  He suddenly felt nervous and a bit shy. “Five?” he said, tentatively.

  She nodded. “Sorry I’m so late.”

  He itched to touch her, but he tempered his desires. “I understand.” He glanced toward the gym. “Want to go in?”

  Isabella gave him a smile. “Okay.”

  They walked down the hallway. “You look lovely,” he said, feeling like a tongue-tied little kid.

  She blushed. “Thank you.”

  When he opened the door for her, the music grew louder. The gym was decorated in light and dark purples, with clusters of balloons on the walls and hanging from the ceiling. Streams of fabric hung, coming out from a large cluster of balloons in the center like spokes on a Ferris wheel. White twinkle lights adorned the walls. A live band played on the stage, the strains from the song “Imagine” by John Lennon rang out.

  He took Isabella’s hand. “Want to dance?”

  “Yes,” she said, a little breathless.

  He pulled her out onto the dance floor and placed one hand on her back, taking his stance as he had learned in dance class. He began moving to the music.

  She peered up at him through her mask. “You’re a good dancer.”

  “Actors have to know how to dance. At least, that’s what Mom always said.” He grinned at her. “But right now, I don’t mind so much.”Electricity skittered across where his skin touched hers, and he pulled her closer.

  Isabella lowered her lashes. “So, do I look like you imagined?”

  He grinned and whispered in her ear. “Better than I imagined.”

  She peered at him, her eyes skeptical. “But I’m . . . just average.”

  He caressed her hand with his thumb. “How many times do I need to tell you that I don’t care what you look like?”

  She stayed silent, so he continued. “As we’ve been texting each other, I’ve gotten to know who you are on the inside.” He looked into her chocolate-brown eyes, just now realizing she wasn’t wearing her glasses. He swallowed. “You’re beautiful.”

  She blushed a deeper shade of red and looked past him. “Has it been this crowded all night?”

  “No. It was pretty bare earlier. Most people probably went out to eat before the dance.”

  The song ended, and he let go of her. “Are you thirsty? Want something to drink?”

  “Sure.” She led the way to the punch bowl. It sat on a table by the wall. He scooped up a cup for her, and she gulped it down.

  He chuckled. “More?”

  She shook her head. “No. But thank you. I needed that.” She tossed the empty plastic cup in the trash.

  “You look flushed. Do you want to go outside?”

  A look of relief came over her. “Yes.”

  He held the door for her. The light breeze felt good on his face. Isabella smiled up at him.

  They walked down a path that led them around the school. Chase wasn’t sure if she would pull away if he tried to hold her hand, so he put his hands in his pockets. It was driving him crazy that she liked another guy. But there wasn’t much he could do about it.

  “Do you feel like everything happens for a reason?” she asked.

  “What, like fate or something?”

  She nodded. “Yes. Do you believe in fate?”

  He took in a breath and let it out slowly, trying to think of a good answer. “I guess I kind of do. I mean, I think sometimes we make our own destiny, but ultimately I believe there’s a higher power out there who has control.”

  Isabella slowed her steps. “If there’s a higher power who is in control, then why do bad things happen to good people?”

  He stopped walking and turned to her. The moonlight lit up her face, and he looked into her dark eyes. “That’s a question people have been struggling with ever since time began.”

  She peered up at him, her eyebrows furrowed. “What do you think?”

  He cupped her cheek with his hand, unable to stand it anymore. “I think even the bad things that happen ultimately do some good. They shape us into the people we become.” He didn’t finish the thought because he didn’t want to tell her what an amazing person he thought she had already become. He’d embarrassed her enough tonight.

  She blinked at him, her mask hiding her expression. “What about right now? Is this fate?”

  His gaze landed on her lips. “Yes,” he whispered, mesmerized. He leaned in, and her lips parted.

  Did that mean she wanted him to kiss her? He came a little closer, waiting to see if she would back away from him. When she didn’t, he brushed his lips across hers.

  Her lips were soft and warm, and the sensations washing over him left him breathless. He wanted more. He kissed her again, slowly, more thoroughly. Her lips were like nothing he’d ever experienced. He’d kissed girls before, but none of them tilted his world quite like Isabella.

  He kissed the corner of her mouth, and then her jaw. A desire to show her he knew who she was welled up in him. He wanted her to realize he liked her for who she really was. He pulled back and reached up to her mask. Slowly, he began lifting it.

  This broke the spell and Isabella gasped, stepping back, both hands on her mask. “Don’t,” she said, her voice almost panicked.

  He ran a hand through his hair. “Sorry.”

  Chapter 22

  Isabella turned away from him, her heart pounding in her chest from the kiss, and from Chase almost finding out who she was.

  He reached out and touched her shoulder. “I didn’t mean to . . .”

  Her fingers trembled as she tried to calm her racing heart.

  He kissed her. And it was amazing. Seriously, it was fireworks in the sky kind of amazing.

  But she wondered if had he done it just to try to remove her mask? To find out who she really was?

  “You promised,” she said, hurt lacing her words.

  He put his arms around her shoulders, pulling her back to his chest. “You’re right. I’m sorry.”

  He stood there for a moment, hugging her close. She smelled his cologne, and it made her knees weak. When he let her go, she took a step away.

  “Please forgive me,” he said, his voice soft.

  She turned toward him and swallowed the pain of his kiss. The kiss that didn’t mean what she had hoped it did. “It’s already forgotten.” A breeze raised goose bumps on her skin, and she hugged her arms.

  “Are you cold?”

  “Kind of.”

  He shrugged out of his tuxedo jacket. “Here.” He helped her slip her arms in. “Better?”

  She nodded, his smell now enveloping her.

  They continued to walk around the school, but some of the magic of the evening was gone. She couldn’t quite let go of the kiss and the reason behind it.

  She could imagine how things would have gone had he gotten her mask off. He would have looked at her and said, “Isabella?” The question would have been full of shock and disbelief. He would have recoiled from her. And the look on his face. She didn’t want to think about that. Would it have held disgust? Disappointment? Both?

  She tried to steady her breathing as they neared the front entrance again. She suddenly wanted the evening to end. Only, Savannah wouldn’t be back to pick her up until midnight, when the dance ended. She had to stick it out for a while longer.

  “Ready to go back inside?” Chase asked, his voice low.

  “Yes.” She shrugged out of his jacket and handed it to him. He gave her a long look before putting it back on.

  Once they were back in the gym, Chase took her hand. “Let’s start this date over. Will you dance with me?”

  She nodded, and they once again went out on the gym floor. The same place where this whole thing started. The pain from that first meeting bubbled up and added to her embarrassment. She’d been so unremarkable, he couldn’t even remember what she looked like. He hadn’t really seen her and hadn’t cared to. He was looking at a pig.

  Chase pulled her close, holding her hand up and stepping in time to “One Call Away” by Charlie Puth. His touch sent her heart into overdrive again. A lump swelled in her throat.

  They danced several more songs, Isabella bracing herself against the pain of being in his arms. She stuffed her hurt deep inside and forced a smile. She could handle a few more dances.

  The band announced the last song, and relief flooded Isabella. It was almost over. And then she could disappear and not have to deal with it anymore. They were almost done with their school project. She could go back to texting him and never reveal who she really was.

  He seemed to sense her mood because he leaned down and whispered in her ear. “I messed everything up, didn’t I?”

  She blinked, trying not to let her tears spill over onto her cheeks. “I’m fine,” she lied.

  “No, you’re not. You’re shutting me out. I can see it.” He frowned.

  She bit her lip, unsure of what to tell him. “I’m sorry. This was a bad idea.”

  “Don’t say that. Please.” He looked stricken.

  She pressed her lips together, not knowing what else to say. The song was coming to an end soon anyway. Thirty more seconds, and she could leave.

  “I wasn’t trying to—“

  “Chase!” Delilah came up to him. “Can I cut in?”

  Perfect. Isabella backed away.

  “Have at it.”

  Chase sent her a pleading look, but she backed up and Delilah grabbed hold of him. Isabella wanted to bolt, to run and not look back, but a part of her felt obligated to at least say goodbye to Chase, so she waited until the dance ended. As soon as the last of the music died out, Chase let go of Delilah and approached her.

  “Five,” he said, his face desperate. Delilah followed him over.

  The lights came on, and Jason hopped up on the stage. He took the microphone. “What a great fall formal, huh?” Everyone cheered.

  “How about a hand for the band!” More cheers erupted. Isabella politely clapped along with everyone else.

  “Now that the masquerade is over, let’s all reveal who we are!” He grabbed his mask and removed it, then tossed it up in the air.

  Suddenly everyone around Isabella was mimicking Jason, their masks flying. Isabella stood frozen, watching in horror as Delilah tore hers off and tossed it. When Chase didn’t move, she tore his off as well. Chase’s eyes widened.

  Delilah glared at Isabella. “Take off your mask,” she demanded.

  When Isabella didn’t move, Delilah reached for her. Isabella ducked, panic coursing through her. She turned and ran toward the doors. Her slippers slapped on the squeaky gym floor as she desperately tried to get out of there.

  “Five!” Chase called after her.

  She didn’t look back. The metal bar on the gym door clanged as she shoved it, and she ran into the hall, pushing her way past a group of girls in formal dresses.

  “Five!”

  Her heart slammed against her ribs. She ran out the front door and down the steps. One of her slippers slid off as she sprinted down the steps, but she couldn’t go back for it. She spied Savannah’s car idling by the curb and headed toward it.

  “Five! Wait!” Chase stopped on the steps and picked up her slipper.

  Isabella threw open the car door and sat down. She pulled her dress in and shut the door. “Go!”

  Savannah pressed the gas, and they sped off. Isabella’s heart raced, and she tried to catch her breath while Savannah hammered her with questions.

  “What happened? Why were you running? What did Chase do?”

  “I lost one of your slippers. I’m so sorry.”

  “I don’t care about the slipper! What happened in there?”

  Isabella slid her mask off, putting her hand on her chest. “I was running because they had this big mask-off reveal at the end. Delilah about ripped mine off my head. I had to get out of there fast.”

  A huge grin on her face, Savannah waved her hand for more details. “What else happened?”

  “The dance was fine—until Chase kissed me.”

  “What?” Savannah yelled, and the car swerved.

  “Watch where you’re going!” Isabella waited until Savannah slowed to continue. “The kiss itself was fantastic.”

  Savannah screamed with her lips pressed together, which actually worked better than Isabella thought it would. “You kissed Chase Hawkins!”

  “He kissed Five.”

  “You’re Five.”

  “But he doesn’t know that. He kissed a mystery woman. And while he was kissing me, he tried to take my mask off.”

  “Oh, no he didn’t!”

  “Yes, he did. And that’s when it dawned on me. He was just kissing me to distract me, so he could tear that mask off and see who I really was. Which was a low thing to do.”

  “Are you sure that’s what he was doing?” Savannah pulled the car into her driveway and cut the engine. She twisted in her seat to face Isabella. “He could have just been really into the kissing.”

  “He was. But that’s not why he wanted the mask off. He wants to know who Five is. That’s what he’s wanted all along.” Pain bubbled up again, and she swallowed it down.

  Savannah crossed her arms. “I don’t know . . .”

  “Come on. I need to change and get back to the Vibrant Hue before they pack up. Hopefully Elenore was too busy to notice I’ve been gone.”

  “I don’t know how you stand her. I keep telling you to run away.”

  “I know.”

  They raced inside Savannah’s house, and Isabella changed back into her black outfit, taking off the wig. She pulled pins out of her hair as Savannah drove her back to the gallery.

  When they pulled up in front, Isabella’s breath caught, and she clutched the door handle. All the lights were off. The sign was dark. No cars were left in the parking area.

  “I’m so dead,” she whispered.

  Chapter 23

  Chase clutched the teal slipper in his hand and watched the red taillights fade into the distance. He’d totally messed up the whole night. How could he have been so stupid? He knew Five was determined to remain anonymous. Why had he tried to reveal her identity?

  And then Delilah had to show up and make everything worse. The big reveal at the end of the dance didn’t help at all. And now he wasn’t sure if Five would ever text him again.

  He pulled his phone out of his pocket, wondering if he should text her now or give her time to get over the evening.

  Delilah came running up to him. “Chase!”

  He sighed. “What do you want, Delilah?”

  “Why were you calling her Five?”

  He shrugged.

  “Who was that? Why’d she freak about the stupid mask?”

  There was no way he was going to tell her anything. “I don’t know who it was.” He stuffed the teal slipper in his pocket.

  Delilah gave him a quizzical look but then smiled. “Guess she decided she didn’t want to be with you after all.”

 

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19