So It Begins

'Almost like the perfect dream, everything fell into place. There was something about that smile, the way that he held her close. Nothing mattered in that one moment as the two moved together in perfect sync, dancing as if no one else existed in the world. Not a single care between the pair as every set of eyes in the room watched them with both envy and joy. She'd been waiting for this moment, to finally feel not just wanted but to feel him hold her at last as he once had and now she'd gotten her wish. Just as well, he'd been waiting for her as a whole. To finally to have her wholly and completely without the threat of someone taking her away again. At last, they could be at peace.'

"Jacie, are you even listening?"

I blinked in confusion and shook my head as my eyes widened a bit, realizing I'd just been zoning out, as I always tended to do. I looked over at my friend Rachel, who was driving and she glanced at me with an annoyed expression, her pink lips pressed together in a thin line of frustration. I gave a small apologetic smile as I looked at her.

Rachel Strothers. An energetic and outgoing brunette with sparkling gray eyes and no filter. The girl who was fun and crazy and even brutally honest but a good-hearted person had been my best friend since childhood.

"Sorry, Rache. I heard part of what you said but I've got a lot on my mind. Repeat and this time I'll listen, promise." I said as I gave a reassuring smile, only causing her to sigh as she shook her head at me while turning into the Sonic drive-in for our traditional breakfast stop on the way to school.

"It's fine. I know you zone out a lot so no offense taken, but seriously Jace... Tonight I'll need your help after school before the dance. I need to finish decorations at the Stross manor with the rest of last years committee and then I'll need your help finalizing the changes on my dress. You can help me with the final touches, miss fashion expert."

She looked at me with hope in her eyes and I sat back in my seat. "I'm not that great at sewing, that's your forte but fashion expert?" I giggled as I glanced down at my punk style outfit, my personal choice in fashion as well as classy gothic and sometimes sporty casual. "You're not wrong."

"Of course I'm not. You've got quite a varied taste in style that's both cool, hot, and classy and you're a fashion advice expert. You can go from princess to punk in a heartbeat without skipping a beat, it's no wonder guys chase you."

"You and I both know that's a load of bull. Guys don't 'chase' me, Rachel. Don't sound so jealous." I said lightheartedly as I gave a sly smile, and she grinned more.

"Yeah, okay. Whatever you say. What about Cam?"

"What about him? Cam and I are just friends. Always have been, always will be. Unlike you and a certain member of the football team."

A light blush spread across her cheeks and she shook her head before speaking up, dodging my accusation. "What do you want? We've got to hurry to get to school on time. Gotta love the first day right? At least if we're late it won't matter."

"True that," I replied with a giggle.

I told her what I wanted and she placed our orders. As we waited for our breakfast, we turned up the radio, listening to the playlist set on my phone and sang along to every song that played. Together, we laughed as we enjoyed our short time being wannabe rock stars, not caring who might have been around to witness us acting like carefree idiots. We didn't need others to tell us what we already proudly knew and accepted. When our food arrived, Rachel tipped our carhop then pulled out of the drive and headed towards the school while we chowed down, still jamming out. By the time we arrived at school, we still had a little bit of time to spare so we sat in the car and finished our food before heading inside to meet up with some of our other friends before classes started. It was the first day of our senior year and Rachel and I both decided we would own the year, next to our four closest friends, Haley, Jackson, Cameron, and Aron. While we were all fairly close and had been since middle school, Rachel and I were especially close since we had grown up together due to the circumstances that our parents had known each other since before we were both born, as well as the fact my parents were almost always gone on business which resulted in me staying with Rachel and her family most of the time while growing up until I was able to be at home alone.

Rachel and I made our way to the library cafe which had been our before school meeting place since we started high school and we met up with Haley and Jackson. We all talked about random stuff and the things we'd done on our last day of freedom since we didn't get to spend it together as we'd originally planned. We also discussed tonight's homecoming dance. Unlike every other school around, our homecoming dance was held on the first day of school rather than waiting a couple of weeks and because our principal was almost too old fashioned and great friends with the school drama teacher, the two plotted every year to have the homecoming dance be formal, but the theme was almost always different. After the first year disaster of accidentally knocking over some decorations while dancing with Rachel and spilling punch all over myself in the process, I'd decided I wouldn't go again. That was the day everyone had decided to start calling me the "queen of grace". Rather than being embarrassed, I found the incident to be quite humorous. When the incident happened, quite a few people had gathered around me, seemingly curious and concerned wondering if I was alright. When Rachel decided to point out the fact I'd never been the most graceful and joked about how I just couldn't keep my destructive tendencies back, I busted up laughing and the curious crowd laughed with me. I was never one to be embarrassed and rather I owned up to my accidents. I was only human after all and living life with laughter was the best thing to do.

The pleasant memory faded and as Rachel and I talked with Haley and Jackson, I grew curious as I finally realized both Cameron and Aron weren't around like they usually were.

The first warning bell rang and pulled me out of my thoughts. I grabbed my bag as I said my farewells to my friends then sprinted out of the library and glided through the halls, weaving in and out of the crowd of students, making my way to the senior hall on the opposite side of the school. Ever since becoming a Sophomore, I'd learned not to worry about using a locker since my classes were no longer side by side but rather scattered across a very large high school campus. It took too much time to do the combination on the lock and dig out the right folders and books needed, and even more time to sprint across the school. With only five minutes to work and large crowds to maneuver around, it was hard enough but considering I'd never been very well time oriented, it was even worse. Carrying a bag with everything I'd need for all classes was much easier.

The last bell rang and with the crowds in the junior hall, I hadn't even reached the senior hall, which was completely empty except for the few students who clearly weren't in too much of a rush. I sighed as I sprinted down the hall, then slid to a stop when I skid passed the door to my English class. In a rush to open the door, I tripped, accidentally throwing my full weight against the heavy door without meaning to. The door swung open and I stumbled in, almost tripping again as I caught the door to keep it from flying back. I could feel the heat in my cheeks as the class went from chatty to silent in an instant and I looked over at the English teacher who had also been my Creative Writing teacher the past two years and was again this year. He smiled at me as I stood up straight and returned a smile.

"I uh, meant to do that, sir," I said sheepishly.

"I'm sure you did, Jacie. I hadn't even started class yet if you'd like to take a seat and I presume you'd prefer your same seat as the past two years?" he said with a raised brow, looking at me, trying to hide his teasing smile.

"Oh, you know me so well, Lassie," I said in a teasing tone as I batted my lashes.

"Well then please do take a seat. I made sure no one took it." he chimed back.

"Thanks, Mr. Lassitor," I said, then turned to walk to my seat which was the front corner on the far side of the class, right by the window.

As I turned to walk to my seat, my eyes quickly scanned the students and then my eyes landed on Cameron, who was sitting at the seat right next to mine and my eyes lit up as I trotted over. He held out his hand for a high five and I gladly obliged in the action.

"Hey, Jacie!" he piped up happily as I walked over then slid into my seat.

"Hey, Cam! Missed you and Aron in the library this morning. Think you guys are too cool to hang out with us in the mornings now?" I teased, and he flashed a knowing smile.

"Not at all," he replied with a chuckle. "Aron and I had some stuff to take care of is all. Top secret guy stuff you know?"

"Right, of course. Also, I see you finally decided to be in the same class as me again. About damn time, geez."

"Oh, I'm sorry miss queen of grace. How rude of me to not have a strict discussion with the principal about how we must never be separated, for I am thy loyal servant. How could I forget I have that kind of authority to ensure we have all the same classes," he joked and shook his head. "I chose this seat for a reason. I knew you always sat in the same seat but I wasn't sure if we'd have the same class hour since you continued to dodge my questions about your schedule which I finally gave up and asked Rachel." he scolded and I sat back in my seat as I smiled innocently.

"Sorry, not sorry. It just satisfies my ego when you prove your dedication and obsession to the little things like this. I have to leave you hanging so you come to me, not the other way around, otherwise, there's no fun in the friendship."

He smiled and shook his head as he sat back. Mr. Lassitor cleared his throat and finally began class as everyone quieted down. I smiled as I made small talk with Cameron as the class went by but an unsettling feeling kept bubbling in my stomach as time went on. A sort of feeling as if someone was` watching me. It wasn't uncommon for people to look and stare a bit at random moments, either from curiosity or simply staring blankly but this feeling was different. It was unsettling, yet also strangely calming and I couldn't quite place why it was both. I tried to ignore it for as long as I could until there was a shadow that flashed by in the window, catching my attention, distracting me from the feeling. I turned to see a raven fly by. There was a flash of black in my peripheral vision from behind me. Time seemed to slow down as I blinked once and began to turn in my seat, the image of black feathers stretched out in my mind. My hair fell back out of my face as I turned completely around to look behind me and everything suddenly stopped. My stomach tightened and for what felt like forever, I held my breath as the sight of deep blue-gray, abyss-like eyes held my gaze.

I couldn't feel my heart. At least, not in my chest. It had jumped right into my throat, and I felt the air inside my esophagus choking me, unable to breathe. My lungs were tight and my stomach fluttered wildly with a strange sensation. I couldn't look away and I didn't understand why but something about the eyes that held mine were staring through me as if into my soul. I swallowed hard around the lump in my throat and continued staring back at the intense gaze.

"Jacie, snap out of it," Cameron said sternly, causing me to jump from my trance.

I shook my head as I turned forward in my seat and looked at him then looked down at my desk. "Sorry, Cam. You were saying?"

"I wasn't saying anything. I was wondering why you suddenly just zoned out in a stare-down," he said with slight irritation in his voice.

I looked up at him then glanced back over my shoulder. The boy I'd just stared at was now focused intently on whatever he was writing in his notebook, both earbuds in his ears, his music so loud I could faintly hear the rhythm of a heavy guitar riff. He was now so focused as if our little staring contest hadn't happened. I looked back to Cameron and stayed silent for a moment. Before I could actually think of what I wanted to say, my lips moved faster than my mind.

"Who is that?" I asked rather than apologizing as I'd originally planned to do.

He stared at me for a moment before turning forward, an unreadable expression set on his face. "New kid obviously. You wouldn't be the first girl to drool over him on sight."

I tensed up as he responded and there was a slight pain in my chest in hearing the clear disappointment in his voice but when he looked at me again, his expression changed and he smirked at me. I gritted my teeth, feeling heat in my cheeks.

"Shut up, Cameron. I wasn't drooling. It was a simple question." I bit out coldly, and his eyes lit up.

"Strike a nerve did I?"

"Not at all. You know how I like to be in on what's new around the school." I said as I looked away from him, looking out the window.

"Yeah, yeah, I know. Don't get so defensive Jace," he said softly and I could see the reflection of his sweet smile in the glass. "I'm just teasing. Anyway, I can't tell you much about him. All I know is he's new but something seems off about him so needless to say, I don't like him." He said, biting out his response, which was odd for Cam. He was known as the guy who got along with everyone but apparently not the new guy.

I shook my head a bit as the image of black feathered wings crept into my mind once more. "I'm not one to judge someone before I get to know them but he almost seems..." I struggled for a moment trying to think of the right word to describe what exactly it was that I felt when looking at him but finally decided it was best to not say anything since I wasn't sure what I was feeling. "I don't know."

"Not right, I just said that. Something's off with him."

"No, it's not that. It's not him. I just... I don't know, it's just this strange feeling. I can't tell if it's unsettling or almost, calming?"

Cameron shook his head with an almost inaudible grumble and forced a smile before changing the subject. We made small talk as Lassie, my personal nickname for him, let us do whatever we wanted so long as things remained peaceful in class.

After a while, Cameron's attention was taken by one of his fellow football team members, so I spent the rest of the class just staring out the window, watching the clouds drift by. It wasn't long in my silent peace that I felt that sense again and I just knew the new kid was staring at me again. I fought every urge I had to turn around and look. I forced myself to keep staring out the window, to sit back and play with a strand of my long golden blonde hair, fumble with the hem of my shirt, anything to keep myself from looking back but eventually I lost the internal battle. I shut my eyes tightly as I bit my lip and the same image of black wings from earlier, flashed in my mind again. I snapped and I turned around in my seat, daring a quick glance but what I hoped would be a quick look turned into more intense staring the moment he realized I was looking at him again. His eyes were almost hidden by his onyx black hair but it was clear he was looking at me and for a moment a smile played on his lips. Just a moment later, his smiled morphed and turned into a daring smirk. He lifted his head and the smirk faded as his piercing gaze once again met mine. His eyes held me like a fly caught in a web.

My breath hitched and I forced myself to inhale slowly and deeply. I held my breath for a moment before slowly releasing it into a slow and somewhat shaky exhale. The bell rang and snapped me out of the trance. I quickly gathered what little things I'd had on my desk, shoved them into my bag and glided swiftly out of the room, waving bye to Cameron without a second glance.

Something in me wanted to put as much distance between myself and the new guy as quickly as possible. However, simultaneously I was drawn to him and I decided that's why I had to get away. I hurried down the hall getting lost in the crowd and made my way to my second class and took a seat once there. I was in luck and overjoyed to see Haley had this class with me and throughout the class we chatted away, doing what was required of us before we had free time to talk for the rest of the hour. Next up was advanced drama, and here's where I felt a wave of ease wash over me as I headed to the auditorium. I wasn't the most sporty person ever but I had a passion for art in any style which included drama, art, and creative writing, all of which were classes I happily had this year the same as my previous years of high school since freshman year.

I went through drama with ease but I still found my mind lingering on the boy from my first hour. I hadn't talked to him and didn't even had the nerve to ask what his name was but I found myself desperately wanting to know.

The rest of the day up until lunch had been easy. I'd had my fourth hour with Rachel and of course, we sat together. However the new guy was in that class hour as well and when Rachel caught me looking at him every now and then, she questioned me with intense curiosity, yet something about the way she was talking seemed on edge, almost as if she was upset with me staring at him. I asked if she knew him but she said no yet how she spoke made me feel as though she was lying but I left it alone. Lunchtime came and Rachel and I went to meet up with Haley, Jackson, and Cameron at the famed group table that had been claimed as ours since freshman year. After lunch, I headed to my creative writing class back at Mr. Lassitor's classroom and my heart skipped and froze when I saw the new guy once again. I felt as though I were being haunted by a ghost. A mysterious and beautiful ghost with a hint of danger. However, with the way others had acknowledged him, I knew he was real. Throughout the class period, I could feel that same intensity from him staring at me but I dared not turn and return the gaze again, afraid I'd be caught once again. I was both bothered and put at ease by his presence. I found myself overly curious about him. Something in me screamed "dangerous territory" and I wanted to get close to find out just how dangerous and why.

After creative writing, I made my way to my next class where I had Rachel and Haley both and all three of us grouped together in the corner of the room. The three of us spent the whole class period talking about tonight's homecoming dance which was themed a masquerade and all three of us were fairly excited and had our outfits ready. Class ended and I made my way to my final class and sat in the back. Once again, the image of silky black wings came to mind uninvited, and I shook the thoughts away. The school day came to an end and I was home free. I ran out to the parking lot where Rachel had parked this morning and I found her already waiting by her car, smiling her signature devious and daring grin which both charmed and intimidated people simultaneously. I jogged over to greet her. She looked at me with deviousness in her eyes. I nodded to her as I grinned and we hopped in her car to race off.

Music was blaring as we pulled into her driveway, Rachel and I hopped out and raced inside and towards her makeshift fashion studio where she had been working on our homecoming formal outfits. I was also where she put together most of her own outfits and even most of mine. I designed and she created. We danced our way through her house and tumbled into the room. We both started laughing in an uncontrollable giggle fit as we toppled over each other. One thing I could always count on was having the time of my life with Rachel around. After we were sure we were stable enough to stand, we helped each other up then she walked over to the sheet covered mannequin and gave an exaggerated introduction. I had yet to see the actual dress she'd been working on for herself but she had shown me the design for it and now it was time for the unveiling of her dress and I was excited.

She announced the cliché line of "without further ado" and pulled back the sheet. I couldn't suppress that slight girlish squeal trapped inside as my eyes scanned the beautiful sunset themed gown. She'd designed a beautiful golden yellow off the shoulder sheer A-line gown that had a sunset ombre at the bottom of the gown. Around the thigh area of the dress, the yellow gold faded to a golden orange then to a deep scarlet at the bottom. There was a matching silk sash around the waist, a sequin line at the top of the bodice, and a sheer golden lace overlay from the top of the back, hanging down like a golden veil. The gown was absolutely stunning and when she walked over to the window and pulled back the window and pulled back the curtain allowing sunlight to pour in on the dress, it glowed with amazing sparkle, glittering in an array of golden hues as if the dress was made by the sun itself.

I sat idly waiting as she slipped on the dress then helped her place pins where she wanted them. After that, I sat back while she slipped out of the gown and made the slight adjustments she needed. When she decided she was satisfied, she put the dress in a bag along with her mask, then grabbed her shoes. I grabbed my dress and accessories which was all ready to go and together we headed out to her car. We were both a part of the prep team for the dance so we had to head to the site where the dance was being held to finish up the decor. Once we were settled in the car, we headed to the Stross manor. It was an elaborate mansion built on a secluded cliff top not too far from the school, built back in the '40s, and it was a favorite spot for formal dances to be held because of the Victorian architecture.

Once we arrived, we left our things in the car and walked up the long driveway to the front door. We made our way through the elegant halls to the ballroom where other students were already finishing prep and we set to work. We were in charge of wrapping the marble railings and pillars in streamers and ribbon and then doing the outside balcony the same way. Most of the prep was already done so we moved onto hanging up ribbons outside and stringing up the paper lanterns across the garden then set floating tea lights in the fountain. We set right to work while other students set up the tables for food and drinks, rolled out the carpet leading from the main entrance, back to the ballroom, with signs. They hung banners on the walls with flickering light torches and set up balloons everywhere, strung lights everywhere, and set up multiple floral arrangements.

It took about an hour after Rachel and I had arrived to finish everything and there was only half an hour left before the dance actually started, so we went into one of the bathrooms close to the ballroom to get ready after grabbing our dresses and miscellaneous things we needed from the car. I helped Rachel pull her hair back in a half up, cute yet casual style while she applied a simple base of makeup, then I began getting ready myself. Unlike Rachel's sunset themed A-line dress, I'd designed a darker themed ball gown style dress. It was a midnight purple strapless sweetheart. There was a black mesh layer over the skirt of the dress, with another shorter layer over it, both split in the front and draped down, covering the sides and back of the skirt. The main part of the skirt was pinned in multiple places by diamond pins, in a pattern to make a ruffle design. A thin lace trim lined the neckline on the dress. There was a black silk sash around the waistline of the dress where the skirt bloomed out, a fake swallowtail butterfly pinned right where the down point of the neckline lay in the center of my chest and then a silver thread design on the bodice, pointing down in the fabric like a sewn-in chandelier design.

When we were both done putting on our dresses and makeup, she put on her gold and silver mask and I put on my half purple half black, lace lined mask. Deciding to leave my long loose golden curls alone, I tugged on a pair of black lace fingerless gloves as a final touch then turned to Rachel and we exchanged eager smiles.

Finally done getting ready, Rachel and I made our way to the ballroom where the dance had already begun, multiple people already present. We spent a bit of time socializing with a few fellow classmates, and after a bit of searching, we finally found Haley and Jackson and hung with them for a bit. We talked about the events of our day which wasn't very interesting but it was something to talk about. I looked around curiously for Cam but couldn't find him, then I looked to Rachel who I knew had been searching for Aron but she grew disappointed when she couldn't find him. I reassured her that he could still show up and she smiled and continued talking with the others. I got lost somewhere in the middle of the conversation and my mind started to drift elsewhere and an odd feeling came over me. I quietly dismissed myself and parted ways with them before I made my way around the room aimlessly, avoiding bumping into people. The kind of odd sensation that filled my body made me feel as though I were in some kind of dream state. It was as if I'd lived this moment before, or at least something similar. Everything self so distant and surreal as flashes of old and ancient elegant gowns filled my mind.

I turned my attention to the glass French doors leading out to the garden and carefully made my way through the crowd, music thrumming in my ears as various lights flashed around the room.

Once I got to the doors I slipped out and walked past the few students who were gathered outside and made my way to the opposite side of the fountain. I wasn't thinking of where I was going. I'd been wandering around on autopilot, my mind a complete hazy blur. I turned slightly as something in my peripheral vision caught my attention. I began to turn around and as I did so I accidentally bumped into someone I didn't know was beside me. With my lack of grace, I started to fall back but a grip laced around my wrist with a firm hold, stopping me from the fall and with one swift motion I was pulled back to my feet and pulled against whoever had caught me. Heart pounding from exhilaration, I slowly turned my eyes up and my heart stopped as my gaze was met with a strikingly familiar, deep, soulful gaze of stormy blue-gray, mysterious and highly intense eyes.

The mysterious stranger who had caught me was wearing a black silk mask which hid his identity, but something was familiar about those stormy eyes and the way his black fringe swayed in the breeze. I couldn't pull my gaze away and I was lost in a trance-like state of mind but my mind began to immediately assess the situation as the grip around my wrist tightened and I felt the pressure of his arm pressed to my back. I wanted to speak. To move or breathe but I couldn't do anything.

Finally, he began to speak.

"Are you alright?" he asked softly, his voice rather deep but not overbearing. It was smooth and charming with a sexy edge to it. Something about it enchanting yet intimidating and his eyes held my gaze with such intensity that I felt as though he were staring into my soul.

"I-I think so." I stuttered out uncontrollably which was something I'd never done in my life except when I was younger if I'd been in trouble.

My heart suddenly remembered how to work properly once again and wasted no time as it beat rapidly to account for the beats it'd skipped when stopped.

"Good. I'm glad," he replied with a slight hum of relief.

Something about the energy he gave off intimidated me yet also calmed me. it screamed danger and to pull away but at the same time it felt so right and it beckoned me and every part of me wanted to take it all in and embrace it. Somehow his gaze made me feel warm and safe and it all felt so comfortingly familiar. I'd never been one to believe in the whole "love at first sight" thing and even though I wasn't sure of what I was feeling at this very moment, I just knew I didn't want it to go away.

He helped me steady myself upright and bowed to me before standing up straight and I looked at him curiously. "Excuse the sudden formality, I couldn't resist. We are at a formal dance after all." he cooed lightly with a gentle, playful smirk as he looked at me.

For a moment all I could do was stare but I quickly regained my senses. Shaking my head, I smiled at him.

"Poking fun at it? I tend to do the same thing." I said casually, not entirely sure what to say to him.

"Oh really?" he chimed back, his smirk turning into a grin as he crossed his arms. "Says the one who took the time to make herself look as close to a princess as possible. Now all you're missing is a tiara." he teased and I couldn't help but smile more and roll my eyes.

"Haha, funny. Go big or go home in situations like this right?"

"Let me guess. You wanted to wear one..." He leaned forward a bit which made my heart skip as his finger hooked around a strand of my hair and slid down the length of that strand then moved his hand down to gently trace his finger under the wing of the butterfly on my dress, his tone going a bit softer. "but couldn't find one that would fit the clearly gothic fairy-tale themed dress you're wearing and might I say rather well?"

My breath hitched slightly at his tone, the way he glanced up at me and the way he'd slid his finger along the wing after allowing a strand of my hair to glide smoothly from his hand. With slightly noticeable hesitation, he pulled his hand back as he stood up straight again.

"Spot on guess. How'd you know the inspiration though?" I asked curiously, trying to hide the sudden throb of nervousness that washed through me.

"Really? Dark colors, the style of the dress. Clearly a gothic inspiration. The butterfly itself sets a fantasy vibe."

"Perceptive I see," I said softly as I bit my lip.

A spark flared in his eyes, something almost daring and bold yet proud and he grinned. "Oh and much more than just that. But we're at a school dance, aren't we? So princess, would you do me the pleasure of dancing with me, or are you scared?"

The way he looked at me still had that daring hint but it was also sincere and almost pleading, though his voice was steady and a bit teasing. Everything felt strangely familiar and the pleading note in his voice sparked my curiosity and drew me closer. Something in me urged me to say yes as if I had to or I wouldn't feel right if I didn't.

"Me, scared? I guess you should get to know me because I am anything but." I said boldly as I stood tall, casting a confident smirk of my own.

"Well, in that case, I'm happy to learn," he replied as he held out his hand.

My heart skipped again but there was no hesitation in my movements as my actions were faster than my own thoughts and I placed my hand in his. My fingers gently grazed his palm. His skin was warm and for a moment it almost felt as if the muscles in his hand tensed. He gently grabbed my hand and pulled me close and he began to lead me in a dance. I'd taken dance lessons and even taught myself ever since I was nine and something I hadn't really covered was waltzing or any kind of partner dancing other than a few vague lessons, yet here was this stranger who I didn't think to ask his name and he was leading me through a dance more fluent and elegant than anything I'd ever done and I was somehow able to keep up with him effortlessly like muscle memory which shouldn't have been possible, as he directed every move wordlessly. At first, he didn't strike me as the kind of person who would know how to dance but I was surprised, to say the least, and even in awe at how well he was dancing. We danced together carelessly out of time with the music blaring inside in a perfectly synced waltz.

Something about this moment seemed like a dream. It didn't feel entirely real and I felt as though I'd seen or been in this situation before, almost like deja vu but I'd never done anything like this before in my life. There was something especially intriguing and mysterious about the way he held my gaze, the way his stormy yet bright and radiant eyes stared soulfully into my golden green hazel eyes. We continued through our dance and after going through two songs we finally stopped and decided to take a walk through the garden and the maze, making small talk as we went. I admittedly wasn't paying too much attention to him as I had to keep averting my eyes from him to the ground or the green shrubbery around us, forcing myself not to stare. A few times he'd compliment me making me blush a bit and we talked about random topics, During our light conversation, I learned that he was new to our school, something I'd already figured out. I'd have remembered his eyes anywhere if we'd met in previous years at school. He told me how his mom had encouraged him to come to the dance tonight and made me blush when he looked at me and smirked, admitting after meeting me he was glad he'd listened. Whoever he was, this stranger was a real prince charming and it made my stomach flutter. When I finally asked for his name all he did was give a teasing smile and said I'd have to figure it out for myself. In exchange, I didn't bother offering my name and he didn't ask. It was clear he was the kind of person who liked a good mystery, as everything about him screamed the word itself. He also seemed to be someone who was easily amused with games. He was kind enough, with a playful edge to him and it was charming.

Since we decided against exchanging names, he decided to continue calling me princess, which was slightly annoying but charming as well. Unfortunately, I had yet to figure out what I'd call him by until I figured out his name.

The night continued but before long he'd received a message he said was from his father requesting him home and as much as I tried to fight the disappointment I now felt, he'd noticed and given a kind smile reassuring me that we'd get to talk again. He assured me he looked forward to it and even warned me he was going to be a handful but I simply smiled boldly and told him "challenge accepted", then he gave another mocking bow while holding my hand in his and he kissed it gently which sent a fire radiating through my body, then he left. I sat on the edge of the fountain after we'd made our way out of the maze and I stared at the night sky in a dreamy daze, letting out a soft, lulled sigh. The feeling of his lips which soft against my skin, still lingering on my hand and the fluttering in my chest never stopped.

I wasn't entirely sure how much time had passed since I'd started spending the evening with him but in the end, I noticed the lack of people as students had started going home. Still, I sat in a dreamy daze. In my dreamy state, I'd missed Rachel calling for me until she was next to me and placing her hand on my shoulder, shaking me out of my daze.

"Jacie, come on we have to go. My parents need me home and..." she started to say but paused suddenly and it must have been the expression on my face because a sly grin slowly spread on her lips as her eyes ignited with curiosity. "Ooh, who's the boy?" she asked curiously and the question caught me off guard.

"W-what?" I managed to stammer out nervously.

"That look. You were with some boy, weren't you? Tall dark and handsome? Spill girl, who was it?" she asked enthusiastically.

I turned away blushing, fighting my smile as I bit my lip. "No one, Rache. Just some guy I was hanging with, making some new friends you know?"

"Uh huh. What kind of friends? That look says you're totally boy crazed and majorly crushing! So who was it? You have to tell me!" she declared, leaning closer.

"I don't know." I finally admitted sheepishly.

"You don't know?" she questioned as she planted her fists on her hips and I nodded.

"I honestly don't. He wouldn't tell me his name. All I know is he's one of the new students."

"Ooh, a total mystery mister! That's exciting. Well, you can spill details while I take you home because we gotta go. My parents need me home tonight to watch Chandler since they are leaving for a last minute meeting tomorrow morning. I'd ask if you wanted to stay with me but they made it clear not on a school night." she said as she pulled me along out to her car.

We got in and even though she kept talking and asking for details, all I could do was sit silently as my mind retraced all of the events that had happened that evening. Eventually, she gave up and instead explained how tomorrow after school, we were supposed to come back to the mansion to clean everything up.

After a while, we made it back to my house and she dropped me off. I walked inside my dark house and flipped on a light as she pulled away. I locked the front door and made my way up the stairs and down the hall to my bedroom. There were four rooms upstairs, two were bedrooms, one was a bathroom, and the other was a large walk-in closet and all of the rooms were connected. Luckily all were mine to rule freely as my parents settled for the large single master bedroom downstairs. I tossed my day clothes in the basket in the bathroom, then stripped out of my dress and tucked it away back in its bag along with the mask, then I put it away in my closet with my shoes. I grabbed a tank-top and a pair of soft black shorts and a new pair of underclothes. I turned on the playlist on my phone and connected the phone to a speaker, then hopped in the shower. I sang along with every song that played as my entire body relaxed from the hot water, the bathroom filling with steam. The entire night kept replaying in my mind and my smile only grew along with the blush on my cheeks. After an hour in the shower, when my fingers started to prune a bit, I finally decided it was time to get out. I dried off then got dressed and made my way to my room and crawled into bed. I plugged my phone in and turned on my radio, turning the volume low, then rolled over and stared out the windows of my balcony doors where the waxing gibbous moon shone through. Letting soft music fill peaceful silence and with the dreamy images still fresh in my mind, I allowed myself to drift off into a deep and peaceful sleep, resting with ease in a sort of comfort I'd never felt before but officially adored.