Trisha donned her mask just as her phone buzzed.

Jake: Sorry, caught a cold. Can't make it.

She sighed at the text. He was her best friend. Now what was she going to do?

After a moment she pulled herself up a little taller and tossed her head, causing the ebony plume of feathers from her crimson and black mask to quiver. She would go anyway and enjoy herself. She got in the car and drove there in the pouring rain, arriving fashionably late. Lightning struck, causing the ballroom to flash with white light just as she entered, which caused her to smile.

She ate some food and eventually stood near the wall. None of her co-workers seemed to want to talk with her or ask her to dance.

The hours dragged past. She watched the tumultuous storm, toying with the idea of leaving a slight bit early.

The music calmed to a serene waltz. Perhaps now would be the best time to leave. She began to walk around and say goodnight to everyone when a young man dressed in a navy blue mask with silver designs adorning it bowed low next to her.

"May I have this dance?" He smiled warmly.

She was startled. Someone actually wanted to dance with her? She slowly took his hand and nodded letting him sweep her onto the dance floor.

"So, what is your name?" he asked quietly.

"Trisha...And you?"

He hesitated, a small smirk on his lips, "What would be the fun in telling you that? Trisha, the lovely girl with the dark curly hair and stunning eyes, and yet no one has asked you to dance yet?"

"Until you no one has asked me to dance you're right, but I suppose it's as my Mother once said: I'm a tad bit intimidating."

"Hmmm, perhaps so," the young man pulled her into a spin, causing her to come a bit closer to him. "And yet here we are."

She swallowed softly, her breath having been pulled right from her lungs.

"Yes....here we are...I feel as though I should know you," she tilted her head.

"Well, this is a work party. I'm likely one of your new co-workers that you met yesterday," he replied with ease.

"Huh, that's true. I was only introduced to you yesterday then," she nodded agreeing with his reasoning.

"Halloween is a brilliant time to get to know someone without the bias of seeing their face," he smiled wittingly.

"I've never really thought of it that way," she smiled relaxing a little bit.

"Would you come out to the garden with me? It's a work party and sometimes I need a bit of fresh air," he said gently. She nodded and followed him outside.

He pulled off the mask, "I hope seeing my face doesn't change how you saw me in there. I wanted you to see that yes, I'm your friend -- but I'd like to be more."

She gawked a bit. "Jake?!" She blushed.