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chapter 4o.
(o8/1o)
the mask of disguise !

preview:

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Readjusting my mask to fit right above my nose, I walked upstairs. Noise of the party happening overhead bounced off the school's walls as I approached the second floor.

The end of year ball was taking place in the ball room, on the fourth floor of the building. It was loud enough to be carried even to the first floor. The floor incharges and the hosting crew would be present in the second floor. I don't have to go there, though. Calem knows I'll be on the first floor.

As decided, the boy in question was waiting near the vending machines in the first floor. I approached him with a smile. Dressed primly in midnight navy, with a matching tie to finish it up, he stood with crossed arms and downcast head. "Hey," I greeted.

"You came. Hi." I nodded.

"Is there anything I can do?" I enquired. "Is everything going alright?"

"Everything's goin' just fine. Although, I daresay I must make a run back. I'm on vigilance, you see," he said sarcastically, seeing as I was the one who was supposed to be vigilant of the attendees.

Chuckling, I responded, "Break a leg!"

"Hopefully not," he added with a short laugh, "The juniors are pranking us. They've gotten into spiking the punches with gin, I suppose."

"That's the juniors for you. Adding cheer to the party."

He nodded. "You can stay if you want. You sure you don't wanna go to the ball?" he asked, eliciting a sharp 'no' from me. Shauna and I had managed to trick him into asking Lisia, and would never interfere between them for all the money in the world.

With that said, he left for his job, and I decided to rest for a while before returning home. Perhaps, check out the library in peace.

I was halfway through when I collided into somebody, and hit the marble floor with a thud. "I'm so sorry!" I apologized, looking up at the party crasher, pun intended.

In the dim lighting, I could make out warm green eyes. "Er, the fault's mine. Let me help you up, Mademoiselle." The boy, who I noted to have slicked back, dark hair tied into a ponytail, offered me his hand. He was wearing a deep blue suit, touched up with a pastel cravat.

What was strange, was the feeling he was giving off as he helped me up to my feet. It was almost like...

Déjà vu?

"May I ask where are you off to?" he asked, as soon as he had helped me dust my pink dress. Odd.

Nevertheless, I came up with a lie. "Oh, I'm waiting for my date."

"Darn," he cursed under his breath, rubbing the back of his neck. Odder.

"What about you, Monsieur?"

"I just showed up to get a few drinks off the table. I'm hungry, y'know? Colliding into pretty girls isn't something that happens every day." I blushed at the indirect compliment; whoever this guy was gave me shivers. He was eerily similar to someone I knew, even though he wasn't technically.

"Aren't you running pretty late, though?"

He thought for a while, as if I asked him a question related to math and trigonometry. "No, I suppose. They would be there all night, right?" I shrugged. "Er, do you mind waiting? I could get us some punch, if you like."

"I am technically waiting for my date anyway," I retorted. He probably took it as a yes, and ran off upstairs. Glad to be rid of him, I took a step towards the library. Fate has it, Shauna decided it the right time to call.

"Serena! You're missing out real time!" she exclaimed over the call. "Lisia and Calem are twirling around! I can't tell if the girls are jealous or the boys are drooling, or maybe both. We did great getting those two dunderheads together!"

I felt elated to learn that fact. "I'm so happy to know that, Shauna! How are you guys faring?" The girl had taken Trevor as her date, with Lana from the next class accompanying Tierno.

"Boring, really. We've been up on hot cocas, and Trevor's snapping away photos. Lana is cool, though. We must try to get acquainted."

I nodded foolishly, not realizing that Shauna could not see me. "Right!"

"And Ash isn't here! There's Gary and Misty dancing as if they're on fire, May and Drew waltzing around, but I don't see any sign of your boy."

I blushed. "He isn't my boy!"

"Yeah, keep telling that to yourself and you'll get away with it."

I nodded again, before hitting myself. What is wrong with you?!

"Are you okay, Mademoiselle?" It was the boy, again.

"Shauna, I'm - er - at a restaurant! Do you mind if I call you back later?" I could almost picture Shauna nodding. After all, best friends are silly only with each other.

"Sure thing! Enjoy your meal, girl!"

"And you the prom! Bye!"

The call ended promptly, and I turned around on my heel to face this new guy. "You were nodding on phone? Is anything wrong with your head?" he asked in disbelief, and I frowned. Only my closest friends were allowed that tone with me. I don't even know from where he came into existence!

"Anyways, here's your punch. Strawberry blast, with no broccoli, no worries." There's a broccoli punch? Nevermind, but how does he know I like strawberries?

I took a sip from the drink, in order to be polite. I would normally not trust people, but something in those warm eyes and the genuine smile made him feel familiar. "May I ask your name?"

The boy choked on his drink, blueberry, I noted. "I thought this was supposed to be a masquerade?" He has a point.

"Right."

"Left."

"Are you right in your head?"

"I am left with no date, so thanks."

What? No sooner than I saw him grin, my vision turned black and a strange heaviness took my chest. The last thing I saw was the worried warmth of those deceiving eyes.

When I woke up, my head felt heavy, and my vision was a blur. I shook my head, trying to get the punch out of my brains. I should have realized that it would be spiked the moment Shauna informed that Calem was on the dance stage with Lisia.

When my eyes finally focused, I saw the ceiling of my room. Beside me was my Sylveon plushie, her smile angelic. What happened to the boy?

I attempted to sit up straight, but my body shrieked in rebellion. Daylight poured into my room, and I took note of the jersey that fell off my shoulders. It had the letters, 'HK' engraved on the inner lining. Did it belong to that guy? If so, did he bring me home? Most importantly, who in the legendary name of Arceus is he?

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Hey guys!
Here's a chapter right on time to mark my birthday! xD

Who do you readers think the guy was? Let me know!

As for Ash's PoV, I'll releasing it when this one ends! I think, this one will in a week or two! Do you guys wish to read an extra trivia for this book?

Thank you for reading!

Miyoko x