Masquerade

Sometimes what you want is right next to you.

 

“Why didn’t you dress up?” Lizzie asked me. I shrugged.

 

“It’s not really my thing,” I said, leading her into the hotel lobby.

 

“But you’re supposed to get all Pride and Prejudice, that’s the whole point,” Lizzie said, stopping by a mirror to check her heavy make up. “They didn’t wear jeans and a white t-shirt in the nineteenth century.”

 

“But they still wore underwear,” I said, winking as she rolled her eyes at me.

 

“Whatever they wore though, women got a lot of air down there,” she said, spinning around, as her puffy petticoats ruffled under the gold threading of her gown. I thought the bulging gold hair clip pinned into her hair would poke my eye out.

 

“Who’d think that the princess would ever take a pauper to such a function,” I said, bowing from the waist as she giggled.

 

“Why do gay guys always make the best gentlemen?” Lizzie mused through her laughter.

 

“Because we’re not trying to get into your pants,” I said taking her hand again.

 

“I don’t have pants, I have a gown,” Lizzie said, spinning me around the second we came through the doors.

 

“Watch out,” a deep voice grumbled. I turned around, brushing up against velvet. I felt blood rush to my face but I held my composure.

 

“Maybe you should watch where your trousers are going,” I snapped back. He huffed before walking away, his back stiff and straight. Lizzie lifted her eyebrow briefly before speaking softly and seriously for a second.

 

“Pride and prejudice do go hand in hand,” she whispered, echoing the English teacher Eric and I had in junior year of high school.

 

“May I have this dance?” I asked, turning to her, getting as regal as I would ever be. Lizzie smiled and took my hand as we walked to the bright, hard, polished floor. My eyes ached, and I had some trouble focusing on one place. I could see various people on the floor, dancing and I only noticed solitary characteristics of the people who swirled mindlessly around us; the long, dark brown hair swept in front of one guy’s forehead, the oceanic blue eyes of another girl, someone’s nose reminded me of a statue of a Greek god, sharp cheekbones, a dark blue velvet coat, a white silk shirt, large hands in which I could clearly see veins, long, muscular legs that were encased in tight, black slacks, and all of those things culminated into one person. The tickling in my chest turned into pressure even when I vaguely heard someone speak.

 

“I beg your pardon?” I asked, snapping back into reality.

 

“May I cut in?” a guy, a bit taller than Lizzie’s height asked through a heavy porcelain mask. I quietly gave him my permission and went to sit down in a lightly populated row. I looked out into the crowd, and for some reason, it seemed that people moved on the dance floor so that I could always see Lizzie.

 

Lizzie took the guys hand and looked up at him, her eyes locked into the black holes of the mask. Her facial features relaxed as she continued to gaze up at him, refusing to take her eyes away. Lizzie’s dress made it tough for her to really push her body up against his, but what little of her chest was able to get up against his made her take in a deep breath. Lizzie relaxed the rest of her body, making sure her feet moved in time with his.

 

My face softened when the look of complete serenity filled her face. It was like her face had a candle lit up behind it, and I bet her brown eyes shone brighter than ever. I felt a warm feeling rush through my veins and I relaxed. I realized in that instant how much I wanted someone to make me feel just the way Lizzie looked.

 

The song ended and everyone clapped. Lizzie pulled away and curtsied before another girl in a gown bumped into her and Lizzie turned around to give the girl a piece of her mind but she already was at the door by the time she could think of a good comeback. I saw the guy take his mask off, but he turned to his right, out of my eyesight and walked away. When Lizzie turned around to face him again, he was already gone. I saw Lizzie frantically disappear into the crowd to look for him, not knowing what he really looked like. I sighed as I watched her go. I had so much fun daydreaming about what Lizzie had. I realized in that instant how much I wanted someone to make me feel just the way Lizzie looked.

 

I felt someone take my hand and put it on their lap. The blue velvet jacket Eric wore made his eyes stand out.

 

Reviews

[Drew Wade]

Is this part of a longer series of stories??? It's good. How can I be as prolific as you and still maintain quality? Is Eric the one who was dancing with Lizzy???

I would have to say that I think this could be longer, unless it is part of a longer series of stories.. I only say that because it's confusing.. I don't know who is who, and who is loved and what not.. Other than that, like I said, it's very good writing.