Chapter 156 Night of Masks

Chapter 156 Night of Masks
Skylar's POV

"Turn around." Mom stood behind me in the mirror, her hands hovering near my shoulders. "Let me see the whole thing."

I turned slowly, the fabric of the dress catching the light as I moved, deep blue fading into black at the hem, small silver threads woven through it that scattered whenever I shifted.
"Skylar." She pressed a hand to her chest, something soft crossing her face. "You look beautiful."

I sighed, rubbing my head. "You say that every year, mom.."
"Because it's true every year." She reached out, tucking a loose strand of hair back into place. "Though I'm still a little hurt you didn't want me there for the dress shopping this time."
I focused on my reflection instead of her, adjusting one of the thin straps at my shoulder. "I just wanted to try picking something out myself this year." I gave her a small smile, reaching for the mask sitting on my vanity before she could push further.

It was the one detail I hadn't been able to explain to myself either, if I was honest. I'd found it three shops in, tucked at the back of a display I almost walked past. It was deep navy with soft charcoal at the edges, tiny points of silver scattered across it like something you'd see looking straight up on a clear night. It was different, nothing like the gold and black ones every advertisement for tonight had been pushing.
It just felt right the second I picked it up, though I couldn't have told anyone exactly why.

I fastened it into place, the ribbon settling against my hair.
"You ready?" My mom's voice pulled me back.
"Almost." I smoothed my hands down the front of the dress, my mind drifting to the same place I've been avoiding.

Ryan wasn't at the pep rally. I knew he wouldn't come, he never did but just like every other party, my eyes scanned the place, searching for him. Even his favorite spot near the bleachers where he is always sitting. I wasn't expecting him tonight either.

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The ballroom took my breath away before I even got past the entrance.

Chandeliers hung from the ceiling, throwing soft gold light across the whole room, and the walls were draped in deep blue fabric that made the space feel like it went on forever. Round tables lined the edges, candles flickering at the center of each one, and the dance floor in the middle already had people moving across it.
Everyone wore masks, some plain, some covered in feathers and jewels, I couldn't tell who anyone was.

It felt bigger than anything we'd ever done at school.
"This is insane," Elias said beside me, his own mask, a simple black one, crooked already. "I feel like I walked into a different decade."
"Fix your mask," I said laughing, reaching up to straighten it for him. "Better."
He grinned, offering his arm. "Shall we?”

We got drinks from the table near the back. A pink, sweet and sparkling liquid that definitely wasn't supposed to be this strong.
Elias made a face after his first sip. "Okay, that's really strong."
I scoffed. "This is strong to you."
“That's because I'm more responsible." His face scrunched up, taking another sip.

I set my cup down carefully, reaching for his hand. "Come on, I didn't spend thirty minutes on this dress just to stand here."
We joined the crowd on the dance floor, the band launching into upbeat music.
I laughed hard as he spun me, letting myself get pulled fully into it, the noise and lights and motion swallowing up every other thought in my head.

The song ended, and before the next one started, the bandleader's voice echoed over the speakers.
"Alright, everyone, time to switch things up. Find yourself a new partner for this next one and gentlemen, don't be shy."
Elias raised an eyebrow at me. "New partner."
I shrugged.

Before either of us could decide what to do about it, a hand touched my shoulder from behind while Elias got swept off by someone else entirely.
I turned to the masked stranger, dressed in black in front of me, his mask plain and dark, giving nothing away.
"Dance with me?" He whispered. I couldn't quite place where I heard the voice, something about it tugged at me.

"Sure." I let him pull me into position, one hand of his hands settling at my waist, the other holding mine, and the moment his hand found the small of my back, something in my chest went very still.
"You dance really well," I chuckled.
“I guess so" His mouth curved beneath the mask.
We moved slowly with the music, I studied him as closely as I could without being obvious about it, the line of his jaw, the way he held himself. There was definitely something about him. Who was he?

"You're staring," he said.
"No, it's just you look really familiar."
“I do?" His hand tightened at my waist. "Maybe I just have one of those faces."
I opened my mouth to push further but that was when the music started to fade, the bandleader's voice cutting through again, the room attention shifting toward the small stage at the front.

"Alright, everybody, it's that time. Let's find out who our Homecoming King and Queen are this year.”

He leaned in as the room's attention shifted, his voice dropping low against my ear. “I still think possession isn't the opposite of love."
My eyes narrowed on him, what does that even mean?
I stared at him. "I don't understand." My eyes searched his, still very confused. Why was he telling me this?

"And this year's Homecoming Queen is..." The announcer's voice cut through my thoughts. Everyone around us turned toward the stage.
".......Skylar Louis!!!"
My eyes moved to the announcer.

The crowd erupted into applause, hands pushing me gently forward. I stumbled toward the stage in a daze, the stranger's hand slipping from my waist as I moved, his words still looping through my head, drowning out everything else.
“I still think possession isn't the opposite of love”
I knew that line, I'd heard it before…
I climbed the steps slowly.

And then it clicked…..Special Elective class…love and possession.
"Ryan." I whispered, my feet still moving toward the stage on autopilot.
The announcer placed the small crown on my head, my eyes scanning the crowd on instinct, searching for his mask.

"And now…." the announcer continued, "let's find out who's joining her. Your Homecoming King is..."