"The best person for you to spend your time with ?
Someone who doesn't expect anything in return except your company!"
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"Hey, don't you think it's weird?", questioned Laura rolling to the other side of her bed with a book. She was enjoying her weekend to the fullest along with the books.
It was Saturday and the girls had no plans so far. Kathleen was watching a rom-com series and she was giggling all the time. Janice decided to do some online shopping for the upcoming masquerade ball. She always loved such things!
"What's weird?", Janice gaze was fixed on her phone.
"We haven't received our invitations yet!! The ball is on Tuesday and so far no one has invited us", purred Laura.
"Come on Laura. Few students has to be invited, it's our university's 16th ball and how will they miss anyone!", expressed Janice.
"I hope the event planner committee of this ball could have been a little more responsible and faster in their part of work", stated Laura. Kathleen had no idea what her friends were discussing upon, she was lost in her world of television series.
"Relax, don't overthink Laura!! We will get our invitations soon!", quipped Janice.
"Says the one who is choosing a dress for the ball for which we haven't been invited yet", teased Laura. She was right, people with the invitations, that is, the ones who were invited can only attend the 16th masquerade ball. Others weren't allowed to enter.
"Jay, did you know, only 500 people were invited to the ball previous year!! And that includes freshman year too. But I hope this time we aren't invited", hesitated Laura.
"But I heard Brenda yelling that she got her invitations today!!", said Janice. Laura gasped on hearing it. She always wanted to attend balls like this and she wished she was invited too.
"What? Like seriously!! Wow, she is lucky man", mumbled Laura.
"Come on! Don't lose your hope ! We still have got time", cheered Janice.
"I'm sure we will be invited and I have started to shop already", she added.
Kathleen let our chortle at the right time and she got their attention.
"What happened to her ?! She has been laughing for a long time". Janice rolled her eyes.
"She is watching some kind of romantic comedy", laughed Laura.
"Did you ask Noah? Was he invited too?", Laura was excited to know if any of her friends were invited to that ball.
"Yes, he got his invitation yesterday. He has uploaded it in his Instagram story. Take a look", stated Janice.
Laura took out her phone and opened her Instagram account to find it filled with people showing off their invitations since they were invited to the most magnificent fiesta of the year.
The majestic event organized by the Howard University once in a year is the masquerade ball. They put in lot of efforts, time and money to make this event a royal one. As a part of the ball's custom, they don't summon every single student of the campus. They set limits to the number of entries.
As there are four different divisions within the Howard University, they summon approximately 175 students from each department including both boys and girls. It's a dream of every girl in the university to attend this ball in their freshman year.
"Uh, I really wanted to know how a masquerade ball look like and how does it feel to be part of it?!", mumbled Laura looking at her phone.
"Me too! I always wanted to go to masquerade ball and kiss some perfect stranger", chirped Janice, making Laura's eyes widen in shock.
"You wanted your first kiss to be with stranger?",objected Laura shaking her head.
"Yes, that would be so much fun", winked Janice. Kathleen removes her earphones after a long time.
"What is fun?", she asked unsurely.
"Going to the ball and kissing a stranger, according to jay", shrugged Laura.
"What? You guys wanna go to that ball?", kathleen was surprised because she always thought that Laura and Janice never liked parties and balls.
"Yep!! We do, don't you?", Janice and Laura said in unison.
"Of course not!! I never liked them. I find it flamboyant", laughed Kathleen and the girls stared at her. She stopped abruptly.
"What? Are you guys serious?", her mouth dropped open when Laura and Janice nodded.
"Well, have fun guys! I have a rom-com to watch", she grinned.
"What kind of a girl says no to balls?", scoffed Laura.
"A classy and a fabulous girl will say no to such things", bragged Kathleen with a grin.
"And why do you guys love masquerade balls actually?", she asked for an explanation.
"You know I kinda of love masquerade balls! You put on a mask and you can be anyone", Laura said dreamily.
"Why do we have to attend a masquerade ball when all our lives are real masked balls. Behind every mask that we try to wear for the moment, there is a face and it has a different story to narrate", said Kathleen with a half smile.
"Arghhhh Kath, that's different!! And we can't take no for an answer, you are coming with us to that ball", stated Janice.
"But for that to happen, first we need a invitation", corrected Laura.
Knock... knock.....
"I will get that", Laura opened the door to find a red head. She had envelopes in her hand.
"This is for Laura and this is for Janice sent by Gerald", the red head spoke.
Laura locked the door after collecting the envelopes. She could almost guess what it was. She grinned at the girls.
"I can't believe it!! We are invited to the grand ball finally", Laura jumped up in joy.
"And this for you Janice, sent by prince Gerald", she chuckled and Janice chuckled as well.
"So, he wanted to see me there. I'll play a hide and seek then", Janice smirked.
"I don't feel sorry to say this but you are one witchy girlfriend I've ever met", Laura hissed.
"The pleasure is mine", she winked.
Kathleen was happy to see her friends jumping in ecstasy.
"But wait! Kathleen.......", Janice trailed off.
"I'm so happy for you guys. Just go and have fun. Anyways I'm not used to such things", she signed in relief. Kathleen never liked parties and balls of this kind.
"But-t that's not-t fai-r-r", Laura tried to say something but she was stopped by Kathleen.
"You were so happy a minute back Laura, to get an invitation to attend the ball. And guys don't worry, I'll be okay. All I need is, for you guys to be happy and have so much fun. So common on, let's start with the shopping", beamed Kathleen. Laura and Janice looked sad and disappointed.
Kathleen decided to shop for her friends, she thought it would be a way to enlighten their mood. She picked up the best ball gowns for Laura and Janice.
"Jay, Laura. Look I have some suggestions. Take a look", she grinned. Laura and Janice sat beside her with a pout.
"This green maxi dress will look beautiful on you Laura, what do you think?".
"I'll go with this green!", Laura chose a green A line maxi dress.
"Okay now let's put this to our cart", muttered Kathleen, working on her laptop.
"Hey, enlarge this image", Janice said pointing out the black sleeveless ball gown.
"Hey, let's go with bright colors Jay", suggested laura. Kathleen got a call from EJ. Kathleen stared at her screen wondering what would be reason behind this call.
"Guys, I've to take this", she excused herself and moved towards the other end of the room.
"Hey", she answered the call.
"Hey, Kathleen. How are you darling?", greeted Sarah over the call.
"Sarah mom, I'm fine and what about you! It's been a really long time", she beamed. She was excited to hear from Sarah. Kathleen had a special love for Sarah.
"I'm great dear, but are you fine?! I heard EJ saying he took you to the clinic. I was worried and I wanted to know if you are alright!!", affirmed Sarah.
"I have never been better, Sarah mom. Just don't listen to EJ, he is trying to exaggerate", said Kathleen rolling her eyes.
"Well, I can hear that", growled EJ making Kathleen giggle.
"Kath dear, can you meet me now? I wanted to see you so badly. I wanted to make sure if you are alright", she requested Kathleen to visit her.
"Of course, I would love to, Sarah mom", she accepted her request.
"Great! EJ will pick you up soon. I'll prepare lunch for us", she announced happily.
"But that wouldn't be necessary I can take a cab", kathleen doesn't want to trouble EJ.
"Don't be so formal dear. If you can, try to bring your friends as well. See you", she hung up. Laura and Janice were busy shopping their ball gowns.
"Jay, Laura!! Will you accompany me to a visit?", she asked unsurely.
"Where?"
"To EJ'S house. Her mom suggested to bring you guys as well", she shrugged.
"Well, some time later, Kath. You go and have fun with your boyfriend and his mom", teased Janice.
"For your kind information, he is not my boyfriend", kathleen threw a pillow at Janice's direction but she dodged.
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Stay tuned for updates ! And you are all invited to the ball as well.