• ~*~Midnight Masquerade~*~


    I look in the mirror sitting atop my vanity. The person looking back at me doesn't look familiar. The eyes seem too alive for what I'm feeling inside. There's too much shimmer in my emerald green eyes. Hopefully it passes as joy instead of sadness. I smile half heartedly at my reflection, noticing the small indentions on my cheeks. The small maid, Rosalie, comes up behind me and places her hands on my shoulders. She's not really a maid, more of my friend. My one and only friend. She knows what I'm going through. I smile at her through the mirror, keeping the tears threatening to spill in check.

    "Today's the day." Rosalie says, trying to put on a smile. I stare at her, not wanting to think about what I'm about to do. I fidget with the small elephant statue sitting on my vanity, staring at the beautiful figurine. I'm trying to keep my mind off of what I have to do, but I'm unsuccessfull. I think of what my mother and father will do if they ever found out I was in love with someone below my ranks. I let out a strangled laugh that comes out as more of a sob. If they ever found out, which hopefully they won't, they'd send me to my terrible aunt's house. A smile tugs at the edges of my lips at the thought of living with her.

    Rosalie looks at me curiously from guarded hazel eyes and I look up to meet hers in my mirror. I hadn't realized that I was crying until she'd spun me around and whiped them away with a swipe of her gracefull hand.

    "Everything's going to be fine Faye. He's not supposed to be coming to the ball anyways." she said, trying to lighten the mood. Instead of making it lighter, it brought it down heavy on my heart. Rosalie immediatly realized her mistake and ran to my bed, coming back with her hands behind her back. "Are you ready?" she asked, slitting her eyes and taking on a serious tone, but a small smile escaped as she held up my corset. I tried to bring a smile to my face that read joy in my eyes, but all I could manage was a grimace. She quickly pulled me from my perch on the bench and drug my to the changing screen.

    I followed reluctantly, looking back at the small elephant figurine. She pulled me behind the small bamboo screen and draped the corset over the top. I glared at the dreaded peice of clothing. Rosalie started to undo the buttons running up the back of my morning gown. Her hands were swift and gracefull as the buttons pulled away. The sleeves slowly drooped off of my shoulders and she unbuttoned the last of the silver buttons. The blue satin dress fell to the floor around my feet in a heap. I stepped out from it and kicked it aside. Rosalie glared at my playfully and tossed it over the top of the screen.

    She pulled away the corset and placed it around my torso. I shivered involuntarily and closed my eyes, sucking in my breath. I could feel the first tug of many as the lace slowly squeezed the breath out of me. I let my mind drift, taking my attention away from my discomfort. Tyler's face quickly took a hold of my minds eye and I can't help but smile. His light blonde hair falling over his emerald green eyes, almost identical to mine. His full lips and perfectly centered nose on a beautifully white face. Everything about him seemed perfect and it made me excited. I can remember the day I first met him like it was yesterday.

    My parents, the King and Queen, needed me to go to the market to fetch them some fine jewels from the traveling salesman. I dreaded going to the market as I would have to pass through all the poverty that their kingdom held. I walked through the muddy streets disquised as one of them. Rosalie had said it would be smartest as some of the men there didn't like my mother and father. I hid beneath my scarf as an older man walked up to me carrying a fish. "FISH!!! FRESH FISH!!" he yelled, waving the brightly colored fish in my face. It smelled old and rotten and I quickly shook my head and walked away.

    The streets were filthy and little children ran infront of me, splashing mud along the hem of my dress hidden beneath my rags. I passed stalls and stalls of fruits and vegetables, searching for the right one. I almost passed it as it was hidden behind a fenced in herd of sheep. I smiled at the man sitting among them and walked gracefully towards the merchant. I looked around for the owner but couldn't see anyone. I turned to leave, when someone touched my arm. I turned around swiftly, my bag grasped tightly in my hand. My face must have looked frightened because he immediately apologized. "Oh, It's quit all right." I replied, looking at the young man that stood before me. He smiled easily and held out his hand.

    "My name's Tyler." he said politely. I took his hand and welcomed the warmth from it. What I didn't welcome was the small jolt of electricity that flowed between us. It was like nothing I'd ever experienced before and it scared me slightly.

    "I'm Faye." I said shyly. "I was sent here to gather some jewels for my parents." I said, leaning in closer to look at the array behind the small wooden counter. Green emeralds and blood red rubies stood out among the odd and ends of eggats and other gems I could not name. I watched as he dug through a small box, looking for my package. I could see his back and arm muscles and I looked away embarrased. He turned towards me then, my blush still visible against the whiteness of my skin.

    "Here's your package miss." Tyler said politely, setting it on the counter. He looked at me then, his eyes the same shade as mine.

    "How do you know that's for me?" I asked, confused on his confidence and certainty.

    He smiled at my comment and raised his eyebrows. His eyes went up and down my body, leaving me blushing again. "I could tell that your not one of us." he said simply, pushing aside a small lock of fiery red hair that had escaped from my hood. I blushed even more, leading him to apologize once more.

    "Well, I best be on my way. I wouldn't want to keep my parent's waiting." I said with a smile. I reached for the small black bag and wrapped my hand around it. He laid his hand over mine, sending jolts of electricity up my arm.

    "Wait." he said, letting his hand drop. "I want you to have this." he said, reaching behind him and holding up the small elephant figurine. "The emeralds remind me of your eyes." he said, grabbing my other hand and placing the small elephant in it. I smiled at him.

    "Thank you." I said sincerely. "I shall keep it with me forever." I grabbed my bag and the small black one and turned to leave only to feel his hand on my shoulder.

    "Will I see you again?" he asked simply, his eyes curious.

    "You just might." I said simply and gave him my best smile, leaving him to blush this times, but only slightly. I turned and walked from his stall, feeling his eyes on me the whole time.

    I didn't lie when I said that I might see him again. I found odd things to do in the market, doing chores the maids usually did. They looked at me funny whenever I volunteered, but I didn't care. All I could think about was seeing Tyler again.

    To be continued.....