Chapter 5

Saturday morning, I woke to the sunshine and surprisingly not Claire. I headed downstairs and found a note on the counter from Claire.

Gone to pick up our masks will be home shortly.

Today’s timetable is on the fridge, memorise it!

L.Y

C x

I rolled my eyes at her note and headed to the fridge; she was not kidding every hour of the day was planned out. I had a very specific shower time, hair time, makeup, getting dressed and leaving. Luckily the whole ordeal I could put off as long as possible while Claire was not around. I looked at the clock which read 8:58am, Claire’s timetable started at 9am with breakfast. I was right on track for that one. I made myself some toast and snuggled up on the sofa watching N*****x. Claire arrived back at 10:30am.

"Sheesh, what time did you leave this morning,” I smirked.

“Well, I had to pick up the final piece to the puzzle, didn’t I?”

I jumped off the sofa and ran over, reaching out for the box from her. Claire quickly turned and pulled the box away, placing it onto the breakfast bar.

“No, you do not get to see the mask until you are fully dressed, and it is ready to go on.”

I pouted at her.

Claire rushed through the day filled with excitement, it was so infectious that I was starting to look forward to the ball. On her cue I went for a shower, I loved the feeling of water rushing over my skin. Claire was sitting waiting on my bed when I returned. She put me into a chair and started on my hair and makeup. I watched the clock as she tugged and pulled my hair, time certainly felt like it was speeding up. Once she was done, I had a natural look to the makeup she applied, my hair was partially up in a loose cute bun with the rest flowing down. She clapped her hands together and proclaimed her job was done and it was over to me to get dressed. I stood staring at my dress for a few moments before staring at myself in the mirror.

I need to make the most out of the night. I thought. I will have fun. Once I was dressed, I looked in the mirror and told myself the same again. I will have fun; it will not be as bad as you think it is going to be.

With a quick smile and a deep breath, I straightened my shoulders, held my head up high and exited the room. I could hear voices as I descended the stairs, Dan was already here. I felt queasy at the thought of seeing him, but I pulled myself together and walked into the room.

“Wow.” Dan involuntarily let out.

“Leila, you look stunning, but let’s complete the look.” Claire jumped in.

Claire was already in her mask. She walked over and opened the box in front of me. Inside was a black, filigree, venetian style with rhinestone embellishment mask. It suited my dress and shoes perfectly. Clare held it out to me. I took it and held it up to my face, I wrapped the side around and passed Claire the black silk ribbon. She tied it just under my loose bun to hide the knot and let ribbon flow into my hair.

“Perfect,” she exclaimed.

I hugged her tight, “Thank you for getting me to do this.”

“Does this mean you are finally going to enjoy yourself for a change?” she laughed.

“We will see, depends how quickly you desert me once we are there,” I joked.

I tried my hardest to ignore Dan where possible, however once we were in his car there was no escaping. Claire jumped into the front meaning every time Dan looked in the rearview mirror, he looked at me as well. There was no escape.