Masks and Dangerous Strangers
736 Words
The car ride to the party felt really weird.
Ava sat in the seat wearing Emilys borrowed dress. She kept touching the fabric feeling a little nervous. The dress was beautiful. It was not something Ava would normally wear. Every time she moved she felt like she was pretending to be someone
Outside the car window the city was moving fast. There were cars and tall buildings. Ava saw people who looked like they had a lot of money and did not have to worry about things like hospital bills or rent.
"Stop thinking much " Emily said, looking at Ava in the mirror.
"I am not thinking much " Ava said quietly.
"You look like you are upset with your dress " Emily said.
Ava took a breath. "I just do not understand why I am here."
Emily smiled. "Because for one night you get to be in a place."
Ava did not say anything.
She did not trust things.
The car stopped.
Then Ava saw it.
The King Tower was really big and shiny. It looked like it was made of glass and power. There were a lot of people wearing fancy clothes.
Avas breath caught.
"This is crazy " she whispered.
"Welcome to the world of people " Emily said.
Ava shook her head. "This is not my world."
"Not yet " Emily said.
The driver opened the door.
Ava got out of the car feeling the air.
She felt different like she did not belong.
There were security guards at the door checking invitations. Ava felt a little scared.
Emily noticed.
"Hey " she said.
Ava looked at her.
Emily said, "One night remember?"
Ava nodded.
Went inside.
---
The party room was really big.
It was like a lake with lights shining everywhere. People were. Laughing. There were masks gold, silver and black.
Ava stood still for a moment.
"This is too much " she said.
Emily smiled. "You will be okay."
Ava did not feel okay.
She felt like she did not belong.
Then a voice announced something.
The lights. A man said, "Welcome to the King Foundation Party."
Ava felt a little scared.
The name King sounded important.
Emily whispered, "Do not look nervous."
Ava said, "I am nervous."
then a group of men came into the room.
Everyone started talking looking at them with respect and fear.
Ava saw one man strong.
He wore a mask but she could tell he was important.
"Who is that?" Ava asked.
Emily looked.
"Oh " she said.
"Who is he?" Ava asked again.
Emily said, "Avoid him."
Ava did not understand.
"Why?" she asked.
Emily just said, "It is safer that way."
Ava looked again. The man was gone.
---
Later the music got softer.
People started talking and laughing again.
Ava went to the balcony needing some air.
The city looked beautiful shining in the night.
For a moment she felt okay.
She could pretend that she was not struggling.
Then a voice said, "You look like you are thinking too loudly."
Ava turned, seeing a man in a suit and mask.
It was the man she had seen earlier.
"My thoughts are not that loud " Ava said.
The man smiled a little.
"They are when they weigh heavily " he said.
Ava looked at him feeling a little curious.
He seemed not arrogant or loud just controlled.
"You should not be here alone " he said.
Ava raised an eyebrow.
"Is that a warning?"
The man said, "It depends on what you're running from."
Ava said, "I am not running."
The man looked at her like he did not believe her.
He did not argue.
They stood there for a moment in silence.
It was a little uncomfortable. Also kind of nice.
Ava looked away back at the city.
"Do you always talk like that to strangers?" she asked.
The man said, " to those who look like they are about to disappear."
Ava felt a little surprised.
He had described how she felt.
Before she could say anything a voice announced that it was time to go inside.
Ava said, "I should go."
The man said, "Yes."
They did not move right away.
There was something between them something unspoken.
Then Ava walked away back, into the crowd.
She felt like the man was still watching her.
That felt kind of scary, but also kind of exciting.
- Writer
