~Emily’s POV~
The dress was a black floor length ball gown, with a side slit that had deep red fabric spilling forward from it. It also had a short train on the back that gave me an excuse to wear ridiculously high stilettos. Normally I’m not a high heels girl, but there’s something about adding half a foot to my height that I just can’t resist. I chose a black pair of heels with spikes around the bottom edges of them that matched the chrome color of my new butterfly shaped mask. Mom chose my mask; it was nearly weightless and it had two blood red rubies on the wing tip of each of the eyes, it was love at first sight.

With my hair and makeup done I still felt like the focal point of my ensemble should have been the mask. Having the mask covering the top half of my face made me feel mysterious. I wondered if Ashley felt the same.

I snapped him a head shot with my mask and makeup done and he sent a selfie of his red Iron Man masquerade mask, his deep brown eyes took on an alluring crimson tone from the guyliner. He was holding an Iron Man pocket watch with a glowing neon blue sphere in the center of it. I grinned at the thought of his inner personality compared to Tony Stark’s, I didn’t doubt he’d own an empire someday.

Mom took a bunch of pictures before letting me get into the car. When she went into selfie mode dad invited her along to drive me to the masquerade ball. The outside of the hall tremendously contrasted the other buildings in the area. The building had a two story sand colored brick exterior with two long black staircases leading up to the arched top double doors. Dad lined the car up behind a stretched white limousine underneath the coach-gate entrance at the side of the building. “We’ve arrived milady.” He said as though I were royalty.

“Bye guys.” I said nervously, focusing my attention on a man in a tuxedo as he linked arms with a lady in a purple gown and joined the lineup to enter the building.

“Have fun!” Mom chimed.

“But not too much.” Dad added.

I opened the car door and set my stiletto on the pavement, clutching my invite to my chest and looking around desperately for anybody I might know. I took a deep breath and a footstep, another deep breath, then looked around frantically. I didn’t see Iron Man Ashley or Josie the peacock anywhere. With my eyes on the ground shyly I made my way toward the door.

I was relieved when I stepped inside the first set of doors and saw Josie standing at a wooden podium, stamping an invite and saying the words, “Have an enchanted evening.” To a tall couple that looked like they stepped straight out of a classic vampire movie. My eyes widened, everybody was lined up in pairs and I stood alone. Was I supposed to meet Ashley before entering the building?

“Emily! Wow you look different.” Josie called out, stamping my invite. I felt at ease for a brief moment. “Ashley’s here.” She tensed her face up. “With his girlfriend Lauren.”

“What?” I looked around in panic again, did that mean I wasn’t allowed in? My parents will kill me if I ask for a ride home after walking in the door. I glanced at the large wooden doorway and two stern men in black tuxedos with gold masks standing in front of it

“The drinks are free, I’ve had 2 martinis.” Josie whispered through a smile then winked. “Have an enchanted evening!” She chimed dismissively.

I walked away about to tuck my invite into my clutch when I realized that I’d left it in the car. I looked back at the entrance wondering how long I could live without my phone in a place where I knew nobody. I decided to get a drink when the two doormen opened the giant wooden double doors, suddenly I felt like I was about to step into another world.

The wall furthest away from the doorway had a giant cascading waterfall illuminated faintly by green, purple, and yellow lighting and was the first thing I saw when I stepped into the ball room. It had to be at least twenty feet high and would have been deafening if not for the glossy layer of glass in front of it that caught occasional odd splatters of water. The room had a huge dance floor, an impossibly high domed ceiling, and long stained glass windows. Various colored masks covered the wall sconces around the room. Black and gold satin voile drapes hung from floor to ceiling around various pillars in the room.

There were tables covered in black table cloths with gold, purple, and green runners adding a splash of accent to each table. Besides the waterfall the biggest focal point of the room were the giant balloons with spiral gold and black ribbons hanging down a few feet from each balloon. It made it look like twists of streamer were floating freely around the room.

A black makeshift stage had been setup in front of the waterfall with a semi-circle of musicians in chairs looking at music stands and making small talk. I saw Iron Man with his bass violin and looked around for his date stealing girlfriend.

“Emily.” A deep voice said from the distance. “So glad you could make it.” Jake made his way toward me, wearing a blue tuxedo and a captain America mask with a bright red and white striped bow tie.

“Jake.” I said happily, hugging him as though we were long lost friends. “You look magnificent!” I exclaimed. Magnificent, did I really just say that?

He chuckled. “As do you.” He took my black lace glove covered hand in his and kissed the top of my hand. I giggled and felt my face blushing. “Sorry about your date.” He added.

“I’m not really sure what to do now.” I looked around the room at the numbered rows of tables lining the edge of the dance floor. Nobody was dancing, classical music was playing softly.

“Well it’s the cocktail hour, I’d start with that.” He said officially. “You can always come find me if you feel too out of place.” He nodded to someone behind me. “Dean Ferguson, how are you?” He said and with that he was off.

I stepped closer to find that the Dean of Students was the guy from the tall vampire couple that walked in ahead of me. “I can’t find your drummer anywhere.” The man said. His date walked away without a word.

“Brilliant!” Jake shrugged and made his way toward the stage. One of the violin players struck a high pitched tone and two others joined in.

I felt like somebody was looking at me and turned to see Dean Ferguson’s teal tinged eyes looking blankly at me. “Good evening Dean Ferguson.” My hands grasped the hips of my dress and I curtsied for some reason.

He took my hand in his and kissed the top as Jake had. “And you are?”

“Emily.” I answered quickly as though I were making my own name up.

“Join us for a drink?” He asked.

I tried to make up a quick answer. “Absolutely.” Was all I could come up with. Smooth one, Em.

He smiled and held out his elbow slightly. Was I supposed to take his arm? Wouldn’t his date get angry? I awkwardly slipped my elbow through the crook of his arm and he clasped it strongly to his side. “Jake’s a good friend of mine.” He said quietly. Even with a hushed voice, every word he said seemed to hold an air of importance. We unlinked arms at the bar. I ran my hand along the polished granite surface, looking at the array of bottles and trying to read anything. I didn’t know what was appropriate to order but I wasn’t about to dive into martini land either.

“Good evening Madam, what will you have?” The tall man dressed like The Riddler asked from behind the bar.

“I believe it’s a Hennessey on the rocks evening.” I said with all seriousness. Where did that come from?

“Excellent!” Dean Ferguson tapped his index finger on the bar. “I’ll have the same.” He nodded approval toward me, turning to face me and slipping a hand underneath his suit jacket. A flashy gold pocket watch chain sparkled from his vest pocket.

When the smell of what I’d ordered hit me I tried to pretend I’d drank it before. I tried to brace my taste buds for what it would taste like, it didn’t smell enticing.*

“To health and happiness!” Dean Ferguson raised his glass and clinked it against mine. He took a drink like the taste didn’t bother him, how bad could it be?

When the first sip of Henney hit my tongue I forced my eyes not to shut from the awful stinging taste. “Mmm.” I forced my eyes wide open, feigning a smile.

Dean Ferguson smiled widely. “It’s definitely not for the faint of heart.” He tapped his finger on the bar twice and two more drinks appeared. “Another?”

I couldn’t say no so I looked desperately in Jake’s direction. My eyes seemed to lose focus slightly and I was less aware of the amount of effort it took to stabilize my body weight in 6 inch stilettos. I smiled despite myself.

“Oh my word.” The dean’s date said sharply, appearing suddenly and leaning into the bar behind him. “You’ve found a Henney partner.”

He took a swift drink and raised his glass toward me. “Emily.” He said. “She’s an aspiring psychologist.”

How did he know that? “Pleased to meet you.” His date said and smirked.

“Join us!” He demanded cheerily.

“I’m trying to solve the drummer crisis.” She said in a hushed tone.

“Nonsense, send Jake our way.” He took a long drink and finished his glass before I managed to convince myself through the second sip of the second glass.

She smiled warmly at me, “I don’t know how you drink that stuff.” She looked at him. “Perhaps you’ve found someone to help you diminish your collection with?” She winked at me, squeezed his shoulder and walked away.

He tapped his finger on the bar and started a third round, setting a glass out next to him with a mischievous grin. “We’re going to turn others.” He stood up tall and pressed his shoulders back as Jake approached the bar.

“You’re just in time!” He put an arm around Jake’s shoulder. “Join us!”

I maintained a serious look until Jake slammed an entire glass back in one shot and shook his head. “What the hell did I just drink?” He slammed the glass down on the bar, the Riddler glared at him.

“Rye.” The dean turned his head and grinned mischievously.

“That’s got quite a kick to it.” Jake cleared his throat.

“Does it?” Dean Ferguson swirled his glass around and stared blankly at the ceiling as he took a long sip.

Jake looked at me and made a wide eyed tense face. “I find it quite subtle.” I bragged.

“Emily seems to appreciate a fine drink.” The dean said matter-of-factly. “She’s on her third round.”

“Second.” I corrected.

He tapped his finger on the bar and another glass appeared. “Third.” He repeated. The man took cocktail hour to a new level. I knocked the glass back with the bravado of a soldier.

“That’s the spirit!” He cheered.

Jake stared in shock. I felt proud. Josie approached us hurriedly, “Excuse me, Mr. Ferguson.” She said with urgency.

“Yes Josie.” He lowered his voice.

“The drummer for the band has arrived without an invite, and he has a guest.” She said.

“Nonsense!” The dean waved his hand toward the door as though sending it away. “Send Ashley. This is his mess.”

I noticed him tapping his finger on the bar twice and I looked at Josie with excitement. “Yes sir.” She said, turning to leave.

“Josie.” He turned toward her as though he were about to ask a question. “Join us for a round.” He flashed a grin that only I saw. In that moment he became my mischievous vampire hero.

Jake tried to step away, waving Ashley toward us.
“It’s so smooth, Jake was about to go for seconds.” He added as though astonished.

Jake clenched and unclenched his jaw. “Totally.” He said, raising his empty glass toward Josie.

“Um, okay.” She hesitantly took the glass, flashing me a questioning glance.

I shook my head to acknowledge that she was definitely going to have to drink it, and pretend to like it to impress the dean. “I recommend dowsing your palette slowly with the smoothness.” I advised.

The dean chuckled and was the first to clink his glass against each of ours. “To…” He began to say.

“Health and happiness!” Jake and I finished his sentence.

Josie took a small sip, trying quickly to mask her disgust. “Oh boy.” She choked. “That sure is smooth.” She glared at me.

I smiled. “It’s definitely not for the faint of heart.” I shook my head. Jake burst out laughing but stopped himself quickly.

Ashley cautiously approached the four of us at the bar.

“Join us.” Jake said quietly, tilting his head to the side.

“Is that Henney?” Ashley asked, downing a fresh glass and shaking his head.

“Splendid!” The dean turned toward the bar, about to tap his fingers and order more drinks again.

“We have a situation at the door.” Jake reminded urgently.

“I suppose four rounds are adequate.” Dean Ferguson shook his head. “To the door!” He added.

Josie grabbed my arm as the guys walked ahead of us. “Did you just get him drunk?” She said as though it were hot gossip worthy.

“That guy is fantastic.” I said quietly.

The dean smirked and turned back toward me, mouthing the words, ‘We’re going to turn others.’

I burst out laughing and Josie looked at me. “What did he say?” She asked.

The dean pushed the wooden double doors open and surveyed the lineup as Josie resumed her place at the podium. “Dean Ferguson will see you, if you would kindly step aside.” She said, mildly annoyed. Two guys from front the front of the lineup stepped aside.

The dean lead both guys away from the lineup and Josie continued stamping invites.

“You’re not the drummer.” The dean said quietly to the guys. “Come on boys, what are you trying to do here?”

Ashley sighed and looked at me. “We need a drummer.” He shrugged.

“Where are your drumsticks?” The dean folded his arms.

“I. Uh.” The shorter of the two asked.

“We just wanted to make some business contacts.” The taller of the two said.

The dean chuckled deeply and turned to Jake. “I can’t blame you for trying.” He looked at Josie. “How many is this now?”

“Sixteen drummers.” She tapped her quill pen against the guest book and motioned for the next person to step forward with their invite.

“I trust you’ll see yourselves out.” The dean said gruffly.

“Yes sir.” They answered in unison, turning to leave the building while everyone in the lineup glared at them. I started looking at everybody's outfits, admiring the elaborate gowns until I noticed the eyes of a tall batman in line darting around the room uneasily. I stared at his blue eyes, “Andy?” I said out loud.

He raised his hand and I thought I noticed the silver loop of a lip ring before his hand covered his mouth. He averted his gaze to the floor and bowed his head.

“I told you.” The guy standing next to him said, putting his hands on his hips impatiently, revealing drumsticks in his pocket.

“Chris?” I said, tilting my head to the side.

“How much have you had to drink?” Ashley whispered, standing next to me.

“Three shots.” I said, looking at the ground as a flush of heat hit my cheeks and I felt my knees weaken. I know those are Andy's eyes, you can't forget those eyes once they've pierced you.

“Those were triple shots.” Ashley whispered, linking his arm in mine. “You need to sit down before you fall down.” He waved Jake toward us.

“You don’t look so good.” Jake said, linking his arm through my other arm. He and Ashley lead me inside.

“Get her some water.” Jake said to Ashley.

“That looked like Andy.” I said to myself.

“Water will make it worse.” Ashley sighed. “Let’s bring her to the smoker’s balcony and bring her a strong coffee.” The guys had to practically hold me up by the elbows as we walked through the ballroom to the balcony doors.

“I hate coffee.” I protested. Am I drunk? I couldn’t stop thinking of Andy.

When the cool night air hit my face I started to feel like I was coming back down to Earth again. Jake held me up strongly by the waist as we stood outside. Without him steadying me, I probably would've fainted.

“I’ll get you a coffee.” Ashley announced and went back inside.

I looked up at Jake. He smiled down at me. “You can’t be that drunk if you can still walk in those things.” He pointed to my shoes.

I rested my chin on my hand, took deep breaths and looked at the clouds. If I had my phone I’d text Andy right now and tell him I love him.

There was a slight part in the clouds that showed one single bright star. I stared at the star, wishing, thinking I’d give anything for Andy to be here.

Notes

*Some day I'll actually try Hennessy and write about what it smells like lol