Find Me in the Crowd
The whole school buzzed with excitement.
Masquerade Night — the first one since before the pandemic. Students were going all out: gowns, suits, glitter, masks. Rumors were flying, and people were already guessing who would kiss who before the clock struck ten.
Jay wasn't planning to go.
But then Yuki dropped a dress on her bed and said, "You're going. And you're going to make him suffer."
Jay rolled her eyes. "Why would I want to do that?"
Yuki smirked. "Because sometimes? It's fun to make a boy who's obsessed with you remember how lucky he is."
When Jay entered the ballroom, the world stopped.
She wore a deep crimson gown that hugged her like it was sewn to her skin, a black lace mask, and lips painted just dark enough to make her unreadable.
Whispers followed her.
Gasps.
Even Yuki whispered, "Holy shit, Jay. You look like you kill rich men for fun."
Jay smiled. "That's the vibe."
Across the room, Keifer nearly dropped his drink.
Even behind the mask, even through the crowd — he knew her.
That walk.
That gaze.
That "I-don't-need-anyone" aura that still somehow made him want to fall to his knees.
Ezra, one of his brothers (who'd snuck in), leaned in and muttered, "You should probably kiss your girl before someone else does."
Keifer didn't answer.
He just moved — through the music, the bodies, the haze of lights — until he reached her.
Jay was standing near the edge of the dance floor when a gloved hand reached out.
"May I have this dance?"
She looked up.
And even though he wore a dark silver mask, she knew.
"Keifer," she said softly.
His lips curved. "You recognized me?"
She took his hand. "Always."
They danced.
Slow. Close. Dangerous.
He spun her once, then pulled her in until their masks nearly touched.
"You're making it very hard not to kiss you right now," he whispered.
Jay's heart thudded. "Then don't."
He froze.
She tilted her head. "I didn't say I'd let you."
Keifer smiled. "You're evil."
"You like it."
"I do."
He led her off the floor, behind the curtain-lined balcony doors where the music faded and the stars hung above them like secrets.
Jay leaned against the railing.
Keifer stood in front of her, hands in his pockets, suddenly quieter.
"This feels like a dream," he admitted.
She turned to him. "It's not."
He stepped closer.
Close enough that their masks brushed.
Close enough to feel the pull.
Then:
"I could kiss you right now."
Jay's breath hitched. "Then do it."
He leaned in—
But the bell struck ten. Fireworks flared. The spell broke.
They pulled apart just in time for the crowd to spill onto the balcony, laughing and screaming and taking selfies.
Jay glanced at him, heart racing.
He gave her a look that said next time, nothing will stop me.
End of Chapter