Haru’s P.O.V.
Skeptical. Different. Weird. If I were to describe myself right now that would be it, those three words. My short black hair flowed around my face quite nicely and the make-up applied on made me look more mature. Dark purple eyes watched the mirror image through the elegantly stunning black and white mask worn on my upper face. The tall full length mirror in front of me displayed this new, thing. I was really not so sure what to see myself as, should I be pleased? I stared back at the reflection and did a 360 spin, the shadowy purple dress waved out from underneath my legs, rattling the black Celtic cross around my neck, and although it was my style of somewhat gothic, I was still unsure of wearing it. I’m not so convinced about going to this Masquerade Ball in the first place. Yep. That’s correct, ball. As in formal, dance around, la la la, fancy masquerade ball. I tried to get myself out of it but here was the conversation,
Kairi: “Oh my God, Haru! Did you get the invitation?”
Me: “To that ball? Yep.”
Kairi: “Aren’t you so excited?”
Me: “I’m not going.”
Kairi: “Oh why not?”
Me: “Just doesn’t seem like my sort of thing, you know?”
Kairi: “Right, I get it. You just don’t want to go because all the girls will be hanging all over Riku and you’ll be jealous! Or maybe you want to see Riku there and make your move but your to nervous!”
Me: “No.”
And somewhere between “Riku” and “No” I got myself stuck in this situation of going to the annual end of the summer Destiny Island’s Masquerade Ball. And no, it wasn’t for that stupid boy… well, maybe a part of me did want to go because of him… Fantastic.
I took one last glance at the girl staring back at me, ‘Whatever.’ I sighed still not satisfied, strolling down the beige carpeted stairs, waiting for the happy cheers of the other girls waiting anxiously on the edge of there seats to see me; probably the first time any one has wanted to see me so desperately. I lifted my arms in a “yay” sort of manner and asked, “I put it on, happy now?” Immediately, everyone downstairs began to marvel at the sight of me from behind the masks obscuring their visages, throwing comments at my appearance. A short, brown haired girl wearing a gold mask, which I had vaguely recognized, practically jumped on me, “Oh you look so cute! Just perfect for the ball!”
Standing from her seat Kairi brushed off her sparkling pink dress, her blue eyes flickering beneath the silver to pink masquerade, and began to compliment me, “You look so swe-” then stopped herself mid-sentence when she looked down at my shoes, “Combat boots?”
I simply exhaled noisily, “You got me out of my baggy pants and tank top just be happy I’m still standing here.” She shook her head disappointingly and laughed, “Let’s just get going everyone before Haru changes her mind again and decides not to go.”
So then we were off, piled in a limo, to my first formal ball on the islands and to be honest I still wasn’t so thrilled.
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Our party arrived, as Kairi put it, “fashionably late,” the sun was just beginning to set on the ocean casting a pink illumination on the clouds. The festivity took place on a large granite tiled patio connected to a mansion. I had recognized this place from weddings, upon other celebrations, seeing as this was an outstanding structure built to accommodate many people at once. Think of it as a county club just more elegant. As we were walking up the steps, the music of violins, pianos and such could be heard, I paused and wondered if I should just turn around, hijack the limo and get the hell out of there but something in my gut reassured me not to. For a moment, I looked forward to seeing Riku there, but then I doubted it, he wouldn’t want to be here either and if he was, he would certainly have a date. Okay, so maybe I was a little jealous. Out on the patio the live musicians still played softly under dimly lit lights, people of all ages danced with their partners or mysterious strangers, twirling around without a care. “This is so sweet.” Kairi marveled. “Yeah, if you’re into this kind of stuff, I guess.”
“Don’t be so bland! Come on, just go have fun.” She flashed me a smile, looking like a princess. “I’m gonna go find Sora and see if he wants to dance with me and if I see Riku I’ll tell him you were looking for him.”
“Kairi wait! Don’t-” My voice tried to reach her but she was gone in the crowd along with everyone else and I was left to myself.
Riku’s P.O.V.
I wasn’t so sure I wanted to do this. People ball room danced in rhythmical configuration while I meandered through them, trying not to get bumped into. Finding anyone in this room seemed impossible, as each person’s face was disguised, so unless they had noticeable clothing or hair they would be difficult to locate. I laughed to myself lightly, ‘At least Sora should be easy to find.’ Getting myself out of the middle of the dance floor, I watched for anyone I knew, and low and behold I noticed none other than Sora first. He was over on the side observing the other dancers feet, looking quite worried. As I made my way over to talk to him, I stopped; Kairi had now come across Sora and was pestering him to dance with her. Soras nodded gladly and clumsily lead their way to the floor. I was left all alone. Well of course I could be ball room dancing with any of the girls but why would I? They only wanted me for one whole reason: to show me off to all their envious friends. To be truthful it made me kind of mad. Sora is always green-eyed of how I can get a girl so easily, but maybe I’m sick of them only being physically attracted to me.
“Oh, why so glum looking, Riku?” I turned around to a tug on my long silver hair; the girl’s golden brown hair curled at the edges a bounced as she moved her head, talking. “Selphie? I didn’t know you’d be here?”
“Of course I’d be here, silly! Why wouldn’t I be? I came in the same limo as Kairi and um, ah, what’s her name again?” Selphie contemplated, “You know, that girl that you’ve liked for awhile, uh, Haru? Is that her name?” My heart jumped in my chest, “Haru is here?” Selphie’s face appeared pensive, “Yeah!” She scanned the perimeter with her intense green eyes, “But I’m not sure where she went. Haru was with Kairi before, but…”
“I saw her with Sora a few minutes ago.” Selphie paused, “Oh, she left her for Sora! Well then I think you should go look for her! She was really unsure about coming here in the first place, maybe if you could talk to her she’d come have some fun with us.” I blinked my aqua colored eyes and nodded, “Alright I guess.” Selphie flipped her animated hair, “Good luck!” The train on her yellow dress swayed behind her a she began to go hunting for more men to flirt with. “Hey, Riku, you didn’t deny that you liked her this time!” she giggled. My aloof attitude tried to cover up for what I really thought, “Yeah, yeah, whatever.” Selphie just ignored me and instead targeted a mature looking boy and decided to start a conversation with him. I was glad to hear that Haru made it though. And I had to admit it, she was the only one here I would ever consider being with.
Haru would certainly not be in here. I eliminated the ball room from the list of rooms I could think of that were not off limits from the guests or private suites. She really would want to be in a secluded area, someplace quiet where she could gather her thoughts. It was the only place where the celebration was not taking place, the garden.
Haru’s P.O.V.
The cool ocean breeze brushed gently against my face, bringing the smell of roses to my nose. The sound of music could faintly be heard as I perched on a grey marble bench, staring at the garden before me. The garden was beautiful and on the contrary to the rest of the building, the garden was small in size, but filled with flowers of every color, shape and size. I breathed out heavily; the emptiness was so lonely. Through the sliding glass doors I could see more of the party taking place; I scanned the crowd and for some reason anticipating Riku would see me. Forgetting about that I looked up to the colorful sky, watching as fluffy pasty clouds skated by.
Riku’s P.O.V
The sun created a glare on the glass that I peered through, getting a good look at Haru peacefully thinking before going to strike up a conversation. The cool metal was under my grasp pulling the sliding door open and stepping outside. Her hair wind blown, her glowing pale skin, her lean body: I took a moment to take her exquisite appearance in before making myself known.
Haru’s P.O.V
“Hey Haru, surprised to see you here.” My body tensed at the sound of his smooth voice, I could feel his strong gaze on me from behind. Slowly, I turned my body to face his all the while making sure my dress was not riding up. That would be just wonderful. My purplish-blue eyes studied the new appearance he had gained from when he was gone: he had grown taller, now surpassing myself by many inches, his silver hair had gotten longer, his face was physically more mature, his body was perfectly— realizing the blush creeping on my face, I stopped myself there. ‘What the hell am I thinking anyways? Riku is the closest friend I have… I can’t actually… no way!’ I grunted to myself, why am I even thinking this? Riku walked over to the bench, I watched his aqua eyes avert from the tiled ground to my own eyes. That was one thing I loved about Riku, I had known him since I was little and the one thing that never changed about him was his curious eyes. Riku took a seat, “Kairi actually convinced you to come?”
“Yeah, well, I don’t want to be here, I only came here for one thing…” My voice was mumble-y and not clear, I doubted he heard that comment. Only when he smirked deviously did I realize he knew what I said, “Don’t give me that dumb smirk, what?” I tried to pass it off like I said nothing but he knew otherwise. “And what exactly would that one thing be, beautiful?”
“Call me that again and just see what happens.”
Riku shifted positions; he was dangerously close to my body, so close Riku’s forehead leaned on mine and I experienced his warm breath tingling my lips. He slid off my mask delicately as I did his. “Come on, I know exactly what you want.” His tone of voice felt seductive while when he talked his subtle lips brushed on my ear causing a shiver of ecstasy to carry through out. He lightly nibbled on the lobe of my ear; his tongue was soon relevant on my ear as well, licking the outer. “Tell me what you want.” My teeth clenched my bottom lip as I tried to hold back a moan, but all efforts failed as his touch traced down to my neck, feeling around for my weak spot. Upon discovering it I let out a small hiss, attempting to make it not so noticeable, but he knew. Riku kissed upon it until I moaned ever so lightly. “Say what you want.” He collided his lips to my skin again and began sucking, until I gave in, groaning I pleaded, “I want you… I love you…” This pleased him greatly to hear this and the heat of his smile radiated me as he dragged his mouth up to mine, for the first time our lips touched. Riku slid his hands on my back and rubbed up and down while I wrapped my arms around his neck; taking fists full’s of his gorgeous tresses, running them through my long fingers. His tongue glided across my lips, beseeching entrance. I grinned, refusing entrance by keeping my lips pursed. No one could just get what they wanted from me so easily, not even him. Even Riku smiled from under the kiss, his hand went from my back to under the dress and on my inner thigh in a matter of seconds, making me arch my back from the feel and gasp. ‘Damn easy-accessible dresses.’ He took that opportunity and slid his tongue in, exploring my mouth thoroughly as I did his.
The music still played strong in the building as we finished, breaking for air, and everyone was too preoccupied to have noticed us. I looked back inside at the dancers then back at Riku, neither one of us wanted to go back in there.
“So,” he laughed lightly, “wanna get the hell out of here and come back to my place?”
“Hm, you or ball room dancing? Which one do I choose?” Riku picked me up bridal-style with ease, “The answer better be me.”
