The thing I love about this year is how it brings people together. The Christmas movies of people helping each other would always make my chestachein the best way. It’s beautiful, when people show other people kindness. Sure, kindness happens all year round, but when I was little, I noticed it first during this time. People would donate their time to soup kitchens, or supply toys for kids. My parents would adopt other families and help them with Christmas. I loved that feeling.
I’ve held onto that feeling and have always associated it with Christmas.
With a steadying breath, I walk through the parking lot towards the entrance to this recreational hall. It looks like any other I’ve seen before but as soon as the doors open, I’m hit with a wave of peppermint and warm air. The outside is perfectly ordinary but inside these doors, it’s anything but.
Despite this only being the entrance, already I’m completely transported into a beautiful winter wonderland. There are lights all across the ceiling, dangling down like icicles. There’s fake snow all over and light up fireflies decorating the walls. There’s a little peppermint sign, showing which way the ballroom is.
I look around, a grin across my face. It’s beautiful and I’m more and more sure of my decision to come here tonight.
“Welcome,” someone says, drawing my attention to the table in front of me.
“Hello,” I say, doing my best to sound sure despite the nerves suddenly nipping at my belly.
“Do you have your invitation, young man?” The woman in front of me is dressed in a gorgeous purple gown covered in frills and lace. It poofs out around her middle and goes all the way to the floor. She has sparkling makeup around her eyes that I can just barely make out past her intricate mask. She has bright pink pixie hair and there’s something so incredibly fairy about her.
“Of course,” I say, taking the invitation out of my inside coat pocket and presenting it to her. She grins.
“Wonderful. Now, just one more thing,” she murmurs, almost more to herself than to me. She waves her hand over the invite and it lights up. I watch in wonder as it sparkles so brightly it starts to hurt my eyes before it burns up. The ashes turn to glitter, swaying in the air.
I’m about to ask what the hell is going on but just then, the sparkles surge towards me. No, towards mymask. My mask seems to embrace the sparkles, disappearing all together.
“What the hell was that?”
“Just a little magic,” the pixie-like woman says. That’s when I notice the little name plate on the table. Bex. “That’ll help keep the night running smoothly. Some of your anxiety will fade away, allowing you to enjoy your night. You won’t have to worry about anyone trying to sneak a peek under your mask either. So long as you wish to stay anonymous, so it will be. Finally, it’ll keep you from overindulging. A night like tonight is one you’ll want to remember.”
“Umm… okay?”
“Now, why don’t you head inside and enjoy yourself, Duncan. And don’t forget the most important part of the night; Keep an open heart.”
I walk past the table, deeper into the recreational hall. My head is spinning and I have no idea what any of that was, only that she’s not wrong, I do feel less anxious now that her spell has been cast. I’m also relieved that no one will be able to recognize me. There’s always this worry at the back of my mind that people only like me because of my last name. Now, I don’t have to stress about that. If I meet someone here, they’ll be meetingDuncan.
The path leads me to another set of doors that I gingerly walk through. Once again, I’m stunned by the beauty of this place. To the right, there are rows of tables set up where people can sit and eat or just chat. All the way across the room is a full bar. To the left is an open area for dancing. Right now, a trio of stringed musicians play but I see they also have a DJ stand, probably for later in the night.
The air smells delightful, like Christmas spirit has somehow become a scent. There are already people here, mingling and getting to know each other. Everyone is dressed to impress and I’m glad I decided to get this new suit. In addition to their dress clothes, everyone is wearing some sort of mask. I try to focus on one woman in particular and realize I can’t reallyseeher face.Or rather, I can, but maybe I just can’t properly perceive her. It’s strange but in an exciting way.
I put my hands in my pockets and then take them back out. Shit. What am I supposed to do with my hands? What am I supposed to do now that I’m here? Should I walk around? Should I join someone at a table? Should I go get a drink?
Not wanting to seem like a weirdo just standing around, I walk in the direction of the bar. A woman in a black gown nods at me, giving me a little smile. I nod back. Then I catch the eye of a gentleman talking with two other people. He looks me up and down.
Okay, this is helping. This is helping a lot. I’m hot in my new suit. No one knows who I am. We’re all here to enjoy this ball and meet each other. This is fine. Totally fine!
With a little bit more confidence, my steps become just a little bit more sure. The bartender, a handsome man wearing a white shirt and black suspenders, gives me a wide smile.
“What can I make for you?”
“Can I have a Dirty Shirley, please?”
“Coming right up,” he says, getting to work on making my drink.There’s a little menu showing some of the more festive drinks that they can make including some frozen drinks that require a blender. Wow, they really went all out for this thing.
There’s also a jar for tips. I pull out a hundred, sliding it in, hoping no one around saw me. I don’t tip for attention, I just think they deserve the money for all the hard work they’re putting into working this event.
“There you are,” he says, sliding my drink over.
“Thank you so much.”
He nods before walking down the bar, greeting someone else. I pick up my drink and turn back towards the party, letting out anoomphas I collide with someone’s chest.
“Fuck,” the guy says as my drink splashes all over his front.
