But for one night, I could just be a woman behind a mask.
“Come on, please. Pretty please.” Her eyes shine at the prospect.
That’s her superpower: glancing at you with her entire heart reflected in her eyes. It’s impossible to deny her.
“Fine,” I say, shaking my head. “I can’t believe I’m doing this.”
She jumps off her bed, squealing, and undulates her hips to music only she hears. Arms pumping in the air, she sprints to her closet. Two new dresses hang, implying she already knew I wouldn’t refuse her.
She giggles. “Good that I’m a planner.”
Yanking the dresses out, she thrusts one into my arms. I gasp at the V-neck, sleeveless black dress with elegant waves of tulle flowing down and a revealing slit. Attached to it is a delicate black mask.
I hug the dress to my body, imagining wearing it. I am experiencing my own personal Cinderella moment, aware that the clock will strike, and I must return to my bleak existence. The risky behavior prickles my nerve endings, making me waver.
I am not letting that thought nag at me. One night is not much to ask,I remind myself, fortifying my decision.
Turning, I see she’s already changed into a green satin gown with a heart-shaped neckline and a slit that reaches her thigh, enhancing her feminine features.
“How will we get there?” I sigh, the things that could go wrong causing chaos in my brain while I yearn for this moment of freedom so badly.
She waves me off, pulling her hair into a low updo to conceal her fiery mane. “Don’t worry. I’ve done this for so long…”
Yes, living a lie. Hiding her true identity. I don’t know who she really is. We share a tacit understanding not to pry. What matters is that we have each other.
“Will he be there?” I ask, even though I already know the answer.
A bright smile lights up her face. “I’m curious how long it will take for him to recognize me,” she sighs dreamily.
“To living life to the fullest until we can’t.”
“That’s the spirit.”
Lathering my skin in lotion, the scent of peonies permeates my skin. I shimmy into the dress that hugs my body as if it were made for me.
I pull my long dark hair into an elegant ponytail and while sitting at my vanity, I go bold with multiple coats of black mascara, then dab my lips with a cherry red lipstick, needing the mental fortitude. Nothing like a red lip to boost my confidence, and in this dress, I feel like I could conquer the world.
After we finish primping, we stare at our reflections in the mirror attached to the door. We look like us, yet different. The women staring back are not confined by rules, forced to hide in the shadows and never call attention. Wescreamattention. The feeling is so potent, I drag in a lungful of air, the rush of power exhilarating—dizzying me.
We don the masks, hiding our features well. No one will recognize me.
You have one night.Don’t blow your chance to live a bit before all your choices are taken away from you.
Elbows looped together, we sneak out the emergency exit where a car and driver waits for us.
The moment the door closes behind me, my heart pounds a frantic beat. A wave of nausea threatens to subdue me, and I grip the handle to anchor myself. Two opposing thoughts wage war, turning me into their collateral victim—stay or leave.
I glance out the window, staring at the back of the dorm. I still have time to turn back. Forget this whole adventure.
One second. Two seconds. Three seconds pass as I struggle with indecision.
I inhale a long breath to gather myself and unclasp my fingers, giving the okay—obvious proof that I’ve lost my mind.
As the car drives away, my nerves settle, coming to terms with my decision. Too late for second thoughts.
Evie palms my hand and gives it a little squeeze. “Tonight will be magic. You’ll see.”
God, I hope so. I am risking more than my reputation here.
