Past Midnight
Page 18
She walked off, leaving me to wonder what, exactly, had happened to her to make her feel burned. She hadn’t spoken to me since that day, and I hadn’t tried to speak to her. Whatever was going on with Bliss, it was hers to deal with it.
Avery and I were doing a final examination of our makeup when the doorbell rang. I hurried to find my mask, which I’d finished that morning. I knew most of the girls were masquerading as black cats or sequined devils, and I wanted to be different. I had taken a simple white mask and painted it silver, then decorated the edges with rhinestones. I helped Avery fasten on hers, which was covered with small purple feathers, and she helped me on with mine. Then we went downstairs.
Noah looked amazing. He was dressed in a white tux, and I felt my stomach flutter as I caught a glimpse of his green eyes behind his white mask. As Avery and I descended the stairs, my mom and Trisha took pictures. Noah smiled and handed each of us a rosebud corsage. “Great masks,” he said. He tried to help me pin mine on, but he kept fumbling, so I did it for him. Avery pinned on her own corsage. After posing for another hundred pictures, the three of us were ready to leave. Avery and I linked arms with Noah and headed out to the driveway. My parents had finally agreed to let me drive their BMW but had been clear that it was just for one night. Avery climbed in the back while Noah took the passenger seat.
“If I didn’t mention it before, you look incredible,” he said.
“Thanks,” I replied. “So do you.”
“The little crown thing is cool, too.”
I thought about why I had chosen my costume. It was ironic, really, that I was using a mask to reveal who I really was.
“It’s an important part of the outfit,” I said as I put the car in Reverse.
“A princess?” Noah asked.
“I’m not just a regular princess,” I told them. “I’m a paranormal princess.”
“What’s the difference?” Avery wanted to know.
I smiled as I drove away from the neighborhood with my two best friends and turned toward Main Street. It felt as if I was headed toward something more than just a normal Homecoming dance. It felt as though I was moving toward a whole new beginning.
“The difference is that I’m not normal,” I said. “And I really, really like it that way.”
ISBN: 978-1-4268-6563-3
PAST MIDNIGHT
Copyright © 2010 by Mara Purnhagen
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