Page 19 of Dare To Fall

I scan the masked faces, searching for the person I need. Music is playing, and couples are already on the dance floor swaying to the song. There’s a group of students walking toward me, and my heart sinks when I realize who they are. The three girls are clothed in elegant dresses, and the boys with them are in formal wear. All of them wear masks.

“What are you doing here, freak?” Lacy snaps, her eyes flash with anger behind her red mask.

Maggie glares at me.

I raise my chin. “I-I changed my mind about coming.”

Tina steps forward and grabs my arm, her sharp nails digging painfully into my skin. “Get out.” She starts to drag me toward the door.

“Mr. Drake is coming,” Linda warns.

Everyone looks in his direction, and after a moment’s hesitation, Tina lets me go and walks away.

“You’re going to regret showing up.” Lacy’s lips twist into an angry snarl.

Brad’s frown turns into a leer when she turns away.

“See you later, Gray.” Garrett smirks before following him, with Bret, Jace, Kevin, and Evan at his heels.

I don’t have time to react to his words because Mr. Drake stops beside me. I paste a smile on my lips and stay frozen in place while his gaze crawls over my dress. Eventually, his attention settles on my face.

“Problem, Miss Gray?”

I shake my head, stomach churning with disgust at the way he’s watching me. “No, sir. They just wanted to make sure I found a mask.”

He nods, smiling. “You weren’t the only one not to realize it was a masquerade ball.”

“I thought it was a students-only party.”

“Someone needs to be on hand to make sure things run smoothly, and security isn’t always up to the task. Enjoy your evening, Miss Gray.” He walks away from me, heading for another group of students.

I count back from ten in my head, take a breath and go back to searching.

Where is Eli?

My gaze roams over the room, returning to the boy with the skull face, who’s now seated and still staring at me like he’s ready to do violence. My focus darts to his friend, and something about the smile teasing at the masked boy’s lips brings recognition. It’s Kellan.

My eyes return to the boy beside him, taking in the black pants and shirt he’s wearing. I’m not used to seeing him dressed up. Usually, he’s in sweats and a hoodie or black ripped jeans.

Tonight, Eli is dressed as death.

A shiver of apprehension runs through me. Our eyes lock and hold, and like a sleepwalker, my feet start moving, taking me across the busy ballroom toward him. When I get closer, I realize he’s not wearing a mask at all, but face paint.

He looks like a monster tonight—fierce, deadly, dangerous. His jaw is tense, and his eyes are blazing. He looks ready to savage someone.

Please don’t let that someone be me.

Kellan is whispering something in his ear, but Eli continues to watch me, eyes unblinking. The intensity of his stare makes my steps falter.

He’s pretending. That’s all. He’s acting angry, so whoever is doing this to us doesn’t realize he knows.

I repeat the words to myself over and over, but it doesn’t stop a thread of wary doubt from worming its way into my thoughts.

“Good evening, Bella.” Kellan smiles when I reach them.

I ignore his words and shove my purse into his chest, still staring into Eli’s eyes. Grasping the material of my skirt on either side, I pull it up to my knees, and lift my leg so I can straddle his thighs. When I’m settled on his lap, I wrap my arms around his neck. He’s like stone under my touch, muscles stiff with tension.

I smile as I’ve been instructed and start to gyrate, moving against him awkwardly in time with the beat of the music.

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