Mask

Of course I had a plan in case our paths crossed, and I needed to manipulate the situation. I didn’t see him right away.

“I need you help wrangling my sister. You remember her don’t you?” I vaguely remember having to watch a girl who was just about two years younger than me. I was sixteen then. It felt like ages ago. We were almost nineteen now. I couldn’t believe how quickly time passed.

“Sure.” Just outside a girl is about to jump from the balcony into the pool. “No. No. No.” I wore a red ball gown, and red masquerade mask. Definitely not swimming attire.

“Was she invited.?” I ask.

“Boss said I could bring her.” Aaron says.

“Why?” I ask. He gives me a look.

“Just get her down.” He says.

“Why me.” He gives me another a look.

“Fine.”

“Hey Jill!” I call. “You want an autograph?”

“Hella yes!” She shouts back.

“Great then come down, but I won’t give you one if you’re sopping wet. This dress is designer.” I say adding a little stuck up-ness to my voice. I see her move inside. Easier than I thought.

“Thank you.” He says.

“Did you see that Reece Ire save that girl?” Some one asks. I’m not sure if they actually heard what I said, but I know her character well enough to know that just asking her to get down wasn’t going to be enough.

“Next time leave your adrenaline seeking sister at home. K?” I say.

“Yeah this was maybe a bad idea.” He says. I laugh. I sign her an autograph, and we head in side. We make my way over to we’re Beck, and Jude are. Indigo, and Aron’s boss aren’t far from them. It was her masquerade party. I pass a person with the Flaw Greed. Then Ambition. My Father wasn’t invited. It’s just friends. Her little sister, and brother runs past. Faces free of Flaws. Something like nostalgia stirs it me. I pass someone with the Flaw Power Hungry. Then Controlling. I stop. Aaron doesn’t notice walking towards his boss.

“Your a sight for sore eyes. At least your mask finally matched how fake you really are.” Am I misleading people? Or are people just too judge mental? Maybe. I think. Maybe we’re both in the wrong, but I can’t change them. Just me. A little separation from the bad people in my life, and some growing up did me some good. “How about I tear off that mask of yours?” Alex grabs my arm. His mask is white. I break free with one of Aaron’s moves, but cry out. I hold the side of my face. My mask is off, and my cheek is pink. It’s from the cold room, but that doesn’t matter.

“How could you slap me?” The hurt in my voice is perfect. It’s not hard to mirror something you’ve experienced. He’s dug his own grave.

“You manipulative little-“ Beck puts a hand on my shoulder. Aaron who must know I wasn’t hit looks ready to bolt over here too. I shake my head. He has to protect his boss. I can protect myself. Even Jude is struggling to get though the crowd. All eyes are on me. Alex reachers for my face. To scratch me, but mostly to smear my make up. I smack his hand away. Beck gets between us. His bravery surprises me. He’s not much bigger than I am. You could hear a pin drop. Alex just realized he messed up.

“I’m not one to interrupt a party.” I announce. “So I’m hopping my dear friend our host will forgive me. Alex is abusive. I was to scared to say anything before. The only reason it didn’t continue is because he left when he found out my Flaw wasn’t Naïveté.” Beck turns to me, shocked. Alex looks pissed. Jude looks un-surprised. Asron is grinning ear to ear. “I’m not Naïve. I’m a Manipulator. I’ve never hurt the people I care about. Not like him. I’m not a good person, but I’m not a bad person ether. I leave it for you to judge. But I’m not going to let him tell my truth for me. I was scared, my Father made me believe no one would want to be around a Flawed person. I felt like someone like Alex leaving proved that. I’ve grown though. I don’t think that anymore. And honestly. I don’t care enough to pretend anymore.” I wipe off my make-up. “I’ll show myself out.” The limo ride is silent for a long time. Everyone else is across from me.

“It was a nice speech.” Aaron says.

“Thanks.”

“You lied?” Beck says. Hurt. I flinch.

“When I was younger. I would do small little manipulations. Just to make myself look better even with you. Or to get out of trouble.”

“Everyone does that. I did that remember. To avoid confrontation. Even when it came to each other. You haven’t had to, and didn’t do that with us since we were teens. I didn’t even realize that was your real Flaw. You really thought we would leave you?”

“Yes.”

“I like you as you are.” Beck says. “Cunning, and manipulative. I thought you knew that.” I unpack everything. Aaron is no longer smiling. He, and Beck look like they could could punch someone. Ok, Aaron looks like he could punch someone.

“Oh. That’s him. Hi dad.” I answer the phone. “Yeah I’m alone.” I say in front of the group of people sitting across from me. “I understand.” I say. I hang up. “He fired me.” Even sweet Jude looks pissed now. “Oh it’s my mom.” I say surprised. “No. Mom none of this is your fault. You can’t blame yourself because you’re Naïve. I don’t blame you. It’s his own fault. Plus I kind of helped him hide it all from you. Somehow it seemed like a good idea at the time. Yeah I can’t believe he fired me too. Will I sort of can. You’re divorcing him. You get yo keep the house, and limo. Good for you. Talk to you soon. Love you too. Bye.”

“So. Alex did hurt you. Just not a the gala. We saw.” Beck says.

“Yes.” I say. “Let’s not talk about that. Are you going to keep dating me or not?”

“I love you Reece, but I feel like you’re weren’t ready to trust me yet. That’s not your fault. After you lied. We can still be friends, but I think it’s best for both of us if we take a break. See other people. Maybe we’ll get back together, maybe not.” I nod.

“Well this doesn’t really change anything between us so I could care less.” Jude says.

“You’re so scary. It was great.” Aaron says a little awe struck. A week passes. I am completely disconnected. Then I hear a knock my my door.

“I made a page.” Aaron says.

“You made a page.”

“Yeah. What can I say you’re inspiring. Look.” He drags me over to the balcony opening the glass door. My whole wall is glass. Everything sleek and modern. Black, and white with a red sofa. He pushes me to the edge. There’s a crowd around my building.

“Reece! Reece! Reece!” They shout. It’s late at night. Cameras flash. People hold signs. The last I looked my followers were dropping, but the comments extremely encouraging and kind. Altogether a mixed bag, but it seems I still have a dedicated Fanbase.

“They love you.” He says. My Flaw is written proudly on my face.

“I do too.”