Behind The Mask
Disclaimer: I do not own That's So Raven. See, was that so hard? In fact, it was virtually painless...
Chapter 1
There was an excited squeal as Raven Baxter spotted the poster on the wall of Bayside High. The ornate silver letters proudly announced for the whole student body to see:
Masquerade Ball
April 14 7-12 p.m.
Bayside High School Gymnasium
"Oh my God! I have to start on my dress as soon as I get home!" Raven exclaimed giddily.
"I'm sure it'll be beautiful, Rae," Chelsea said.
"Yeah, but you better get to work quick cause it isn't far off," Eddie said. Raven opened her mouth to reply but she was cut short when her eyes widened and her body tensed as a vision kicked in.
The gym boasted its decorated splendor, soft music renting the air, flowing between people and drawing young lovers together. Raven found herself drawn caringly onto the floor, led by the guiding hand of a boy she didn't recognize. He was slender, resplendent in a black tuxedo. A few wispy strands of reddish-brown hair escaped from beneath his top hat. The most intriguing thing about him was the white, unadorned mask that hid the upper part of his face, leaving only alabaster skin and full lips uncovered. They found a vacant spot on the floor and strong arms encircled Raven's waist as they fell into the rhythm of the song. The young man's smile was oddly familiar, as though she had known him forever, which only increased how comfortable Raven felt around him. He softly murmured the lyrics of the song as Raven felt herself being pulled back into the real world.
"Did you just have a vision, Rae?" was the obvious question that popped out of Eddie's mouth.
"Yeah…I have to go. See you guys later," Raven said in a dreamy daze as she walked off. Eddie looked back to find Chelsea staring at the masquerade ball poster.
"What's wrong, Chels?" he asked, readjusting his backpack strap. The redhead jumped as if she had been scalded.
"Huh? Oh, nothing," she said glumly.
"You're a bad liar," Eddie reminded her.
She sighed and ran a hand through her hair, "I know. God, this is driving me crazy!" Her sudden outburst caused some nearby freshmen to scatter like wild animals.
Eddie chuckled and asked conspiratorially, "So, you want to woo the fair Lady Baxter? I've got an idea." Chelsea gulped nervously at the gleam in her friend's eyes.
Why did the sound of his idea scare her so much?