"A masquerade ball for Halloween? Couldn't they come up with anything more original?" Casey complained.
"I think you'll have loads of fun." Nora told her over dinner.
"Maybe in your generation."
"Are you going Derek?"
"Dad, are you kidding me? No way would I go to that." said Derek scornfully.
"I kinda figured it wouldn't be your thing." Casey raised an eyebrow.
"But I thought you said…ow! Dude, why'd you kick me?" Edwin complained.
"I didn't." Derek protested. Casey saw the smirk threatening to creep over his face though.
"Have you got a costume, Case?" Marti piped up.
"Not yet. Do you wanna help me with it?" Casey smiled.
"Yay!"
Everyone chuckled.
Nora speared a potato. "Is Max taking you?" she enquired.
"No. He's taking Amy." Casey frowned.
"His ex girlfriend?" even Derek looked concerned.
Casey sighed. "She's not his ex anymore. Emily and I are going stag."
"Any idea what you're going as?"
"No. Emily's going as a devil or something. But I have no idea what to go as."
On Halloween night Casey went over to Emily's to get ready for it. In the end she had decided on an angel as a contrast with Emily's. As she slipped on the white corset and asked Emily to tie it for her, she voiced an opinion that had been festering.
"Why do you think Max got back together with Amy?"
"Probably security. He would have wanted that certainty. Starting a relationship with you meant starting from scratch, so maybe he didn't want the hassle. Boys are really lazy when it comes to relationships."
Casey chuckled humourlessly. "Maybe I should do as Derek is, and not go tonight. Save myself the humiliation."
"No, you deserve a night out. Maybe you'll even pull someone."
"I doubt it. No one would want to make out with me."
Emily looked at Casey in the mirror's reflection and smiled. "That's the beauty of masked balls. They won't know it's you."
"Are we making up fake names as well? Just to add to the mystery."
"No. If a bloke asks for your name, just answer 'a mystery'" that should intrigue him. If he walks you home you can take the mask off or tell him your name. How come Derek's not going tonight?"
"It's not his thing apparently, also he's ill. Got a throat infection or something. I told him to wear a scarf in this cold snap."
"Casey, you're not his mother."
"I know. It's just good sense."
The gym looked wonderful, if a little Halloween clichéd. Cobwebs hung from every corner, complete with several massive plastic spiders. Green and blue lights flashed with the odd red block and flashing white strobe lighting. Every few feet there was a different Hollywood monster or a glow in the dark skeleton.
The party was already underway when they arrived. Emily got asked to dance by a tall Batman almost immediately.
Pretty soon afterwards Casey noticed an equally tall Romeo heading in her direction. Graciously he bowed on his hand and, as elegantly as she could in her long white skirt, she curtseyed back and took his hand, noting the charming smile glued to his face.
"So, angel, I don't know your name." his voice was husky and she couldn't place it to a face.
"My name, is a mystery." She purred. "Come on, Romeo, tell me who you really are."
"Romeo will do for now." He spun her and then drew her close to his body.
Casey gasped a little as he pulled her close. "How did you get so good at dancing?"
"I must have caught the dancing bug from my sister."
"Is she good?"
"I wouldn't tell her this, but she really is."
They danced together all evening, and even when they stopped dancing they spent the party talking over the punch bowl. He even picked out the eyeball that was floating in her plastic cup of punch for her.
Casey couldn't believe how much fun she was having. The mystery made it all the more romantic and she was getting on so well with this guy. She discovered that she could be freer with the mask up and her inhibitions were lowered slightly, making her reveal herself to this Romeo. They had tonnes in common and he even snuck in a kiss.
And it had felt right. It didn't matter to her that she didn't know his name. She didn't care. Also, he was a really good kisser.
Emily and her Batman came over to join them near the end of the party and Casey recognised Batman's voice. It was Sam.
People were starting to go home and Sam suggested walking Emily home. Romeo then also offered to do the same with Casey.
"When am I going to find out who you are?" he asked Casey gently, taking her hand as they walked.
"When we get to my house." She replied coolly. Then she chuckled as he growled a little in frustration.
As they neared Emily's house she turned to Casey and Romeo, who were walking behind them. "Here we are, here's me.
"You must be Emily then?" Romeo asked grinning.
"And I'm right there." Casey pointed out the house.
"You can't live there."
"Why not?" Casey looked puzzled.
"On three, we take off the masks. One, two, three." Emily said, sweeping hers off her head.
Casey took hers off and looked at Romeo expectantly.
"Casey? Oh god."
"Take the mask off. Let me see who you are."
"Trust me, you really don't want me to do that."
"Just take it off."
"No!"
"Fine!" Casey strode forwards the last few steps and grabbed the hat and mask and wrenched them off his face. Her eyes widened and her mouth dropped open.
"DEREK?!"