A/N - An idea that popped into my head while I was watching Rags. Enjoy!

Disclaimer: I don't own Victorious (or Rags). lol.

The annual masquerade ball was in full swing at Hollywood Arts.

Ever since Tori had suggested and helped plan the dance the year before, it had become a favorite with both students and teachers alike. This year, though, the dance committee had gone far beyond what they did last year. Where the year before had minimal decorations and donated food, the dance committee had raised money to hire not only caterers, but outfit the gym with false chandeliers, table cloths, and candles on each table.

Every girl turned out in flowing gowns and the guys turned out in suits.

Tori showed up around five, an hour before the dance started, to oversee that everything was set out and the food was warmed.

"Where's your dress?" Sinjin asked, as he finished plugging in all of the sound equipment. He was wearing purple slacks, a matching jacket, an orange collared shirt and a bright red necktie. To say it was an assault on the eyes would be an understatement.

"In this giant garbage bag. I didn't want it to get ruined." Tori explained.

"I bet you'll look hot, Tori." Robbie said, walking up with Rex.

At least, Robbie wasn't dressed like Sinjin, though his choice of pink converse with his black slacks and jacket was rather questionable.

Tori gave Robbie a stern look as Rex said, "Maybe you should put it on, give us a demonstration."

"It'd take too long to run to the bathroom and change into it. Plus, Cat's supposed to show and help me into it." She told them, laying the dress across a table.

"You don't need to go in the bathroom, hot stuff. We won't peek…much." Rex said.

"Oh shut up, Robbie." She snapped.

"That wasn't me!" Robbie whined, but Tori had already walked away.

She checked out the curtains hanging from the walls. They were already hung up and thus just needed to be pulled into place, which was already done. It gave the illusion that the room was much cleaner and more posh than it actually was. The floor was polished and cleaned, and rugs were placed under the white-clad tables. Each table had a vase of fake flowers and two battery-operated candles.

"Oh my gosh, this place looks absolutely fantastic!" Cat squealed. She barged into the gym wearing her pink ball gown. It had white accents and was a corset just before it flared into a wide skirt. Her hair was pinned atop her head and she wore a small, pink mask. She bounced—almost falling out of the dress—and clapped her hands. "I fell like such a princess!"

"Maybe you should bounce some more!" Rex shouted from where Robbie was helping Sinjin with the equipment.

"Don't do that, Cat!" Tori called, and Cat just skipped over to her.

It was a miracle that the girl didn't tip over in the matching high heels she wore, but she made it to Tori without any slip-ups.

"I'm here to help you into your dress." Cat said through giggles. She bounced lightly on her toes but at least her back was to Rex and Robbie and Sinjin.

"Okay." Tori said, spinning once more to make sure it looked okay.

They walked down the hall and into the restroom. Tori slipped into the stall, shucking off her jeans and t-shirt. Cat opened the bag.

"Wow…Tori. Where'd you get this dress?" Cat gasped.

"I had someone make it for me."

"Who?"

It was Robbie, but Tori wasn't about to tell Cat that. Cat was a bit of a blabbermouth and she didn't want everyone to know that Robbie was a good seamstress. Then when the next dance came around, she wouldn't be able to commission a beautiful dress. Also, Robbie swore her to secrecy. If she revealed his skill to anyone else, he'd stop making her clothes.

"Pass it over please."

Cat handed the dress over the stall and Tori untied the back.

The dress was bright red with black accents. The top was strapless and was laced up in the back. Around the waist, a darker red sash rested on her hips before the dress flowed down. The skirt was tiered so it was higher in the front than the back and showed off the strappy red shoes she bought.

Once it was on, she opened the stall and turned to allow Cat to tie up the back. It took several minutes, during which Cat began reciting a list of their friends who were attending.

"Andre is coming. He's bringing a date—a North Ridge girl. Beck is coming, and is bringing some mystery girl. I think she's from North Ridge as well. You probably already know that Trina's coming. She doesn't have a date." Cat paused. "When I asked Jade if she was coming, she told me to tell you that she'd never come to an event planned by you ever again."

"Still sore about Diaper Dan?"

Cat smirked at the memory. "All done." She stepped back and Tori turned. Cat breathed in quickly. "You look beautiful. Do you need me to help you with your hair?"

"Sure."

Tori sat still on the edge of the sink while Cat twisted her hair atop her head and stuck a few bobby pins in. She left a few strands dangling down, but otherwise the style was very neat and pretty. The last touch was her black mask with two bright red feathers.

"Thanks." Tori said before running out of the bathroom.

When she ran into the ballroom, the first few guests had arrived and she grumbled irritably. The first impression she wanted to make wasn't covered in sweat and out of breath. Grabbing a napkin she dabbed her face daintily and threw the wadded paper into the trash. Then she picked up her skirts and waded through the small crowd towards the ticket counter. She was originally supposed to be manning it, but in her absence Robbie had set up shop.

"Thanks, Robbie." Tori managed to be heard over the crowd gathered at the doors. "I'll take it from here."

"Don't worry. I'll just stay here." Robbie responded, but then ruined his kindness by continuing with, "You're too hot to be collecting tickets."

Tori rolled her eyes, but took the opportunity to walk around the gym once more. She turned on a few candles that hadn't been turned on, and fixed an overturned vase. Other than that, it seemed fine. Everything was going fine.

But as soon as Tori thought this to herself, a light bulb blew out overhead, plunging half of the buffet table into darkness.

"Damn…" She muttered, spinning around and coming face-to-face with Sinjin. "Can we get that fixed?"

Sinjin nodded and disappeared, leaving a rather disgruntled Tori behind to deal with an unlit portion of the gym. She could get a spotlight, but where would she find one? She thought about moving the table, but all the food would just topple over.

She stood there, hovering at the edge of the dance floor until Sinjin showed up with a ladder and a light bulb. Tori sighed in relief, and ran to check on Robbie.

He was doing fine, flirting with all the chicks, getting slapped every once in a while.

Just as Tori turned around, she heard a crash.

Turning, she saw a limp figure lying across the now overturned buffet table. Kids gathered around as the person was moved to the floor. As Tori fought to the crowd, she saw it was Sinjin. He sat up dizzily but was forced to lie back down by onlookers. Someone called 911 and they waited for the paramedics to show.

After they left, Tori looked up at the still broken light and sighed.

Then she got a broom and started sweeping up the spilled food. At least the second table of food survived but all the expensive cakes were smashed on the ground.

Everyone had returned to the dance and no one stepped forward to help her clean. Tori hoped she could count on Andre at least, but he was too busy sucking face with his new girlfriend to even notice that Sinjin fell in the first place.

Once that was done, she went to check the sound equipment. Sinjin had set it up to run without him but only for at least six more songs, but she had no idea how to work any of it.

So she placed a friend of Robbie's, Clint, on ticket duty and set up Robbie as the DJ.

Then she noticed that someone had spilled soda all over the dance floor when someone slipped. Grumbling, she set out to find a mop. Once that was located, she cleaned the floor—the dancers just left an opening for her—and then walked straight out of the gym.

The rest of the school was deserted which was perfect for someone who just wanted to sit alone and cry.

Tori took off her mask, tucked her face into her hands and sobbed relentlessly for several long minutes.

It was when she heard muffled footsteps that she looked up to see a boy watching her.

He wore a black mask that covered his entire face, save for his mouth. His dark hair was tucked in a top hat with a few loose strands dangling down. He wore a black suit and a red tie—as if he were meant to match her.

"What?" She whined, hating how she sounded but too irritated to care.

"I was just wondering if you were okay." The boy answered, his voice strange and slightly familiar. "I heard crying."

"That would be me."

"I realized," The boy chuckled. Without an invitation, he walked over to Tori and sit down on the window sill with her. He smiled at her, showing white teeth, and said, "You're more shaken up than when Jade messed up your Prome."

"Yeah, well, Jade is a force of nature. No one could blame me for her destroying our Prome. They can blame me, though, for all this." She motioned at nothing, but the boy got the gist. "It's all my fault. Sinjin getting hurt, the food getting ruined—everything."

The boy smiled. "So the people don't get their nasty sheet cake…so what?"

"You're nice." Tori mumbled, wiping her eyes through the mask.

"Not usually, so don't get used to it." The boy said, his eyes darkening.

Tori smiled at that and laughed. It was a little strained and a little high pitched but it felt good all the way to her toes. The boy joined in, but together it only sounded like one person laughing. When they finally calmed down, the boy stood.

"Would you care to dance, Vega?"

Tori looked up in surprise. "Do you know my first name?"

The boy blushed. "Admittedly, I don't."

"Tori." She thrust out her hand.

"None of your business." The boy said enthusiastically, shaking her hand. Then he continued holding onto that hand as he walked her out into the gym and onto the dance floor.

The music changed to a slow song and Tori reminded herself to thank Robbie.

The two got closer. The boy placed his hands on her waist, and Tori looped her hands around his neck. They were clunky and awkward, but the sentiment was there and so it was nice. It was romantic, and Tori soon found herself with her chin resting on her partner's shoulder.

"Why won't you tell me your name?" She breathed.

"Because it will ruin the illusion."

She laughed lightly. "But then we can't hang out after this."

The boy deflated against her. "I know…" His tone was resolute and dismal.

Tori took a step back out of the boy's arms and looked at him curiously—looking for any small detail that would clue her into his identity. Despite the fact they had only known each other a few minutes, she already knew that she wanted to get to know him better. To think they only had one night, this night, kind of broke her heart. She felt herself tear up again.

The boy seemed to notice this and quickly said, "How about we get a drink?"

They walked over to the drink station and got cola. Then they took a seat, enjoying the cool breeze drifting in the open door.

A faster song came on. "Let's dance again."

Tori nodded, set down her drink, and followed.

This time it was a lot of colliding, and the boys seemed trapped amongst all the bustling skirts. Tori smiled apologetically at the boy. Finally they came together again, slow dancing.

"Hmm…big skirts seem effective at keeping us from getting…too close." His lips brushed Tori's ear and she felt her face go red.

He didn't stop there, though. His hands slid from her waist to the small of her back. Tori noticed that despite having dainty fingers, he was rather strong and his touch sent shockwaves up her spine. Then his hands dipped a bit lower, but she didn't really feel it due to the immense girth of her dress. For once she cursed its size, wanting nothing more than for him to be closer, to be able to touch her.

Then all at once, it crashed back down on her where she was.

Tori stumbled back in surprise, confused about why she was harboring such thoughts while in the middle of a school dance. She was chaste, prudish Tori—at least, that's how she wanted to seem. She wouldn't even say 'jank' unless she was really upset.

The boy looked at her in surprise. As if it caught him off guard as well.

"You seem really familiar." Tori breathed.

"Of course, I do." The boy said nervously. "I do go to school here."

"Tell me who you are!" Tori said suddenly.

The boy visibly paled and ran. He just turned and began to fight his way out of the crowd, using his knobby elbows to cut a path through the people. Tori helplessly followed.

They reached the edge of the crowd and Tori caught his arm.

"Please." She whined.

The boy turned, grabbed her face suddenly and kissed her.

Tori surprised both of them by leaning into the kiss. His mouth brushed hers gently and he ran his tongue along her bottom lip. His hands moved down her neck, resting over her pulse point. It was strangely sensual in a way that made her whole body tingle.

Then he was gone.

Tori stared sadly at where he had been standing.

Just then the music went silent. She turned to see Robbie frantically pushing buttons on the laptop, but it remained silent. Everyone stood and looked lost. Tori sighed.

Another problem.

A/N - There will be at least 5 more chapters. Review.