Disclaimer: I do not own or claim to own any of the characters affiliated with the Hardy Boys television or book series. No infringements of copyright or trademarks are intended or should be inferred. This story is fiction, and written strictly for entertainment purposes.
"C'mon, Joe! We've got to get going if we want to make it to the Masquerade on time!" Frank called as he knocked on the door to his brother's bedroom.
"I'm almost ready, Frank! Just hold on!"
"If you're not out in two minutes, I'm coming in to get you! Callie's meeting us, so I don't want to be late. I'll drag you there in your boxers if I have to."
Joe Hardy stepped out of his room dressed in a tightly fitted, flattering black suit and cape, with white gloves. He wore a white mask that covered the right side of his face from his forehead, over his nose, to the bottom of his cheek above his lip. His dreamy brown eyes and boyish grin still dominated his adorable face, and his hair was still styled in its usual wispy, feather-like style. There was a deep red rose pinned to the breast pocket of his suit, and his white shirt was unbuttoned just enough to reveal his chest. He looked extremely attractive.
"Geez, Joe. Look at you! What are you going as?" Frank's costume was knight's costume, very handsome and brave looking. His bright blue eyes peeked out from behind his silver mask.
"I'm the Phantom Of The Opera! And you can be Raoul!" Joe said, almost like an excited child wanting to play. Joe actually seemed really thrilled to be going to the Masquerade ball. At first, he wasn't too interested, but when he found out it was a costume party, he was all for it. He hadn't been too keen on the idea before because his girlfriend Iola, who he'd been with since he was sixteen, had been killed in a car crash two years ago and he still hadn't quite recovered. The last dance he'd been to was with her, so dances just brought about memories, and in turn, depression.
"Hah, I like that! We unintentionally coordinated costumes! Now c'mon little buddy, we've got to get going. I bet you'll be all the rage in that outfit. The girls won't be able to keep away from you!"
Joe was the witty, confident one. He had the charm and good looks that women, as well as men, couldn't help but succumb to. It was no wonder he'd considered becoming an entertainer, he actually had a pretty good voice and stage presence. He could be cocky sometimes, but only when he was kidding around. He never intentionally tried to act like a jerk. He was so easy going, and had such a lovable personality. You couldn't help but get defensive if you heard he was in trouble. He was fun to be around, constantly joking and playing. He was always so charismatic and friendly. He could talk to anyone about anything, he could pull out the deepest of secrets and information you kept locked in your soul. He could be reckless and impulsive when it came to quick decision making, he'd always been immensely brave and strong, despite his seemingly fragile stature. But sometimes he would act nervous or cautious in the face of danger. His big brown eyes reflected his happy-go-lucky soul. His soft, flowy hair reflected his gentleness.
Frank was always the mature, older brother figure. He had good looks too, but not quite the same as his brother's. He had voluminous blond hair, thicker than Joe's, and smaller bright blue eyes. He was smooth with talking and formulating sentences. He was usually the safe and analytical one, but when it came to certain situations, he was quick thinking. He usually acted on facts, whereas Joe acted on instinct. He took his older brother role to heart. He was very protective over Joey. He knew that he looked up to him.
The Masquerade Ball was being held at the Bayport Opera House. It was an antique building built during the late 1800s. It was very intricately decorated and breathtaking on the inside and out. It would really help set the mood for the ball. When you enter the Opera House, there is a vast staircase you walk up to get to the hall, and when you go inside, there are smaller staircases near the wall that lead you to the floor. The hall is the large room where parties and catered events are held. The Hardy brothers entered the Opera house, and made their way to the Masquerade. The sound of classical music echoed throughout the building.
Joe adjusted his shirt and cape, and the two began up the first set of steps. Frank saw Callie, and met her at the bottom. Joe glanced around, and his jaw dropped. Practically levitating down the inside stairway was a beautiful girl dressed in a white gown. She was more than beautiful. Her looks were indescribable, almost angelic. Her dress was white at the bodice, and it faded to a pale pink, then to a darker pale pink at the bottom in an ombré effect. Her dress was flowy, made of a weightless chiffon material. It flattered her delicate figure perfectly.
"Joe?" Frank tapped his shoulder. "Joe?"
"Huh? What?" He snapped back to reality and turned to Frank. He and Callie laughed at him. "I'm sorry, I just got distracted. Look at that girl…" he pointed back at the stairway, and she was gone. "There was this beautiful girl I'd never seen before. She was like an angel, dressed in white."
"These things do happen, haven't you seen Cinderella?" Callie smiled.
"Who knows, maybe you'll catch up with her later, little brother. This place isn't too big." Frank encouraged. He asked Callie to dance, and left Joe to himself.
Joe strolled around the floor, but couldn't find the girl. He stopped over at the refreshment table. He recognized the song being played, Un Bal, Movement II from Berlioz's Symphonie Fantastique. His mother had enjoyed listening to that symphony when he was a child. He reached for a glass of punch, and brushed hands with feminine gloved hand trying for the same glass. "I'm sorry." She apologized, grabbing the one next to it instead.
"No problem." Joe replied. He glanced up, and noticed it was the girl he'd seen a few moment ago on the steps. She had long dark loose curls that cascaded down the mid of her back, pale white skin, and soft red lips. Her sea-blue eyes were peeking out from behind a white half-mask. She looked like a perfectly painted, ageless porcelain doll you'd find in an antique shop. He was just about to ask what her name was when he was interrupted.
"Hi, Joe!" Veronica O'Malley was standing behind him dressed in a red gown. She looked a little like a blond haired version of Scarlet O'Hara in Gone With The Wind.
"Hi, Veronica." He haphazardly smiled. He checked back to his left, and the girl was gone yet again.
"What do you think of this party? I almost didn't recognize you in that outfit, but your hair gives it away. The signature Joe Hardy feather cut. You really do look great though." She attempted to flirt.
"Thanks, you look nice too. Red's my favorite color."
"Really?" She grinned.
"Yeah. I'm really sorry, Veronica, but I've got to go find Frank..." He grabbed another glass of punch. "I promised I'd bring he and Callie a drink. I guess I'll catch you around." He smiled, and left. She sighed out of pleasure as she watched him leave.
Joe searched around trying to find Frank, but he was truly looking for the girl. He noticed Frank twirling Callie around and approached them. "Hey Frank, I've got some punch for you and Callie." He greeted, handing them the cups.
"Gee, thanks Joe." Callie smiled.
"Well, I'll see the two of you later then. Have fun."
"Hey, Joe!" Frank called before he could walk off.
"What?"
Frank pointed with his free hand to the window beneath the balcony. Joe's face beamed in a smile, and Frank winked, motioning for him to go. Joe went over to the windows to look out at the stars in the night sky. The girl was sitting in the right corner staring at the couples on the floor. "What's with the long face?" Joe asked when he took a seat next to her.
"Oh, no reason."
"Why aren't you dancing? It's no fun sitting here by yourself."
"It's no fun dancing alone either."
"A pretty girl like you ought to have all of the guys flocking to you for a chance to dance." She blushed at his compliment. "Maybe they're just afraid of rejection."
"I'm new to Bayport, so I haven't got any friends yet. how about you? Where's your date?" "I haven't got one either." He smiled. "But you've got a friend now. My name's Joe."
"Pleased to meet you." She smiled sweetly. "By the way, I'm loving the whole Phantom Of The Opera look. Lon Chaney and Claude Rains would be proud. I'd say you look a bit more like the Phantom from the '62 British version; even though your depiction looks more attractive than any of the others I've ever seen. You take the iconic mysterious mask to a whole new level. Instead of looking deformed completely, or scary, your phantom is kind of… dare I say it… sexy!"
"Thanks, you're the first to notice." He grinned while his cheeks turned a soft shade of pink. "How about we go dance? I'd love to take a girl like you with such great pop-cultural knowledge for a spin."
"I just may have to take you up on that offer. The whole Phantom aura is very alluring." She smiled, taking the gloved hand he extended. Joe led her to the dance floor, and wrapped his arm around her waist to accompany the one that held her hand. Joe was light on his feet; he'd been on the track team in high school, and had learned to dance as a child. He knew all of the right ways of how to swoon a woman through the art of ballroom dancing. The girl stared up at the grinning Joe as they danced together. When the tone of the music grew more intimate, he held her closer to him. She leaned her head on his shoulder and cozyed up to him. He smelled of sweet men's cologne, but the scent wasn't too prominent. Everything seemed like a dream. Like the kind of thing only happened in fairy tales and movies. Could people really fall in love this way? Could love at first sight be real? Right now, Romeo and Juliet's idea of true love and marriage within two days of meeting didn't seem so crazy after all.
"I don't ever want this night to end." She whispered as they glided together as one across the floor.
"Sadly, all good things must come to an end eventually, but let's make the best of it while we can." He grabbed her hand in his. "Where are we going, Joe?" "You'll see, just come on." He smiled.
She couldn't deny him. "Alright, I trust you."
Joe peeked around to make sure the coast was clear. He noticed Frank was looking at him. Frank made and impressed face and signaled the ok sign and for him to leave. Joe winked at him, and pulled the girl out in to the lobby. They ran through a hall to a door that read Restricted. "Joe, I don't think we should go in here, we'll get in trouble!"
"Don't be afraid, everything will be fine. C'mon, have some fun." He had a charming grin and honest look in his eyes.
"My mother always told me to stay away from peer pressure, and don't trust a pretty face, but I guess I can make an exception this time." She replied. He gave her a quick peck on the cheek and opened the door.
"They really should leave these locked, or at least get them fixed." He chuckled. She giggled along with him, but still held her hand to the spot where he kissed her. She was blushing up a storm as he dragged her along with him. "Close your eyes." He said. "Don't worry, I'll be right here to guide you along." He held her hand by the tips of her fingers as the Phantom did. She obeyed and cautiously took tiny footsteps as he guided her along. "Open your eyes…"
She grasped his torso tightly in fear. "Oh my goodness, Joe! I'm afraid of heights!" They were standing on one of the catwalks above the Opera theatre room. There were seemingly hundreds of seats below, and a vast stage. Only a few lights were lit, so it was difficult to see.
"I'm right here with you. You are going to be perfectly fine." He chuckled. "Look over the side with me, there's a better view that way."
She was reluctant. "No, Joe. I can't. I'll start hyperventilating, and you'll never be able to get me off. I have a deathly fear of falling."
"I'm willing to take the risk. If we can't get you off, it means I'll be able to stay here with you forever then." She couldn't help but grin at him. She held his arm in a death grip as they walked closer to the edge and held the rope that secured them. "See, this isn't so bad. It beautiful up here." She buried her head in him, and he put his arm around her and stroked her hair comfortingly. "Gee, are you alright?"
"I'm fine." She halfheartedly smiled.
"Let's get you down from here, I've got a better idea. We'll have to walk across the remainder of the catwalk though, can you do it?" She nodded in agreement, but continued to grasp his arm for protection. They made their way across, and to a door at the end. Joe opened it to reveal a claustrophobic spiral staircase in the pitch black dark. "You'll have to settle for my hand this time, I don't think we'll both be able to fit together in here, even though I'd love to try."
She slugged him gently on the arm, but still smiled and took his hand. "Let's go. Lead the way, Monsieur Phantom."
The two cautiously stepped down the stairway to the bottom. Joe found a doorknob, and twisted it. "Close your eyes. I promise it won't be too bad this time."
"I'm trusting you, don't scare me again." She shut her eyes.
"Now stay here, I'll be right back. Don't you dare open those eyes until I say so." She heard his footstep in the distance, and a flick of switches. "Okay, you can open your eyes now." He was directly behind her. She was standing on a stage with hundreds of red velvet seats staring up at her.
"Wow, this place is beautiful."
"I used to come to performances here with my parents. If you think it's beautiful now, you should see it when there's a full house and an opera going on. Then it's really something." She ran to the steps at the end of the stage to the floor. "What, are you really having that bad of a time?"
She took a seat in the center aisle. "Don't be silly! Sing a few bars for me, Phantom!"
"Alright, Christine!" He called.
"Well, c'mon everybody, get down, get with it.
C'mon everybody, get down, get with it.
C'mon everybody, get down.
That's rock and roll."
"You're not to shabby!" She called, running back up to the stage, and taking a seat on the edge.
"I'm in a band here in Bayport. We play small gigs, but never anything big."
"I'd love to hear you sometime. I bet you're a gas!" She grinned.
"I can sing you something else right now if you'd like. Do you know 'Be My Baby'?"
"Yes." She smiled. He helped her up, and took her hand to dance again. They swayed together as he sang to her.
"The night we met I knew I needed you so,
And if I had the chance I'd never let you go.
So won't you say you love me? I'll make you so proud of me.
We'll make 'em turn their heads every place we go.
So won't you, please?
Be my little baby
Say you'll be my darlin'
Be my baby now
Whoa oh oh oh
An' I'll make you happy, baby, just wait and see,
With every kiss you give me, I'll give you three.
And from the day I saw you, I have been waiting for you,
You know I will adore you 'til eternity.
So won't you, please?
Be my little baby
Say you'll be my darlin'
Be my baby now
Woah oh oh woah"
She looked up at him with a grin. "Joe, you're wonderful. Both at singing and as a person."
"When can I see you again?" "I don't know, whenever, I guess. But don't think about that now, we've still got all night." She stroked his hair affectionately, smoothing down the stray strands. Joe cradled her head in his hand and leaned down to kiss her softly on this lips. She wrapped her arms around his neck and he held her around the waist. They stayed like that for a moment, just melting in to each other. She reached for the mask on his face, and just as she was about to pull it off, the lights went out.
"Joe!"