We never really know.
"Wait one second, Mass," he said, fumbling with his keys. Why were there too many? Which was which? There has to be one key for everything—cars, house doors, vault locks… In his drunken state, Cameron Fisher managed to make a mental note to add universal keys in his Inventions for a Better World list, along with lightsabers, and teleportation machines. Like he'd remember that the next morning.
Massie Block made no reaction. While Cam was already in front of his door, she on the other hand was also heavily intoxicated and in between the elevator doors so it remained open. Massie's body had given up. She could only walk so long (and the both of them have for several blocks to get to the building!). As soon as they entered the building's elevator, she was thoroughly tired and didn't care one bit that she was sitting on its floor.
Halloween was over, and it was two o' clock in the morning. The pair just came from a party thrown by their friend Mikal. The party was fun like usual. It was a small intimate gathering, just their closest friends in attendance. Like most night-outs, Massie went home with her bestfriend Cam. Cam often looked after her. The problem now is that Cam, too, got carried away with alcohol. He didn't want to go all the way to Fifth Avenue where Massie's house is at this hour just to drop her off. They decided instead to head to Cam's 74th street penthouse to end the night. And so here they were.
Cam's struggle in distinguishing his keys took minutes. "Got it!" Cam exclaimed, finally opening the door wide. He turned and walked back to the elevator. Surprise. Massie was no longer in between the elevator doors to keep it open as how Cam left her. The hall was empty, the elevator doors were closed, and no drunken Massie was in sight.
He immediately pushed the down button. The other elevator opened, and he got in. Massie must've gone back down the lobby by mistake. His friend can be such a bad drunk. What was he thinking even leaving her? Alas, the lobby was empty. Cam was in the right mind at least to think of pushing the up button and wait for the elevator Massie was supposedly in. That elevator, too, traveled down and opened. Empty.
Cam Fisher had lost Massie Block.
The Gideon Graves costume was perfect. A slick white suit, red shirt, black glasses. This guy came from a different Halloween party. The night's over, and he wanted nothing more than to simply jump into his bed and eat bacon for breakfast the next morning. He pushed the up button on the elevator after making sure he had his keys ready and closed his eyes for two seconds of rest.
Ding! The elevator doors opened. There was a girl inside. She heard the loud sound and hesitantly opened her eyes to see what was happening. Nothing seemed to register in her mind. She slowly closed her eyes again and returned to her dream-like state.
The girl was sitting on the elevator floor. She was wearing a pink dress—a Princess Aurora costume, actually, if you can recognize it—with a matching costume tiara. There was a small red apron on the dress. Her shoes were low-top Chuck Taylors. An empty coffee pot was beside her. The whole outfit was Sweet Dee's The Nightman Cometh costume from the show It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia.
The surprised Derrick Harrington straightened his posture. Not only did he identify the costume (he gave a small grin at its cleverness, being an Always Sunny fan himself), but he also knew who the girl is. It's Massie Block!
"Massie," he joined her in the elevator, pushed the button of his floor number, and tried helping Massie up. She didn't cooperate. She had obviously gone drinking and had passed out. Derrick had no clue why she was there of all places! She lives on the corner of 5th Avenue and 95th street.
When the elevator arrived at the Harringtons' penthouse, Derrick had to make a quick decision. Should he call the Blocks up and have her picked up? Should he get her back to her house? He acted on impulse. He carried her into his house. Massie was heavy… and Derrick noticed her hair smelled nice. This situation he found himself in was so surreal. He must be dreaming. Massie, in his building! This is definitely not real. For all he knew, he may be at the Marvils', snoozing at Merri-Lee's daughter's bed.
The Harrington residence was empty, save for the housekeepers fast asleep in their quarters. His parents were at their Hampton home for the long weekend. He had the house all to himself until tomorrow's weekly brunch with the Blocks and the Riveras. They were close family friends. He laid Massie down on a sofa, which was the first thing he saw upon entering the house. A bit weary himself, he sat beside her and paused to think. He'd probably transfer her in one of the guest bedrooms. He definitely wasn't in the mood to go out anymore. Massie will have to sleep here in the meantime. Both of them were still for a few serene minutes.
Massie let out a big sigh before gradually opening her eyes. Derrick awoke from his stupor. She was still lying on the sofa, her head on his lap. He looked down and saw Massie smiling faintly. She looked like she was still half-asleep.
If they weren't under the influence of a whole night's worth of booze, it would've been awkward.
"Hey, Massie," Derrick said, returning the smile. He didn't know what got over him. When one is drunk, he is sometimes aware of what is occurring before him, yet he seems to have no control in what he is doing. That was the exact case for Derrick that moment. He stroked Massie's hair, which he found soft and smooth, while not breaking eye contact with her. A little part of him wanted to stop himself from what he was subconsciously doing. She's your mom's bestfriend's daughter! She's Massie, for Chrissakes, Derrick! But he continued on. He knew he's flirting with her. He couldn't stop.
Massie closed and opened her eyes slowly. He wasn't expecting a response when she went, "Derrick Harrington." She recognized him.
"I like your costume," he said without thinking. No, he wasn't thinking straight at all. What he does remember is feeling an intense attraction to her. She was beautiful. Her makeup was not heavy even if it was Halloween. Her skin had that pearly sheen that one just can't help touching. And her eyes… they were a pleasant color of amber. He never noticed that before.
There was a glint of delight on Massie's face when she heard what he said. "Thank you," she replied. She stumbled to get up from her lying position. She sat up, her back against Derrick who remained seated on the same sofa. She took a look at his costume, and somehow, from her inebriated state, she discerned what costume he was wearing. Derrick sensed her palm was touching the back of his neck. Drunk people love physical contact. "Yours look nice, too. I would never imagine you to be a convincing Evil Ex-Boyfriend," her smile was big this time.
"You read Scott Pilgrim?" he asked, a major part of him pleased that she's familiar. Nobody else among his friends except Josh Hotz knew of this comic book.
"I do. Scott's a bit of a jerk, though," she replied.
This common interest was indeed surprising. There was a reason they ignored each other over the years. Derrick Harrington was in the popular crowd, and Massie Block didn't like his group. They were obnoxious and elitist and superficial—at least that's how they were perceived. Massie was perfectly content with her friends who may not be as wealthy and well-connected as her and Derrick's set, but are just as fun and interesting.
"You're drunk," Derrick teased. "I found you in the elevator." He couldn't help touching her hair again.
Massie wasn't the least bit embarrassed. "Yes, I'm drunk," she simply agreed. She became more aware of his presence. She couldn't get over his costume. It excited her to see a comic book character in person. She forgot it was Halloween. At that moment, she didn't remember the only reason he was wearing that was because it was Halloween. To Massie, it was Derrick Harrington randomly choosing to dress like the 7th Evil Ex-Boyfriend for the day. He had done something epic in her books.
They both had smiles on their faces, looking at each other. She was stunning.
"Do you know? I find Gideon Graves so hot," she said biting her lip.
Hearing this pleased Derrick so much, it was unreasonable. He cupped her face, leaned down and kissed her.
A/N: I have done some editing and am re-uploading every chapter. Bear with me!