Here it is. Chapter 10. "This is it, the apocalypse."

6:30 pm.

"Dang it," I thought, "I have to get ready."

I found a long light blue dress in my closet. It had thin straps that went around my neck and thin silky layers. I put my hair in a small bun, my longer strand hanging down, and slid on pale white gloves that went above my elbows. My makeup was light but noticeable. I should have planned this out days ago. But I was so busy with Minecraft and dealing with other things. I was preoccupied.

Rushing to finish preparing, I received a text from Jerome, "We're here. You ready?"

I quickly responded, "Yeah. Just coming downstairs. Give me a minute." I grabbed my small blue clutch bag. Since the prom's theme turned out to be masquerade, I also carried a mask. The mask covered my whole face with a white base and gold stenciling, a magenta jewel on the forehead, and a blue feather on top.

I hurried downstairs to Jerome's car. Once I opened the back door, I noticed Jerome, in a black suit with a bow tie, and Rebecca, in a pretty light pink dress with pink gloves in the same color. Her mask was only up to her nose and she could hold it up with a stick. It had a pink feather on top instead of blue. Mitch sat in the back seat, also in a black suit but with a fancy black tie. I hopped inside the car next to Mitch.

"Hi," I declared and placed my clutch bag on my lap.

"I like your mask," Mitch leaned over and whispered.

"Thank you," I whispered back, "I like your… tie?"

"Nice try," he chuckled. I grinned and rolled my eyes.

"You guys ready to have a fun night?" Mitch asked everyone.

"You bet I am, Benj!"

"I am worried about one thing…"

"What is it?" Jerome looked at Mitch through his rear-view mirror.

He paused for a moment and smiled, "Who's gonna be king and queen?!" We all laughed because we knew that we weren't even close to winning a position.

Three minutes later, the car rolled up to the front of the school. As the rest of us exited, Jerome handed the keys to a valet person. He met back up with Rebecca, who was waiting behind for him. Mitch and I advanced to the school gates, my left hand in his right. In my other, I held my clutch bag and mask.

We easily passed through the basic security procedures and breezed through check-in. Personnel led us to the gymnasium, where the prom was located. Before even entering the large doors, we heard music coming from inside. I could tell what song it was: "Feel this Moment" by Pitbull and Christina Aguilera.

"I love this song!" Jerome announced. He burst open the doors and we gazed at the most awesome sight ever. Music played extremely loud and kids were dancing all over the place. A famous DJ controlled the board. Teachers were nowhere in sight. Only the principal, vice principal, and secretaries looked on. Bowls of fruit punch and soda lined the tables. As well as beverages, there sat tons of snacks. Jerome, licking his mouth, desperately needed those snacks.

"Come on Becca," Jerome pulled Rebecca away from us and towards the food table. She smiled, glanced at me, and shrugged. I shrugged back and giggled.

"Let's put on our masks," I told Mitch, "You remember what mine looks like, right?"

"Yeah," he quickly replied. We slid on our masks. Mitch's was plain black with painted red and orange flames coming from the far corners of his eyes. It covered his whole face, similar to mine.

"That's awesome!"

"Never mind my mask! Come and dance!" Mitch pulled me into the crowd of students. Once we reached the dance floor, the song changed. This time it was "A Thousand Years" by Christina Perri. Mitch took me into his arms and we started to slow dance. The couples copied our moves.

I asked him if he wanted a glass of fruit punch and he said no. So, I made my way through the clump of kids and to the food table. Jerome was still chomping away. I pulled up my mask.

"Jerome?" I jokingly asked, "Where's Rebecca?"

He looked up at me from glaring down at the food selection. He had a nervous look on his face, "Uh… I don't know."

I rolled my eyes, took a plastic cup from the stack of cups, and poured the juice into it. With one gulp, I downed the whole cup and threw it away. I headed back to where Mitch was supposed to be. Looking through the students, I finally noticed his mask.

"Mitch," I panted, "I thought you…" He silenced me by putting his pointer finger up against my lips. He motioned for me to follow him, "Okay. Whatever."

We exited the gymnasium and eventually ended outside the school. It was in the back courtyard, so no one was around.

"This isn't funny. We should get back inside." He didn't move. "Please." I walked up to him and tried grabbing onto his suit jacket. Still not budging, I decided to ignore it, "If you're not coming inside, I am." Finally he pulled the back of my dress towards him. But the tug felt harsh and stiff. It didn't feel normal.

"We're leaving," he grumbled. Not seeming like his voice, I backed off.

"Home?"

He nodded. Trusting him in the slightest bit, he gently took my hand and led me to the valet. He motioned for one of the employees to grab a car.

"Doesn't Jerome have to drive us back?" I questioned.

Ignoring me again, he caught the keys to a car. A white Jeep pulled up to the driveway.

"Are you stealing a car?!" I backed off yet again. He fiercely shook his head. I sighed, "Good."

"I left it here yesterday," he grumbled.

"Did you drink something? Are you drunk?"

He shook his head and started the engine.

I suddenly got a call on my iPhone. As I pulled it out of my clutch bag, I recognized the caller ID: Mitch. I nervously looked down at my phone and then glanced back at the man sitting next to me in the car.

"Are you Mitch?" I slowly asked. He did not reply. I attempted to open my door, but he had already started driving and locked all of the doors. Tears rolled down my cheeks, blurring out the little makeup I had on. "Take off your mask." Again, he did not respond, so I demanded this time, "Take it off!"

The man growled and began to reveal himself. The long brown hair finally showed through and his facial features were so recognizable; I couldn't believe I fell for his trick. Ty.

I definitely had an adrenaline rush while writing this. Hope you liked it!