Life Chapter 9

Sashie and I had only been waiting a few minutes when a Limousine pulled up in front of us. I had been wondering who it was for as the driver stepped out of the limousine and walked towards us.

"Sashanne Kitten?" questioned the driver.

I was shocked. The limo was for us, here I was thinking that the driver just want directions.

"Yes," answered Sashie then motioned at me, "and this is my plus one."

"Ok, can I have your name please madam?" the driver asked me.

"Lexi Bunny" I replied, surprised at being called madam.

"Thank you, please follow me" said the driver as he walked back to the car.

As we reached the car the driver pulled open the back door "Miss Kitten, Miss Bunny please feel free to have a glass of the complementary chardonnay in the cooler."

With that, we climbed in and the door was closed behind us.

"Ok, please explain!" I said to Sashie as the limousine started moving.

She laughed "The limo belongs to the organisation that holds the masquerade ball. The drivers are told who to pick up. It's their way of making sure that only those who they invite get to the ball."

"Oh," I said thoughtful for a moment, "Have you been to many before?"

Sashie told me that she had and then proceeded to tell me all about them. Before I knew we had arrived. I was so excited after hearing what Sashie had to say that I almost fell over getting out of the limo.

Sashie, who had gotten out before me so had seen my near miss, laughed at me. I returned the laugh with a scowl.

"It's just that I did exactly the same thing the first time I arrived" she explained giggling slightly.

"We are so clumsy!" I exclaimed before we both burst into laughter yet again.

Clutching each other for support we entered the magnificent building struggling to contain our fits giggles.

As soon as we walked into the ballroom, we sobered up instantaneously.

The room was amazing with massive crystal chandeliers, a large dance floor with couples already dancing, a bar in the corner or the room, gorgeous leather seats placed about the room and a violin quartet playing over by the dance floor.

It was very modern but at the same time old fashioned. I loved it; it was the perfect mix of the past and the present.

I looked at Sashie to see what her reaction was, she was grinning at me. Apparently it's like this all the time.

"To the bar?" suggested Sashie.

"But of course" I answered, and then we linked arms and headed in that direction.

'Two hours and three drinks later' I thought to myself.

I had spent most of that time sitting on one of the comfortable leather chairs. Don't get me wrong I wasn't trying to be a wallflower, it just happened.

I had danced a few times with Sashie but guys kept coming over and asking her to dance. I was beginning to wonder if I had the words Go Away stamped on my forehead.

To be honest, I actually didn't mind that much because it gave me time to think. Come to think of it, that might be the reason no one was asking me to dance.

I chuckled, 'Oh well' I thought. I took solace in the fact that I wasn't the only person being a wallflower.

While I had been sitting down I had noticed a male anthro-bunny on the other side of the room being a tad antisocial.

"Having fun?" enquired Sashie as she walked up to me from the dance floor.

"Yeah I am" I replied, it wasn't a complete lie but it would be nice if a guy asked me to dance.

"I'm so glad! I'm having an absolute ball!" She exclaimed.

I raised my eyebrow at her.

The giggling that followed was inevitable. That was the best thing about Sashie, it was impossible not to have fun when you're with her.

Our happy giggling was interrupted by an anthro-cheetah whose muscles were visible even through his suit. We both looked up expectantly.

"Excuse me, but may I have this dance?" He asked politely as he offered his hand to Sashie.

I released the breath that I didn't realise I had been holding.

Sashie leaned over and whispered, "I'm sorry," in my ear before accepting the cheetahs offer.

I watched them as they walked to the dance floor and started dancing.

As I watched them I couldn't help but notice that he was a good dancer and very gently with Sashie.

'Lucky girl!' I thought.

An anthro-racoon approached me and asked for the dance.

"Yes" I replied immediately, just glad someone had asked me to dance.

He grabbed my hand and we headed to the dance floor.

Once we had reached the dance floor he pulled my close, a bit too close, and we began to revolve slowly on the spot.

His breath was warm on my neck, but not the nice comfortable warm the sleazy uncomfortable warm and his hands kept wandering. I couldn't tell you how many times I had to move them away from my arse.

I was beginning to regret my decision of dancing with this guy.

To get my mind of my current situation I went into my own little world where Ace was still alive. I know it's a bit stupid but I couldn't help it this guy was seriously sleazy.

In my little world I imagined Ace coming to rescue me because he wouldn't let this creep keep treating me like this.

I was in the middle of imagining how Ace might rescue me and moving Mr Raccoon's hands back to my waist when a hand tapped his shoulder and its owner said "May I?"

"Sure" answered Mr Racoon, obviously disappointed.

I got a better view of my saviour once the racoon had walked away. It was the anthro-bunny wallflower.

"Thanks," I said, rather relieved, "I thought he would never stop."

"No problem" he replied placing his hands around my waist.

We danced in silence for a short time. He was very gentlemanly, so much so that I was reminded of Ace. Or maybe he reminded me of Ace because he had showed up when I needed rescuing.

Thinking of Ace made me sad. I guess I wasn't hiding it very well because he asked "What's the matter?"

"Oh, sorry, it's just that you remind me of someone. A very special friend who died a year ago today" I answered.

To my surprise he nodded understandingly.

"I know how you feel," he replied, "There was a massive accident back home that meant I had to leave my closet friends and loved ones behind never to see them again. I took what I could and came here to start anew and well as they say the rest is history."

I looked at his eyes through the mask. They were dark brown.

"Bud?" I asked.

"Yeah" replied Bud, confused.

"I'm Lexi, I ran into you this morning!" I laughed from disbelief.

"No way!" He exclaimed, "I thought you looked familiar."

We laughed then fell into a companionable silence. Weird, I know. I guess it was because we had shared a big part of our live with each other. It kind of bonded us I suppose.

Next thing I know he is tickling me.

When you are super ticklish, like me, you can't even attempt to hide it. I was already giggling.

"Bud, stop, please" I managed to say between chuckles.

He didn't stop; instead he decided to tickle me harder.

"I can't breathe," I gasped, "please stop."

Bud just continued to tickle me relentlessly.

"Ace!" I squealed.

Bud and I both froze instantaneously.

Everybody, including the band, stopped to look momentarily in our direction.

We pretended to be normal and everyone was dancing again in minutes.

As soon as everyone was dancing again Bud walked off leaving me in the middle of the dance floor alone. I stood there and watched him walk outside.

Sighing, I started to walk back to my chair but stopped half way there.

'No!' I thought, 'I'm not having another great guy walk out of my life.'

I headed for the door.

"Bud?" I called once outside.

No reply. I looked around hoping he hadn't left. Then I saw him sitting on and old wooden park bench.

I sat down next to him and put my hand on his shoulder.

"Bud," I said softly, "I'm sorry I called you Ace. He is the guy I was talking about earlier and I guess you tickling me made me forget who I was with."

The silence that followed would have to been the most awkward silence in world history.

After sitting there for a moment or two waiting for a reply, I gave up.

'Maybe I should become a lesbian, it would be a hell of a lot easier' I mused as I stood up and slowly began to walk back inside.