The power of imagination ch 14
Chapter 14: Girl time and masquerading
"Ring, ring," the annoying voice said on hr cell phone, "ring, ring, Ring, Ring, RING, RING! Yeaaaa!"
"Hello?" Pippa finally answered, annoyed that someone had called her at 8:30 on a Friday morning.
"Hey Pippa! We'll be over in a few minutes. Hope you're ready." Cupcake's voice came through the phone.
"Ready for what?" She asked ready to fall back asleep.
"The shopping day we planned, you know to get ready for the dance tomorrow night." Cupcake said, "you didn't forget did you?"
"No I didn't forget." Truthfully she had completely spaced it.
"Ok, see you in a bit." Cupcake said hanging up the cell phone.
Pippa rushed about her room getting ready, thanking her parents for getting her some dry shampoo (yes its a real thing and it had saved my bacon many a time). She sprayed it all over her hair and brushed it out quickly while brushing her teeth. She put on her make up, grabbed her purse and was out the door just as Cupcake pulled up.
"Hey girls." She said hoping into the car.
"Hey Pippa." Cupcake and Jena said back in unison. The girls talked and laughed on their way to the mall.
"So Cupcake, how was your date Tuesday?" Jena asked out of the blue.
"It was nice," Cupcake sighed dreamily, "Steve was so nice to me and he even gave me a good night kiss."
"A kiss! As in on the lips?" Pippa asked in disbelief.
"Yep, he even said some cheesy pick up line that I was as sweet as my name or something like that." Cupcake laughed.
"Awe." Jena said, "was it your first kiss too?"
"Yeah." Cupcake then asked "Hey either of you two had your first kiss yet?"
"No." Jena said. Pippa remained silent.
"Pippa?" Cupcake prodded.
"Yes." She said quickly.
"Who with?" Jena asked, curiosity evident in her eyes.
"Claude." Pippa answered so fast that Cupcake thought she had misheard.
"Seriously? You're pulling our legs right?" Cupcake asked.
"Nope." Pippa said with a grin, "I think he's going to ask me to be his girlfriend tomorrow night."
"We're here." Cupcake said, pulling into the mall. They got out of the car and headed inside. Pippa directed them to one of her favorite dress shops, "The Glass Slipper." The girls wasted no time in scanning the dress racks and pulling out dresses they liked. Once each of them had a good size pile they went in the back and changed. Pippa came out in a hot pink dress with lots of puff to the skirt. Cupcake came out in a red dress with roses all over it. Jena came out in a simple green dress with sparkles. They looked at each other then went back in to change again. They did this numerous times with a variety of dress styles and colors. Pippa finally found one that fit her just right, a aqua blue dress with sequels on the hem and ribbon. Cupcake chose a pink and purple dress with lots of sparkle and fluff in the skirt. Jena chose a black dress with a hot pink ribbon around the waist a slight puff in the skirt and lined with sparkles on the neckline, ribbon, and waist.
"Cupcake that dress is gorgeous on you." Pippa said.
"Thanks, yours is beautiful." Cupcake said blushing slightly at the complement.
"You guys look awesome." Jena said coming out of the dressing room.
"You do too." Pippa said having Jena turn so she could see how the dress looked on her.
"It's perfect." Cupcake clapped happily. They changed back to their normal clothes and paid for the dresses. Jena was laughing at something Pipa had said when Lucas tapped her on the shoulder.
"Oh, hi Lucas." She said without enthusiasm. "These are my friends, Cupcake and Pippa." Jena introduced.
"Nice to meet you." Lucas said shaking both their hands.
"Nice to meet you too." Cupcake said, there was something she didn't like about this boy.
"Like wise." Pippa said, sharing a glance with Cupcake.
"Jena, I was wondering if you'd like to see a movie with me tonight?" Lucas asked ignoring the other two now.
"Sorry I'm going to be busy tonight." She said turning away.
"Then maybe tomorrow night?" He asked stepping up beside her.
"Sorry busy then too." She said side stepping him.
"Ok, guess I'll see you around." He said dejectedly.
"See ya." Jena said, not even glancing back at him.
"Wow, talk about desperate." Pippa said once they where sure he was gone.
"Tell me about it. He was like an octopus when I went out on a date with him. Seriously he wouldn't let go of my hand once and glared at any boy that so much as looked in our direction." Jena said, shuddering slightly.
"Talk about creepy." Cupcake said, "why'd you go on a date with him then?"
"Because at first he was just being nice because he had knocked me over that day we went Christmas gift shopping." She said then she added shamefully, "and because I was mad at Jamie."
"Oh." Pippa and Cupcake said together.
"Biggest mistake of my life." Jena said shaking her head.
"Let's change the subject." Pippa suggested.
"How about stopping over there." Jena pointed at a shoe store. The girls had tons of fun trying on shoes and wandering the mall. They left just as the mall was about to close and headed over to Jena's house.
"So now all that's left is to make the masks." Jena said, lifting up the bag of craft stuff they had bought.
"Let's get to work!" Pippa cheered. They turned on the radio and had fun decorating their masks. Pippa's mask was a half face mask, had peacock feathers on the side and was the same shade of aqua as her dress. Cupcake's was a full face mask, was a light pink color and had sparkles covering it along with detailed markings in purple around the eye holes. Jena's mask was half face mask like Pippa's and painted a glossy black with silver sparkles speckled over it.
"That was fun." Cupcake said, adding a bit of sparkle to her mask.
"Yeah, we better get home Cupcake." Pippa said glancing at the clock, it was nearly ten o'clock.
"Alright. See ya Jena." Cupcake said, gathering her stuff. Pippa collected her stuff too.
"See ya tomorrow girls." Jena called out the door as they hopped in Cupcake's car. They waved and Jena shut the door. Sabrina came patting in with Baby Tooth on her back.
"Hey guys," Jena said kneeling down to pat Sabrina's head.
"Mrrrow." The cat purred. Baby Tooth chirped a hello and flew up to Jena's shoulder. Jena fixed them all something to eat then went to bed, visions of what tomorrow might hold dancing in her head.
At the pole the next day everyone was rushing around.
"Jack, get back here!" Bunny was shouting as the winter spirit was zipping around, a ball of pent up nervous energy.
"Let him alone Bunny." North said heading to his workshop. Tooth zipped in and crashed into Jack, causing them both to fall a short distance to the floor.
"Sorry Tooth." Jack said helping her up.
"No problem, I got the report from Phil. Are we really going to do what North is planning on what we're gonna do?" She asked her wings humming nervously behind her.
"Yep." Amor said landing close to them, Amora landing a few minutes later.
"How are you feeling Amora?" Tooth asked, noticing how tired the usually happy girl was.
"I'll feel better when Pitch is dealt with." She said in a serious tone, a venomous look creeping into her eyes. Phil, the Yeti, gave his friend, Mark, a side long look which Mark returned. Iris, Shamus, Sandy, and Danica walked in just as North emerged from his office.
"Good you are all here." North said placing a red bag in the middle of a conference table, North had Mark and Phil roll it in for just this occasion.
"I have figured a plan to stop Pitch." He said as he took his seat at the head of the table, the other spirits following his example. Even Jack took a seat, although he kept fidgeting and looking around the room.
"Will it stop Pitch for good?" Amor asked, both twins leaning in to hear the response.
"Hopefully." North said then he went on to explain his plan.
"We all know that Pitch has that crystal that he stole from Danica. I have figured that he will use it to turn himself, Draven, and maybe a few of his fearlings mortal. As they are affected by the crystal their powers are drastically reduced. An Immortal using a crystal can see other immortals still, but it is still hard to tell a real mortal apart from an immortal using a crystal. So, to protect Jena, some of us are going to use the crystals to go undercover and keep Jena safe."
"And the immortals who aren't using the crystals?" Amor asked.
"They will be look outs and spies." Joy said, coming in with a tray of goodies.
"Thank you, Joy." North said, accepting a couple cookies. Turning back to the group he asked, "who wants to stay an immortal and who wants to use a crystal?"
It was silent. Not even the elves were making a sound.
"I'll use one." Danica said standing up, Sandy stood up next, then Bunnymund, Jack, Tooth, and Iris.
"You sure Iris?" Shamus asked his adoptive daughter.
"As sure as a rainbow has a pot of gold at the end." She replied with a wink.
"The rest of us will keep an eye on everything else. Those of you who gave volunteered please take a crystal. Danica will give you instructions on how to use them." North said standing up too. Danica held her hand out for the bag and Tooth handed it to her.
"Watch closely." Danica said to them, and demonstrated what to do, "After you pick up a crystal" she held up a small crystal, "you say, 'my immortality, I now freely give, to become a mortal, to truly live." As she spoke the crystal shone brightly and the light engulfed Danica. The others watched stunned as a now mortal Danica stood before them. Her hair was platinum blonde and her eyes were still blue but now she could see.
"Amazing." Danica breathed although she knew how to use the crystals she hand never tried it before. She looked around the room at all the colors and people in it. Returning her attention to the stunned spirits offering them the bag. "Your turn."
"I'll go next." Jack grabbed a crystal and repeated the spell. The light engulfed him and then faded. He looked at the other Guardians with brown eyes, and ran a hand through his now brown hair too. "Wow, I actually feel warm." He said looking at his hands. Bunnymund took a crystal next and repeated the process. His eyes where their normal green but the rest of him was different. He was tall, tan, muscular and had grey and black hair. Instead of fur he now had on jeans and a black t-shirt.
"I forgot to mention, the crystals can also give you a sort of disguise too." North said when he saw the look on the now human pooka's face.
"Nice ta know." Bunny said looking at his reflection. Iris and Tooth took crystals next. Iris had reddish brown hair and pail skin and was wearing a green shirt and black slacks.
Tooth had black hair that stuck up like her feathers usually did and was wearing a purple dress that matched her eyes. Sandy grew taller and thinner with his hair turning a sandy blonde although his skin retained a golden tan. He had jeans like Bunny but a yellow shirt instead of black.
"Ok that was definitely weird." He said, which left all the Guardians more stunned than his appearance did.
"What?" He asked in a clear rich voice, Danica felt as though she might faint.
"So how do we change back?" Jack asked twirling his staff.
"That's easy." Danica said setting the crystal on the table. "My mortality I now wish to lose, my immortal self is the form I choose." The crystal glowed and Danica returned to her immortal form. She picked the crystal up and repeated the other spell and became human again.
"Ok, easy enough to remember." Jack nodded.
"Good luck to all of you." North said handing Bunny two snow globes.
"Wait! Before you go…" Amora flew next to Danica, handing her a couple darts, "these are if Pitch uses my arrows on anyone. Just prick them and they will return to normal."
"Thank you." Danica said smiling at her friend. Bunny whispered "Burgess" and smashed the globe. The now mortals all hopped threw the portal.
It was about an hour until the dance was going to start and Jena was trying to do something with her hair. Trying being the key word. Every time she thought she had a curl it fell flat. The door bell rang just as Jena was about to smash her curling iron. Shaking her head she went downstairs to get the door. She opened the door to find six strangers standing on her door step.
"Can I help you?" She asked.
"Yeah, can you let's us in Jena?" A brown eyed brunette boy asked. He seemed familiar but she couldn't place his face.
"How do you know my name?" She asked, her eyes narrowing suspiciously.
"Because Jamie introduced you to me and we had that awesome snowball fight." The brunette said, rubbing his hands together to get them warm.
"Jack?" Jena asked.
"The one and only, now could we come in." He asked.
"Oh sure come on in." Jena said opening the door wide to allow them inside. Once everyone was inside Jena lead them to the front room.
"Ok, so I know Jack, but who are the rest of you?" She asked. Sabrina was curled up on a big man's lap. The man seemed wary of the cat but stroked her anyway.
"You met us already." A girl with platinum blonde hair said. They all did seem familiar. If the brunette boy was Jack did that mean…?
"Sandy?" She asked the golden tan boy sitting next to the blonde girl.
"At your service." He said with a wink.
Studying the others carefully Jena pointed at the remaining four figures. "Danica, Tooth but who are the last two?"
"The Easter kangaroo." Jack joked. "And his new girl friend."
"Shut it Snowflake." Bunny growled a blush covering his cheeks. The girl sitting next to him giggled.
"The names Iris." She said with a slight Irish accent.
"Oh, I remember you know. But aren't you both pookas?" She questioned.
"We are but right now we aren't." Iris answered.
"Wha?" Jena said putting her hand on her head.
"Jamie told you what I told him about the whole crystal business right?" Jack asked.
"Yes… oh I get it now." Jena nodded. The others began to chat and talk about the plan when Bunny asked an odd question.
"If ya don't mind me askin' Sheila, what's with the dress?" He asked.
"Oh there's a masquerade tonight for New Years." She glanced at the clock, "and I'm running behind schedule!" She leaped up and hurried to the bathroom.
"Would you like some help?" Tooth asked following her upstairs.
"If you could that would be wonderful." Jena said picking up the curling iron again.
"Danica and Iris, I'm going to help Jena you two help the boys." Tooth called down the stairs.
"You got it." Iris called back up. Tooth quickly had Jena's hair curled and tied up in a high pony tail. She secured it with a few silver hair pins and helped Jena with her make up.
Down stairs Danica had had the boys use their crystals to change the style and color of their cloths into something more formal. Bunny was wearing a black suit with a green tie, Sandy's suit was white and his tue was a pale gold, and Jack was also wearing a black suit but had a ice blue tie. Danica was now wearing a pale silver dress with gold sparkles and her hair had been expertly braided and tucked into a regal bun and Iris was wearing a dark green dress with a shamrock wreathe encircling her hair which was now a tight bun atop her head.
"I feel ridiculous." Iris huffed. She hated dresses, even if she didn't necessarily wear them she still didn't like them.
"I think you look pretty. Right Bunny?" Jack said with a playful nudge.
"Right down beautiful." Bunny said with a blush. Iris blushed too and winked at Bunny. Tooth came down in a dark blue dress covered in sparkles and a silver head band holding her hair out of her face. Jena followed behind her, her mask already strapped on her face and Jamie's gift hanging on her wrist.
"I thought we were missing something." Danica said. Once more she had them use their crystals to get masks that matched their clothing. Danica's was full face and silver with gold swirls around the eyes. Jack's was half face and blue with frost patterns covering it. Bunny's was quarter face (you know like the one the phantom of the opera wears in the beginning of the play?) dark green with black patterns. Iris's was half face and white with green Celtic markings. Sandy's was full face with and gold with silver swirls. Tooth's mask was white with blue feathers on the sides.
"I wish I had one of those crystals." Jena chuckled, "lets go."
"Lead on." Sandy said, opening the door like a true gentleman.
"Thank you." Jena smiled and headed into the cold clear night.
Jamie tugged at his tie and readjusted his mask. He had bought a simple black half face mask with no decorations on it.
Pippa was already on the dance floor, dancing with Claude. Cupcake was dancing with her new boyfriend, Steve. Monte was dancing with a girl from their history class and Caleb was flirting with a couple of girls by the punch bowl.
Jamie was waiting close to the doors for Jena to show up. She finally did, along with a whole group of people.
"Hey Jamie." A brunette said as he walked by. Many of the girls looked over at the new boys with interest, as did the guys only with the new girls.
"How did…" Jamie was about to ask but Jena interrupted him.
"It's Jack, he and a few if the other Guardian's are using crystals to keep an eye on things." She whispered.
"Oh." Jack said with a nod.
"That's how I reacted too. Come on, lets dance." She said leading Jamie onto the dance floor. The Guardians watched them from various points around the room. Amor and Amora stayed close to the ceiling, out of view from those below. Jamie and Jena acted normally and had a great time, until someone unexpected bumped into them.
"Hey Jena." Lucas said as she accidentally back up into him. She whirled around to face him, shocked that he was here.
"Lucas, hey." She deadpanned.
"Jena who's this?" Jamie asked coming up next to her.
"Jamie this is Lucas, Lucas this is Jamie." She introduced. Both the boys where locked in a stare down. Jena simply backed away and went to go get a drink.
"Hey Jena." Caleb said offering her a cup.
"Hey, thanks." She said keeping an eye on Jamie as she walked. They where about equal in height, but Lucas was more visibly muscular than Jamie, a fact that had Jena concerned deeply.
"Where's Jamie, I thought you'd be dancing with him." Caleb asked looking around the room, his eyes resting on where the two where still glaring at each other.
"He's busy." She said.
"I can see that. He'd better hurry up, I talked to the DJ and he said that their would be a slow song after this one." He said with a chuckle. As if on cue the fast song that had been playing stopped and the slow melody of "I won't give up" by Jason Mraz started playing. Both boys looked over at her and rushed to her side.
"Jena will you dance with me?" They asked at the same time. Jena stepped back a bit.
"Um…" she looked to Caleb for help. He sighed and took her hand.
"Sorry guys, I asked her first." He said leading her onto the floor.
"Thanks, you really saved me there." She sighed in relief.
"Don't thank me yet." He said. Jena was about to ask him what he meant when he stepped on her foot.
"Sorry." He said as they kept dancing.
"It's ok just watch your feet next time ok?" She said as she winced. She glanced over his shoulder to where Jamie and Lucas stood. Jamie was smiling, because he knew Caleb was interested in Whitney Orr not Jena. Lucas on the other hand was fuming. Jena surprised a laugh and kept dancing. Caleb didn't step on her feet again for the rest of the song and as soon as it was over went back to where he had been standing by the punch bowl. Jamie walked over and pointed to where Lucas was. He was currently trying to get a cup, which had magically froze to his hand, off. Jena giggled and let Jamie escort her to the other side of the room, where they both sat at a table and simply chatted.
Pitched looked in from a window above the crowd of teenagers. He remarked at how well the Guardian's where blending in with the other mortals. Oh well, that wouldn't stop his plan, he just needed to send in a distraction. Nodding to a couple of his fearlings they raced off and prepared to play their part.
Amor was floating lazily by a chandelier when the doors opened. A group of late comers entered the room, one in particular caught his attention. She had long black hair and pail skin, and was dressed in a royal purple dress with black ribbons.
"Evelyn?" He breathed unaware that he was floating down. He wasn't sure it was her, the mask kept her eyes covered, if he could just catch a glimpse of her eyes he would know. He was vaguely aware of a hand grabbing his shirt and pulling him up.
"What are you doing?!" Amora hissed in his ear, "we're supposed to stay out of sight."
"It's her." Was all Amor said. "It's really her."
"Who?" Amora asked in confusion.
"It's Evelyn!" He said. Amora had to slap his cheek to get him to look at her.
"If it is that means Pitch must be around here too. We need to tell North." She said dragging him behind her and through a window. If she had glanced down she would have noticed Evelyn smile in triumph.
Bunny made a head count of the Guardians and other spirits and noticed two things. Danica and Sandy where dancing together and Jack, Amor, and Amora where no where to be seen.
"What's up?" Iris asked coming up behind him.
"We're three short, where's Tooth?"
"Lookin' for Jack."
"Something don't feel right." Bunny mumbled.
"Ya feel it in your belly?" Iris joked, nudging him.
"I'm not kidding around." He said. A couple walked past them right then and blocked their view of Jena and Jamie.
"Excuse us." Bunny said trying to step around them. They moved with them, no matter which way Iris and Bunny moved the couple blocked them.
"What's the big idea!" Bunny nearly shouted at them.
"Just following orders." One hissed. Bunny and Iris both began feverishly trying to get through them but it felt as though they where made of bricks.
"Jena, I'll be right back." Jamie said getting up. "I have something important to tell you when I get back."
"Alright, I'll be outside getting some air." She said, smiling happily at him. Jamie headed for the little boys room as Jena walked outside. The cool night air rushed past her, cooling her off nicely. There where a couple of couples out there too. Some star gazing, others chatting, and some making out.
Jena sighed contentedly and looked up at the nearly full moon.
Pippa had just gotten back from touching up her make up when she felt an unusual sting on her shoulder. She looked over and saw Jamie heading towards the doors.
Jack was outside confronting Lucas.
"So you really went with such a lame disguise?" He taunted.
"What? I have no idea what you're talking about." Lucas said looking at Jack in confusion.
"Don't play stupid, I know who you are Draven!" He said clenching his hands into fists, ready to fight.
"You're crazy. My name is Lucas," Lucas said backing up from the crazy guy.
"Enough lies, defend yourself." Jack called and leapt into battle.
"Jamie!" Pippa called from behind him.
"Hey Pippa." He said turning to face his friend. She was a lot closer than he would have liked. She fluttered her eye lashes at him, wait was she flirting with him!
"So how have you been?" She asked.
"Um, I'm doing well but I need to get back to Jena." He said trying to back away.
"Oh, her. Why do you want to talk to her when you can talk to me?" Pippa said leaning in close to him.
"I…" Jamie was about to answer when he felt a sting in his back.
Jena was starting to get really cold. "Where's Jamie?" She thought to herself. She decided to go back in it was almost Midnight now anyway. She opened the door and stopped midstride. There right in front of her was Jamie, kissing Pippa! Confused Jena stumbled back a step, seized by a sudden fury she marched forward. She tapped Jamie on the shoulder.
"What was that important thing you where going to tell me, Jamie?" She asked in a sweetly venomous voice.
"I love Pippa." He said. That did it! Jena slapped him across the face so hard that he fell on the ground.
"I hate you Jamie Bennett!" She yelled, ripping off the bracelet he had given her before tossing it at his head. She turned in her heals and raced out the door into the cold. She stopped on the other side of a wall and started crying. She leaned against the wall and cried her heart out.
"Why're you crying?" A voice asked from above her.
"Hu?" She said looking up. There was a boy dressed in black with a black mask.
"Why're you crying?" He asked again, dropping down next to her.
"I just had my heart ripped to shreds." She said angrily throwing a bit of snow.
"That stinks." He said looking up at the sky.
"And you? What are you doing out here?" She asked, taking off her mask and wiping her eyes, luckily she had worn water proof mascara.
"Looking at the moon." He said simply. She shuddered, until then her anger had kept her from feeling the cold but now it had crept into her bones.
"Oh, here." The boy said taking off his cape and putting it around her shoulders.
"Thank you." She said, accepting his hand up too.
"So how did you get your heart broken?" The bit asked after a minute.
"The guy I thought loved me told me flat out that he loved someone else after he lied to me earlier that he didn't love her." Jena said, looking up at the moon.
"That really stinks. I wish there was something I could do." The boy said looking over at her. The DJ stopped the music and the people inside began to count down until midnight.
"Maybe there is." The boy said suddenly.
"Ten!"
"Nine!"
The boy took Jena in his arms.
"Eight!"
"Seven!"
"What are you doing?" Jena asked.
"Six!"
"Five!"
"You'll see."
"Four!"
"Three!"
The boy started to lean forwards a bit.
"Two!"
"One!"
"Happy New Year!" Everyone inside shouted.
"Happy New Year." The boy whispered in Jena's ear then left. Jena just stood there frozen.
"Jena!" Danica said coming up from behind her. She shook the girl's shoulders but she just stood there, one hand gently touching her lips.
"Jena, are you ok? Jena answered me." Danica shook her harder. Jena muttered something, still in a trance.
"What?" Sandy asked coming up next to them.
"He kissed me." Jena said, finally looking at them.
"He stole a kiss?" Danica asked seriously. Jena nodded.
"Was it your first kiss?" Sandy asked, his face paling with dread.
"Yes." Jena whispered.
Danica looked at Sandy then to Jena then to the moon before she sank to the ground.
"None will be able to retrieve what he stole." She whispered mournfully.
Ok that's it for this chapter. Hope you liked it! Please review! I won't be up dating until after July because if my job. So until then have a nice day! :D