Greenlee stared at herself in the mirror. She couldn't believe how unbelievably good she looked in the dress. After twirling around a bit, looking at herself from all angles, she picked up the mask and secured it onto her face.
Excitement bubbled in her stomach as she walked down the stairs into the masquerade. She paused at the top of the stairs, looking out over the dance. It was certainty a sight to behold. The room had a mesmeric quality. Greenlee couldn't do much else but stare out at it.
It was, in the truest sense, like a scene from a fairy tale. Hundreds of bright, colorful costumes were whirling, swaying and sweeping across the spacious floor. The windows, which reached nearly up to the ceiling, let in the glow of the moon, which was accompanied by glistening lights strung around the room.
"Excuse me, my fair lady." A voice from behind her said. She turned around to find a fat pumpkin. It was all she could do but laugh out loud.
"What's so funny?" The pumpkin asked.
"Oh, nothing," She said, giving a polite curtsy, and then moving aside for him to get by. But he didn't budge.
"I know I'm a mere vegetable in the sight of such a beautiful maiden, but we are standing below a mistletoe..."
Greenlee cocked her head upwards. Indeed, there was mistletoe hanging directly above where they were standing.
She smiled and leaned in, kissing what she hoped was the cheek of the pumpkin. He thanked her, then proceeded to waddle out onto the dance floor.
Greenlee followed quickly, not wanting to stand beneath the mistletoe any longer, and hurried over to the punch bowl. As beautiful as everything was, the room was extremely warm, especially when you had on as heavy a dress as hers.
She dipped the spoon into the bowl and filled her cup. When she turned around, she found herself face to face with a Swan.
"Greenlee? Greenlee is that you?" The swan said urgently.
Greenlee shook her head.
"Are you sure?" The swan flapped one of it's wings.
Again, Greenlee shook her head, then she slipped away into the crowd. But then she stopped suddenly. She realized that she and Amy had never swapped costume information concerning Andrew and Leo. She had found out, rather easily, that Andrew was going as a Wizard, but neglected to inform Amy. What if that Swan had been Amy? Damn!
Greenlee turned around quickly and bolted back to the refreshment table, but the swan had disappeared. Greenlee began to panic. She could avoid Andrew, oh sure, but that didn't matter much if she wasn't able to find LEO!
She ran back into the crowd, frantically searching for the Swan, but her efforts resulted in no luck. She did, however, bump into a Penguin, who asked her very sweetly if she'd like to dance. She graciously accepted.
They danced briefly before a Polar Bear approached them. Greenlee, thinking the sight of a Polar Bear and a Penguin dancing was just too cute to pass up, happily allowed the bear to cut in.
She went directly back to the refreshment table where she got another glass of punch. She sipped it, slowly, and stared out into the crowd of dancers. Unexpectedly, the swan went zooming by, dragging a large Banana behind her. Greenlee nearly spewed her punch as she set her cup onto the table and raced after the giant yellow costume that was disappearing quickly into the crowd of dancers.
She grabbed the Banana, giving him a hard tug. The swan and Banana both turned around quickly.
"Amy, is that you?" Greenlee whispered.
"No," The swan said, out of breath. "Greenlee?"
"Who are you?" Greenlee asked.
"Susie," The swan quacked.
"Oh, Susie!"
Greenlee turned to the banana, eyeing it up and down.
"Please, Jimmy, tell me that isn't you..."
"Okay." The banana said. "I won't."
Greenlee nearly barreled over laughing.
"Oh, my God, a BANANA? What the HELL were you thinking? This is a MASQUERADE, not a Halloween Party!"
She broke off into more laughter.
"Listen, Miss Giggles, have you seen two little apples wandering around?"
"Alex and Becky?"
The swan nodded, her beak flapping furiously.
"No, I haven't," Greenlee said looking around her a bit. "If I do, I'll bring them to you, okay?"
"Thanks, Princess..."
The bird and fruit then ran off, vanishing into the dancers again.
Greenlee turned around, keeping her eyes on the look out for apples.
And that's when she saw him.
A lion, dancing with a Panda.
A Lion.
LEO THE LION.
Greenlee put her punch down and bolted out towards them. She eagerly tapped the Panda on the shoulder, who stepped back, allowing Greenlee to cut in. The lion bowed politely, a clever grin playing across his painted mouth.
"My, my, I never realized Lion's were such good dancers." Greenlee smiled as he twirled her. But to her surpris, he twirled her right into the arms of a giant cigarette. Alarmed, she turned her head and watched as the lion waved his paw at her, then darted into the crowd.
Greenlee looked up at the cigarette, her new dance partner, and was more than a little relieved when the song ended. She tore her hands away from him and retreated, once again, back to the punch bowl.
A butterfly, dragonfly, someone dressed as Alice in Wonderland, and someone dressed as The Queen of Hearts slinked up beside her simultaneously, two on each side. Greenlee could instantly tell that Alice was Teresa. There was just no mistaking that blonde hair. And the Queen, she guessed, was most likely Annie, because, although Amy had dark hair as well, the Queen was just too pudgy to be Amy. Amy, she guessed, was the dragonfly, and Olivia the butterfly.
Just as Greenlee suspected, the dragonfly whispered in her ear, "What the freaking hell is Andrew dressed as?"
Greenlee cleared her throat; "Whatever are you talking about, Madam Dragonfly?"
"We know it's you, Greenlee, drop the act!" Annie said.
"Greenlee? That Smyth girl? Heaven's no, my dears!"
"GREENLEEEE!"
"Okay, okay!" Greenlee was pouring herself some more punch; "He's a wizard."
"Which one?" Olivia quickly asked. "I've danced with two wizards tonight, already."
"One's in purple robes, and the other in blue." Teresa informed Greenlee.
Greenlee considered this for a moment. She wanted to say purple, but then she realized that was her father. He, for some reason, had a strange fetish for those Harry Potter books... the wizard, Greenlee remembered, wore purple in the movie. Andrew must be the blue one.
"Blue." She said quickly.
"Thanks, Greens," Amy sounded genuinely appreciative. "Leo's the..."
"I know," Greenlee grinned. "I found him on my own."
"Oh, well alright."
A new song started up, so the girls split, instantly hopping out onto the dance floor. Amy quickly went in search for the wizard in blue. Greenlee, meanwhile, was scouring for the lion.
The song ended, and still, there was no sign of Leo the Lion. As the next song started up, Greenlee was asked by a handsome prince to dance. She accepted, and a few people actually stopped to watch them. A handsome prince and beautiful princess waltzing certainly draws a crowd, Greenlee thought. As they spun, Greenlee's eyes fell upon the lion. He was standing beside a red Fish in the crowd. She watched him intently, as he, too, watched her. He had that grin on his lips still, and Greenlee eagerly tried to break away from the prince, but the prince would have no such thing. The lion began to step backwards, withdrawing into the crowd. Greenlee stopped the dance immediately, just before the lion vanished for good, and darted after him. She couldn't let him get away again!
The prince looked quite offended, but Greenlee didn't care about that. The thing about masquerades is that they're anonymous. Nobody could call it on her later. And anyway, a simply ravishing Angel stepped in her place, and the prince was waltzing again in no time.
The lion weeded his way through the people, leading Greenlee towards the back of the room. He was always just out of her reach, but glanced back often with that sly grin, making sure she was still there.
What is he doing! Greenlee thought to herself, This is SO Leo...
Greenlee stretch her arm out and grabbed a hold of the end of his tail. He stopped and turned, taking her dainty hand into his bulky paw, then continued to lead her. Finally, they reached the back of the room, away from the dancing populous, and the lion swept her in front of him up against the wall. He grinned, again, and pushed her mask up a little, then leaned in and kissed her. Greenlee thought this was a simple kiss, but as she felt his tongue press against her lips, she realized he was looking for a full on make out session.
How was Leo SO sure that this princess is me, anyway? She thought. How am I so sure this Lion is Leo...?
She pulled away, breaking the kiss.
"Leo?"
"Leo the Lion." The lion grinned, in a voice that was clearly not Leo's.
"No... You're not Leo!" She pushed him back. "Who do you think you are, kissing me like that?"
"You were attracted to me, weren't you?" The lion said.
"Because I thought you were Leo! Leo Du`Pres!"
"Sorry to disappoint you. I'm Kyle Crandlemire. Who are you, anyway?"
KYLE CRANDLEMIRE?
Greenlee's cheeks flushed beet red and she darted away, slipping into the crowd of dancers.
As Greenlee rushed back towards the stairs, Susie caught her arm. The swan now had two plump apples beneath her wings. One green, one red.
"I found the kids."
"Oh, good, I'm glad," Greenlee said. Her voice was obviously choked up, though.
"Are you alright?"
"No! My God, who's idea was it to have this stupid Masquerade? NEVER AGAIN! I'm never coming home for Christmas again!"
"Greenlee," The swan pulled her in for a hug. "What happened, sweetie?"
"I... I can't talk about it. Maybe tomorrow."
"It'll probably seem funny to you tomorrow."
"OH, GOD!" Greenlee spotted Kyle at the refreshment table. "Funny? Yeah, right." She immediately darted up the stairs, but bumped head on into a Frog.
"Ex..excuse me.." Greenlee said, as he pulled her up to her feet.
"Don't worry about it," the frog said. Greenlee stared at the mask closely. It was... It was Josh! That was the same costume he wore when they were thirteen. She smiled, wondering if he'd recognize her.
"Shall we dance?" She asked.
"You have to kiss me, first." He said.
"That's your reward if you can hold onto me until midnight..."
"No, that's my reward for catching you beneath a mistletoe." The frog grinned. Greenlee glanced up. Damn that blasted Christmas weed!
"Alright, if you insist..." She leaned up and kissed the frog's cheek, then they retreated together onto the dance floor.
Dancing with Josh made her feel better. Kyle was no where in sight, the handsome prince and his angel partner were dancing beside them, and everything felt calm. Greenlee almost didn't care about the whole mistaking-kyle-for-leo thing. At least she didn't french him, she thought with a smile. Greenlee noticed that not too far away, Amy was two-stepping with the blue wizard. Surprisingly, she felt happy for her cousin.
Then, to Greenlee's complete and utter shock, Amy did something Greenlee wished her dead for. She and her blue wizard danced right up close, "Greenlee," Amy shouted over the music. "Can we switch real quick?"
Amy, Greenlee guessed, knew that the frog was her brother and must have had something important to tell him. Greenlee nodded, and they switched partners. Greenlee laughed while she watched the dragonfly and frog dance. She half expected the Frog to gobble down the fly.
"So, you're Greenlee?" The wizard said.
"Yeah. Andrew, right?"
"No," the wizard said. "It's John."
"JOHN?" Greenlee's jaw dropped. "Does Amy know this?"
"Yeah, as soon as I told her she switched out."
"I thought you were Andrew!"
"Listen, Greenlee, I have to go help Ursula with the kids now. Merry Christmas, see you tomorrow morning." And he broke away.
Greenlee looked to where she had left the frog and fly, but they were gone.
"Such a beautiful thing, standing here all alone with no dance partner?"
The purple wizard was standing in front of her now.
"Oh, dad." She sighed, collecting his hands into hers and dancing with him. "I'm not having a good night at all!"
"I think it's about to get worse." The purple wizard shouted. The music had reached a dramatic peak, and thus was much louder.
"Why do you say that?" Greenlee shouted back.
"Because I'm not your father!"
Greenlee dropped his hands and discontinued the dance.
She tried hard to look into the eyes behind the mask. "Andrew? That you?"
"How did you know?"
"Andrew, I found you! Come on, we have to go find Amy!"
"Amy? I'd love to dance with Amy." He smiled, "But can we talk first?"
They started up the dance again.
"About what?"
"I just wanted to say sorry. For provoking you, I mean."
"I'm the one who should say sorry. I had no right to come on to you like that." Greenlee admitted.
"It's fine, as long as we're cool."
Greenlee smiled, "Yeah, we're cool."
Madam Dragonfly and the Frog came promenading by, and Greenlee quickly switched partner's with her again. Amy was most confused, but as Greenlee watched them closely, she saw Andrew whisper something into Amy's ear, and then Amy's eyes beamed as a grin swept across her face and she threw her arms around him. Okay, so they both knew who each other was, which completely eliminated any chance of there being a surprise when they take of each other's masks. But at least they were both happy.
Excitement bubbled in her stomach as she walked down the stairs into the masquerade. She paused at the top of the stairs, looking out over the dance. It was certainty a sight to behold. The room had a mesmeric quality. Greenlee couldn't do much else but stare out at it.
It was, in the truest sense, like a scene from a fairy tale. Hundreds of bright, colorful costumes were whirling, swaying and sweeping across the spacious floor. The windows, which reached nearly up to the ceiling, let in the glow of the moon, which was accompanied by glistening lights strung around the room.
"Excuse me, my fair lady." A voice from behind her said. She turned around to find a fat pumpkin. It was all she could do but laugh out loud.
"What's so funny?" The pumpkin asked.
"Oh, nothing," She said, giving a polite curtsy, and then moving aside for him to get by. But he didn't budge.
"I know I'm a mere vegetable in the sight of such a beautiful maiden, but we are standing below a mistletoe..."
Greenlee cocked her head upwards. Indeed, there was mistletoe hanging directly above where they were standing.
She smiled and leaned in, kissing what she hoped was the cheek of the pumpkin. He thanked her, then proceeded to waddle out onto the dance floor.
Greenlee followed quickly, not wanting to stand beneath the mistletoe any longer, and hurried over to the punch bowl. As beautiful as everything was, the room was extremely warm, especially when you had on as heavy a dress as hers.
She dipped the spoon into the bowl and filled her cup. When she turned around, she found herself face to face with a Swan.
"Greenlee? Greenlee is that you?" The swan said urgently.
Greenlee shook her head.
"Are you sure?" The swan flapped one of it's wings.
Again, Greenlee shook her head, then she slipped away into the crowd. But then she stopped suddenly. She realized that she and Amy had never swapped costume information concerning Andrew and Leo. She had found out, rather easily, that Andrew was going as a Wizard, but neglected to inform Amy. What if that Swan had been Amy? Damn!
Greenlee turned around quickly and bolted back to the refreshment table, but the swan had disappeared. Greenlee began to panic. She could avoid Andrew, oh sure, but that didn't matter much if she wasn't able to find LEO!
She ran back into the crowd, frantically searching for the Swan, but her efforts resulted in no luck. She did, however, bump into a Penguin, who asked her very sweetly if she'd like to dance. She graciously accepted.
They danced briefly before a Polar Bear approached them. Greenlee, thinking the sight of a Polar Bear and a Penguin dancing was just too cute to pass up, happily allowed the bear to cut in.
She went directly back to the refreshment table where she got another glass of punch. She sipped it, slowly, and stared out into the crowd of dancers. Unexpectedly, the swan went zooming by, dragging a large Banana behind her. Greenlee nearly spewed her punch as she set her cup onto the table and raced after the giant yellow costume that was disappearing quickly into the crowd of dancers.
She grabbed the Banana, giving him a hard tug. The swan and Banana both turned around quickly.
"Amy, is that you?" Greenlee whispered.
"No," The swan said, out of breath. "Greenlee?"
"Who are you?" Greenlee asked.
"Susie," The swan quacked.
"Oh, Susie!"
Greenlee turned to the banana, eyeing it up and down.
"Please, Jimmy, tell me that isn't you..."
"Okay." The banana said. "I won't."
Greenlee nearly barreled over laughing.
"Oh, my God, a BANANA? What the HELL were you thinking? This is a MASQUERADE, not a Halloween Party!"
She broke off into more laughter.
"Listen, Miss Giggles, have you seen two little apples wandering around?"
"Alex and Becky?"
The swan nodded, her beak flapping furiously.
"No, I haven't," Greenlee said looking around her a bit. "If I do, I'll bring them to you, okay?"
"Thanks, Princess..."
The bird and fruit then ran off, vanishing into the dancers again.
Greenlee turned around, keeping her eyes on the look out for apples.
And that's when she saw him.
A lion, dancing with a Panda.
A Lion.
LEO THE LION.
Greenlee put her punch down and bolted out towards them. She eagerly tapped the Panda on the shoulder, who stepped back, allowing Greenlee to cut in. The lion bowed politely, a clever grin playing across his painted mouth.
"My, my, I never realized Lion's were such good dancers." Greenlee smiled as he twirled her. But to her surpris, he twirled her right into the arms of a giant cigarette. Alarmed, she turned her head and watched as the lion waved his paw at her, then darted into the crowd.
Greenlee looked up at the cigarette, her new dance partner, and was more than a little relieved when the song ended. She tore her hands away from him and retreated, once again, back to the punch bowl.
A butterfly, dragonfly, someone dressed as Alice in Wonderland, and someone dressed as The Queen of Hearts slinked up beside her simultaneously, two on each side. Greenlee could instantly tell that Alice was Teresa. There was just no mistaking that blonde hair. And the Queen, she guessed, was most likely Annie, because, although Amy had dark hair as well, the Queen was just too pudgy to be Amy. Amy, she guessed, was the dragonfly, and Olivia the butterfly.
Just as Greenlee suspected, the dragonfly whispered in her ear, "What the freaking hell is Andrew dressed as?"
Greenlee cleared her throat; "Whatever are you talking about, Madam Dragonfly?"
"We know it's you, Greenlee, drop the act!" Annie said.
"Greenlee? That Smyth girl? Heaven's no, my dears!"
"GREENLEEEE!"
"Okay, okay!" Greenlee was pouring herself some more punch; "He's a wizard."
"Which one?" Olivia quickly asked. "I've danced with two wizards tonight, already."
"One's in purple robes, and the other in blue." Teresa informed Greenlee.
Greenlee considered this for a moment. She wanted to say purple, but then she realized that was her father. He, for some reason, had a strange fetish for those Harry Potter books... the wizard, Greenlee remembered, wore purple in the movie. Andrew must be the blue one.
"Blue." She said quickly.
"Thanks, Greens," Amy sounded genuinely appreciative. "Leo's the..."
"I know," Greenlee grinned. "I found him on my own."
"Oh, well alright."
A new song started up, so the girls split, instantly hopping out onto the dance floor. Amy quickly went in search for the wizard in blue. Greenlee, meanwhile, was scouring for the lion.
The song ended, and still, there was no sign of Leo the Lion. As the next song started up, Greenlee was asked by a handsome prince to dance. She accepted, and a few people actually stopped to watch them. A handsome prince and beautiful princess waltzing certainly draws a crowd, Greenlee thought. As they spun, Greenlee's eyes fell upon the lion. He was standing beside a red Fish in the crowd. She watched him intently, as he, too, watched her. He had that grin on his lips still, and Greenlee eagerly tried to break away from the prince, but the prince would have no such thing. The lion began to step backwards, withdrawing into the crowd. Greenlee stopped the dance immediately, just before the lion vanished for good, and darted after him. She couldn't let him get away again!
The prince looked quite offended, but Greenlee didn't care about that. The thing about masquerades is that they're anonymous. Nobody could call it on her later. And anyway, a simply ravishing Angel stepped in her place, and the prince was waltzing again in no time.
The lion weeded his way through the people, leading Greenlee towards the back of the room. He was always just out of her reach, but glanced back often with that sly grin, making sure she was still there.
What is he doing! Greenlee thought to herself, This is SO Leo...
Greenlee stretch her arm out and grabbed a hold of the end of his tail. He stopped and turned, taking her dainty hand into his bulky paw, then continued to lead her. Finally, they reached the back of the room, away from the dancing populous, and the lion swept her in front of him up against the wall. He grinned, again, and pushed her mask up a little, then leaned in and kissed her. Greenlee thought this was a simple kiss, but as she felt his tongue press against her lips, she realized he was looking for a full on make out session.
How was Leo SO sure that this princess is me, anyway? She thought. How am I so sure this Lion is Leo...?
She pulled away, breaking the kiss.
"Leo?"
"Leo the Lion." The lion grinned, in a voice that was clearly not Leo's.
"No... You're not Leo!" She pushed him back. "Who do you think you are, kissing me like that?"
"You were attracted to me, weren't you?" The lion said.
"Because I thought you were Leo! Leo Du`Pres!"
"Sorry to disappoint you. I'm Kyle Crandlemire. Who are you, anyway?"
KYLE CRANDLEMIRE?
Greenlee's cheeks flushed beet red and she darted away, slipping into the crowd of dancers.
As Greenlee rushed back towards the stairs, Susie caught her arm. The swan now had two plump apples beneath her wings. One green, one red.
"I found the kids."
"Oh, good, I'm glad," Greenlee said. Her voice was obviously choked up, though.
"Are you alright?"
"No! My God, who's idea was it to have this stupid Masquerade? NEVER AGAIN! I'm never coming home for Christmas again!"
"Greenlee," The swan pulled her in for a hug. "What happened, sweetie?"
"I... I can't talk about it. Maybe tomorrow."
"It'll probably seem funny to you tomorrow."
"OH, GOD!" Greenlee spotted Kyle at the refreshment table. "Funny? Yeah, right." She immediately darted up the stairs, but bumped head on into a Frog.
"Ex..excuse me.." Greenlee said, as he pulled her up to her feet.
"Don't worry about it," the frog said. Greenlee stared at the mask closely. It was... It was Josh! That was the same costume he wore when they were thirteen. She smiled, wondering if he'd recognize her.
"Shall we dance?" She asked.
"You have to kiss me, first." He said.
"That's your reward if you can hold onto me until midnight..."
"No, that's my reward for catching you beneath a mistletoe." The frog grinned. Greenlee glanced up. Damn that blasted Christmas weed!
"Alright, if you insist..." She leaned up and kissed the frog's cheek, then they retreated together onto the dance floor.
Dancing with Josh made her feel better. Kyle was no where in sight, the handsome prince and his angel partner were dancing beside them, and everything felt calm. Greenlee almost didn't care about the whole mistaking-kyle-for-leo thing. At least she didn't french him, she thought with a smile. Greenlee noticed that not too far away, Amy was two-stepping with the blue wizard. Surprisingly, she felt happy for her cousin.
Then, to Greenlee's complete and utter shock, Amy did something Greenlee wished her dead for. She and her blue wizard danced right up close, "Greenlee," Amy shouted over the music. "Can we switch real quick?"
Amy, Greenlee guessed, knew that the frog was her brother and must have had something important to tell him. Greenlee nodded, and they switched partners. Greenlee laughed while she watched the dragonfly and frog dance. She half expected the Frog to gobble down the fly.
"So, you're Greenlee?" The wizard said.
"Yeah. Andrew, right?"
"No," the wizard said. "It's John."
"JOHN?" Greenlee's jaw dropped. "Does Amy know this?"
"Yeah, as soon as I told her she switched out."
"I thought you were Andrew!"
"Listen, Greenlee, I have to go help Ursula with the kids now. Merry Christmas, see you tomorrow morning." And he broke away.
Greenlee looked to where she had left the frog and fly, but they were gone.
"Such a beautiful thing, standing here all alone with no dance partner?"
The purple wizard was standing in front of her now.
"Oh, dad." She sighed, collecting his hands into hers and dancing with him. "I'm not having a good night at all!"
"I think it's about to get worse." The purple wizard shouted. The music had reached a dramatic peak, and thus was much louder.
"Why do you say that?" Greenlee shouted back.
"Because I'm not your father!"
Greenlee dropped his hands and discontinued the dance.
She tried hard to look into the eyes behind the mask. "Andrew? That you?"
"How did you know?"
"Andrew, I found you! Come on, we have to go find Amy!"
"Amy? I'd love to dance with Amy." He smiled, "But can we talk first?"
They started up the dance again.
"About what?"
"I just wanted to say sorry. For provoking you, I mean."
"I'm the one who should say sorry. I had no right to come on to you like that." Greenlee admitted.
"It's fine, as long as we're cool."
Greenlee smiled, "Yeah, we're cool."
Madam Dragonfly and the Frog came promenading by, and Greenlee quickly switched partner's with her again. Amy was most confused, but as Greenlee watched them closely, she saw Andrew whisper something into Amy's ear, and then Amy's eyes beamed as a grin swept across her face and she threw her arms around him. Okay, so they both knew who each other was, which completely eliminated any chance of there being a surprise when they take of each other's masks. But at least they were both happy.