Wow, it's been just less than a year since I last updated. Okay, I lost interest in the story. Every time I tried to write the words just wouldn't come out. However, I finally got around to writing this chapter after a sudden inspiration but I don't know how long it will last so don't count on a chapter every week. I guess you should be happy for me since I finally decided to write this. I enjoy this chapter (you'll see why) and I hope you enjoy it too.

In The End

Like Romeo and Juliet

"OUCH! Don't poke me in the eye!"

"Well if you don't stop fidgeting I'll poke you again."

"I don't see why I have to wear make up anyways," I grumbled as Maya went back to applying black eyeliner around my right eye. We were currently hanging in her bathroom getting ready for the Halloween party, which had started ten minutes ago. Maya and I have already finished her costume; she had wanted to continue the princess theme and was dressed as a medieval princess. The purple dress was very flattering for someone so small and her mom had braided her top layer of hair like a crown around her head. The mask was blue with silver sparkles and purple feathers coming out the sides. I really envy Maya; she can get away wearing anything.

"There, all done! Now don't squeeze your eyes together or rub them or else you'll look stupid," Maya said while she gathered up her cosmetics.

I stood up and looked myself over in the mirror. My dark brown hair had gold colored weaved in that hung from a elaborate headdress that Maya had borrowed from her older sister who is a costume designer. My white dress is fashioned to resemble a toga and only crosses my right shoulder leaving my other bare. Some golden material is treaded along the edges and many gold colored bracelets jingle on both my wrists. I glance down at the mask Maya had made for me (she wouldn't let me do anything in case I messed up her artwork), the mask resembles a black cat but has blue and gold paint around the eyes making it devious looking.

"You know what?" I said still staring at myself in the mirror, "I don't look half bad in this costume. Thanks a lot Maya, I really appreciate you making this for me."

Maya smiled at me from where she was putting on a pair of dress shoes. "It was my pleasure Cleo, I love to make clothes for other people."

"Even Tala?" I teased.

A light blush began to spread across Maya's cheeks, "No, not yet. Anyway we should be going now before all the food is gone."

I slipped on my pair of gold colored flip-flops and followed her out the door. "You mean that you haven't even made him those boxers with hearts all over them like other girls have done for their boyfriends?"

SMACK

"OW! No need to whack my head! That hurt…"

By the time we arrived at Fiona's house the party was well under way. Most of the people were out in the back by the ocean and dancing to music the DJ was playing. A group of boys in the front were wrapping a tree with toilet paper while some others were trying to terrify a group of freshmen. After some warnings from Mrs. Tudor about alcohol, drugs, and drunk boys were on our way into the mansion.

The entrance hall was half full of people and the floor was covered in garbage. I noticed the absence of servants and figured that they must have given up long ago for cleaning this place up. Shoving through the throng of people, I showed Maya to the dining room where a large buffet was set up along the table. One person I recognized was all ready stuffing his with the delicious food.

"Hey Tyson"

The one I called Tyson looked up and stared. He was dressed as a punk and even had his hair gelled into a mohawk. Black sunglasses rested on his head so they couldn't hide the funny expression on his face.

"Um, Tyson are you okay?" Maya asked. His eyes darted rapidly back and forth between the two of us before he finally stopped staring like a goldfish and spoke.

"Do I know you?"

I raised an eyebrow at the question. "You might remember our names, Maya and Cleo?"

A look of shock passed over his face.

"No-way. Cleo, you actually look like a girl! Hey guys come and see this!"

I scowled at what he had said; so I don't look like a girl do I? The little weasel should learn to think before speaking. I looked at the other two guys who joined us at Tyson's call. Rei Kon waltzed up wearing a traditional Chinese costume and Tyson's best friend and Emily's boyfriend Max Tate who was dressed as Naruto from the self-titled anime.

"Guess who this is" Tyson started, jerking his thumb at me. Rei narrowed his catlike eyes and stared like he was trying to figure out a puzzle. Max just scratched his head. I just rolled my eyes.

"I give up," Max said, "Who are you?"

"Queen Cleopatra Ptolemy the seventh, ruler of Egypt" I said, sarcasm dripping from every word.

Max smiled and gave a short bow, "Nice to meet you, your highness."

"Max you dolt, Queen Cleopatra lived over 2000 years ago. It's our school's old tomboy Cleo," Tyson said.

Max blanked while Rei raised an eyebrow, "Wow Cleo I never would've guessed and Maya you look lovely tonight. My apologies for ignoring you."

Maya beamed at the compliment, "Thanks, but no need to apologize. I like to see the reactions my work gets. Anyways, have any of you seen Tala?"

"Um… Yeah. He's out in the back," said Max who was still blinking owlishly at me. Glad for the excuse to leave the staring eyes, I followed Maya out back. However there still seemed to be eyes following us making me feel rather uncomfortable.

"Hi Tala!" Maya called and waved at the redhead and ran up to him. I hung back a bit while they kissed and said something.

"Oh! Guess who this is," she said and pointed at me. I noticed he was wearing a vampire costume. I felt a smugness set in when he couldn't figure it out.

"I give up. Who are you?"

"Think Egyptian queen," I grinned as realization dawned on his face.

"No way, Cleo? You look like a girl! Not a bad one at that," he gaped.

"So I've heard," I replied dryly. "I guess I might as well go see some other reactions that will lower my self esteem. See ya later."

I walked towards the side of the dance floor to see if I knew anyone. Several guys were staring at me and although it was nice being noticed for once and this staring was uncomfortable. I saw Mariam and Ozuma dancing together and Rei and Mariah on the other side of the floor. Why does everyone have a special someone but me?

"Wow Cleo, you look nice tonight."

I turned around and saw Steel standing behind me dressed like a secret agent. Beside him was a very pretty girl with short, light blue hair and vacant eyes. She was wearing a warrior princess kind of outfit.

"Skye!" I squealed and just about glomped the girl but settled for a hug. Skye was Kai's cousin and a blind martial artist. We've been friends for a long time, however she lives all the way in Russia attending a boarding school for the blind.

Pulling back I looked her over and asked, "How are you? Enjoying Russia?"

"Yeah," she smiled at me. He accent was flawless, "I've made lots of new friends and I hear you've met my boyfriend Steel?"

"Oh yeah, he saved me from being run over by a speeding car the other day." I smiled at the young man who was scowling because he was ignored.

"Really? You have to tell me everything that has happened since I was last here…"

I was once again wandering by myself. I had left Skye and Steel after he had made it plainly obvious that he wanted alone time with his girlfriend so now I was standing beside the dance floor watching everyone dance. It wasn't fair, so many people already were in relationships in grade six but here I am, grade 11 and haven't even been kissed yet. Fiona's had so many boyfriends I've lost count, although I saw her recently making out with her current fling mister-what's-his-name. She dumped King on Wednesday.

Suddenly I felt a burning sensation on the back of my neck. Turning around I looked to see whether someone was staring at me. Seeing no one I went back to my old position but couldn't shake the feeling off. It wasn't very uncomfortable either; in fact I was getting a pleasant feeling from it.

Several minutes wore on and the strange feeling didn't seem to disappear, it actually became more prominent. However the strange feeling went away and I gave a small sigh, well that was unusual. The DJ switched to a slow song and couples glued themselves together across the floor. My view was soon blocked by a tall, muscular figure whose facial features were hidden by a roman helmet and mask. The young man was dressed in a roman army costume and definitely fit the part well for muscles were required and he certainly had them.

"Good evening Queen Cleopatra" he said in husky voice. Something about it was familiar… he bent down on one knee, took my left hand in his and kissed it. Oh great, heat rushed to my cheeks and I tried to control myself but I couldn't help it, no one has ever done that to me before.

"Your highness, could you be so kind as to share this dance with me?" he asked in that same heart stopping voice. This guy could almost knock off Johnny Depp for sexist man alive. I tried to gain control of my thoughts be fore they went over board.

"I don't suppose why not?" I replied. He smiled and stood up, leading me onto the dance floor. His arms snaked around my waist while my hands rested on his shoulders (I'm not tall enough to wrap my arms around his neck). I always thought slow dances would be boring but with this fascinatingly mysterious guy dancing with me I doubt it would ever be boring. I decided to speak and looked up at those dark eyes that stared right at me.

"May I inquire as to whom I am sharing this dance with?" I asked. Oh were those eyes cool or what!

A small, sexy smile crept on his face. "My friends call me Marc Antony your highness"

I really like this royalty talk… wait, wasn't Marc Antony the real Cleopatra's husband?

"And for what reason do you wish to dance with little old me?" Was I just flirting?

"Well…" he drawled and leaned in closer, his eyes never leaving mine, "A pretty young lady such as yourself shouldn't be left alone on such a beautiful night as this evening," he whispered.

"Oh? And so you believed one dance shall wash the loneliness away?" I whispered back. His face is getting pretty close now….

"Well, I felt I should do something to bring a smile to such a sad face"

"I do believe you have failed in your quest Marc Antony"

The small smile never left his face. "I am not finished yet your highness."

He kissed me.

My very first kiss.

It was not quite hot or passionate but soft and gentle and made my legs feel like jelly. His lips were smooth and velvety as they moulded against my own. There were no tongues but his taste lingered on his lips like dark chocolate and mint, my two favourite sweets. He slowly pulled away until our lips were barely touching I opened my eyes, not realizing I had closed them, and allowed a small smile to crawl across my face. He pressed his lips against mine once more before pulling away fully. Stepping back he bent into a sort of bow then brought a hand up to my headdress and placed white lily between it and my head.

"Au contraire your highness, I have succeeded."

Then he was gone.

Swallowed up by the crowd of the single people who moved onto the dance floor once the slow song was done. I carefully picked the lily out of my hair and looked it over feeling another smile on my face. I may have not seen Kai all night but this mysterious person was certainly entertaining enough, perhaps this party wasn't so bad after all.

I stared at the flower again.

Just like Romeo and Juliet….

I sighed and snuggled deeper into my bed, getting up was just not an option today. Usually I wake up early even on weekends, around nine; but today I was awake by 11 and perfectly happy sitting in bed, replaying the kiss in my head over and over again. Of course I was also trying to figure out who this 'Marc Antony' is considering he did kiss me. Is he a secret admirer, or perhaps a male friend playing a trick (I hope not), maybe I know him and he likes me. I suddenly felt doubts creeping into my mind, what if it was some sick joke and he and his friends were laughing about me right now?

I sighed and grabbed the pillow beside me, jamming it on top of my head. This was way too much to take in at once so how about I go through that kiss again. I smiled as I remembered the feeling of his lips on mine… was he ever a good kisser. I looked over at the lily he gave me last night. I had put it in a vase the moment I got home and hoped it would stay alive for a long time. However my luck with flowers living past two days was minimal and I would be lucky for it to still be alive by tonight.

Footsteps coming up the stairs alerted me to my mother and I looked at my bedroom door expectantly waiting for her to open it. She probably thought I was sick because of my absence from the kitchen where I'm usually eating some sort of cereal.

I heard the soft knock and mumbled a reply, something like 'come in' in troll. Mom came through the door and smiled when she saw I was awake.

"Can I come in?"

"Sure, why not?" I mumbled and snuggled deeper into my covers. Mom shut the door behind her and went and sat on the edge of my bed.

"So did you have a good time last night?" she asked.

"Oh ya," I said, remembering the eventful night.

She flicked a piece of strawberry blond hair away from her shoulder and gave me a small smile. That's what I like about mom; every time she smiles the entire room seems to light up. I especially like it when her eyes turn a soft amber brown because then I feel like she really cares.

"Skye, you know Kai's cousin? The blind one. Yeah she was with her boyfriend Steel. They came all the way from Russia to visit him. I saw Fiona's new boyfriend but didn't get to meet him, they were kind of busy…" I didn't really want to say anything about the mysterious 'Marc Antony' because I'm not sure if I want to tell her first or one of my friends.

"Anything else happen?" I stubbornly shook my head 'no'. I really didn't want to tell her.

"Alright, well I just made some pancakes if you want any. Max isn't coming over today so you don't have to live in your room all day."

I smiled when mom closed the door after she left. My favourite breakfast, no Max Wilkins, and my first kiss to a handsome guy….

Could life get any more better?

Well, how did I do for such a long wait? Hmm… now who is Marc Antony? I guess you'll find out. If I'm not lazy again --U

R&R please.