Chapter Six Masquerade Party

~Emma's POV~

Emma went to her locker after her last class, seeing the flyer for the poetry contest on the nearby wall. It had been a few weeks since Ms. Frost had her stay after class to talk to her about the contest. She still couldn't believe that her instructor had wanted her to enter. Emma had laughed to herself at the idea. She didn't have time for that. Although, she still had a week before the deadline, and the winner would be posted in the school newspaper along with their poem. Emma was too shy to have her poetry in the paper for the whole student body to see anyway.

Emma opened up her locker, noticing another poem that was slipped inside. Her secret admirer was relentless and had been leaving her poems at least twice a week, and she still had no clue who he was. Not that she was complaining. She always got butterflies in her stomach when she received her poems.

Emma looked around to see if there was anyone around that could have placed this poem inside her locker, but there wasn't a student in sight, so she read it in high anticipation.

Hello lass,

It is I; 'your secret admirer' once again. This poem, I thought was appropriate for what the school has planned for the students. I'm not sure if you've heard about it, but they're throwing a Masquerade party Friday night for homecoming week, and I think this is the perfect opportunity for you and I to finally meet. What do you think? Would you like to be my date at the party?

It's going to be fairytale-themed and I'll be the one dressed as a pirate, wearing all leather and of course a mask (it isn't called a masquerade for nothing. Lol) The mask will also be somewhat leather to go with my costume. Can't wait to see what you'll be wearing. See you then.

Yours truly,

Your Secret Admirer.

Slow Dance

Have you ever watched kids

On a merry go round?

Or listen to rain

Slapping on the ground?

Ever followed a butterfly's erratic flight?

Or gazed at the sun into the fading night?

You better slow down.

Don't dance so fast.

Time is short.

The music won't last.

Do you ask "How are you?"

Do you hear the reply?

When the day is done.

Do you lie in your bed?

With the next hundred chores

Running through your head.

You'd better slow down.

Don't dance so fast.

Time is short.

The music won't last.

Ever told your child.

We'll do it tomorrow?

And in your haste,

Not see his sorrow?

Ever lost touch,

Let a good friendship die

'Cause you never had time

To call and say "Hi"?

You'd better slow down.

Don't dance so fast.

Time is short.

The music won't last.

When you run so fast to get somewhere

You miss half the fun of getting there.

When you worry and hurry through your day,

It is like an unopened gift…

Thrown away

Life is not a race.

Do take it slower.

Hear the music

Before the song is over.

As Emma finished the poem, she had a smile on her face. She was finally going to meet her secret admirer.

Emma had forgotten about this party that she had seen flyers for; scattered around campus. She had initially decided not to go, but this was her chance to meet the man behind the mask, literally.

Emma tucked the poem into her backpack and headed out of the building. She couldn't wait to tell Ruby she'd be meeting her secret admirer.

~Killian's POV~

Killian attempted to read the school newspaper the next day in the student center, but he was so nervous about the thought of revealing himself to Emma, he couldn't even concentrate on the words in front of him and his hands were shaking. What if Emma didn't want to meet him? What if he had creeped her out with all of his romantic poems? He wouldn't even find out if she would be there until he showed up to the party. How would he even recognize her, seeing as she would be wearing a mask too?

Killian stood from the table he was sitting and put the newspaper in his bag, making his way outside the building to meet Victor.

He hadn't really thought this whole thing through. But then again, Emma would most likely be going to the party with Ruby and she was the sort of girl who was easy to spot in a crowd. Not that Emma wasn't. It's just that Ruby always worn vibrant colors and had an even more vibrant personality.

"Hey mate, are you going with Ruby to the masquerade party?" he asked Victor as they walked to their next class.

"Sure am. Ruby wouldn't let me miss it. She's going as little red riding hood and I'm going as Frankenstein."

"Good to know," He said thoughtfully. "Do you know if Emma will be tagging along as well?" He asked nonchalantly, hoping that Victor wouldn't catch on to why he was asking.

"Not sure, why do you ask?" Victor inquired with a knowing smirk.

"Just wondering, that's all." Killian didn't know if he should tell his friends about his big reveal but then again maybe he should to avoid them calling him by his name before he pulled off his mask. No, Victor wouldn't be able to keep his mouth shut. He decided to keep the whole thing a secret. He wasn't even going to tell them he was going. This way he wouldn't have to worry about them screwing this whole thing up for him. "I just decided that I'm not going."

Before they reached the classroom, Victor stopped at the door, turning to look at him, his eyebrows furrowed in confusion. "You're not? How come?"

Killian lifted his hand, running it nervously through his hair as he fished for an excuse. "I just don't feel like going that's all."

"Is it because Emma's going to be there?"

Killian shrugged, an impish smile spreading across his lips. That was indeed an excellent excuse to give his friend. "Maybe. I'm just still too shy to talk to her." It wasn't really a lie. He was still nervous about speaking to such a breathtaking woman, but he had decided he didn't want to wait any longer. If he was going to do this he didn't want to wait until it was too late. He just found it difficult to believe that a beautiful lass like Emma would be off the market for too long. The last party they had attended proved to him that guys were willing to fight for her affections, even if they were drunken frat boys.

"Dude, you need to man up." Victor chuckled and gave Killian a friendly pat on the shoulder before they entered the classroom. "I've never seen you so shy around the opposite sex before. She's just a girl."

Killian shook his head as they took their seats, knowing very well that Emma was not just any girl. She was not even that. To Killian, she was someone who had turned his world upside down and that has never happened to him before. She was a delicate flower who, just by being in her presence, made him feel whole again; she was a remarkable woman to say the least.

~Emma's POV~

"Gosh, I cannot wait to show Victor my sexy riding hood costume." Ruby chanted as she thumbed through some dresses on the clothing rack at the costume store. "Oooh, I think you should wear this one!" Ruby grabbed one, holding it up in front of her. After she told Ruby about her secret admirer asking Emma to the party where he would finally reveal himself, they had went to a store in the mall called 'Happily Ever After.' It seemed like the appropriate store for the theme of the party.

Emma frowned, her eyes narrowing when she saw the dress in Ruby's hand. "It's a princess costume." Not only that, but the dress was blue with short, puffy sleeves. It had a slim waist but the layer of skirts were rather large and extravagant.

"Yeah, that's the idea." Ruby sighed and put the blue dress back, grabbing another one from the rack. "What about this one? He's going as a pirate so you should go as a princess. And this dress would look soooo good on you. At least try it on." Emma eyed the dress, thinking that it really didn't look that bad. And she knew that Ruby wouldn't let her leave the mall without a princess dress. Once Emma's friend had her mind set on something, it was difficult to change it. Emma finally sighed in defeat, seeing Ruby's big hazel eyes waiting for an answer.

"Fine, I'll try it on but I can't guarantee I'll like it."

"Okay, awesome! And I want to see it when you have it on."

"Fine." Emma slumped her shoulders and sighed as she rolled her eyes and went into the fitting room with the dress. She removed her shoes and stripped down to her underwear, and pulled the dress from the hanger, slipping it on.

Eyeing herself in the mirror, she tried to decide if she liked how it looked or not. The dress was a long pink gown with layers of chiffon. It was sleeveless and had a low neckline though, so Emma wasn't sure if she liked that. Although she had to admit to herself that she felt like a princess in it and it wasn't large and poofy, making her look ridiculous.

"Em, let me see!" Ruby called through the door.

Emma relented and sucked in a breath before she opened the door and walked out of the fitting room skittishly, not really liking the idea of other people seeing her like this.

Ruby's eyes grew wide when she saw Emma and a cheeky grin spread across her lips. "You look so pretty. You should get it!"

Emma pursed her lips as she contemplated the idea. She didn't really want to try on a hundred more dresses and she decided that she was content with this one. If she were to be honest, she was rather curious as to how her date would react to seeing her in it. "Okay, I'll get it." She said with a small smile.

Ruby clapped her hands in excitement. "Yay! This party is going to be so much fun! I can't wait to see who your secret admirer is."

Emma gave her another eye roll, hoping her friend wouldn't embarrass her. She knew she should've never told her in the first place. "Can you just keep this between the two of us? I don't want anyone to do anything to scare him off."

Ruby nodded and made a motion with her hand, pretending to zip up her lips. "Got it, my lips are sealed."

On the night of the party, she got ready with Ruby in their dormroom. Her friend curled her hair and applied her make-up and by the end of it; Emma hardly recognized herself in the mirror. She no longer looked like a lost orphan in a foster home, but far more grown up and far prettier than she had ever imagined she could be. It was somewhat of a revelation but instead of feeling confident, she only felt more awkward in her own skin and kept tugging on the neckline of her dress to pull it up.

"Relax, Em, the dress isn't revealing at all. Although it should be, but oh my gosh, you look so beautiful!" Ruby chimed, already dressed in her little red riding hood costume and Emma thought her friend was going to burst into tears with how excited she was.

~Killian's POV~

When Killian arrived at the student center in his pirate costume unbeknownst to Robin and Victor, it was completely transformed for the party. There was a DJ and loud music sounding through the speakers. The dance floor was already filling with people and there were strobing multicolored lights overhead and a disco ball in the center.

He was glad that he had managed to keep it a secret that he was coming to this. He had picked up his costume after Robin and Victor had left to pick up their dates.

Killian adjusted his mask as he stepped inside the entrance. His friends had already arrived and he could see them across the room along with Regina and Ruby. He swallowed thickly, his heart dropping in his chest. Was Emma not coming? As he shuffled through the crowd of people, some of the girls were staring at him through their masks, but his attention was only focused on trying to find her.

~Emma's POV~

As Emma walked up the stairs just outside the building of the student center, she was already regretting this. She was wearing a tiara and a pink mask to match her gown as the skirts were gathered in her hands to keep herself from tripping over them. She had managed to convince Ruby to leave for the party without her because she wanted to meet her secret admirer before anyone else did. She was still unsure about this whole thing. Even if this guy was everything he seemed to be from his poems and letters, was she really ready for this? She was just a freshman in college and normally the girls her age were experimenting and not allowing themselves to be tied down. That just wasn't her though.

Emma took a deep breath as she stepped inside the grand entrance. Her eyes scanned the room, seeing all of the students in their costumes. There were surprisingly many people dressed as pirates and most of them were looking her way when they saw her enter the room. Realizing that she wouldn't be able to pick out her admirer from the crowd and he didn't even know if she'd show up or not and wouldn't be able to recognize her behind the mask, she removed it from her face.

Slowly making her way towards the center of the room, she swallowed a large lump in her throat as she felt numerous pairs of eyes drawn to her like moths to a flame. Her stomach quickly filled with butterflies, her mouth becoming dry as the males and females alike stared at her through their masks.

She didn't like to stand out or be the center of attention like Ruby did. Maybe that's why she wasn't completely on board with going to this party as a princess. Emma was certainly not royalty. Not even close. She was an orphan and often felt like an outsider. Maybe that's why she liked having a secret admirer who sent her poems. He made her feel special and she didn't have to worry about carrying a conversation with him. She didn't have to worry about trying to impress him.

Oh God, what if she meets him and he ends up being drop dead gorgeous and way out of her league? What if she just acts like a fumbling idiot around him? What if he ends up running when she actually tries to talk to him?

Emma felt nauseous at the thought as she held her stomach. This was a very bad idea. Before she could change her mind and run for the door, someone dressed in a pirate costume approached her.

Crap, it was too late.

"You made it..." The pirate spoke in a deep, throaty voice and he had a British accent that sent shivers down her spine.

"I did." She managed with a small smile. She could only see the bottom half of his face and his body, but what she saw was quite the view. The dark hair on his head was parted neatly and his chin and jaw were clean shaven as his mouth curved into a soft smile. He was wearing tight black leather pants as promised and a black buttoned shirt with a red velvet vest. He was even wearing a sword at his hip. And she could see his piercing dark blue eyes through the holes of the mask. Just as suspected, he was drop dead gorgeous. Her body began to quiver at the thought of trying to speak to this guy.

"And you came as a princess… I like it." He said, bowing to her as though she were actual royalty. "You look stunning my fair princess."

Emma blushed profusely at the compliment and somehow managed to curtsy to him. Was this guy even for real? She summoned the courage to speak, her words soft and mumbled. "Thank you. And you make... a very handsome pirate."

He smirked, his hand coming up to rest on his sword. "I know."

She suddenly felt very warm, her lips were trembling and the way he looked at her made her want to crawl into a hole and hide. Pull it together, Swan. She's spoken to attractive guys before, but none of them had shown interest in her like he had. With the poetry he wrote her and the letters and how he gazed at her in awe and complimented her. It was unreal.

Emma looked around awkwardly, not really knowing what to say without completely humiliating herself. She saw Ruby and Regina on the dance floor and she wanted to join them because she knew she would feel much more comfortable than she did right now but she didn't want to be rude and abandon the pirate.

"Would you care to dance?" He asked, extending his hand. She eyed it wearily, contemplating whether she should or not. She didn't really know how to dance.

~Killian's POV~

"Um… I guess?" Emma answered, although it sounded more like a question.

Her uncertainty tore at his heart. "You've never been to an actual dance before have you?" He had seen her dancing at the frat party a while ago when she was inebriated, but he'd hardly call that dancing.

Emma shook her head. "No, I've never been."

"Well then… allow me to be your first partner." He encouraged with a hopeful grin, still holding out his hand. She finally took it after replacing her mask, an uncertain smile curving the corner of her lips. The spark he felt from her fingertips made his body shudder.

His stomach was full of knots and he felt beads of sweat forming at his forehead as he led her to the dance floor. She looked nervous, he could feel her hand shaking and sweating in his palm as he tried to steady his own hand.

He was bewitched by how breathtaking she looked. Even in simple jeans and a plain t-shirt and no makeup she was beautiful, but the way she looked in her dress and the way her soft curls bounced when she walked, the sparkle in her green eyes and her cherry lips enchanted him to the point where he could barely breathe.

"There's only one rule when it comes to dancing… find a partner who knows what he's doing." He murmured in her ear as he slowly pulled her around until she was facing him again.

The DJ changed the track to an upbeat song and he was relieved, but at the same time, his heart was stammering in his chest quicker than the beat of the music.

Emma was quiet as they danced to the song. He tried not to get too close for fear of making her uncomfortable. She kept looking behind at Ruby and Regina, so he tried to engage her in small talk.

"How do you like your classes so far?"

She turned her head to look at him, answering just loud enough so he could hear her. "They're fine. I'm just still trying to adjust to being on my own."

"I know what you mean, love." He replied nervously, fishing for something else to say to this beautiful woman. "What classes are you taking?"

She named off her classes and he continued to engage her in casual conversation. Emma eventually seemed less nervous and so did he. She also stopped looking over at her friends and gave him her full attention. Just when they had a good rhythm going, the song changed to something slow.

He saw her swallow harshly and offered his hand to her as he flashed her a charming grin. "Ready for a slow dance?"

"Okay." She breathed and stepped closer taking his palm in hers as her other one rested on his shoulder. He curled his other hand around her waist, hearing her breath hitch. He lost his own breath at the small distance between them and willed himself to take the first step, allowing her to follow his lead. He looked into her eyes, getting lost in her emerald depths as they started swaying to the music, neither of them able to speak. They slowly grew more comfortable to the rhythm as the lyrics poured out through the speakers.

By the end of the song, he was holding her closely to his chest, her head resting on his shoulder and he could hear the beat of her heart in his ear as he tried to recall the last time he felt this content. He decided he could easily hold his princess for all of eternity.

To his dismay, the song ended and they waited until the very last moment before they finally pulled apart. He felt an ache from the loss.

"Not bad for your first dance, your highness." He said cheekily as he gave her another bow.

"Um… thanks." She offered him a curtsy and a sheepish smile as she tucked a loose curl behind her ear.

Killian scratched his head, contemplating his next move. He thought that it was time to finally reveal himself so he took her hand in his and pulled her away from the dance floor. She looked at him questionably and he instantly felt even more anxious than before.

"Emma… I wanted you to know that I've been taken by you from the moment I saw you." He began to explain, his voice shaking. He could tell that she was just as skittish as he was. "I started writing those anonymous poems to you because… I was afraid of revealing myself. But now I think it's time that you find out who the man behind the mask is. What do you say, love?"

His heart was hammering in his chest as he managed a smile. Why was he so nervous? He had spoken to her before, but at the time she didn't know that he was the one expressing his affections for her through poetry. He felt secure hiding behind his unspoken words. He felt protected. And now he was about to reveal his soul to this enchanting princess before him. Even after opening up to her a bit, he didn't know if he was prepared for that.

He could tell she felt the same as he did, but with a gentle nod, she gave her consent. Although the redness in her cheeks and the uncertainty in her eyes told him differently. "First, I need some punch. I'm really thirsty." She started to leave for the punch bowl but he gently put his hand on her arm to stop her.

"Allow me princess."

He made his way to the table where the punch was being served and he grabbed a plastic cup, filling it with the red liquid. He forced himself to steady his breathing before he went through the crowd of dancing students. As he neared the spot where he had left her, he decided to remove his mask now before he gave himself anymore time to talk himself out of it. He thought that if he looked at her before he removed it, he would get scared and chicken out.

Killian lifted his hand, grabbing the front of his mask and removing it from his face, letting it rest on top of his head. There were people in his way and he moved around them to reach his destination.

"It is me, love…" He spoke when he finally approached, but his words hung in the air when he stopped and looked over to the exact spot he had left her, finding that she was gone.