It was almost 11:00pm, and the Bulb Ball continued to rave on into the night. Many people were sat down at their tables, still enjoying their fine cuisines, laughing and joking together.
Although, there were quite a number of people in the main hall, as the band began to set up their instruments and microphones. The atmosphere was buzzing as people giggled and kissed the night away, making memories that they would keep for a long time.
Yes, every one was having a great time, every one that was except for Peach who was alone at her table. She sat at her chair silent, her half finished meal sitting in front of her.
She sighed and looked over at the lobby doors, hoping that any minute now; Mario would come bursting in to sit next to her. But no, she had been waiting alone for over 30 minutes now as her innocent face stayed glued to the door, hoping that her date would enter any second.
She sighed quietly and sat back against her chair. Her eyes lowered towards the ground as she felt a lump growing in her throat, her eyes began to glisten with tears as she sniffed her nose, trying her hardest to compose herself, trying to keep an upbeat attitude.
Mean while, in the left wing of the Bulb Ball; Mario had his head glued to the table as he put up with Daisies constant rambling. His eyes were closed and his face sick with determination. He sat up and rubbed his eyes, looking exhausted.
"You know what Daisy? I could listen to you all night if I wanted to". He said as he slightly smiled, interrupting Daisy from her long speech about her first ever dress.
Daisy stared down at him, "oh Mario, you're such a good listener!" she giggled.
Mario nodded his head then rubbed his eyes some more. "But, I'm going to have to check something in the lobby quickly, ok?" he stated as he stood up and tucked in his chair.
Daisy looked at him puzzled, "again? Mario what are you hiding in there?" she asked, curiously.
Mario smiled slightly and quickly re-assured Daisy, "oh nothing, just something that needs…. Attention." He said with a small smile on his face. Daisy smiled and giggled slightly as she watched her date toddle off towards the lobby doors.
Mario opened the doors; shot threw the lobby and walked into the right wing to see Peach sat at her table looking extremely depressed.
He sighed and watched her for a few seconds "I'm so sorry peach..." her murmured as he began to slide past the tables and waiters towards Peaches table.
He was a few tables away from Peach when suddenly Luigi slid himself in front of his brother; he had a wide smile on his face and looked very eager for something.
Mario sighed and shook his head slightly. Shocked by his brother popping out of no where. "Oh god, what is it now?" He asked.
Luigi smiled brightly and stood right up to Mario's body. "Guess who's not dancing with Briella tonight?" he blurted out as he clamped his eyes with excitement.
Mario began to stand on his tip toes, trying to look over Luigi's shoulders to see Peach. He then stopped and looked at Luigi, "I dunno, you?" he asked.
Luigi chuckled and took a step back, "that's right! I organised Briella to dance with some one else! I don't have to dance with her, isn't that great!?" he giggled.
Mario stared Luigi in the eyes, "and was Briella ok with that?"
Luigi rose on eye brow and grunted "heh! Who cares, as long as I don't have to dance with her it doesn't matter".
Suddenly Mario's mood burst into anger as he took a step close to Luigi and pointed his finger in his face, "you cant just blow some one off like that!!, imagine how you would feel if Briella organised you to dance with some one else without your permission! How would you fee??" he yelled as Luigi stood shocked in front of him with wide open eyes.
"Well…. I didn't really-" he murmured just before Mario interrupted him.
"You know what, forget it! You wouldn't understand anyway". Said Mario as he pushed past his brother, and left him standing still, with his eyes focused on thin air. Shocked.
Mario paraded towards Peaches Table, when suddenly he stopped to listen to a loud voice that came booming out of the walls as the room fell silent. "Uh, is this thing on... Good evening Ladies and gentlemen!! and welcome to the 2006 Bulb Ball!!"
The room was filled with the sound of cheers and people clapping.
"I hope your all having a wonderful time, because it's about to get better, its time for the annual Bulb Ball dance!!" yelled the voice, and again the room was filled with the sound of people clapping and cheering.
"Now, if you will all please come to the main hall, the dance will begin as soon as every one is ready, thank you and have a wonderful night!"
The room suddenly burst with more cheers and clapping as people began to stand up from their chairs and hustle toward the lobby entrance, towards the main hall.
Mario looked over to Peach as she stood up from her chair, her eyes slightly closed and her face pale, she tired with grief. Her face was painted with a fake smile but threw her eyes you could see that deep down inside she was hurt. Mario sighed again as he watched the small pink princess slowly walk threw the crowd being bumped about by the busy couples.
The room was soon empty and Mario was left standing alone in the middle of the right wing, he was staring dead at the floor, thinking about how much he had let Peach down. It was ironic how he had just told off Luigi for doing exactly what he was doing.
The face that Peach had that tonight would stick with him for a long time, it was the true face of disapointment, the face of a young girl that had been let down by the young man that she truely had feelings for, it was the face of a girl whos magical night had been snatched away from her. Mario looked over to her empty table and at the half eaten meal that sat before her empty chair.
He then slowly walked over to the Lobby doors in silence, he knew that sooner or later his plan was to come crashing down, he couldn't keep this up for much longer, and he didn't want to hurt Peach any more.
He opened the doors slowly and slid threw them. For the Annual Bulb Ball dance was about to begin, and so was the mayhem…