It was a long drive home being that I was half drunk and don't really know where anything is. I eventually found my neighborhood and my house. Thank God, and the first thing I do when I get inside is flop on my couch. I remember when Donna used to scowl me for doing this after a long a day at work. Afterwards she would lay my head in her lap and run her hand through my hair. That's the past though, I gotta move on. All of a sudden, I hear shuffling from upstairs and I shoot up of the couch. I slowly stalked up the stairs, having no weapon, I was even more cautiousness. I reach the top and go through task of looking through each room. I reach my room when I find the intruder. It was an old woman, a bit chubby, and in a maid's dress. She has folded clothes in hand and didn't seem to notice me.

''Uh hi?''

She jumped and put her hand over her heart, ''oh sweet Jesus, you scared me, dear.''

''May I ask why you are in my house?'' I asked as politely as I could manage.

''You must be Jackson Brewer, i'm Ms. Jones and I work here.'' she said while putting the folded clothes in my drawer.

''Who employed you?''

''Your mother, of course...she didn't tell you?''

I shook my head.

She sighed, ''your mom lived here before she left for Tokyo, she left me the keys when she left and told me she left this house for you...that was a about a year ago, though.''

I didn't know my mom was in Tokyo but she did tell me that she left the house for me.

''Why did she leave for Tokyo?''

''Her job, sweet pea, she didn't get the chance to say goodbye.'' she said moving out my room.

I followed, ''i'm never been here this late, oh and sweetie get some sleep, you look like yesterday's trash.''

I sigh and flop on my bed, ''sweet dreams, dear,'' was the last thing I heard before I fell into a dreamless sleep.

/.

I wake up to loud classical music instead of the regular annoying alarm. I slowly sat up and rubbed my eyes, I had an annoying headache.

''Rise and shine, Mr. Brewer.'' Ms. Jones said happily, holding a cup with something yellow mixed with red.

''What the heck is that?'' I asked pointing at the cup.

''Healthy juice, now drink up.'' she ordered.

She tilted my head back and slowly poured the weird tasting drink down my throat. When she finished my headache eased a bit and I sighed in relief.

''Why was their classical music as my alarm?'' I ask.

''You ask a lot of questions, honey pot, for The Masquerade Ball tonight.''

''I'm going?''

''Yes dear, you did get invited,'' she said as handed me a professionally decorated invitation.

''And don't forget the note from your secret admirer.''

She handed me a folded note and left the room. The invitation read:

~Jackson Brewer~

You have been formally invited to the Second Annual Masquerade Ball at the home of Edward . Please dress formal with a mask. You must be twenty-one or older to attend and I.D. will be required. Please bring this invitation to the ball with you, it will be needed to admit.

Time: 8:30-11:00

See you there!

I stared at it and read it over and over. Next, I picked the note and unfold it. A grin found its way on my face when I read it.

Dear Jack,

You're a horrible liar.

Sincerely, Kim Crawford

/.

I didn't have Community Service today which was good and bad. Good because I didn't have get up early and work, but also bad because I don't have anything to do. I set both papers on my dresser and head for the shower. I took a shower for about a half an hour and threw on a white t-shirt and some baggy skinny jeans. I went down stairs to see Ms. Jones cutting fruit in the kitchen. I go into the kitchen and I lean on the counter beside her.

''What are you doing, Mr Brewer.''

I grab an apple, ''you know just chillin.''

''You have to get fitted for your suit and tie.''

I nod.

''Go on, I make you a bowl of fruit to go.'' she replies, putting in a few grapes.

I leave up stairs to get ready. I just throw on a long sleeve blue and black button down shirt and my boots. After a few combs through my hair with my hand I run downstairs with my phone and keys. Ms. Jones at the door with a bowl of fruit and my wallet. She hands me the bowl and my wallet, so I give her tight hug. I then get in my car and set my phone's G.P.S for the suit store. After that for the next five minutes I just sit there eating my fruit. I remember when Donna used to get on me about eating healthy and about excise. There I go again thinking about Donna. I need to move on. I start my car and start to head to the suit store, hopefully this doesn't take long.

/.

Well getting fitted didn't take long but them find the right size for me is. I'm just exploring the store when I hear giggles behind me. I turn around hoping it wasn't someone I knew and it turned out to be the opposite It was little girl, like a toddler. Dressed in a pretty pink dress with flowers on it and shoes that matched. She had her dark hair pulled up into a messy ponytail. She ran toward me and reached her arms up, wanting to get picked up. So I did. She wasn't heavy, she was actually pretty light.

''So where's your parents?''

She giggled again and reached for my hair, unsuccessfully.

''Maria!''

When the girl heard someone yell that she stopped giggling.

''Maria...um who are you?''

I turned around and there stood a guy about my height, dark hair like the girl and a bit pale.

''Oh, I'm sorry she was wondering around and I found her.'' I say, handing her to him.

He nodded like he understood, ''Jerry we gotta go get our...Jack?''

Milton appeared behind him holding a small pink book bag and his usual nerdy appearance.

''What are you doing here, Jack?'' Milton asked.

''Getting a suit...I got invited to The Masquerade Ball.''

He nodded, ''Oh, silly me I forgot to introduce you, Jerry this is Jack and Jack this is Jerry.''

I reached out my hand for him to shake but instead he gives me some grabs my hand and gives me a hug. We just kind of stand there in silence, until Maria giggles.

''So who's her mom, if you don't mind me asking?''

''I don't remember it was one of those one night stand things.'' he said looking down.

Milton changed the subject, ''so what color suit are you getting, Jack?''

I pondered this I actually didn't know until I looked around and saw it hanging on the wall. The last one on its rack.

What did you think of this chapter? Some interesting stuff coming up in the next few chapters, so stay alert-aNGEL