Chapter 2 - Princess

[Jack]

I walked back to the ballroom, pretty disappointed. The mask of the girl I danced with lay in my hand; I stared at it all the way, hoping I might catch a glimpse of her just by looking at it. "Hey!" I hear someone call from my right. I turn to that direction and saw Hiccup and Astrid walking toward me.

"Where were you?" Astrid asked. I looked down at the black mask in my hand, they gazed at it too and sure enough they both glowed.

"Well well well." Hiccup put his arm over me.

"What does she look like?" Astrid walk closer to me.

"I-I never saw her face..." I uttered

"Oh. Then why do you have her mask?" Hiccup asked.

I sighed and remembered what happened. I chased her but then I lost her, she must've left this mask on purpose so I won't forget her or something like that. The loud music and other people that were dancing kept disturbing us so I dragged Hiccup and Astrid to the corridor where I found the mask. On the way there, we took our masks off and I told them all about the dance, the talks we had, the unexpected kiss and the chase. The two of them smiled at me knowingly. With those looks on their faces, I really wish that I caught the girl's name.

"So that's it?" Astrid asked, unimpressed.

"You could've at least asked her name DURING the dance!" Hiccup walked around the dark corridor.

"I didn't think it would matter..?"

"Small talk dude! Small talk matters!" Hiccup said

"Hey! I made a small talk, asking her name just got completely out of my mind." I gestured to my brain.

"Why is that?" Hiccup asked, crossing his arms.

I looked back and what happened flash backed into my eyes, we were dancing and then she asked my name..."but then I stumbled and got dumbfounded by her beauty." I suddenly muttered out loud. I immediately look at my friends; they stared at me wide-eyed. I stared back at them with the same expression.

What did I just said?

Hiccup bursted into laughter. "I guess she got you good!" he teased. "So that's why you forgot to ask!" Hiccup clicked his fingers and wooed.

"But, she knows your name right?" Astrid cut in, before Hiccup can say anything else. I nodded at her and gripped the mask. "If she's as thrilled as you are with what happened tonight, then she'll be the one to come to you." Astrid explained.

I don't think she felt the same way though, she ran away from me- I only tried to catch her so we can talk, ask her name. Did she thought I'll be mad or something? Why would a guy be mad if a girl kisses him? I may hate girls but a kiss from them is, no doubt, pleasurable. Maybe she thought that I thought of her gesture as a sudden taking of advantage.

"I hate to break it to you Jack, but there's no way you're gonna find her with that mask." Astrid gestured to my hand.

"Or maybe tonight is just like one of those...one night stands" I looked down with sad sigh.

I hear Hiccup gasp slightly. "Wow..." he began. "She really got you bad, bro." he said, now in a serious tone.

There was a long moment of silence, neither of us want to start the conversation first. Hiccup's right, she did get to me. Dancing with her with the spotlight beaming on us felt so...magical. It's like I'm a Prince and she's a Princess. She made me feel comfortable on every move I make and every step I take. It was fun while it lasted.

"What do you feel now Jack?" Astrid broke me out of my thoughts.

I thought about her question, what do I feel? "I don't know. I have mixed emotions but I never felt this way before." I told the two of them and sat down on the foot of one armor. "I feel fun, cheered, a bit romantic, confused, energized...happy." I finally smiled. That's the word I'm looking for, all of this brought out happiness in me. Never have I ever danced with a girl and felt comfortable around her and myself.

"Things will work out, Jack. If this is gonna be love then it'll find a way" Astrid said reassuringly, placing her hand on my shoulder.

"She's right." Hiccup remarked.

"Thanks Guys" I told the two of them. I looked at the mask again...I feel really guilty that I'm crushing on someone who I don't know the name of. "I wonder what her name is..." I blurted out, not taking my sight off the lady's beautiful masquerade.

"Why don't we just call her..." Astrid began and put her finger on her mouth like she's thinking hard.

"Princess" Hiccup finished.

"Yeah! She does look like a princess!" Astrid agreed.

I smiled at the two of them; once again, they're right! I stood up and put the mask safely inside my tux. "We should go" I gestured for the exit. Hiccup held Astrid's hand and we walked back to the ballroom in silence.

We said our goodbyes to Punzie and Eugene, we'll see them next week when school starts again. The three of us went outside to the fjord where all the boats are parked; they're all ready to set sail back home. Man, what a party! Punzie sure is creative and energized for these type of things. Not to mention her and Eugene's elaborate plan of making me dance on center stage with someone I don't know.

Hey! Maybe they really meant to set me up with that girl tonight! I remembered the way Punzie winked at me earlier, it was no ordinary wink. It was a devilish type, one that says 'I-have-a-plan'. Damn! I need to get back there and talk to them!

"So, Jack? We'll see you next week at HAA!" Hiccup snapped me out of my thoughts.

"Huh?" I shook my head and looked at him, surprised.

"Dang, Jack! Will you please relax over this girl?" he chuckled before giving me a brotherly hug.

"Yeah...and don't forget what we talked about!" Astrid hugged me when her boyfriend pulled away.

"Of course." I hugged her back, "Thanks for the advice." I whispered in her ear.

"No problem" she pulled away. As they walked to the boat, sailing for Berk, they waved at me. I waved back and waited for them to get in before I go back to the castle.

I pushed through the crowd of well-dressed, masked people exiting the castle. I made my way through as fast as I could. I know if I go back late, Punzie and Eugene would be all over each other and I'll only interrupt them.

Plus, it's gross to see that.

I finally got inside the gates, more people walked out but I slid through pretty quickly. I found myself inside the now bright ballroom. Servants cleaned the mess and men started carrying the platform Princess and I waltzed on earlier. I sighed as I saw them take the thing away.

"Hey Jack!" a voice called out.

I recognize the voice, it's Punzie. I looked all around but I didn't caught a glimpse of her. "Punz?" I called out, looking all around.

"Up here!" I looked up and saw her and Eugene up in the second floor, near the Ionic-styled railings. I made my way up the stairs and marched to them. They're still in their costumes but they removed their masks. They both held a glass of champagne in their hands. They were leaning on the railing, Eugene's free hand wrapped around Punzie's waist.

"What's up, Jack?" Eugene asked.

"What are you still doing here? It's late!" Punzie said, alarmed.

"I gotta ask you two something, and I won't go home if you answer me bluntly..." I grabbed a chair and sat on it, facing them.

"Okay..." Punzie looked at me strangely, "What is it?"

"Do you know the girl you picked to dance with me on center-stage earlier?" I asked.

They looked at each other, their expressions show confusion. Punzie shuddered and raised her shoulder, she shook her head at Eug. "No..." Eugene said, moving his head away to me. "You weren't a random choice obviously. We told you you'd dance, right?" I knew it. "But the girl was completely random. We just asked the guy in charge of the spotlight to beam the light at a pretty girl that suits you" he explained.

I closed my eyes and looked down in defeat. That was no help at all.

"Why? Did she do something to you?" Punzie asked.

"No." I looked up at her and shook my head, "It's just that...I wanna get to know her but, I never got her name" I scratched the back of my head.

"Aww!" Punzie exclaimed and giggled, "Jack's got a crush!". Eugene chuckled.

I smirked. "Not merely."

"Too bad! Why didn't you ask her name?!" Punzie asked, intrigued.

I replied the same answer I said to Hiccup, "I didn't think it would matter..?"

"Well it obviously does." Eugene remarked sarcastically.

"Shut up, Eug" she elbowed Eugene's stomach. "We can't blame Jack, he's never dated anyone ever before." she said.

"Gee, thanks for putting that out Punz" I pouted.

"Oops." Punzie only giggled.

"Wait! So the so called 'Ladies Man' in our campus has never dated anyone before?!" Eugene asked in disbelief.

"Yes, Eug. I don't like girls okay?" I shook my head, "But that doesn't mean I'm gay! I just find them uninteresting" I defended before he can let out any more sarcasm.

"Yeah, right okay. Thanks for making that clear." Eugene saluted before drinking the remaining champagne in his glass.

"Do you plan to stay here, Jack?" Punzie asked. "Because if you want, it's fine. There's plenty of room in the castle"

"No, I really only came back to ask you that" I stood up from my chair. "I should get going now." I gestured to the staircase.

"You sure you don't wanna spend the night here?"

I nodded and backed away slowly, "I'll see you guys next week." I waved at the two of them. Turning around, I put my hands inside my pants' pocket and descended.

"Bye!" Eugene bid. "Be safe!" Punzie added.

I walked back outside disappointed, again. I was really hoping that either of those two at least knew who's the girl they chose to dance with me. I can't blame them though, they knew girls aren't in my vocabulary hence they could careless about the girl who danced with me.

I arrived outside the palace and walked faster, looking around for a dark place so I can take off without attracting attention. I found a narrow alley nearby one of the houses crowded and smushed together. I sneakily went there. When I felt like the coast is clear, I braised myself and jumped up high. I let the cold, chilly wind carry me and I glided in thin air, the dark shadowing me from the light of Corona. I soar up higher and higher until I'm above the thick clouds. Then I flew back to the Pole.

*6 Hours Later*

I landed on the open room in North's workshop, there stood the 50 foot Globe that's flickering with gold lights. It's sort of our radio to the children of the world, each light represent a child who believes. Ever since we defeated Pitch, no light has ever flickered off. North modified it so not only will it present children believers, but people of all ages. I watch as each light sparkle brightly.

I looked up and saw Manny above the open roof, his light beaming on the Globe. Then all of a sudden, what happened tonight flashed before my eyes in slow-motion. The spotlight beamed on me and Princess, we danced gracefully in the center. From afar, we look like a couple enjoying ourselves. She smiled happily and I smirked confidently.

No, no! I shook my head and shut my eyes. I need to forget about this! It was just waltz and kissing! That's it! Nothing else.

"Jack." a voice suddenly called out. I suddenly jumped and the wind caught me, making me fly. I looked around, no one's here...not even a Yeti or an Elf.

"Jack." the voice called out again. My eyes widened, I recognize that voice! Is this for real? Man in Moon?! Is Manny actually talking to me? I turned around and looked up at the open roof

"Manny?" I asked. "Good thing you're here! I need your help!" I flew up to the roof and gazed at the moon. Manny didn't talk back, it means he is listening. "This girl. From the party." I blurted out, I sat on the edge of the roof and looked up at Manny. I took out the mask and placed it on my lap, staring at it.

"Always keep a hold of that mask, Jack." Manny spoke. "It will help you later..."

"What do you mean?" I asked him, confused.

"The owner of that mask, the girl..." He started speaking but I can't hear the next words, his voice become faded and distant. It seems as if he's walking away, soaring into the dark sky.

"I can't hear you!" I stood up and yelled to the moon.

"You will see." the voice said then the bright light dimmed.

I looked back at the Globe; its spotlight turned off.

The moon suddenly doesn't look as near anymore; it's so far, like heaven's reach. I turned around with a frown on my face, why does Manny always talk in riddles and puzzles? He makes things more confusing than it already is. I flew back to the living room part of the room and lounged on the couch by the extinguished fireplace. I put the mask back safely inside my tux and covered my eyes with my forearm.

Today is very exhausting and full of emotions, it's even more tiring when I think about it more. I closed my eyes and just called it a night. 'A one-heck-of-a-night'.

[Elsa]

I quickly removed my dress and stuffed it in my luggage. I picked out my nightgown and put it on.

Tonight never happened.

No one will ever find out that I danced with a guy named "Jackson" and kissed him even though he's a complete stranger.

When Anna comes back here, she won't know that I was out tonight- dancing in the spotlight. What she'll know is I slept in and totally missed Punzie's party. I made sure everything is proper, not an item misplaced from the vanity and everything is in the way it was. I breathed aloud and climbed on the bed. I pulled the blanket over my slender, cold body and closed my eyes.

Even if they're closed, I can still picture the dance earlier; Jackson had his hands on my waist and both my hands lay on his neck. We stared at each other and I would sometimes smile shyly. I kissed him and ran away; guilty. What was his intention and he tried to catch me? I already told him that we may or may not see each other again. Is it possible that he wants to get to know me?

And most of all, I wonder what he'll do with my mask. Will he keep it? Or just throw it away to forget everything that happened? One thing's for sure; I know I'll never see him again and even if I bump into him one day, I wouldn't know because tonight, I saw him as a masked man; his face never revealed to my sight. His name, voice, blue eyes and brown hair is my only identification of him.

I shook my head, why am I so into him?! We barely know each other and it's not like tonight was so special to him! I bet he got more great dances and kisses than that! Even if it breaks me to, I need to stop thinking about it; forget it.

It's like Vegas, what happened tonight will stay between me and him and we'll just forget about it! But if destiny will work on the two of us, I don't know what I'll bet.