wow. it has been forever since i updated. now before you all gather your pitchforks and strom my house let me say, IM SOOOOOO SORRY. i know its been a while but i havent had time to write and when i did all i had was a blank screen. i hate writers block. anyways the new chapter is her for you, pleasse enjoy...

When Tessa entered what she suspected to be the ballroom she couldn't believe that this was the same dingy room she had seen, half decorated, on her orientation tour. There were sparkly lights hanging everywhere, huge tables along one side of the room full of fruit and candelabras. It looked like it had been torn from the pages of one of Tessa's favorite novels. The dance floor was the only thing that was off. Normally in the novels Tessa read the people didn't fist pump but she decided to quickly overlook that fact when she spotted Jem across the room. He was standing next to the punch bowl with a girl in a white gown, with a matching pearl mask. MASK. Tessa quickly took out her silver mask that Sophie had given her and tied the ribbon around her head. "I hope no one saw me without my mask." she thought worriedly. Instead of standing near the entrance worrying she decided to go see who the mysterious 'white woman' was with Jem. As she made her way over to Jem the music changed to something that would have fit in a Jane Austen novel.

She felt a tap on her shoulder and turned to see a man, whos presence felt familiar, but she couldn't place it. He was wearing all black, down to the black mask that covered his face, only showing his dull blue eyes. As the classical music swayed around them, he bowed and offered her his hand, not saying a word. Tessa didn't know what else to do and couldn't think of a polite way to say no, so she took his hand. As he led her onto the dance floor, she turned to him and said "I really don't know how to dance one of these dances."

He turned to her and said "If I remember correctly the first time I saw you, you were carrying A Tale of Two Cities." he smirked slightly. "I think that should have given you some insight."

Tessa chuckled nervously "Well they don't exactly include dance steps in the back cover." Although Tessa had never danced like this a day in her life, it seemed the stranger had. He swirled her around the dance floor effortlessly, like he had done this a million times. "I feel like I should recognize you. After all, you clearly recognized me." She stared up at his eyes, a dull blue color. The stranger opened his mouth like he was about to say something but Tessa was whisked away and spun around the dance floor. When Tessa regained her balance, and her breath she looked up into her new dance partner's face.

His eyes were the deepest blue and Tessa felt that she could drown in them. "Hey Tess, you looked like you were in trouble over there."

"Will, what do you think you are doing!" Tessa felt like she was so close to figuring out who the mysterious man was. She thought that maybe he could have been the one who sent her the gifts, because Sophie and Jessamine were the only ones to have seen them so far. She didn't recognize his pale blue eyes, or his graying hair, so she was at a dead end. If only Will hadn't swept her away so soon, she may have discovered his identity.

"I didn't like the way that man was looking at you, like you were something to eat. It scared me, Tess. I don't want you to go near him again, Tess. I don't want to lose you." Will said in a quiet caring voice. Tessa then noticed that something was wrong with Will. His eyes were too bright, and he wasn't being his usual rude self. She knew something was wrong but, was it too terrible of her to like this version of Will, for her to enjoy him acting nothing like he usually does. Yes. It was wrong for her to ask Will to be anything that he isn't.

"Will, what's wrong with you? Why are you acting like this?"

"Nothing is wrong with me Tess. I'm acting exactly as I should. I care about you and..."

"Come on Will. I think you need to rest." By then the dance was over and the music was replaced with an upbeat pop mix. She dragged him over to the chairs and sat him down. She went to go get the punch and then quickly returned. Will was waiting and, after they both had drank the punch, grabbed her arm and pulled her out of the ball room. If Tessa had been able to think at that moment, she would have been worried, wondering where they were going. But, ever since she downed that punch, all she could think about was how perfectly shaped his lips are and how much she liked this new version of Will. Maybe, just maybe, this new Will could be exactly what she needed.

A.N. So how was it good bad. well, do me a favor and hit that little blue button down there and tell me.