Hello, lovely readers. I didn't mean for this chapter to be up this week; I was planning for it to be next week. But I guess you got lucky. Come on, people, I know I'm starting to slack off on this story, but I only didn't update last month because of an autobiography project I had to work really hard on. I promise that I'll update at least two chapters every month. If I forget, then I'll probably post two chapters in one day or one after the other. This is how dedicated I am to this story. Enjoy, sweethearts!

Masquerade

Chapter Five

The week went on quickly and Friday came. Macy didn't want to go to Stella's. Well, she did, being her best friend and all. But because this is concerning the dance, she very much didn't want to. Maybe Stella forgot, maybe the night's not going to revolve around the dance. Homework, maybe, but that's natural. You know Macy loves Stella Malone, but she's a fashion monster sometimes. No, not sometimes, all the time. Macy's just lucky that Stella's the stylist for JONAS, so she doesn't really focus on her best friend's style. As sad as that may sound, Stella gives Macy some fashion freedom. Nick and Joe as well. Kevin, not so much. He's always insisting on wearing leather vests. With no shirt under. Kevin really needs her help. That's why she's the stylist.

Friday was the only day Macy didn't have to walk home from school. Stella wasn't into sports or exercising, so of course she takes her car. The school day ended very quickly, and Macy was dreading each hour. She wasn't all that girly. Sure, she wears make up, but it's very light. It's not as heavy as Stella's. That was Macy's extreme.

"I still don't know why you're measuring me, I thought you already had my measurements," Macy held her arms up, allowing Stella to measure her waist, and right above her chest. Stella planned the dress to be strapless, and Macy was okay with that. She liked to dress girly once in a while. She was somewhat glad she was attending the dance.

"Because," Stella began, jotting down measurements in a small notebook. "Sometimes the fabrics I use are all different. So I follow a guide that helps. It's really hard for me to explain, so please don't ask."

"Alright," Macy obliged.

"Okay, I'm done," Stella announced, hanging the measuring tape around her neck.

Macy sighed in relief and let her arms dangle back to her sides. Stella was a genius at designing, but for some reason, Macy hated it when she measured her. There's nothing wrong with Stella, Macy just hated getting measured in general. No one knew why. Macy herself didn't know why either. It's probably insecurity.

"Now, Macy, come here," Stella advised and walked towards the computer. Macy followed behind. Stella sat in a chair in front if it, and offered Macy a chair as well. Stella opened a browser and typed in a website she knew too well. No, it wasn't Macy's fan site. "Choose a dress I can base yours off of."

"Um, okay." Macy took hold of the mouse and started to scroll through homecoming dresses. The masquerade wasn't a prom, or homecoming, but it somewhat fit better under the latter. She looked through several dresses, but felt they weren't for her. She went through a couple more before she noticed a dress that caught her eye.

"I like this one!" She exclaimed, pointing to the screen. It was a floor length black dress, with ruffles for the skirt and shoulders. "But I could do without the sash and the flowered ruffles on the shoulders, and I don't want sleeves."

"Oh, and it's going to be red, not black," Stella reminded her best friend. "And I'm going to make it knee-length; you need to show off your flawless legs. Oh, you're not going to need sleeves anyway, I've planned for your dress to be strapless."

"Oh, how I hate strapless dresses. I always feel like they're going to fall off," Macy sighed. "But is it okay if I wear transparent straps?"

"We'll see how this goes."

"So explain to me how this is going to be a Stella original," Macy requested.

"I know we're looking at dresses online," She started, but it is just for inspiration. I assure you it will be one of a kind. The idea might not be, but what I pictured in my mind will be."

"When are you going to start making it? You only have a week."

"I know. That's why I'm going to start it now," Stella said excitedly. This was one of the few times that Macy agreed for Stella to make her clothes. "But before I do, I need you to try on an outfit for me." Macy nodded and followed Stella to her walk-in closet in her room. She handed the brunette one of her latest creations. Stella left her in the closet so Macy could change in privacy. When she got changed, Macy exited the closet and showed Stella. Stella got up from her bed and started to examine her. Macy was sporting a white sundress. It might be played out, but the style was different. Macy also wore a matching headband Stella designed as well.

"There are many sundresses I've seen and tried on, but this is definitely unique," Macy encouraged. It was the honest truth. If she hated it, she'd break it to the stylist nicely. Unlike some people, who would probably just come right out and say, "I hate it. This is horrible." But no, Macy and Stella aren't like that. Even if it's going to hurt each other or anyone else, they'd still let them know. Some people are oblivious to things sometimes.

"I know, right?" Stella smiled brightly. "I was going for that. All sundresses I've ever seen seem the same to me."

"Mhm," Macy nodded with a smile. She was a bit eager for something and stared at Stella with knowing eyes.

"Yes," Stella sighed and rolled her eyes. "You can keep the dress, but the headband is mine. It matches with everything I own." She paused, "I checked."

"Aw, thank you, Stell!" Macy hugged Stella quickly and let go when Macy's phone went off. Her ringtone was a song from none other than JONAS. She excused herself and answered her phone. Stella nodded knowingly.

"I'm at Stella's, why?" Macy said to the person on the other line. "I'm sorry for not telling you." It was probably her mom. "Oh, okay, then. I'll ask, hold on." Macy put the phone a distance away from her ear and asked Stella, "Do you mind if I sleep over tonight? My mom's just wondering. I don't think she wants me home, haha."

"No, not at all," Stella confirmed. "I'll set things up right now! You know how I get when we have sleepovers." Stella's always prepared for sleepovers because they'd plan weeks before. But when it came to times like this, Stella has a sleepover preparedness plan, as silly as that may sound.

"Okay, thanks!" Macy smiled before putting the phone back to her ear. "She said yes. I don't know, I'll be home in the afternoon. I'll be at the brothers' house. Stella's getting their measurements for suits for the masquerade next week. Yes, mom, I'm going. Love you, bye."

Macy took the phone off her ear once again and looked at it. She pressed the 'end call' button and placed it on Stella's dresser, right beside her cellular phone.

"Just to make sure, you have my extra toothbrush, correct?"

"Yes, Macy, I do. And I'm sure you have mine."

See, they're really prepared when last-minute sleepovers happen. They each have a set of each other's clothes just in case. Stella secretly loved having these types of sleepovers. Sometimes Macy forgets to leave a set of her clothes at her house, so Stella gets to have fun and dress Macy up with such girly pajamas. Usually, Macy would just sleep in a t-shirt or a jersey, but she does sleep in pajama pants.

"So, since you're sleeping over, we can both get into our pajamas now," Stella suggested. She led Macy into the walk-in closet once again. They walked right to the back of the closet to find Macy's overnight bag. Stella had one just like it in Macy's closet. Macy grabbed the duffel bag and zipped it open to see its items. There were clothes, but not clothes for Macy to sleep in. There was her toothbrush, bunny slippers and a few JONAS CDs. She buys two of each CD. Sometimes more. What can she say? She loves supporting her boys.

"Great," Macy groaned. "I'm going to have to borrow one of your pajamas."

"Yup," Stella knew. "I'd make a new set that you can help design, but I promised I'd get started on your dress. You can help me with that."

"Okay, so just this once, can I choose my own pajamas to wear?" Macy requested.

"Fine," Stella agreed. "It's not like you're going to mess this up. Everything I own and made are Stella approved."

"Oh, gee, thanks." Nothing says 'best friends' like sarcasm!

"Oh my god, it's only seven," Macy took a glance at the wall clock when they got out of the closet and after the two friends got changed. Macy chose pajamas that had cute little ice cream cones on them. Stella bought those, not made. Her closet is totally organized. One side is all the stuff that she bought, and the other side is all the stuff she created. Each side has its sub categories. It's pretty amazing, actually. But with all the clothes the girl has, it might have taken her hours to organize.

"Time for dinner," Stella stated.

The pair headed downstairs for the kitchen, both wearing their matching bunny slippers. They greeted Stella's parents.

"Mom, is it okay if Macy stays the night? I kind of already told her she could," Stella asked for permission.

"Of course," Mrs. Malone granted.

"Thanks, Mrs. Malone," Macy politely thanked.

"No problem, dear."

"So what's for dinner, Dad?"

"Well, your mom got home late and it's her night to make dinner. You know what we end up doing during this time," Mr. Malone explained. Psh, even Macy knew. She stayed over too many nights with this happening.

"Pizza or Chinese food? Those are the choices for tonight." Mrs. Malone already had the home phone in her hand, preparing to dial a number she dialed too much in the past. "I want pizza."

"Chinese," Mr. Malone simply stated.

"Pizza," Stella and Macy answered in perfect unison.

"Pizza it is."

"That's not fair; we never get Chinese food because I'm the only one who likes it."

"Dad, you do know that Mom and I eat Chinese food too, but tonight I feel like pizza."

"Same here," Macy agreed. "But I do recall last time I was here with this happening, you ordered Chinese, so I presume this is fair."

"Well, Macy, you're too kind," Mr. Malone complimented. "Stella usually just insults and taunts me when I don't get what I want. But you actually care."

"Dad!" Stella whined. "I do care! Those times when I insult and taunt you is when you get me in a bad mood."

"And how do I get you into a bad mood?"

"You keep complaining that you don't get it your way."

Mrs. Malone and Macy quietly chuckled to themselves at the father daughter pair. They fight, but it's not the kind of fights where they'd yell and stuff. They're calm about the whole thing.

"Mrs. Malone, I think you should call the pizza place while they're fighting, so they don't get their say in what kind of pizza to order," Macy suggested jokingly. The father daughter pair didn't seem to hear this comment.

"Great idea, Macy," Mrs. Malone winked at her daughter's best friend. "So what do you want?"

"Hawaiian, if you don't mind," Macy replied.

"You know I love Hawaiian," Mrs. Malone smiled. "So that's a medium Hawaiian for me and you, and a medium pepperoni for them." She called the nearest pizza place and placed her order. Nobody felt like picking it up, so they ended up settling for delivery.

The pizza arrived and Macy and Stella ended up taking half of the Hawaiian and half of the pepperoni. They switched the pizzas in the boxes and took one upstairs to Stella's room with a bottle of two liter Coke and two cups. They were planning on watching a movie like they did every other sleepover they had.

"What movie should we watch tonight?" Stella questioned, staring at the DVDs in front of her and Macy.

"Um, Mean Girls, it's a classic," Macy answered.

"Awesome, I haven't seen that in a while."

"Me neither."

"But do you mind if I start on your dress while we're watching the movie? Two hours would probably give me enough time to finish the rough draft. I work extra hard on the exterior."

"Yes, Stella, I know. And that's fine. I'm just really thankful I bought you that new sewing machine yesterday. It's the one that doesn't make as much noise as any others."

"And you saved me so much money! I was probably going to end up buying a new sewing machine anyway. If I got my old one fixed, the price is higher than the price of a new one. So, thanks, Macy. You're the best."

"I know," Macy winked. She took the Mean Girls DVD and set it up on Stella's TV. Stella got into her working corner and made sure she was able to view the TV from that position. Once they were all comfy, they started the movie. They ate pizza along the way, and at some point in the movie, Mrs. Malone knew the girls too well and brought them up some popcorn.

The movie ended around ten p.m. Stella was correct with her prediction and let Macy try on the item of clothing, just to see if her measurements were correct and it fit her perfectly.

"It's supposed to be a bit loose right now, but it's going to get tighter as I sew on the ruffles and sparkles," Stella explained, as she examined Macy in the incomplete dress.

"Whoa, sparkles?" Macy gulped. She didn't mind dressing all girly, but when it came to sparkles, she draws the line there. But Stella knew Macy couldn't say no to her, which is exactly why she did it.

"You know you can never say 'no' to me at this kind of stuff, Macy," Stella said sweetly.

"I know, it's true," Macy gave in. "But not too much, I don't want everyone to be staring at me."

"But that's the whole point! You're never at dances, and even if this is a masked dance, people should know that Macy Misa is there!"

"They're not going to know it's me. I want you to work real hard on those masks just so they cover my identity completely."

"I'll try my best, master."

"Thank you."

"You're welcome."

"I know I'm always welcome, Stella."

"No duh."

Stella worked on the dress a few more times the clock struck twelve. They got in bed at eleven and purposely missed 11:11. They weren't the types to wish on that. They didn't wish on stars either. Mostly they wish in fountains.

Stella didn't have a guest room, an extra bed, or at least a sleeping bag, but luckily, her bed was big enough for the both of them. It wasn't awkward for them, they were best friends, let's not forget. The same thing happens at Macy's. They both have the same sized bed.

Macy talked about JONAS for a bit as Stella texted. Macy didn't mind that Stella was texting, because she knew she was listening to her. How? Well, for one, she was always answering correctly to what Macy had just gushed over. Macy's surprised at how Stella could still focus on what she's saying to the person on the other phone. But that's only because she can't clearly see what Stella's texting, she was too busy talking about JONAS.

They got to sleep a few minutes before midnight. They knew they should have slept earlier; tomorrow's going to be a long day. Macy didn't want to go to the Lucas home. She didn't want to see Joe, even if he told her straight up that he doesn't have a problem with her. Or so she thought.

Yeah, I'm not going into much detail of Macy's dress until the dance.

Today's Valentine's and I don't want much, I just want your review. Nope, not chocolate, not a card, no flowers. Just your review. (Unless you want to send me virtual chocolate, that's fine too. As long as you leave it in your review. HAHA, that rhymes!) Yup, it doesn't even cost a dime! It's the thought that counts, right?

Happy Valentine's Day!

-Trisha.