Chapter 24

Celeste

My heart raced, and a chill ran down my spine as Matt's words lingered in the air.

“I know who you are.”

The universe seemed to hold its breath, waiting for the weight of the revelation to crash down. My mind raced. How? When? Was it Sabrina who told him?

The myriad of possibilities replayed in my mind: a slip of my tongue, an unwitting recognition by a mutual acquaintance, or maybe the mask hadn’t been as concealing as I’d hoped.

Memories of the past, moments of vulnerability, and my reasons for donning the mask in the first place cascaded through my thoughts.

The pain of old scars, the years spent constructing the walls around my heart, and the hope that tonight, just tonight, I could be someone else—all of it threatened to come undone.

Was I so transparent, so easily deciphered? If Matt had seen through me, how many others had as well?

With every heartbeat that thundered in my ears, fear intertwined with embarrassment. I was on the precipice of being exposed, and the freefall was terrifying. The mask was not just fabric and lace; it was my shield, my escape. And in that elongated moment, I felt naked, defenseless.

“Do you?” I whispered, my voice quivering as I met his gaze. I was still grappling with Sabrina’s earlier insinuations, and the last thing I needed was Matt piecing together my secret.

He nodded slowly, the intensity of his gaze never waning. “Yes, I do. You're an insecure girl who feels the need to hide her face. But you're actually quite beautiful.”

The weight that had been crushing my chest slightly lifted. Matt's words weren't about my real identity. He was speaking metaphorically. A shaky breath escaped me, and I attempted a half-hearted chuckle. “You’ve got quite the imagination.”

His eyes softened, a hint of mischief glinting within. “Do I now?”

Before I could process his next move, he reached out, his fingers brushing the edge of my mask. Panic surged, and I instinctively slapped his hand away. “That’s not a good idea,” I stammered, the heat rushing to my cheeks.

Matt frowned, clearly taken aback by my sudden resistance. His gaze searched my face, probably trying to decipher the storm of emotions I was sure were displayed there.

The tension between us was palpable, the air thick with unsaid words and hidden truths.

Then, without warning, he closed the gap between us and captured my lips in a gentle yet assertive kiss. The world around us blurred, and for a fleeting moment, everything else faded away.

The kiss was a symphony of unspoken emotions, a crescendo of longing and assurance. I could taste the sweet tang of the cocktail on his lips, the heat of his breath, and the intoxicating rush of vulnerability.

It felt like an eternity and a heartbeat all at once. Every wall, every shield I had carefully constructed over the years, threatened to crumble. In that kiss, there was an invitation to trust, to let go.

But alongside the desire and warmth, there was also the undercurrent of my fears, reminding me of the risks of exposure. When we finally parted, my heart raced, my breath uneven, emotions swirling in a tempest.

Pulling back, he looked deeply into my eyes, his breath mingling with mine. “Do you still think it’s a bad idea?”

The intimacy of the moment made my heart race. The walls I had built were threatening to crumble. I considered unveiling my true self to him for the briefest of moments, but my mind raced with the countless scenarios of how it could go horribly wrong, and I decided against it.

Tearing my gaze from his, I shook my head slowly. “I can’t, Matt.”

He let out a deep sigh, the earlier confidence fading from his eyes. “One day, Mystery Girl,” he murmured, “I’ll get you to take off that mask.”

I managed a weak smile. One day, I thought to myself. But you won’t. Because tonight is the last time you’ll kiss me. After tonight, it’s all over.

Suddenly, the distant chatter and music from the ballroom became louder, signaling the announcement of the ball king and queen. As we turned our heads, the golden light from inside spilled out into the gardens, illuminating the faces of the eagerly waiting crowd.

“Come on,” Matt said, intertwining his fingers with mine. “Let’s watch the crowning ceremony.”

Matt took my hand, guiding me gently back towards the grandeur of the ballroom. The music had stopped and the space was now filled with excited conversation. Guests had formed a half-circle around the main stage, leaving an open corridor for the nominees to walk through.

Nina, bathed in the warm spotlight, stood tall and radiant. Every facet of her seemed to glow. Her gown, a shimmering cascade of silver and sapphire, accentuated the caramel color of her skin and the raven black of her hair, which cascaded in glossy waves down her back.

As she smiled, accepting the crown, the room echoed with applause and admiration.

But I couldn’t help but compare. Every inch of her screamed confidence and perfection. It was impossible to see her and not be reminded of everything I felt I wasn’t. My heart ached with a pang of envy, a longing to possess just a fraction of her unbridled beauty and assurance.

Matt’s thumb brushed my hand lightly, as if sensing my internal turmoil. I pasted a smile on my face, pushing down the green-eyed monster bubbling inside, trying to be happy for Nina, even as the weight of my own insecurities threatened to crush me.

As Nina and Enzo danced in the spotlight, a pang of sadness welled up in me. Their joy, so evident and pure, was a stark contrast to the tempest raging in my heart. Tears threatened to spill out, blurring my vision, but I blinked them back.

Matt leaned in, whispering into my ear. “The university’s pride and joy. Everyone’s favorite couple.”

I raised an eyebrow, my gaze fixed on the two of them as they danced. “You say that as if they’re not your favorite.”

Matt suddenly shook his head and chuckled. “I didn’t mean it like that. They’re actually my closest friends. I don’t know what I would do without either of them.”

There was a brief silence as I recalled in my mind seeing Matt entering the dress store with the two of them. I knew that Matt and Enzo were on the hockey team together, but… I never heard much about them all being so close.

“How did you become so close?” I asked, tilting my head.

Suddenly, Matt’s face blanched. He opened and closed his mouth a few times, as though struggling to choose the right words, before he put on a stiff smile and gazed down at me.

“We just have a lot of classes together. That’s all.”

I couldn’t help but feel a bit taken aback by Matt’s reaction. It felt as though he wasn’t being open, wasn’t being truthful. There was more to their history together for sure, but why be so secretive about it?

Just then, the music swelled and the crowd gasped as Enzo lifted Nina up. Matt’s attention returned to the happy couple. I glanced at the clock, and my heart skipped a beat. It was almost time to call my brother again. I needed an escape.

Without uttering a word, I gently pulled my hand out of Matt’s grasp and slipped into the crowd, letting it swallow me whole.

The world around me became a whirl of colors and faces, but all I could focus on was the urgent need to get away, to find anonymity in the shadows once again.