My wish never came true. Before I knew it, it was five in the afternoon. 

"Alice, get in your dress!" My mother yelled from the other room, though I was having final thoughts. I didn't really like wearing dresses, but my mother didn't really care about that. 

"Alright!" I said as slipped into the dress. It fit me pretty nicely, which I was pretty alright about. It would be a disaster if it was suddenly too big or too small. 

My mother came inside and gasped. "You look beautiful, Alice!" That's what all mothers say to their children. I shrugged, and my mom handed me something glittery and red. My mask. I won't deny it, it's gorgeous, but it's....just so shimmery and sparkling. It's bound to attract attention. I looked up at my mother, and she was wearing a long white dress with a matching white mask. Dresses suited her much better than me. "Well, put on your coat! Let's go!" I took a deep breath. Here goes. I have to protect my mother at all costs. 

"Yes. Let's go." I whispered, as I pulled on my long coat and we exited the apartment. Even under my coat, I was shivering. I was wearing uncomfortable and low shoes, and the snow was brushing on my feet. "There it is! The city hall!" My mother exclaimed, relieved. We rushed inside and the cozy warmth instantly hit us. I closed my eyes and stood there for a bit, warming up. It was comfortable here, for just this brief time. I opened my eyes to a sight that was unbelievable. I'd never really been to the city hall before, and it dazzled me. There were little christmas ornaments everywhere, and there were some people arriving in breathtaking dresses. Good. That'll distract people from me and mom. Mom. MOM! I looked around frantically, searching for her, and there she was. Waving me over, towards the hooks for coats. I pulled mine off and hung it on one of these hooks. My mom did the same, and we started walking into the ballroom. It was grand. There were people dancing classically on a polished surface, and there were little tables with little cakes and wine or punch. I noticed that there weren't many people my age, but this didn't make anything awkward. I don't always like talking to people who are my age. I'm just weird like that. I walked over to a table, and my mother followed me. She was soon asked to dance, while I was ignored. I watched my mother the whole time. I tried to keep my promise. 

After a few hours she came back to classic old half-asleep me. "Are you enjoying yourself?" She asked enthusiastically. 

"Very. It's so fun here." I said sarcastically, yawning.

Her face fell. "Come on, ask someone!" She encouraged me. 

"No!" I yelled, outraged. I didn't want to dance. I can't dance......

"Oh. I'm sorry." She whispered. I felt pretty bad, when someone came over. Someone familiar. Someone with black hair. 

Well, look at that, Alice! It's the guy who beat you at the Festival!

It's not. Just someone with black hair. I have black hair, too, you know. 

Alright. Whatever you say.........

"Do you want to dance?" The person asked me with a high-ish voice, and my face suddenly became very hot. 

"Alright....." I mumbled. The person smiled behind his black mask. He held his hand out, and I took it. I know I should watch my mom, but............it's been hours. He didn't come. A few minutes of dancing won't hurt. And I did. I tried to dance, and, needless to say, I stumbled at the first few steps, causing me to blush. "S-sorry. I'm dancing for the first time........" 

"It's alright." He chuckled. I didn't recognize the voice. It was hard to think clearly anyway. I concentrated hard on trying to dance, when he asked me something. "What's your name?" I couldn't even remember my name at first. 

I was so nervous. "A-Alice, and your's?" 

"Max. Just Max." He answered. It was a bit of awkward silence after that, when I heard a shriek, and I turned around. I knew it wasn't my mother, but I still had to get there.

I couldn't see anything through the people, so I tried to pull away from Max, but he was holding my hand firmly. "Let me go! I need to get over there!" I screamed. 

"I'm afraid I can't do that, Alice." I heard the now more familiar darker voice answer. I turned back to him, and for the first time, I looked past his mask, into his eyes. Very, very light brown eyes. My own widened, and I twisted myself out of his grip, pushing myself through the crowd. I arrived just in time to see my mother getting stabbed by someone I won't even name anymore.