Days passed by and in a blink of an eye weekend was here. Thankfully I was done with all preparations I had to do. Closing my eyes I recalled the moments of my childhood. Me and Beth skating when we were younger. How we were so happy far from this all. The air was filled with our carefree giggles but soon it all vanished and I opened my eyes slowly to harsh reality.

Sometimes I wish why did we ever grew up. We were good as kids. At least we were happy...

Standing in front of my dressing I stared at my reflection where all I could see was someone I never knew. Someone more strong than before. All my eyes were screaming was that it was a now or never situation. This night held my existence, my pride, Justice.

I eyed my hairs which were curled and styled in a way that few were tucked with pins behind my head and the rest were free on my shoulder with some loose strands in the front. Mascara made my lashes long as my full lips were painted in pure love red, making me look bad ass.

It was eight-forty and Gwen just texted me saying she was already there with Leo but there was some other reasons why all of my friends were already there. Hiding from them more wasn't what I had thought but I had to be ready for it.

Now they knew what's gonna happen tonight. I told them and we were in this together and It made things a lot easy for me when they all didn't hesitate and took my side.

All I wanted was you to be with me Ethan...

Walking to my bed I opened the drawer before took out a small box wrapped beautifully in red shimmery gift paper. Even though it was very light in weight but what it had was something burdening my back since past few days.

Putting it in my clutch I sighed sorrowfully and just then a knock came on my door before dad stepped in behind me in the mirror with adoration in his eyes towards his daughter who was dressed in this elegant dress like never before.

"Ready to go princess?" He asked as I turned around with a huge smile and my dress up to swirled around me.

"Yes, how do I look Dad?" I questioned showing around.

"Just like your mother, beautiful. She'd have been so happy to see you like this Aria but she left too soon," He smiled softly made me pout sadly as I hugged him tight.

"But she's watching us and I can tell, she won't be happy to see us sad right now so-" I pulled back. "-let's not be sad and wish me luck to not get weak tonight Dad."

Holding my shoulders he assured. "You've always made me feel proud Aria. My head never bow in shame cause you've always protected me just like I have done and the day you decided to fight and get justice for Beth, I knew you were strong. Everything will be alright princess. Your mother and I raised you so strong."

Clearing my throat I smiled. "You do know how proud me and mom are of you right dad? I love you."

Hugging one more time we clicked our picture before dad pulled out a white envelope from his pants making me raised my head to look at his solemn expressions.

"Blake gave me these," Stretching his hand out he held the ticket as I took it from him. "Are you sure about it? I mean all I want is you to be far from this chaos but I don't want you to regret anything Aria. Surely things will help you there but...I hope you didn't take this decision in a hurry."

"I won't regret dad, if I need something the most right now, it's to find myself again in this maze. I want to explore what I'm capable of," Tapping the envelope on my palm in anticipation.

"Okay then," He patted my cheek and kissed the top of my head before left the room.

I didn't had a date to go along with and I didn't mind that either. Nate asked if I wanted to go with him but I told him that Blake was my ride tonight as he offered that himself. A lot was planned for tonight and creeps started crawling under my skin just to think about ifs.

Turning back around I stared at myself one last time in the mirror before tied my silver twinkling beaded masquerade mask, took my clutch and went down to go for Homecoming.

°°°°°°

Loud gossiping voices of students mingled with flowery scented perfumes was filled in the air as DJ played the loud pop music which set the party to the whole new level of sanity.

Boys were dressed in their formal attires trying to impress their dates while girls who must've spent hours couldn't stop adoring themselves in front of their crushes.

"Here, it's sweet," Giving the fruit punch to Gwen, Leo asked. "Did she arrive? It's nine already."

Shaking her head and taking a sip of her drink, Gwen looked over the main entrance the fiftieth time. "Not yet."

Leo was dressed in Maroon Tux with his hair gel and styled back with a matching mask tucked to his nose while Gwen was in gorgeous Black A-line plumed dress with black feathers all around it, done with her smokey eyes hidden behind the black masquerade with a huge black feather at one side of it and her platinum blonde straight on her shoulder.

"By the way you look like a Queen of Swan in this dress frosty and damn this mask is enhancing the beauty of your look babe. You're making every girl jealous of yourself tonight," Leo remarked as he pulled her close and kissed Gwen on her cheek.

"And you look perfect just like my boyfriend should be Leo Evans," Taking a sip her eyes roamed around the crowd before paused on Ethan who was sitting on the barstool with Ester and Kyle by his side, also wearing masquerade masks.

Ester was murmuring something but it was like he wasn't even in his senses. His eyes were restless due to unknown reasons.

"I don't believe he left Aria for her. I just hope he regrets it all," Gwen whispered without taking her eyes off him as Leo nodded.

"Everything will go perfect as we have planned. I'm just worried for Aria. What she has decided would take quite some time for her to recover but If it will sort things out then it is what it is. We have to support her," Leo said kissing Gwen on the side of her head who's eyes were slightly glistened thinking about her friend.

The gigantic gymnasium was filled with exceptional faint purple neon lights and Homecoming was written, glowing at the main entrance. Purple, gray and black sheer curtains were falling from the very top of the ceiling in contrast along with some masquerades, speaking the dark theme of the night.

Nate was talking to his friends when the light went out suddenly and a front beam of spotlight emerged from top center spreading to the entrance. Silence fell in the hall as every head turned to look to the back when the door thud opened and the clatter of heels echoed before she finally stepped in holding her dress as gasps could be heard by her angelic presence.

'Who is she?'

'God! That dress is divine.'

'Am I really seeing things? Cause there's no way she's real.'

'Never knew Cinderella was real.'

'She ain't looking that pretty.'

'That dress must've cost a lot!'

'Oh my God! Wait is that Aria?'

Under the spotlight standing was none other than Aria. The embossed delicate work of silver wire on her Cadet Gray maxi shimmered under the spotlight as she blinked which made the glitter on her eyes to float in her aura. The white pearls around her waist danced so preciously as the curves of her chest peaked through the chiffon vile on her deep v-neck full sleeve dress.

Holding up her maxi Aria grinned slightly through her masquerade mask before walked through the jaw dropped student body to her friends. Pausing in the mid of her way she sensed his eyes as she turned her head to left and just raised her lashes enough to glance him.

Her face held nothing as their stare was for a mere second before she looked away and made her way to her awaiting friends.

"God! You look. I have no words Aria. Are you even real? This dress looks devine on you babe. Adorable angel straight from Heaven," Aria smiled to Gwen and Leo sweetly before turned to Nate who shook his head to her in a shy way.

"You look beautiful Aria. That's all I can say," He complimented with so much respect for her.

"You all look perfect too guys!" She complimented before looked around the hall which was now filled with hushed voices, whispers and curious filled shy glances.

"See I told you, you're gonna kill everyone with your beauty Queen. These girls staring at you won't be sleeping peacefully tonight." Gwen said making me giggle in pure satisfaction.

A horrendous sound of mic tapping echoed before our Principal walked to the middle of stage wearing a suit himself.

"Good Evening Students of Ravenwood High. It gives me an immense pleasure to start this auspicious occasion by heartily welcoming everybody," Everyone stood listening him happily under mere light.

"Homecoming is an incredibly fun and excited time for you and trust me when I tell you that the faculty and I myself is looking forward to it as much as you all do. It's a pleasure to watch y'all grow over the past two years into beautiful young ladies and handsome young men. A lot has happened too," His eyes cut to mine for a second.

"Things changed but we kept going on. I'm not gonna make this speech long, so make this time the best time of your lives," Just as he ended his speech, students gave him a huge round of applause.

DJ set the vibe to romantic and girls joined their partners in the center under the spotlight for a lovely dance with next level excitement.

I mean Dance was the top priority for coming to Homecoming. How each silent girl tried to approach her crush or someone more than that. It was a sweet sight.

Gwen joined Leo when he outstretched his hand and kissed her hand as she agreed. They both had always looked perfect with each other. I could be sure they practiced a lot for tonight cause sure Leo didn't know how to dance and there's no way Gwen would want to ruin this night in any way.

I stood against the pillar and watched as people danced in their mind's tranquility and melody of their heartbeats as I sipped my drink and found Max glaring my way from the other side, smirking.

Since that day in the hallway, he tried to pull some kind of trick on me which luckily got witnessed by our principal and got detention to clean the stalls. Raising my glass in air I smirked back to him.

Soon Nate asked me for a dance and I placed my hand in his softly. Rachel wasn't here and it did made him sad to not have her company tonight.

And beside being here for a reason, it wouldn't hurt if I'd enjoy too, would it?

Homecoming was the last step before winter break and then graduation was three months shy from today. Just as we reach the floor ignoring the stares we were receiving, Ester and Ethan got there too, more like she dragged him there. She was dressed in her typical red off-shoulder dress, which was high from front and long from back.

Making a disapproving face down to her dress, I smirked with my red lips. "Seems like you did find something in that dumpster, not bad Ester, no offence but you still look like trash in it."

Biting her lip I knew she was controlling her anger to lash on me. We waited for the soft flow music to begin. Nate placed his hand on small of my back and I on his shoulder as we swayed while he held me not too close.

Even we were dancing, my gaze wasn't locked with him but with Ethan who's eyes were taking my whole self in but my trance broke when Nate said something funny making me laugh, throwing my head back.

Switching around the partners in a swift I was scooped by a strong pair of arms. Looking up I found Ethan. My heart skipped a beat to be this close to him after this long.

"Told you we'll meet again," Giving him a small smile I placed my hand on his shoulder but it didn't go unnoticed when my body still relaxed in some way when his hand circled my waist and held me so close that our breathes mingled and whispers got loud with squinted curious stares our way.

We started dancing and swayed as we held each other closely. His one hand in mine and mine around his broad shoulder. His eyes scrutinize my forehead where my scars was before met my eyes.

"Got that one the night of the match when you left me in cold and alone broken but it isn't the only one. I've got many you can't see," Smiling to him I confessed bitterly.

Swirling me under his arms before pulled me again our feet were in perfect sync. Ethan was in slate shade two piece suit with white cuffed shirt set with black shoes. Dark Gray Masquerade tied to his ocean stoney eyes.

Still handsome.

His tats were peeking from the end of his sleeve.

"We are matching today but sadly not like I wanted us to be. You know what I love about you and hate about you?" I asked as we waved our bodies slowly not missing the beat but he didn't respond just stared at me like a maniac from behind his masquerade.

"I love you for something that you said before which some how calmed the inner turmoil in me when needed but I hate you for the chaos you've caused inside my heart which can't be settle no matter how much I try," I whispered as his hold tightened.

"I hate you because I built this wall of trust for you but you didn't think once about me and shattered it with all your will, but I love you for what you did, now it can't be more broken than it already is. You're the reason Ethan," He twirled me around so my back was now to his hard chest.

His heartbeat was uneven and I'd tell that my words were effecting him just like I wanted.

"Wanna know more? I love you that you taught me how to be myself but I hate that you're the reason why I lost myself in the end."

"Stop it Aria," Gritting his teeth he said.

Pressing my head against his cheek one last time I inhaled his scent before he turned me around and tugged me roughly close to him. His palm flat on my back.

"Why? Is it hurting already? I'm sure it won't be hurting you more than how your words hurt me. This poor organ got blame for nothing when it's actually people who hurt us." Pointing to his heart I glared at him. "You know I loved you with all my heart but now I hate that you pushed me aside like I never existed. Glad you did that Ethan."

Slipping my gift in his pocket unconsciously I patted it not breaking my eye contact.

"Thanks to you that I can't sleep peacefully now. Thank you so much for making me selfish Ethan, now I'm returning your only piece of heaven I had so that I'd breathe."

Placing my palm on his cheek I leaned in and kissed the corner of his lips slowly before walked away leaving his embrace empty for forever.

The broken, shattered look he had soothe the burning fire in my heart. All my life I had trusted thought he'd protect me but guess not.

Just as the dance ended, a screen was slid down from above over the stage and lights were dim except one for some vision. Memories from 2019-2020 was written on it and one by one our pictures displayed on it.

Students had removed their masks and were seeing their memories they had made these past two years with love. Some pictures were from our last year's camping. One was mine and my friends laughing with water balloons splashed in air on camp side. Some were of girls from cooking contest. One was of Grace frowning down at her camera in the hallway.

It was true, so much changed in these past two years.

Some pictures were from our skating this year. We stood there with our trophy up in air and proud smiles tucked on our faces.

One after another it continued before there came my and Ethan's leaning in to kiss just before our last year's game. It didn't spark any kind of emotion in me. Looking straight to the screen I was still in my masquerade as my hand curled in fist in complete dejection.

Just as another displayed and my heart skipped a beat me seeing Beth and me. We were posing candid just before the game with our hockey sticks in air and our faces screaming looking at each other. I remember her asking me for this picture and how much she instructed me about our pose. What I didn't know was it'd be our last.

My eyes teared up as I gulped hard. My throat felt like on fire, seeing her there and not here with us anymore pierced my heart with darts. She had always been there with me and now our past was just a memory with no tomorrow to looked upon.

With that screen lit off and silence shut everyone's mouth. I knew we were all in deep nostalgia. Epiphany engulfed everyone in it. My eyes glistened as I smiled at my friends who stood their together at some distance smiling back at me.

I'd miss them so much when I'd leave.

My eyes roamed and found Ethan beside me at my right gazing on the dark screen. His eyes were wet and as he sensed me watching him, he turned his head to me but I looked away.

Before students could scurried away, screen lit up again with static sound before it got cleared up.

Night wasn't over. It just started.

'Hey! Everyone welcome back to my channel Grace_The Great.'

Sliding my masquerade over my head down casted, I wiped my eyes and raised my head very slowly to screen before a smirked grew sluggishly on the corner of my lips.

"Now we watch the show Everyone."

××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××