Celeste“A… A date?” I stammered, the words feeling foreign in my mouth.“Yes,” Matt said, his smile growing, his eyes alight with excitement. “A date. You, me, a nice restaurant. Or maybe a movie? We can just talk and have a nice time. Nothing needs to happen outside of that.”I frowned, pulling away slightly, my heart aching with conflicting emotions. Matt’s grip on my wrist released, and I slipped out from between him and the wall to broaden the distance between us.“I don’t know…” I murmured.“Come on, Mystery Girl,” he said gently, still holding my mother’s necklace in his hand. “You know we had something special at the ball. Don’t you want to explore that a little?”I swallowed, adjusting my mask on my face. “I do, but… I don’t know. You realize this can’t go anywhere, right?”Matt said nothing. His face remained stony, determined. It seemed as though he wasn’t backing down.This was dangerous territory. The logical part of me knew that getting involved with Matt would only lead

Celeste We were on the road for a while, the town’s lights slowly fading behind us, and the rhythmic hum of the car was almost hypnotizing. I found myself glancing at Matt every so often, catching his profile in the dim glow of the dashboard. I could sense an easiness about him, a calm that made me feel comfortable. 

CelesteMy heart was still pounding from the emotional dinner as Matt looked down at me. I told myself I needed to leave, that I shouldn't prolong the inevitable. The connection between us was more than I had ever felt before, but the secret I was keeping would ultimately drive us apart.“I really should go home, Matt,” I said, my voice filled with uncertainty. “It’s late, and I don't want to impose.”“Just one more thing, Rose,” he urged, his eyes sparkling with excitement. “Trust me; you'll love it.”I shook my head, feeling a sense of unease settle into my stomach. “I won’t take off my mask. Please stop trying to make me do it.”Matt looked a little hurt by my harsh words. “I’m not trying to force you to do anything, Rose,” he said. “If you want to keep your mask on, that’s your right. I was only saying that my next plan is going to be a lot of fun, and you might feel more comfortable around me. I’m sorry if it came across another way.”I felt my face blanch a little. Fun? Comforta

Celeste That night, as I walked back to Fiona’s house in the dark, my heart was filled with the butterflies from my date with Matt. It had been magical to say the least, and yet I knew that it was something I couldn’t pursue. I wouldn’t see him again, especially not after how close I had

Celeste The day began as uneventful, a routine blur of classes and conversations with friends. But then, as I walked out of my history class, my heart stopped when I saw Sabrina waiting outside the door. “Oh, Celeste,” she called, her sing-song voice dripping with false sweetness. “I have a little errand for you to run. Come by my dorm after class, would you?”