Golden Kisses, Black Mask
She felt golden in that hour, but in that hour golden was not what she was . A deep bluish-black like the deepest depths of the ocean overtook her. Darkness. All because of that mask.
Two days earlier, Layla received an invitation. It was cream colored card stock trimmed with glinting flakes that reflected the sunlight. The black ribbon tied through two holes at the top was already tugged at by Layla’s dancing fingers. She bit her lip and stared at the intricacies of hand drawn masks, champagne flutes, and dancing couples on the front of the invitation.
You have been cordially invited to Reynard Charles Upton the Third’s twenty-fifth birthday celebration. It will begin promptly at 8pm and take place at the Salazar Palais. Formal attire and masks preferred. Please present this invitation upon entrance.
Layla had known Reynard since early prep school. Every year they had classes together and every year the two became closer. Layla confided in Reynard her soul, the secrets that made her heart breath and the nuisances that made her mind tick like a clock. She thought he had done the same, but she had not truly seen into his depths until six months ago.
I️t was six months ago that Layla had let Jack Daniels flow through her blood and take over her body. I️t was Jack Daniels she let hear her worries and her defeats. This time, Jack heard about her break-up-gone-wrong. And Reynard was there to witness and contribute to the unfolding events.
From across the dance floor Reynard could see Layla stumbling, her feet going against her will. He offered to talk the belligerent girl home, but at a price that Layla could not remember.
The next day Layla woke up aching and blood ridden in her secret garden. Her hair felt matted and smelled like a wet mutt. She thought back to last night and could only remember in bursts. Bursts of laughter. Bursts of dancing. Bursts of falling asleep in Reynard’s bed. Bursts of Reynard thrusting inside her as she pushed and screamed. Bursts of black. And then nothing. Layla choked back tears and walked home slowly, heart heavy from the night before.
Layla inhaled deep as she reflected on the incident from six months ago. It was crisp and biting. She stared at the invitation for a second more, then folded it up into a little square and placed it gently in her coat pocket.
Into an antique shop she meandered. I️t smelled of used books and at the right angle, the light revealed the dust floating like little sneeze causing snowflakes. She loved antique shops. The truly unique and antiquated items seemed to call to her. This time she had not gone far into the store. She stared at the trinkets beneath the glass counter where the cash register lay. A black, glittering mask lay hidden among the other knickknacks.
“Is that a real masquerade mask?” She inquired.
The wrinkly toothless man replied with a smile, “ Sure as hell is, lil’ miss. Shoot, actually just got this mask recently from some eetalee woman. Said she wanted it off her hands. Dunno why. It’s a real purdy mask.”
She smiled at the old man’s response. The owners of this store had a personality as unique as the junk in the store, “I’ll take it!”
“Sure thing, hun,” the wrinkly man let his just as wrinkly fingers softly package the mask and ring up Layla.
Her dress matched her mask. Sleek and sexy. Glittery like the night sky and undeniably a head-turner. She felt different tonight. She felt like a movie star or a queen. A perpetual amount of confidence transcended her being and she knew, she felt in her beating heart, that she needed to be at Reynard’s birthday celebration.
She floated into the party, laughters like bubbles, lighting like a rainbow, and melodic music thumping into her body. She was the sun and all gazes orbited around her, planets worshipping her every move. She felt god-like and wondered if Aphrodite ever felt this much love from her followers.
Reynard’s forest green eyes met her icy blues. And icy they were. Normally her eyes were a pale, grayish blue. Reynard stared, speechless for some time before speaking.
“I, uh, I’m glad you came,” he cleared his throat, “you look stunning by the way.”
Layla let a playful smirk sneak across her face, something she never let herself do, “I know. How have you been? Mischievous per the norm, oh wait, or are you still raping women, best friends hmmm?”
A panic look struck Reynard’s face quicker than lightning, “Shhh. Ok ok. I’m sorry. We were both drunk and I was stupid. So stupid. I should of... I don’t know, made up for it sooner. I really am sorry Layla, you have no idea how much I mean it. I do miss you.” His hand rubbed the back of his auburn hair and he stirred his drink as if it was missing something.
Layla looked him up and down. She could see right through him. Childlike and groveling because he never knew how to grow up. She felt golden and wouldn’t let Reynard stop that feeling. So she smiled sweetly and gently pressed her lips to his. They had the same warm feeling she remembered and she could taste the champagne that lingered in his breath, “I forgive you Rey.” She turned and ambled off before she could see Reynard cock his head and whisper some essence about never being called “Rey” by her before.
In that short hour she felt golden, as if she glowed. But truly, she was a deep bluish-black like the deepest depths of the ocean. As she slept sound that night, dreaming of happiness and future accomplishments, Reynard fell dead on the floor at midnight, bleeding from the mouth.