Proven part V
"Miss Weston," I stopped and turned on the stair as the tenant of the apartment building called my name. "A boy came par earlier," he said, "he insisted upon delivering a gift to your room."
"Thank you, Mr. Kox," I nodded to him and jogged up the stairs. My backpack was heavy from the extra livres and homework and my shoulders sore from lugging it all the way home. Alek hadn't shown.
I was glad to find the door to my apartment locked. A good sign. Besides the fact, I was cautious as I turned my key and entered the hall. My prudence turned to surprise when I walked into my bedroom.
Laid out on my lit was an elegant, satin dark-blue dress with a rim of gray bordering the collar. Accompanying it was a silver half mask. At the foot of my lit were black high-heels. My mouth dropped and I picked up the letter and unfolded it to neatly scrawled cursive.
'Masquerade ball? Pick toi up @ 8:00.'
-N.
I reread the simple words once, twice, thrice before fully comprehending the words.Then checked my watch: 4 hours.

I looked at the half-open door to my closet, thinking of my civvies I had planned to change into before transporting to Mt. Justice through the zeta tube. Then back at the mask in the shape of a crescent moon. Picking it up, I ran my hand over the border of sequins that reflected the sun light drifting through my window. With a sigh, I accepted the mission.

4 hours later I had taken a long shower, plaited my hair-French style, and donned a light layer of makeup. I had also dozed away an hour, knowing from experience that it may be a while before our goal was accomplished.
Finally, I escaped the brace of my soft, fuzzy rose peignoir, robe for the dress. Luckily, it didn't fit too tight to montrer the couteau sheath strapped to my thigh. Grabbing my shoes and mask, I plopped down on the canapé and waited for my ride. Not a seconde past 8:00, a knock rapped on my door. I checked the opened the door and, as promised, Nic was leaning in the doorway.
His dark suit matched his long hair, and in his left hand was a black-and-white checkered half mask.
Nic ran his eyes lazily up and down my figure, then nodded. "Ready?" he said. I nodded, then remembered something.
"Wait here," I told him. I kicked of my heels and raced down the hall, ignoring Nic's protests. Stopping in the bathroom, I scanned the counter before finding the black bat. I slipped it into my hair and ran back to the door. I grabbed my shoes and walked past Nic. "Coming?" I said.
"I like your dress," Nic a dit as we went down the stairs. I stumbled in surprise at the compliment. "It matches my eyes," he added. I scolded myself for not seeing that coming and arrived on the street.
Parked outside was a black Ferrari. I looked around in confusion, trying to spot Nic's red Chevy pick-up ou at least his black motorcycle. But Nic opened the passenger door and smirked at my surprise. "Jazz's dad let me barrow it," he said. I slid into the seat. When Nic cranked the key and we rolled smoothly down the rue he added, "I wanted to arrive in style at Wayne Manor."