"Blue or purple?" Karl held a shirt up to himself, swapping the clothing articles against his chest to see which one seemed to fit his figure better.

"Definitely purple." You instantly point at the cloth. "You look dashing in it always." Karl grinned, satisfied. He threw the blue shirt down carelessly onto his bed while he hung up the purple one with care onto his bed frame.

"Thanks for deciding to help me with this. Even if it wasn't all that important." Karl chuckled.

"Where there's a fashion opinion needed, I'm also up to the task. You know me, Jacobs."

He raises his hands with a playful smile. "And a wonderful and needed opinion you are."

For context, you and Karl share a house, a decision quickly made when you both had noticed the mortgages that required quite a bit of cash. Cash that neither of you had unless you joined together and shared your earnings. You two had already known each other for a good while so it was simply a very easy choice.

Sure, the house wasn't big and fancy, but it was comfortable. Even more so; affordable with effort.

The two of you perk up from your completed task of clothing decisions once a sound chimes throughout the house. That sound being the doorbell.

"I'll get it. Don't go anywhere." Karl snickered at his little jab towards you, patting your shoulder as he walked past you and trailed down the hallway with soft footsteps. Everything past then was out of earshot.

Although, the noticeable opening creaking of the noisy front door was something you could pick up from practically miles away. You two really needed to fix that door.

You tap your foot and hum a childhood song quietly, looking around the room in the meantime as boredom sets in quickly.

You heard the front door slam shut after a few minutes of hearing nothing but crickets chirping outside. You instantly moved to the dining room once Karl called out for you to join him there.

Both of you take a seat at the table, not without Karl pulling your chair out for you before pushing it in once you sat. He then took his seat in his own chair, leaning forward with his chest pressed against the table.

You glance over at him curiously, a brow arched and head slightly tilted as he opened a delicately wrapped piece of mail.

"It's an.. uh.. invitation?" His voice a bit suspicious as he examined the paper curiously.

You got up from your chair, seeing Karl was too busy being skeptical enough to actually read the thing out loud. You decide to do that job for him.

"You have been invited to Sir Billiam III's Manor for a masquerade ball." You read most of the rest through your head as you both eye it intensely in silence.

"Dress formally and appropriately." Karl adds after he reached the end of the letter. "No poor people aloud..?" You both shrug at that part, assuming it to be a joke.

Karl does a flick of his wrist, a motion for you to sit back down. You obey, taking the few steps back to your seat and plopping back down not so gracefully.

"You alright?"

Karl glances at you from the letter and nods, "I'm fine. Just.. confused?" His voice cracks at the end, causing a smile to cross your face.

He seemed to be contemplating the whole paper. And after a few more minutes, he finally folded it back up and placed it back into its packaging.

"Do you think we should go? And if we are, should we bring the letter with us to have confirmation?" He looks at you, eyes slightly narrowed, you hesitantly nod as you thought the idea over.

"Just in case." You end up saying, shrugging your shoulders.

Karl bites the inside of his cheek and nods, pushing the now slightly ripped and read letter to the center of the clean table.

"This will give us a chance to meet people." You suggest. He agrees wordlessly. As it was decided you both would be going.

It isn't until later tomorrow, however. And tomorrow is Saturday, a part of the weekend so you both would have enough time to get ready for it and anything along the way.

"How long did it say we were going to stay there for?" You glance at Karl. He looks at you and then back at the paper. "We're spending.. a month?" You both almost choke on your own spit once the amount of time sets in.

"A month just for a ball? Who's going to look after the house while we're gone?"

He lowered his head and bit his lip, thinking before looking back up, "I can call Sienna."

A girl you had met not very long ago. A very nice lady who helped you and Karl get your things into your now current house.

"Alright, but I'll ring her up instead. For now, we need to pack for this."

Karl just simply nods towards you and walks back to his room. You follow him, although turning into a different room, aka, yours.

Out from under your bed, you pull out a suitcase and start gathering clothes out of your drawers.

As you do so, you grab your cracked phone. It was really old, but unfortunately you didn't have the time nor money to buy another one.

As you press the call button, you barely had to wait, barely even time to blink before a woman instantly picked up like she was already awaiting a call.

"Hey Y/n! What can I do for ya?"

"Cheery as always aren't you? Did something happen that I don't know about?" She chuckles, the sound practically angelic coming from her.

"As you are a detective, dear! And you're very correct my friend, I am now engaged to my dearest Mason."

You can practically see her twirling her hair as she spoke of the man, humming with over-the-moon feelings.

A quiet gasp escapes you, as well as a hand raising to your mouth.

She soft laughs, clearly able to hear you.

"That's amazing! When's the wedding?" You quickly speak, fumbling over your words in excitement for the girl.

"It's in a few months. It'll be on February the 12th. I wanted it to be close to Valentine's Day since it's the beautiful day of love."

"That's nice. Are you sure it won't be filled with snow though?" The small concern flowing from your lips before you could stop it, "Considering that it is currently November."

"Even if it does snow, it's an indoor wedding. Planned it myself actually!"

You both giggle, suddenly easing into a comfortable silence.

"Any-who what did you need me for?"

Her question caused your mind to instantly start flowing again.

"Well.. I'm going to this masquerade ball-" A gasp interrupts you, yet you continue, "Atleast that's what it said in the invitation." You quickly add, not wanting to get hopes up that this isn't a prank.

After all, when do events just suddenly appear out of nowhere without notice? Especially to you and Karl of all people.

"That's nice! You'll meet more people and be more social!"

"I suppose, however.. I will be gone for a month, Karl as well." You slightly grimace, although it reality it would pass by quick, it would probably seem slower to you and Karl more than anything.

"That's not so bad! As long as you'll have fun!"

"Yeah.. I hope so." You let out a breathy exhale, "But anyways, I called you because I need you to look after the house after me and Karl leave for this occasion." You double check your suitcase as you spoke, packing it to the brim and making sure all the necessary essentials have been placed inside.. organized.

"I would love to! So would Mason!" She giggles, "He would be so happy to see you both before you leave if that's alright, speaking of which when are you leaving?"

You brush yourself off as you stand, going to change into your freshly washed pajamas. As you change, you answer her questions.

"I leave tomorrow morning at 8." You recall, a finger tapping your lip. You stop the action to continue slipping on the rest of your outfit.

"We have time I'm sure. Also you should probably get to bed now! It's almost 10 pm right now. And you need sleep so you don't wake up tired!" You can hear the hint of a scolding tone in her voice, a small laugh making its way out of your throat.

"I mean yeah.. I'm going to wake up at 5. It's an hour drive and me and Karl need time to eat, wake up, and have you guys come over." You pause before speaking up again, "We want to see you two before we leave." A frown suddenly appearing on your face, although unnoticeable.

"Alright then. We will wake up at 5:30. And come over 45ish?"

You hear talking through the phone, a second voice that you're able to make out is Mason's. They talk back and forth for another minute before they come to the agreement.

"Yeah 5:30. That alright?"

"Sounds like a plan. I'll probably be a walking zombie though once I see you. Don't let Mason pick on me for not sleeping well." You joke, lifting your spirits a little.

"As if that's not me in the morning. I can NOT get up without Mason having to basically drag me out of bed and open the curtains. That sun is brutal despite it being winter." A groan is heard through the phone. "You know it's true!" You hear Sienna laugh at her soon-to-be husband.

You join in on the laughter and glance up at the time again. It's 10:20.

"Alright well I think I'm gonna hit the hay here in a second."

"Oh yeah! Alright! Sweet dreeeeeeeaaaaammss!" She drags the word out for a few seconds, making you roll your eyes in amusement.

"Night girl."

Before either of you could get distracted again, you hang up. A smirk lasting on your lips.

With your phone now plugged into a charger cord, you set my alarm. As well as making sure the time is set correctly.

After a moment of fiddling with it though, you get up and walk out of your room. Crossing the short distance in the hallway to knock on Karl's closed door.

He answers with a, "Come in!"

You do just that and lean against the wooden door frame. "You done packing? Got everything you need?" He quickly nods, making you raise your eyebrow at him questionably. He looks at you and sighs, "Yes I double checked that I have everything this time." He pouts as he finishes his sentence.

The last trip you two had went on, he had forgotten some books and a few shirts. You had went back for the objects because of how much he pleaded to turn around. It had gone one for like thirty minutes before you had enough. It was worse than someone asking, "Are we there yet?". You've held it against him since. It's been a running joke between you two for a while now.

"Then I'll see you in the morning." He smiles, giving you finger guns as you step back into the hallway and shut his door softly. You stand there for a second, a smile gracing your face at your friend's antics.

You soon speed walk to your room, hoping to get some good sleep. You'd need it. You had a long busy month ahead of you. A masquerade ball of all things. You haven't been to a formal event since before you had met Karl.

You shake your head, realizing how long it's been. Forgetting it, you slide into your bed. Practically praying for sleep to come quick.

Luckily enough, you're out like a light. Starting to fall into a deep sleep, your mind conjures up endless possibilities that could happen at the upcoming event. Some bad, some good. Overall, the good seemed to outweigh the bad. And for the rest of the night, you slept heavenly.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
[Updated - 9/4/2024]