Tables Turned

"So this year for Halloween San Diego state events committee have asked to partner with the psychology department for a social experiment." My professor Jack told us once we were all seated. Strangely, Vic did choose to sit next to me but it wasn't a big deal I suppose. After all, he did consider us friends now. "It took me a few days to come up with an idea but it came to me. The biggest flaw in our growing society is the laws of attraction."

"It's gonna be some sort of dance." Vic mumbled quietly from beside me.

"How many of you guys went to your high school prom?" Jack asked around the hall. A lot of people raised their hands. Me and Vic included. "And you went with someone you were attracted to?" He asked, looking around.

"At the time yeah but she's ugly now." Some random dude near the front called out. A few laughs erupted around the room but it died down.

"That's the problem. At school we chose people based on their looks, not so much about their personalities. So I proposed to have a dance, kinda like prom on Halloween. A masquerade ball actually."

"Told ya so." Vic whispered. I looked at him and smiled.

"You will each be given 2 weeks to create a mask, in private. You can't show anyone. The point is to go to the dance and wear a mask that shows off your personality. Be attracted to that instead of the way the person looks." Jack explained as he sat down on his desk.

"Do we have to attend?" Someone asked.

"Yes. Everyone from this class must attend." Jack grinned. "It's actually mandatory for your grade but other classes will be heavily "encouraged" to attend wearing masks and participate."

"Do we have to wear masks all night?" A voice asked.

"No. Actually, the rules will state that everyone has to choose a partner for the first dance and then after that they can take the mask off. BUT you guys have to learn 3 things about the person before you reveal yourself. It'll be used in your report." I groaned quietly so that basically, only I could hear it.

"This blows." I mumbled.

"Halloween is in 2 weeks guys. I'm gonna dismiss you now so that you can go and get supplies and make plans for the ball." Jack said and pointed to the door.

People began to gather their things, me and Vic included. "I am not looking forward to this at all." I sighed. Vic looked at me with a raised eyebrow.

"Why?" He questioned me. I threw my bag over my shoulder and then shrugged.

"It's just a chore. I don't like dances, I don't like stupid dresses like that and I definitely don't like the idea of having to choose someone to dance with and not know who they are." I told him as we began to walk down the stairs.

"Yeah but it could be interesting. Look at it this way, you may end up finding someone and finally get over that asshole." Vic pointed out. The past 3 weeks in the midst of my heart ache had been awful. Then finding out Ben likes me made things even more confusing.

"I'm just not up for all this shit." I simple stated. Vic nodded in understanding, I'm just not into big fancy facades like that.

"So are you coming back to the apartment or?" Vic asked me vaguely. I looked at him and nodded. As much as I wanted to go and buy glitter, glue and stupid masks, I much rather liked the sound of going home and lying in bed all day.

"Yeah." I said quietly. Vic nodded and we began to walk back to the apartment.

-

"A masquerade ball? What is this sophomore year of high school?" Tony raised a questioning eyebrow at his own statement.

"Apparently so. You guys gonna come?" I looked between Tony and Lynn. They both gave me a thoughtful look.

"Since you two have to go, then sure why not." Lynn shrugged her shoulders. Tony rolled his eyes and nodded.

"Fine." He said with an exaggerated groan.

Vic walked over to us and sat down on the couch next to me. Lynn gave me a strange look but I just shrugged it off. "What's the plans for the night then?" Vic asked us.

"Why don't we actually do something kinda fun?" Tony said excitedly.

"Like what though?" I raised an eyebrow.

"We could invite a few friends over and drink or something?" Lynn suggested.

"We do that a lot anyway." Vic groaned. He had a good point though, we did that like every week at least 3 times so it's not like it's a whole new idea and something different.

"Why don't we play some drinking games?" Lynn threw in.

"It's still the same thing." I pointed out.

"I have an idea." Vic's eyes lit up and a grin spread across his face.

"And what's that?" I asked raising an eyebrow at his claim.

"Tony remember the lake we used to go to when we were kids?" Vic asked Tony.

"Yeah vaguely." He nodded.

"Why don't we get a bunch of booze, sleeping bags and jump into our cars and go swimming in the lake. It's always deserted at this time of year so we will be alone." Vic suggested. It didn't sound half bad. "We don't have classes tomorrow so it's a good idea, I think so anyway."

"I like that actually." Lynn grinned at Vic. Tony nodded and then Vic looked at me waiting for my reaction.

"Sure, sounds good." I nodded. Vic gave a triumphant fist pump. "I'm gonna go call Ben and see if he wants to join us." I got up and walked to my room and called Ben.

-

"It better not be cold." Lynn warned Vic as we all stood on the edge of the lake in our underwear.

"It's water in October Lynn, it's gonna be cold. Suck it up." He said obnoxiously. She rolled her eyes and pushed him into the water.

I stood on the edge and looked at the water beneath me and sighed. Jaime, Mike and Tony jumped into the water after Vic was thrown in but they took Lynn with them. "You going in?" Ben asked me. I looked at him and nodded slowly.

I stepped forward and into the cold water. My heart began beating super fast, it was freezing. "Not cool!" I shouted out at how cold the water was.

"You girls are such wimps." Ben laughed at how me and Lynn were both chittering away and looking angry at them for making us participate.

"It's very cold though." I told him and then splashed some water in his face. He laughed and then retaliated by throwing even more water in my face.

"I'm not staying in this water." Lynn announced and got out. She walked over to the fire and sat down. Mike and Vic copied her actions. I shrugged and got out too. One by one we all ended up around the fire trying to warm up.

I was shaking from how cold I was. Ben looked at me funny and then got up. He walked over to my car and got a blanket out the trunk and then walked back over to where we were sitting. He draped the blanket over my shoulders and I gave him a grateful smile. I looked towards Vic and he was watching our actions with a dissatisfied look on his face. "Thanks Ben." I whispered.

He sat down and gave me a smile. "It's okay."

I noticed that he was beginning to shiver from coldness so I opened up the blanket to invite him inside. He graciously accepted my invite and wrapped the blanket around our bodies. "I'm gonna get the vodka." Lynn said breaking the awkward silence.

She ran off to the cars and got some vodka and beers. "Let's get wasted." Mike said as he grabbed one of the beers that Lynn brought over.

After about an hour most of us were trashed, sitting around the fire with dopey looks on our face. "Let's go skinny dipping!" Lynn announced excitedly. Everyone gave her a boo and she looked down with a pout.

"You know what, let's." I said getting up and dropping the blanket. Lynn drunkenly rose to her feet. I walked over to her and grabbed her hand. We began to walk down to the lake and I could feel everyone watching us.

I took a quick look back and they were all staring at us with mouths hanging open. "They're shocked by this." Lynn giggled. I reached around and unhooked my bra, throwing it behind me. Lynn copied my actions. She grabbed my hand again and we walked into the water. Once in the water and deep enough to cover our chests we took our underwear off and threw it back onto the sand.

"Who's boring now!" I shouted back at the guys whom were completely bewildered and shocked by our actions.

Tony suddenly got up and rand down to the water. He threw off his shorts and got in. One by one the guys all joined us except Vic. He just sat there in front of the fire with a solemn look on his face. It was his idea to come here so I don't understand what the issue is. "Come on Vic, don't be a pussy." Jaime shouted back at Vic. Vic just shrugged his shoulders and got up.

For a second I thought he was going to join us but actually, he walked over to his car and got in. And for some reason, that disappointed me.

Notes

Hey sorry guys I've been busy this week with college and shit but hey I seen neck deep for the 5th time this week and finally got a picture with Ben!!! West also remembered me from their home town show in May, very good night! Enjoy this one!