AllFreeNovel
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“There’s so much good here though, Eli. I have fond memories of you, my only friend, Mrs. Kelly, the history teacher who really knew her stuff. Taco days at lunch.”
Eli laughs. “You did love your tacos.”
“Still do. Anyway, I’m glad my journey led me back here.”
“Me too.”
I search his eyes for a moment, as if I can see all the shared memories passing between us.
“Uh, next month is another masquerade ball,” I say.
“Tell me more about that.”
“It’s my way of adding some elegance to Neubrook. It also allows people to think they’re in my inner circle. That was done intentionally as well. Builds loyalty.”
“Clever. How do you decide who to invite?”
“Don’t tell anyone, but it’s just a random list of residents that I have Crystal pull from. Maren offers suggestions, and I may add someone from town if I had a particularly positive experience.”
Eli laughs. “They think it’s all specifically curated.”
“They do.” I pause, wondering how far to let him in on my secrets. He’s Eli. He’s the only person I’ve ever truly trusted. “There’s a darker side though. I feel like I can confess it to you.”
He slightly shifts, sitting up a little straighter. “I’m listening.”
“The three years of high school here were some of the worst years of my life, save for the moments with you.”
He nods solemnly.
“There were so many parties and events I was excluded from, either because I wasn’t invited or because I didn’t feel comfortable attending. Rallies, football games, dances at school, house parties. I knew my presence wasn’t welcome.”
“Michel…”
“It’s okay. I know I could’ve gone with you, but it felt so selfish knowing you’d have to be on guard or argue with your own friends over me.”
“So the balls are so you can control who you invite?”
“Yes. It’s so petty.”
“It’s not. I get it. You’re human and we all have emotions that aren’t always great. I don’t even like visiting my own parents.” He chuckles while I’m still dwelling on his human comment.
“Yes, well, for my own entertainment, I hire a myriad of actors to come in and play me.”
Eli tilts his head. “Come again?”
Feeling self-conscious, I continue. “I hire actors to come in dressed like me, behaving like me, looking like me to some extent. The masks help with the differences.”
“Why?”
“You should see them, Eli. The way they swoon and compliment me, or the person they think is me. The way they pander for my attention, all in hopes that I will grace them with my presence, come eat at their restaurant, or shop in their store. Or that they’ll be invited back. It amuses me.”
Eli holds my gaze, but his face is blank, so I can’t tell what he’s thinking. Maybe he’s realizing I’m a monster after all.
After a moment, he cracks a smile and bursts into laughter. I chuckle nervously at his reaction.
“That is a level of petty I can only aspire to,” he says, slapping his thigh. “Dude. Fucking epic.”
“You don’t think I’m an asshole?”
