I looked at her, caught off guard, but she had already turned her attention to the shelves.

“How about this?” Grinning, she held a Michael Myers mask in front of my face.

I took it out of her hand to put the ugly thing back again straight away.

“Maybe something a little more subtle?” I asked, looking at her with uncertainty.

“Come on. I'm sure he likes Michael.” She laughed and continued down the aisle.

I smirked because I'd never met anyone crazy like her before.

“This one?”

Larissa held up a mask made of peacock feathers that looked majestic.

“Too flashy,” I sighed.

“This one?”

She held up a pig mask and I laughed.

“Feel free to take this one for yourself if you like it that much.”

Larissa hung the mask back with a grin and I wondered if this huge range would ever be sold. It was simply an entire range just for masks. For masks.

I wandered through the row, passing Venetian masks, carnival masks and fun masks, until I suddenly had to stop.

I eyed the white mask in front of me, which was covered in lace and had a subtle yet mysterious appearance with its few silver rhinestones. It was in the shape of a mask worn at those elegant masquerade balls.

I took it in my hand and felt that it was firmer than expected and also seemed to be of good quality.

“I think you should take this one.” Larissa suddenly stood behind me and eyed the mask. “Mysterious and sexy, exactly the right thing for Erik,” she teased me.

I pointed a finger in front of my mouth to tell her to keep her voice down, but she only commented with a giggle.

“Do you think he's walking around here somewhere?”

I paused. I hadn't even thought about that. Yes, I had gotten used to the fact that he could be anywhere, but right now there was a much higher chance than usual that the next person to enter this store could be Erik.

I looked around discreetly, but there were only girls nearby. And of course, the Bexley sisters were also walking through the store.

“Now don't be such a dove in love and look for a suitable costume instead.”

Larissa pointed at the mask in my hands.

I had given up trying to explain to Larissa that Erik was just a good friend.

I stammered. “Um, right... Do you have any suggestions?”

Larissa pretended to think, then waved, “Follow me.”

When we finally stood in front of a row of tight black dresses, my jaw dropped.

“You get fifty dollars if you convince Julie to wear one of these.”

Grace had appeared in the aisle.

“Challenge accepted,” Larissa said rather confidently.

“I can't believe someone's betting on me again,” I sighed sarcastically, and Grace came closer.

“You're offering yourself up for something like this,” Larissa commented to my left.

“You're going to wear this?” Grace took the mask from my hand. “A mask?” She looked at me. “You really shouldn't hide your pretty face.”

“She's definitely wearing the mask,” Larissa said fortunately, and Grace handed it back to me wordlessly.

“Whatever you're doing to my cousin, I don't have a good feeling about it, okay?”

My gaze drifted to the clothing rail next to me. And of course, I was spoiled for choice between these insanely figure-hugging dresses that would all have the same effect. Everyone would stare at my body and I would feel insecure.

“I think this would suit you.” Larissa pulled a very short black dress with strange spikes on the breasts from the rack and I immediately blushed.

“Larissa!” I stammered and snatched the dress from her hand, only to immediately put it back where it belonged.

“Why don't you send her in lingerie,” Grace laughed, and I looked at her in disbelief.

“How about this: You two go and help Bayla and leave me to do it alone.”

“Wow, Miss is voicing her needs.” Grace raised both brows.

Again, my cheeks heated. I hated it. Did she always have to point out that I preferred to hold back?

“You're right. We shouldn't let Bay out of our sight,” Larissa agreed, and then disappeared around the corner.

Grace and I stayed behind.

I didn't know if she was still upset about the little conflict a few days ago, because she'd been avoiding me a lot. Something typical for her. Conflict resolution wasn't her strength and since I was bad at talking, the times she was mad at me were lonely times.

“Julie, is everything okay with you?”

She looked again at the mask in my hands as if it was proof that I was going insane.

I felt naked. As if people could see through my protective shield. As if they could see that something was wrong with me.

“Why do you ask?” I stammered and looked at the clothes again.

I would never wear such figure-hugging dresses. Couldn't I just go with what I was wearing? In light-colored jeans and my gray knit top?