IF THAT'S WHAT IT TAKES
Chapter Two

Jack was walking with his friends along a darkened street on their way to the Bukater party. He hadn't, and still didn't, want to go. But his friends had persuaded him to. “It will help you get your mind off of Eleanor,” they had said, referring to Jack's former girl. Eleanor and Jack had been close, and Jack had loved her. But when it had come time for a commitment, Eleanor had said no. She didn't want to marry—not ever. So she had left. Ever since then, Jack had been very distant and quiet, not talking a lot, spending a lot of time alone. It worried his friends and family a lot, so his friends had basically willed him to come tonight, hoping to get his mind off of the infamous Eleanor. Right now, everyone, including Jack, Fabrizio, Tommy, and their other friend, Tony, were all laughing at some joke Tommy had made. But Jack's laughter ended quickly and then he was silent.

Fabrizio noticed his friend's quietness. "Still thinking about Eleanor?"

Jack sighed. "How can love be so rough?"

Fabrizio shrugged. "If love is rough with you, be rough with love. Forget about Eleanor. She was scum anyway."

Jack took a lantern from Tommy. "I can't. It's too hard. Thanks, Tommy," he said, holding up the light.

Tommy nodded at him.

"I had a dream last night," Jack said, changing the subject.

"So did I," Fabrizio said with a smug look.

"What was yours?" questioned Jack.

"That dreamers often lie!"

"In bed asleep while they dream things that are true," Jack said.

"Ah…I see the queen of the fairies, Queen Mab, has been with you," Fabrizio said to Jack.

Jack raised his eyebrow. His friend sometimes had had some weird ideas before, but this was beyond him.

"She is the one who brings dreams to men and women. No smaller than an agate stone, she rides around in her little chariot made of an empty hazelnut, pulled by a gnat. She rides around like this all night, bringing dreams to everyone. If she goes through lovers’ brains, they dream of love. If she goes through ladies’ lips, they dream of kisses. Sometimes she gallops over a courtier's nose and then he dreams of finding a match. She may go through a soldier’s neck and that makes him think of cutting thoughts. She can do anything. What did you dream of? Was it she who came? Was it she? Was it she?" Fabrizio started to shout and get excited toward the end of his little speech, scaring Jack and everyone else. "Was it she?" he shouted to the night, his back to everyone.

Jack went up and gently touched Fabrizio’s shoulder. Fabrizio spun around as if he were shocked. Jack looked at his shaken up friend. "Calm down, Fabri. Calm down. You are blabbing."

"I talk of dreams," Fabrizio said simply, but he calmed down.

"I hate to interrupt," Tommy said, cutting in, "but we already missed dinner and will come too late if we don't hurry up."

"Too early. We will come too early," Jack mumbled as they pressed on.

The whole Dawson clan was planning on sneaking into the Bukater party, since it was a mask. Jack prayed they wouldn't be noticed by any of the Bukaters. If they were, all hell would most likely break lose. Suddenly, they arrived at the Bukater mansion. Fabrizio, now back to his normal self, pulled out an invitation to the party he had somehow gotten hold off.

"This is our ticket, boys," he said.

Tommy grinned and took it from him.

They waited in line, and when it was their turn to get in, they pulled on their masks. Tommy flashed the invitation and the guard let everyone pass.

"That was almost too easy," Tony mumbled as they made their way inside.

Tommy nodded in agreement.

Once inside, they could see the party was in full swing. People were dancing and talking. Most of them were having a good time. The Dawson boys split up and went their separate ways.

Jack stayed toward the back, not wanting to bring attention to himself. He was watching everyone dance together when something caught his eye.

*****

Rose was in the middle of all those dancing people. She had, to her horror, been introduced to Caledon Hockley. There was no going back now. Her parents would probably force her to marry him, and Rose would never get to be with anyone she loved. She could tell already that Cal wasn't for her. He was handsome, all right, but he was too formal and stuck up. Rose wanted someone she could have fun with, not Cal. As soon as the music stopped and a slower song came on, Rose felt someone grab her hand. To her horror, it was Cal. Rose keep quiet as Cal pulled her to him.

"Will you now dance with me?" Cal asked Rose.

Rose said nothing but Cal began dancing with her anyway. Rose turned her face away from Cal while they danced, not waiting to look him in the face. She watched the other people milling around and dancing to the beautiful music. Everyone but her seemed to be having a great time. Cal moved her toward the edge of the crowd, obviously wanting some time alone with her. Suddenly, Rose spotted someone toward the back of the room. She kept her eye on the person and realized it was a boy. From where she was, she could see he was probably a few years older than her. He had silky blond hair and a wonderful look to him. The only problem was that she couldn't see the boy's eyes. A silver mask hid them. Rose continued to stare at this boy, wondering what had come over her, when he turned at looked at her. Catching her eye, he smiled and continued to stare at her. Rose's heart began to beat wildly and she forgot about dancing with the horrifying Cal. There was something about this boy, something that made Rose smile and want to run over to him right now.

*****

Jack stared from the back of the room at the girl he had spotted only a minute before. She had glorious red hair that was half up and half down. Her eyes were a deep sapphire blue and she wore a red and black dress. She was dancing with a handsome man with a blue mask over half of his face. Right now, she was staring at him with a wondrous look in those beautiful eyes. Jack knew it was rude, but he couldn't help staring back at her. To him, she was more beautiful than anyone in the whole world, and he forgot about Eleanor right away. Something about her made him feel warm and wonderful inside. Jack pulled off his mask so he could have a better look at her. He could see her gasp from where he was and then he saw her smile and blush. Suddenly, Jack saw someone coming toward him. It was one of the Bukater cousins, Trevor. Jack immediately pulled his mask back on and sank back into the shadows, disappointed that he had lost sight of the girl. After a few minutes, he stuck his head back out again. He didn't see the red-haired girl anywhere. Dang, Jack thought angrily as he continued to look around.

*****

Trevor Bukater, a black-haired, black-eyed, all around mean guy, had unfortunately recognized Jack, and he was very angry. The Dawsons aren't supposed to be here, he fumed as he pushed his way through the crowds of people, trying to find his Uncle James. He finally spotted him and marched up. "Uncle James, we have a problem," he said angrily to his uncle.

Uncle James sighed. "Now what, Trevor?"

"The Dawsons boys are here, that's what!" Trevor fumed at his uncle. He watched his uncle's face. Something was wrong. He was supposed to be mad, but all Trevor saw was exasperation in his eyes.

"Let them be, Trevor. Let them be. They haven’t done any harm. They are probably here just for a party. Besides, I will not make a scene among my guests over this."

"But uncle…" Trevor said.

But Uncle James stopped him. "No! Let them be, Trevor! Do not make a scene, or you will be gone. Is this clear?"

Trevor said nothing and moved away. He wouldn't make a scene. Not now, at least. "Those Dawsons are going to pay, especially that Jack," he said under his breath.

Chapter Three
Stories