Jay-Jay's POV
28 February – London
I woke up to chaos.
Not normal chaos.
Loud, dramatic, life-threatening chaos.
"WHO TOUCHED MY HAIR STRAIGHTENER?!"
I didn't even open my eyes.
"Aurora," I muttered into my pillow, "it's 9 a.m. Let people commit crimes peacefully."
"THIS IS NOT A CRIME, THIS IS BETRAYAL!"
A very offended voice shouted back—
"IT WAS AN EMERGENCY!"
Percy.
Of course.
I finally opened my eyes, sighed, and got up.
By the time I reached downstairs, the situation had already escalated.
Aurora was holding a pillow like a weapon.
Percy stood behind the couch protectively touching his hair.
Sebastian was sitting on the armrest, enjoying the drama like it was live entertainment.
Chloe was laughing.
Adam was recording.
Noah… was eating.
And Mia?
Mia was holding a dress like she was about to walk a runway.
I stopped at the last step.
"…What is happening."
Mia turned dramatically.
"JAY!"
"Yes."
"You're just in time."
"For what?"
Aurora grinned.
"Outfit reveal."
Sebastian raised a chip.
"Main event."
I walked straight past all of them—
—and toward Noah.
"What are you eating?"
Noah blinked.
"Cookies."
"Give."
Mia gasped.
"YOU DIDN'T EVEN SAY HI."
I took one.
"This is more important."
Sebastian laughed.
"Finally, a priority I respect."
"Okay, focus!" Mia clapped.
"Outfits!"
Percy immediately stood straight.
"Yes. I will judge."
I sat on the couch, crossed my legs, and took another cookie.
"You're not qualified."
"I am naturally qualified."
"You're naturally annoying."
Sebastian choked laughing.
"ROUND ONE," Mia announced dramatically.
✨ Mia's Turn
She stepped forward and twirled.
Her gown was deep emerald green, smooth and elegant.
The black mask in her hand had golden detailing.
I looked at her for two seconds.
"You look like you're about to ruin someone's life.
Mia grinned slowly.
"Exactly."
"Good."
I leaned back.
"Just don't ruin mine."
Adam clapped once.
"Approved threat level."
Percy nodded.
"Yes, I—"
"Don't say approved," Sebastian warned.
Percy looked offended.
"I was going to say flawless."
"Same thing."
✨ Sarah's Turn
Sarah stepped forward calmly.
Her gown was champagne gold, soft and elegant.
The mask matched perfectly.
I tilted my head.
"…Elegant."
Sarah smiled slightly.
"Thank you."
I glanced at Leo.
"Don't embarrass her."
Leo blinked.
"I wasn't planning to."
"Good."
Aurora immediately leaned toward Chloe.
"Oh ho."
Sebastian smirked.
"I saw that."
Leo ignored all of them.
✨ Aurora's Turn
Aurora spun once in her silver-grey gown.
The fabric shimmered beautifully.
She looked directly at Sebastian.
"Well?"
Sebastian blinked once.
"…Nice."
Aurora crossed her arms.
"That's it?"
He shrugged.
"It's a dress."
I smirked.
"If you stare any longer, I'm charging you rent."
Sebastian choked.
"I wasn't staring!"
"Sure."
Mia collapsed laughing.
✨ Chloe's Turn
Chloe stood up, smiling.
Her peach and pink gown flowed perfectly.
Adam walked in—
stopped—
"…Okay."
Chloe grinned.
"Good okay?"
"Very good okay."
Percy clapped.
"Yes, this is—"
Sebastian pointed at him.
"Don't."
Percy sighed.
"I can't even appreciate fashion."
"You can. Quietly."
✨ My Turn
Everyone looked at me.
I stood up slowly.
The wine-red off-shoulder gown fell perfectly into place.
The white mask rested in my hand.
Silence.
Then—
Mia: "Oh."
Aurora: "That's illegal."
Chloe: "You win."
Adam: "Game over."
Sebastian: "Yeah."
Percy placed his hand dramatically on his chest.
"Baby sistah…"
"Yes?"
"You destroyed the competition."
I sat back down.
"I know."
🌀 Evening Chaos
The mansion officially lost control after that.
Sebastian and Adam started competing in the gym.
"YOU CHEATED!"
"IT'S CALLED STRATEGY!"
Mia and Chloe were testing masks.
Aurora was chasing Percy again.
"STOP TOUCHING YOUR HAIR!"
"LIGHTING CHANGED!"
"That is NOT a reason!"
Noah walked past me again.
"With chips."
I grabbed some.
"You're my favorite."
He nodded.
"I know."
🎬 Horror Movie Night
We all gathered in the theater.
Lights dim.
Sebastian held the remote.
"Horror."
Percy froze.
"…No."
Aurora smiled sweetly.
"Yes."
Percy sat down carefully.
"I am not afraid."
I leaned toward him.
"If you scream, I'm recording it."
"I won't scream."
"Good."
Ten minutes later—
JUMPSCARE
Percy jumped so hard he almost left the couch.
I slowly turned toward him.
"…Not afraid?"
"That was unexpected."
Second jumpscare .
He grabbed a pillow.
Mia LOST IT.
"LOOK AT HIM!"
Aurora was crying laughing.
"This is better than the movie!"
Sebastian leaned in.
"Do you want my hand?"
Percy threw popcorn at him.
"SHUT UP."
Halfway through the movie—
Percy was fully holding the pillow.
Another scary scene.
He flinched again.
Adam nodded.
"Masquerade king."
Noah added,
"Defeated by ghosts."
Leo shook his head.
Sarah tried not to laugh.
I whispered,
"You're embarrassing yourself."
"I'm observing the enemy."
"…It's a ghost."
"Still."
By the end—
Sebastian was on the floor laughing.
Mia couldn't breathe.
Aurora wiped tears.
Chloe was giggling nonstop.
Percy stood up dramatically.
"I was protecting all of you."
Adam clapped slowly.
"Hero."
Noah raised popcorn.
"Legend."
I leaned back, watching all of them.
Tomorrow was the masquerade.
The real game.
The real tension.
But tonight…
With this chaos,
this laughter,
this madness—
I smiled.
"Enjoy it."
Mia looked at me.
"Why?"
I stood up.
"Because tomorrow…"
I picked up my mask.
"…things won't be this simple anymore."
...