So I've posted this story a week early. I've decided to post it now because I have tons of ideas for other stories.
I've been to so many schools that my memories of them all have been blurred. In my mind, all of the schools that I've attended have become one. But Charles Addams High School is one school that I will always remember.
It all started, of course, on my first day of school, back in September of 1986. I was approaching my locker when I noticed a flier advertising for a masquerade ball.
"A masquerade", the girl next to me said, "how appropriate."
I knew that this girl was merely thinking out loud, and judging by her body language & the tone of her voice, she didn't seem all that approachable. But since I wanted to make new friends, I've decided to take a risk and talk to the girl.
"What do you mean?" I asked her.
The girl turned to face me.
"Who are you?" she asked, giving me a dirty look.
"Hi, I'm Jake", I said.
"You're new here are you?"
"Yup."
"So, what made you move to a place like Copeland City?"
"Well my father is originally from here and my mom lives in Springfield. When my parents got divorced, my old man moved back to his hometown, taking me with him."
What I didn't tell this girl was that my dad, Ron Moody, was a police officer in Copeland City. About 20 years ago, he was transferred to Springfield. That was where he met my mom, Pam. Eventually, my parents got divorced and my dad retired from the force. I didn't tell this girl any of this stuff because there's a stigma to being a Moody. Let's just say that it involves coming from a long line of police officers.
"By the way, what's your name?" I asked.
"The name's Amy," she replied.
"So, what's so 'appropriate' about this masquerade ball?"
"Well when I look around this school, I see a bunch of phonies. They basically wear their little 'mask'. Let me introduce you to some of the douchebags.
"Right across from us is Molly Standish. She's a self-centered bitch who does whatever it takes to make herself look good. This includes dating the captain of the football team, and judging others based on their appearance.
"Next, we have Raymond King, the captain of the football team. Ray is also on the wrestling team, and he's in boxing. And of course, he likes to show off to the girls.
"Over there, by the fountain, there's Brody Simmons. He pretends to be smart, but trust me, he's not.
"Finally, we have Kevin Hicks. He's always wearing a dress shirt, cargo pants, and those fancy dress shoes. Kevin is pretty much a male version of Molly.
"There are many other douchebags that hide behind their 'masks' that I can point out, but I think I made my point."
The problem wasn't that the students were wearing their 'masks', the problem was that Amy was too judgmental! I didn't want to say anything to Amy because I didn't want to make an enemy out of her. In all honesty, Amy scared me a little.
Friday Night finally came, the night of the Masquerade Ball. About 600 students attended, including Amy. But unlike the other students, Amy didn't show up wearing a mask or a costume. She showed up in her normal clothes! Needless to say, all eyes were on Amy. While all eyes were on Amy, only one person actually approached her, Molly. I overheard their little "conversation", and let's just say that maybe Amy was right about Molly!
"What the hell!" Molly yelled. "Like, hello! This is a Masquerade! You're suppose to wear a mask!"
"What can I say? I wanted to show the real me", Amy replied.
"Whatever weirdo", Molly said. "You're always trying to stand out from the crowd. It's no wonder why you don't have any friends." As Molly went about her merry way, I walked up to Amy to talk to her.
"Hey Amy", I said. "I guess you were right about Molly. She really is a bitch."
"Yeah well, I'm not going to let her get to me", Amy said. "Since you're here, let's dance!"
Throughout the rest of night, both Amy and I were having a good time. In fact, everybody was! Amy even introduced me to some of her friends!
Eventually, the clock stroke midnight. The Masquerade Ball was over, but the night wasn't over yet for the students of Charles Addam High, not even close.
"What the hell!" Molly yelled. "I can't get my mask off. Ray, just don't stand there, help me!"
"I can't get my mask off either", I said.
In fact, nobody could take them off! While some students remained calm in this situation, others started to freak out. One of them was, of course, Molly.
"You!", Molly screamed as she walked up to Amy. "You did all of this!"
"How could it be me?" Amy asked. "It's not like I've could have gotten a hold of everyone's masks!"
"Oh really. Well let's see, you come to a masquerade without a mask and a costume, and then all of the sudden, nobody can take their masks off. How stupid do you think we all are?"
"Look, there's a simple explanation for all of this."
"And what would that be?"
Before Amy continued to speak, something happened that defied the laws of nature; something that you would only see in a fantasy movie. This skinny 5'6 girl shape-shifted into a six foot man, who was dressed like a viking. Before anyone could even wrap their minds around what just occurred, the lights went out. When the light returned, the man dressed like a viking was gone! But he didn't go far.
"Good evening students of Charles Addams High", said a male voice over the PA system. "This broadcast is coming to you live from the principal's office. Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Loki. In case you haven't figured it out yet, Amy Calaway never existed.
"Are you having a little trouble taking your masks off? Well that's because I put a spell on all of you. But fear not everyone, for there is a way that you can take your masks off. All you have to do is show who you really are. If you do that, then the masks will come off."
"Oh this is bullshit!" Raymond exclaimed. "I'm going to beat that guy within an inch of his life!" So Raymond King stormed his way out of the gym, up the stairs to the second floor, and into the principal's office. But when he arrived, Loki wasn't there!
The students who've attended that Masquerade Ball had to go through the rest of the school year with their masks still on, myself included. It was just like Loki said, the only way to remove our masks is to show who we really are. But what he failed to realize is that most people at such a young age, haven't figured out who they are yet! So it's kind of hard to show who you really are if you don't even know who that is.
