Ben hadn't planned on coming to the ball. As the calendar sped closer and closer to the holiday season, his mood became more and more sour-- and his penchant for avoiding people shifted to an all-time high.

He knew he would never leave his room if he didn't force himself out--and what bothered him more was that maybe nobody would even care. Or was it that it bothered him that nobody would care?

Either way, he sighed to himself, hands shoved into his pockets, and walked into the hall with a scowl set firmly on his face.