I took a couple deep breathes. “No, no, not at all.”
“Good,” he said. “Now please move.”
And yet it was clear as day; there was something painful to him. I was intrigued. He was what I needed for my art project; raw and emotional. I was an observer.
“Get your butt out here, Zo. Practice is about to start,” Libby shouted down the hall. “If you see Han, tell her too.”
I found Hannah lip-locked with a sophomore from the basketball team. She noticed me and pushed him away, straightening herself out. “C’mon Hannah,” I said. The guy blushed, rushing off before waving goodbye. “We’ve got practice.”
We made our way out onto the field.
Hannah pulled me aside. “Don’t tell anyone.”
“Cute,” I said. “Max, right?”
“You know him?”
I laughed. “Dylan is their captain, of course.”
“Really think it’s cute?”
“And cradle robbing.”
She smacked my arm with a pom-pom. “Don’t say that. Not funny.”
Chapter Eight
Cheer season was in full swing, and I couldn’t quite get used to the idea of being in my final year. I was a senior now, and I had to decide what I wanted to do with the rest of my life. Almost like I was supposed to know. People paid attention to what I said, interested to ask questions about my future, questions I hadn’t even discussed with my family or Dylan.
Saturday the 31st of October, marked the first holiday, and as such, we needed to prepare and celebrate in style. We owed Instagram at least that much.
Last year, Char had cemented herself with the Halloween Spooktacular party she threw. This year, we’d planned on doing it bigger and better, and her mom would help, even if she insisted on going out of town for it.
“Half the senior class has been invited,” Char said. She held up a dress against herself, wrapping it to judge the type of fit. “Let them see their future prom queen.”
“A shoe-in,” I said, glancing at my phone, it was mid-afternoon, and we still had lots to do. “So, where we going first?”
“Target?” Ava suggested. “Can’t use last year’s decorations, find something cheap.”
“Cutting it so late,” Char said. “We should’ve done this yesterday.”
“I need some Spanx,” Libby said. “I’m feeling fat.”
“Is it that time of the month?” I asked, dreading the PMS monster.
“I’m supposed to start tomorrow, but I’m bloated,” she said.
“My mom has some,” Char said. “Let’s not get caught buying Spanx, Lib. Not something we need to be seen with.” She threw the dress on her bed and spritzed herself with perfume.
“Mm.” We sniffed at the air.
“What’s that?” Hannah asked. “I need.”
“Kings & Queens,” she said. “It’s gold dust, so use sparingly.” We all wanted some. Char splashed us twice, once on the wrist and second at the neck. It had probably been a gift Char’s mom was given. “So, what’s first?”
I pulled up the notes on my phone. Everything we’d discussed was on there. “Last minute decorations, so, all decorations. Snacks, soda, solo cups, costume touches, and Halloween makeup, or just makeup. Also, still have to decide on the film to show in the background and a playlist.”
“Obvi a HALLOWEEN film, Michael Myers and all that,” Ava said. “As for music, I have a Spotify playlist.”
“Check those off then,” Char said.
We took Char’s mom’s Range Rover. It fit all five of us perfectly, with room for shopping. Target was our one-stop shop. We grabbed a shopping cart and strolled the aisles, throwing everything Halloween themed in. From the success of last year, this year had massed over 100 RSVPs, and we needed enough of everyone.
“Chips and dips!” Libby said. “I know I get real hungry.”
“On the list,” I said.
“We should have a list of people, and if they’re not on, we can turn them away,” Char said. “I might need their vote, but I can’t have them thinking we’re besties.”
“I’ll create it,” Ava said. “We should get someone to work on the door too.”
Char waved her hand at her and smiled. “Overkill.”
The cart was almost full. “Okay, let me take a picture,” I said. They gathered around, pointing into the cart and smiling.
“Hashtag, you’re not invited,” Ava said.
“Halloqueen, Queen for Halloween, crown me already,” Char added. “Any of those hashtags, because you know, I’ll be prom queen.”
“Isn’t that bad luck,” Libby asked. “Tempting fate.”
“Luck?” Char laughed. “We create our own luck, if you don’t put it out there, how the hell will it ever know what you want?”
“Well, I want a bag of Cheetos,” Hannah said.
“Ask, and you shall receive,” Char said, grabbing a bag from the shelf.
I’d purchased a black lace mask; it went perfectly with the black dress I’d bought. It fit and it squeezed my boobs in the right way. It was an all-black fantasy, from mask to heels. My mom hadn’t seen the dress yet, and the thought of her asking to see it before I left for Char’s frightened me.
We took a pit stop at my house before going back to Char’s. My mom invited everyone in for lemonade, grilling my friends about the party and making sure there was a curfew in place, which there wasn’t, but thankfully Char was an expert in lying to parents and teachers.
I phoned Dylan from my room.
“Hey babe,” he answered. “Are you prepared for tonight?”
“Yeah, just home before heading to Char’s,” I said. “Her mom’s bought alcohol, but, I’m not sure I’ll be drinking.”
“Really? Why?”
“Homecoming has got me all weird,” I said as a healthy reminder.
“That was pure ethanol,” he said. “And weeks ago now. Plus, there’s no science lab at Char’s for that to happen.”
“Well, I mainly called to ask what you were wearing tonight,” I said. “I have this real cute dress, think I showed it you, but anyway, it’s the black one, with the boobs, I’m sure you know. Well, I’m wearing that.”
He chuckled as I prattled on. “I know the one,” he said. “I told you, Edward Cullen, I have the sparkles and shit.”
“You were being serious?”
“I lost a bet, and missed a three pointer, so I have to,” he laughed. “But I’ll have the hottest girl at the party, so I still win.”
He melted my body to a warm sticky mess. “Love you,” I said. “I have to go.”
“Love you,” he said. “See ya later.”
I had all my things in a bag, and thankfully my mom didn’t ask to see what I was wearing. I gave her a kiss on the cheek and asked her to give one to dad.
“Is it okay if Kaleb comes?” Ava asked once we were all in the car.
Char took a moment to respond. “What do you mean? Of course he’s coming, he’s the mascot, it wouldn’t be the team without him,” she said. She paused before starting the ignition to look at her in the back seat. “Why are you asking?”
“Oh,” she blushed. “We’ve been hooking up, and he doesn’t hang around with us.”
“He’s a senior, so, of course he’s invited,” I said. “I definitely sent him an invite.” I definitely did not send him an invite, he was the one who spiked the punch, and now I wasn’t drinking at this party at all. I could’ve probably had one if I wanted, but with him there it wasn’t safe to think about having a drink.
Ava grinned. “Good! He said he’ll bring a bottle too, probably something top shelf.” And there it was, the reason he probably spiked the punch, his brothers run a bar, but he isn’t a mixologist, no matter how much he tried at homecoming.
Char’s house had been cleaned from top to bottom by the time we got back. Her mom had a part-time housekeeper, on discounted rates because she was a realtor and the company cleaned her houses before a showing. Char bragged a
bout it as we hauled bags through the front door.
“Spread the Halloween shit far and wide,” Char said. “I’ll get the lights set up.”
We had Halloween confetti and ceiling streamers. We posted every inch of the Halloween fantasy to our social media sites. Red, black, and white pieces of sugar paper cut out into fangs, spiders, webs, and bolts of lightning.
Hannah walked in on me pulling myself into the black dress. I’d noticed her in the mirror, she stood in a long t-shirt, her hair blown out, twiddling her hands together. “Zo?”
“Yea?” I turned to her.
“Do you think Char will be mad if I invite Max?” she asked.
My brows knitted together in response. They’d locked lips in the locker room. “He’s not a senior.” I shrugged. “If you’re dating, it’s not like she’ll say no.”
“Will you ask for me?”
Twisting my arms in an odd position, I zipped the back of the dress up. “Just ask, or invite him anyway.”
“Who?” Char said, walking into the room. “Who are you inviting?”
I stayed quiet as Hannah blushed. “I’m seeing a sophomore,” she said.
“Sure,” Char said, “as long as he’s not messy. Oh, and ask him to bring his own alcohol, in fact, scratch that, don’t let him drink, I don’t want a confused teen in my house showing up the seniors.”
“He’s on the basketball team,” Hannah added.
“Benchwarmer,” Char said. “How cute, we all need to do our bit for charity.”
We were all used to Char and her quick wit. Hannah squealed in excitement, thanking Char before rushing off to get dressed.
Char added finishing touches to her outfit. A crown from her mom’s closet. She pulled us all into her mom’s room to watch. “It’s Swarovski,” she said, weaving it inside her hair. “It’s insured, don’t worry.”
“Beautiful,” Libby said. “You’re going to slay prom.”
“Bitches be cray,” Ava said.
I smiled. “Is Benny coming as your king then?”
“Zo, you know a queen doesn’t make a king, they make a duke. A king can make a queen, but not the other way around,” Char said. Thoroughly researched for a history paper on the British monarchy.
“Does that mean if Dylan becomes prom king, I’ll automatically be queen?”
“This is prom we’re talking about,” Char said. “Don’t be silly.”
Dylan, Benny, and some of the other seniors on the basketball team were the first to arrive. The party wasn’t due to start until 8 PM. Char had handed out pre-shots to prepare us, it was fruity. I drank mine, but that was my limit.
“We’ve got a keg!” Two guys called out, lugging it behind Dylan.
“Put a towel down,” Char shouted at them. “You don’t know how much it takes to get scratches out, and neither do I, but I don’t want to find out.”
Halloween, the 1978 film, played muted on the large flat screen. Strobe lights flashed around to the sound of Ava’s Spotify playlist on the surround sound.
I made my entrance from the top of the stairs. I walked down to see Dylan, standing in his glorious sparkling mess. He stood at the foot of the stairs and took my hand.
“You’re gorgeous Zoey Jensen,” he said.
“And I would kiss you, but I’m scared you’d ruin my make-up with your glitter.”
“Damn,” he bit his lip.
“Looks like you lost a fight with the glitter. Did they steal your money too?”
“If keeping this on means I won’t get to kiss you, I’ll be scrubbing my face very soon,” he said. “Maybe after everyone has had selfies with the mess I’ve become.”
I let go of his hand and grabbed my phone from the side of my dress. “Good thinking.”
He looked bewildered. “How’d you squeeze that in?”
“A tight fit.”
We took a selfie, the kind you’d see and scroll past. The one where they’re kissing. I let him kiss me, even with all the glitter on his face, he smushed his lips up against me as I took pictures.
“I love you,” he said, and kissed me again.
“Love you,” I said, “but I don’t love that you lost a bet where glitter was involved.” With my mom working with kindergarten classes all day, I knew glitter was the devil, a living creature, and it would travel with you everywhere. “You’re going to need to be decontaminated.”
He smushed his lips against me again. “You too.” I could feel the thick gloopy glitter on my face, but I wasn’t out to impress anyone, only him, and he loved me either way.
More people came and music pumped progressively louder. Char had plugged a microphone into a speaker, she tapped the top of it before speaking. “I just want to thank you all for coming out tonight,” she said. “Hashtag Char’s Halloween!”
Dylan handed me a solo cup of beer. “Don’t worry, I pumped it myself, it’s nothing else,” he said.
I took a sip. “Mmh, it’s an—acquired taste,” I laughed.
“If you drink more of it, you’ll forget how nasty it is.”
He was right. I drank more and my taste buds adjusted. I had a second before I felt my face warming and my body inhibiting the rhythm of the music.
I pulled Dylan to the living room where all the messy bodies intertwined and danced together. He kissed me again, catching the texture of glitter in my mouth this time. “Are you going to wash that off?” I asked, pulling him by his collar.
“Yeah,” he said. “Where’s the bathroom?”
I pointed to the stairs. “Use the one in the guest room,” I said. “It’s empty.”
He squinted to watch my lips. “Where?”
“Upstairs, I’ll come in a minute,” I said.
He walked off and I walked through the kitchen. The rooms were packed with people. I grabbed at Char’s hand but she was with Benny. She shooed me. I moved to Ava, busy with Kaleb. Char finally took my hand. “What’s up, Zo?”
“I need a towel,” I said. “Dylan is washing all the glittery shit off his body.”
“You shoulda said. Back of the hall upstairs, there’s the linen closest. But try not to get too much glitter on it, you know that shits the devil.”
I laughed. “Gotcha.” I rushed back through the crowd.
Kaleb bumped into me, spilling something down my top. “Move,” he said. My entire body was now wet. I pushed him back. My face flushed with anger as he stared smugly. He shrugged.
“Move,” I said through my gritted teeth. “You did that on purpose!” I grabbed the second drink in his hand and threw it at him.
He laughed. “Fine with me,” he said and pulled his shirt off, revealing the sculpted body beneath his wet t-shirt. “Like I said, I’m not some vulnerable pushover.”
“Whatever,” I pushed him harder and rushed upstairs.
Dylan was lying on the bed. He’d pulled part of his shirt off and his pants were pulled to his thighs. I thought he was asleep. He looked up. “Char’s gonna kill us,” he said.
“Tell me about it,” I said, “I’m gonna get towels, the bathroom is through there.”
Char had the thick fluffy show-home towels, they felt brand new. They probably were. I grabbed two of them, stuffing them under my arms. “Dylan. Are you in the bathroom?” I asked, noting his shirt strewn on the floor.
I pressed a towel to my chest, drying the wet from the beer. I opened the door to see him facing the doorway. He placed a thumb in the band of his underwear, like he knew what it did to me, framing the V from his abs and pelvis.
“Is that necessary?” I asked, throwing the towels at him.
“I didn’t want to get my clothes wet,” he said. “What happened to you?”
He handed me a towel. “Someone spilled a drink on me,” I said, grabbing him by the waist and kissing him. “I’ll need to wash my face if I keep kissing you.”
“Kiss away,” he said.
I turned him to face the long mirror, the lights around it, lighting the entire bathroom. He flexed,
glancing at me in the reflection. I pulled my dress up slightly and combed a hand through the bottom of my hair.
“You’re sexy as hell,” he said.
I turned on the faucet, filling the sink with warm water. “Let’s wash that glitter off,” I said, dipping an end of a towel. “Then we can go show everyone how goddamn cute we are.”
“You’re the cute one,” he said. “Maybe we should stay up here a little while, the bedroom is free.”
With the end of the wet towel, I wiped at his cheek. “We’re waiting,” I said. “I thought you didn’t mind.”
“Oh no, no, no, I didn’t mean that,” he said. “You know I respect you, I don’t want to do anything you don’t want to do, but it’s nice to be alone sometimes though.”
I dipped the towel and wiped his mouth before kissing him again. His entire face was soon clean of glitter. The sink resembled a bath bomb explosion.
“How do I look?”
“Better.” I continued to wipe away the glitter on his chest.
I had more glitter on my face than he did in the end. I found myself pulling him from the bathroom back to the bedroom to put his shirt on and button his pants. He pulled me to his lap and kissed me. “We should be prom king and queen,” he said. “Don’t let Char steal that from us.”
I laughed. “We have ages yet.”
There was a knock at the door. Ava and Kaleb burst through with the bouncing vibrations of music. They pulled each other out of their clothes. I jumped from Dylan’s lap.
“Oh,” Ava and Kaleb stood back.
“Didn’t realize this was occupied,” Ava said. “I think it’s noble, the whole virgin thing – while it lasted.”
I laughed. “I was just getting Dylan all cleaned,” I said.
“No glitter,” Dylan laughed, standing up behind me.
“So can we have the room?” Ava asked. “If you’re not using it.”
I tugged on Dylan’s hand. “Sure, make sure to clean up and use protection.”
“Don’t worry,” Kaleb said.
“I was speaking to Ava, who knows what you’re carrying,” I said, pulling Dylan’s hand to leave. He gave a one-handed salute as we left. “Laters.”
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