Stonehenge

by Lisa Graves

  Thursday I was in the dark room at school, developing some prints, when a kid in my class, Drew, leaned over and asked, “So what are you dressing up as tomorrow?”

  The photograph I’d taken of the crisp and broken fall leaves started to appear in the developer. “What?”

  “Tomorrow. Halloween. What are you dressing up as?”

  “Tomorrow’s Halloween?”

  Drew was shocked. “Halloween is the best day of the whole entire year. And the most magical. How could you forget it?”

  I had never been a big fan of the holiday myself, but I had obviously offended him by my lack of awareness of time. “Sorry,” I tried to amend. “What are you going to be?”

  “A vampire, of course. It’s a classic. Plus I get to wear a cape and fangs.”

  I tried to give an interested smile.

  “Maybe I can bite you tomorrow?” Drew winked.

  Perhaps my smile had been too convincing. I looked back to my photo. The image was complete. I used the tongs to transfer it to the stop-bath basin.

  “So what are you going to be?” he pressed.

  “I haven’t really thought about it.”

  “Obviously.” He had already rinsed his print and was squeegeeing off the excess water before going out into the classroom to set it on the drying table.

  I put my headphones in and resumed my work. When Drew came back into the dark room, he worked at the station next to mine. It didn’t take him long to start talking, again. He should hook up with Charlotte. They have lots in common, I thought.

  “So, have you thought about it now?” he asked.

  “Why are you so into Halloween? It’s just another stupid holiday.”

  “There is nothing stupid about tomorrow night.” It surprised me how passionate Drew was as he spoke. “Halloween is magical. It is one of the oldest holidays. Even older than Christmas. Mysterious things happen on Halloween. Especially this one.” He gave a peculiar smile as he turned back to his photos.

  “I’ll bite. What makes this Halloween so special?”

  “It’s so special because tomorrow night is also a full moon.” Drew winked as he brought another print out to dry.

  I fell back into my misty haze right after class and didn’t think about Drew’s words again until my bath before bed.

  I was laying in the hot bubbly water trying to think of a costume for tomorrow. I was thinking about what to dress up as before I even realized that I had decided I should dress up. That’s when I thought of Drew and his excitement for tomorrow night.

  It was late though, and I didn’t have the time or ambition to drive around looking for an open costume shop. All of the lame costumes from my childhood were up in a box in the attic. I could probably turn something in there into a costume.

  There was a knock on the bathroom door.

  “Lilly?”

  “Yeah mom?”

  “I just wanted to say goodnight.”

  “Night.” I paused. “Mom?”

  “Yeah?”

  “Do you have anything cool I can dress up as for tomorrow?”

  “Let me look.”

  “Thanks.”

  By the time I had finished my bath and was ready for bed, I had forgotten about Halloween, again. But when I saw the beautiful mulberry ball gown with matching masquerade mask on my bed, I remembered. “Mom!” I shouted, and ran to her room.

  Meredith was in bed reading, “I take it you like?”

  “Yes! Where did it come from?”

  She smiled, “The attic. I came across it when I was sprucing up in there this summer.”

  “Well, thanks. It’s awesome.”

  “Have fun tomorrow, Lilly Bug.”

  “Night.”

  “Goodnight.”

  I went back to my room to admire the dress. I picked it up off the bed to try it on and saw my red tattered journal and camera underneath it. How did it get there? My eyes flashed in the direction of Meredith’s room, but I didn’t think that she could be behind it. She didn’t know the significance of these two items together. There was only one other option, Elliott.

  He had been here.

  I lay the dress over my desk chair and sat down on my bed. The journal, camera, and mask beside me, and Theory asleep on my pillow. I put on the mask and opened my journal as I wondered whether or not to write him. I wanted to desperately, but not at the same time. I sighed as I turned to a blank page and wrote:

  I miss you.

  Taking a deep breath I turned on the camera Elliott had given me and took a picture. Turning the camera to view mode, I saw his words to me under my own.

  I miss you.

  I miss you too! And I wanted to ask you a question. Do you have plans for tomorrow night?

  I was confused as I wrote back my answer:

  Nope.

  Click. View.

  Nope.

  Any way I can persuade you into going on a date with me then?

  My heart and stomach fluttered with butterflies at the prospect of a date with Elliott. I couldn’t write fast enough.

  I’d love to go on a date with you!

  Click. View.

  I’d love to go on a date with you!

  Great. Be ready at dusk and be sure to wear a costume, my love.

  Was Elliott into Halloween too? I wasn’t leaving it at that. I wrote back:

  Why?

  Click. View.

  Why?

  It is a surprise. See you in less than twenty-four hours. I love you!

  Well, at least I already had a costume. I didn’t fall asleep quickly or sleep well. I felt like a kid trying to go to bed on Christmas Eve.

  I was exhausted when my alarm went off Halloween morning. I could see the exhaustion all over my face. Good thing I had a mask. I had forgotten to try on the purple gown last night after seeing the camera, but luckily I didn’t need to - it fit perfectly.

  I tried to make my short spiky black hair look as timeless as my dress. I wasn’t sure what to do with it or how, but I think I managed. Placing the mask over my eyes, I looked at myself in the mirror and laughed. No one at school was going to know it was me. This was a complete one-eighty from the tattered jeans, tank-tops, and over-sized hoodies I usually wore.

  In the kitchen, Meredith was waiting. I don’t think she had seen me in a dress ever since I started dressing myself, and she wasn’t about to miss the opportunity.

  “Good Morning, Lilly.”

  “Morning, Mom.”

  Her eyes were gushing. I could see her physically trying to hold back. Too bad she didn’t.

  “You look amazing, Lilly! So beautiful! You even did your hair. It looks fantastic! I forgot last night, but I got some of my heels out if you want.” If she weren’t so damned happy I would be backing up slowly at the crazed look glittering in her eyes.

  “No thanks. I think I’ll just wear my flip-flops as usual.” I didn’t want to over-do it, plus I didn’t want to embarrass or kill myself yet either. Heels would be sure to do that. It was a little early to leave for school, but I didn’t think I could handle any more praise from Meredith. I popped a couple of Pop-Tarts into the toaster, changed the setting back to burnt, and waited impatiently for my breakfast. Meredith took full advantage of the three minutes.

  “So I forgot to ask last night. What made you want to dress up all of a sudden?” Her voice was thick with implications.

  “A kid in photo reminded me it was Halloween.”

  “A boy or girl kid?”

  “A boy, but it’s not what you think.”

  She smiled. And I begged my Pop-Tarts to burn faster.

  “What’s this boy’s name?”

  I shook my head. “Nope.”

  “Nope?”

  “Nope. If I give you a name, you’ll ask me everyday about said person.” My blackened breakfast popped up not a moment too soon. I snatched it up and wrapped it in a paper towel as I went to leave for school.

  “Lilly!”

  “Nope.” I slipped on
my shoes and left. “Happy Halloween,” I yelled as I closed the door.

  At school, I was internally laughing all day. How could I not, when I was getting all these looks? All eyes were on me. I remembered why I preferred my usual invisible existence.

  But that wasn’t the only reason I was smiling. I practically bounced through the halls between classes, and in my chair during class too. I was looking forward to my date tonight. In class, my mind would wander off on various tangents as to what Elliott had in store. He said to be sure to wear a costume. Would it project just as easily as my other clothes? Was he going to wear one too? Why did he want me to dress up?

  Mr. Williams called on me and I didn’t hear him.

  “Lilly?” he sounded irritated. I wondered how long he’d been calling my name.

  “Yes?”

  “What is the answer?”

  My eyes fidgeted around the board, then at my math book. I had no idea. I wasn’t paying attention to him. There were much more interesting things on my mind. “Forty-Two,” I guessed.

  “Wrong, Ms. Black. I know it’s a holiday, but please try to pay better attention.”

  “Jessica, do you know the answer?” Mr. Williams moved on and I zoned back out.

  In photography, Drew was quick to pounce. “You look really pretty, Lilly,” he smiled.

  “Thanks.” He kept looking at me funny. “What?”

  “I thought you didn’t like Halloween?”

  I hadn’t changed my mind entirely on the whole institution, but I was excited about tonight. I decided a vague response would be best, “Yeah?”

  “You can’t stop smiling. It’s radiating. Looks like tonight is going to be magical after all.” Drew leaned in closer, his vampire teeth peaking through his smile.

  I grinned. “It sure seems to be magical. I have a date tonight.”

  Drew was no longer smiling, and he started to lean away. That’s when I remembered his threat about biting me. I hadn’t planned on telling anyone about my date, but I couldn’t hold back. And good thing too. I didn’t need any more admirers.

  “Sorry. Have a Happy Halloween,” I said as I left our last class of the day. I was certain my Halloween would be memorable.

  Chapter 7. All Hallows Eve

  When I got home from school, Meredith was waiting.

  “How was your day, Lilly?”

  “Good.” I tried to go up to my room.

  “Did your friend like your costume?” she pressed.

  I turned around on the stairs, inching up as I spoke. “Actually my friend didn’t comment on my costume.”

  My mother was persistent. “It’s Halloween all night. Do you have any plans? Parties perhaps?”

  Good thing I still had on the mask, or she might have easily seen the confusion on my face. I wasn’t sure what my story was for this evening, or if I even needed one. “Like you said mom, the night is young. We’ll just have to wait and see.”

  I turned on her disappointed stare and hid in my room.

  After all day at school, I wanted to re-get ready for my date. I was so happy I couldn’t hide the grins. At least I needn’t hide them at the moment. I could enjoy the anticipation all I wanted.

  I had checked this MORNING when dusk would be, so I would be sure to have enough time to get ready. Tonight it was at 6:29 P.M. I looked at my clock and was disappointed that I had three hours to kill.

  I took off my costume and showered. I then put on my pajamas, because I didn’t want to chance getting my dress dirty. Miraculously it had survived the school day, to expect it to survive dinner would be pushing it. Meredith wasn’t happy to see me come down for dinner in my sweats.

  “Where’s the dress?” was the first thing she said to me as she placed the shepherds pie on the table.

  I grabbed plates and silverware before sitting down. “Upstairs.”

  “Why?” Her face looked hurt that I might not be socializing tonight.

  “Relax, mom. I haven’t ruled out a party yet. I just don’t want to spill on it, okay?”

  She smiled and took a deep breath, satisfied that I was still open to attempting to have fun. I shook my head and sat down. Just then a giant black cat strolled into the kitchen.

  “Meow.”

  “Meow back, Soph,” I replied. “You look cute.”

  “Thanks.”

  “Please tell me you’re doing something with your friends tonight?” Meredith asked.

  Sophie fake pawed the air at Meredith. “Actually, I was going to go trick-or-treating with Lucy and Alena.”

  I could see my mother’s face light up. “I may have bought a few scary movies yesterday. If you want to have Lucy and Alena sleepover tonight, you three can have the front room to yourselves.”

  Sophie and I exchanged glances. Meredith waited, hoping.

  “That would be fun, mom. Thanks.”

  All three of us smiled as we scooped up servings of dinner and started to eat. Meredith was happy that she talked at least one child into what she considered a normal activity. Sophie was happy to go out and get a bag full of free candy, and then with a sugar-high, to stay up all night getting scared. And I was happy that in less than an hour I would be on a date with Elliott.

  When I was finished with dinner, I accidently left the room with a little too much spring in my step.

  “So, no plans tonight, huh?” Meredith questioned.

  “We’ll see. A kid from school said they might have a party,” I lied. “I think I’ll get ready again just in case it ends up happening.”

  I don’t know if she believed me.

  The minutes were somehow flying by now. I had less than ten minutes until dusk and my hair wasn’t cooperating. I was hoping to get it to look a little more old-school and sophisticated than this morning, but I was failing miserably. Three minutes to dusk, I gave up and put on my mask and waited.

  When my clocked changed to 6:29, I looked towards my window for the darkening sky, but saw Elliott’s silhouette instead. He kneeled on the roof outside in a black and white tux and black masquerade mask and tapped the window. “You look beautiful. Are you ready for our date mia amore?” He handed me a single stem red rose.

  I took the blood red flower. I couldn’t take my eyes off him. He looked so dreamy. This was way better than the movies.

  “Thank you. And yes, I’m ready.” I then looked at Elliott expecting him to move aside, so I could come out the window. He didn’t.

  “Can I come in?” he asked.

  My eyes looked around my room, confused. It wasn’t exactly what I had pictured when I had thought of this date. I let him in anyway.

  Elliott sat on my bed and motioned for me to do the same.

  “So where are we going on this date?” I asked. “Or better, how are we getting there.”

  He took my hand that wasn’t holding the rose and kissed it. “The usual way.”

  “Usual for who?”

  “For me.”

  I shook my head and smiled. At least I was better at projecting now.

  “Lay back my love, and get ready for the best date ever.”

  I lay back on my bed, the flower at my side, and felt the sensation of falling through both space and time as I held Elliott’s hand in my own. When the world stopped spinning, we were outside in a beautiful garden room. There were lit jack-o-lanterns all around. I could see and hear the ocean in the distance. A large dark house was nearby. And I could hear the sound of many voices coming from inside the house.

  “Where are we?”

  “I thought you might like to enjoy Halloween properly this year.”

  “What does that mean?”

  Elliott kept hold of my hand and squeezed it tight. “How about an old-fashioned masquerade ball?”

  “Really?”

  “Si, Miele.” We started walking up to the house.

  “You still didn’t answer where we are.” It looked darker here. Much later than the dusk we recently left behind. But lack of light wasn’t giving me any hints t
o our whereabouts. The only illumination was from the flickering candles inside the carved pumpkins that we passed on our path.

  “Where would be an ideal place to celebrate All Hallows Eve?” he asked.

  I shook my head. I hadn’t ever really gotten into Halloween. I bet if Drew were here, he would know. I waited as we walked closer and closer to the noise.

  “No guesses then?”

  “Mi dispiace (I’m sorry). Non so (I don’t know).” I shrugged and smiled with my bottom lip pushed out playfully. I couldn’t get over how handsome he looked in a tux. His mask added nicely to the Halloween atmosphere, though I wished it wouldn’t hide his face.

  “We are in Salem, mia amore,” and Elliott opened the door to the house.

  I followed him throughout the crowd of people. It was a party, but nothing like the immature ones other people my age threw. Everyone here was dressed for a masquerade. There were good looking men in tuxes everywhere, though not one held a candle to the man who held my hand. And the exotic fabrics and colors of all the dresses were beautiful. There were overdone ball gowns for as far as the eye could see. I could hear music seeping in from somewhere up ahead. Elliott looked back at me as he led me around. I smiled at him as I took it all in.

  The masked party goers seemed to see us. And this confused me.

  Elliott and I had never interacted with anyone else while projecting before. I didn’t know if we could. I didn’t know if they could see us. No one but me had ever seen Elliott. I was afraid to ask Elliott though. Were we supposed to be quiet while we were party crashing? He hadn’t mentioned any rules.

  Behind my mask, Elliott could see confusion in my eyes. “Are you not having fun, Miele?” he whispered in my ear. “I thought you’d enjoy this.”

  If he could talk to me, most likely I could talk to him. “Can they see us?” I whispered back.

  “Si, mia amore.” His lips caressed my own. The tingles were like electricity in my veins.

  “Why don’t I feel tired? This isn’t Stonehenge.”

  “No, it’s not. But there is an energy in the air tonight that allows projecting to not be so, exhausting.” Elliott grabbed us each a glass of wine from a table and then led me up a flight of stairs.

  There were less people up there. Most were down enjoying the party. He sat down at the top of the stairs and I joined him.