by Ford, Mia
“Lara Miller!”
At the sound of her name Lara raised her arms and struck a few fun poses as if she were basking in the adulation from her adoring audience.
“Yeah! That’s my baby!” Mark yelled loudly beside me. He was practically jumping up and down clapping his hands.
It was fun to see a guy who loved a woman so much. I envied him a bit in that regard.
“Debbie Helms!”
“Debbie!” I cheered followed by massive clapping and a few whistles.
And I wasn’t the only one. The crowd was cheering so loudly I could hardly hear myself think.
Debbie smiled and blushed wildly. She was a woman who did not enjoy the spotlight too much, but at the same time I could tell she was very strong, very confident, and independent. I loved those qualities about her. And that little bit of shyness in front of a crowd was just enough to be endearing.
“Alright, judges what do you think?” The announcer asked as the spotlight fell over the three judges.
The judges talked amongst themselves for a few moments and then the announcer walked over and handed the microphone to them when they appeared ready with a decision.
“Who is the winner of this year’s contest?” The announcer asked.
“Debbie Helms!” One of the judges stated.
“Yes!”
I couldn’t stop myself from jumping high in the air and doing a fist pump. It was obvious that Debbie was going to win, but you never really knew how a judge would see things.
Debbie put her hands over her mouth and almost looked like she was about to cry for a second as Lara and the other contestants congratulated her.
“Way to go, Debbie!” The announcer said walking back to the stage and giving her a brief hug and an envelope.
“As winner this year Debbie just received a one hundred dollar prepaid Visa gift card. Congratulations Debbie, and let’s give all of our contestants a round of applause.”
I was so happy for her. It was a goofy costume contest and Debbie didn’t even want to be entered in it from what she’d told me earlier, but she was happy and most likely filled with shock that she was now a hundred dollars richer.
“So, what are you going to spend the money on?” Mark asked when Debbie and Lara returned.
“I have no idea,” Debbie said. “This is crazy!”
“I knew you were going to win,” Lara said. “That’s why I forced you to do it.”
“You couldn’t have known that,” Debbie protested.
“Have you seen yourself tonight? You look awesome!” Lara said.
“I agree,” I added with a smile.
Debbie looked up at me with those beautiful eyes and I sent her a little wink. Yeah, it was definitely on between us. The sparks were there and growing hotter by the minute. I couldn’t wait until Debbie and I got some alone time. It might not have been that night, but I saw it in our near future.
And that was enough to put a spring in my step.
“Well, that was fun,” I said. “I probably should have gone with my original choice of Dracula. Maybe then I would have had a shot.”
“Not against this girl,” Lara said pointing to Debbie.
“Of course you’re right,” I said. “But it would have been fun competing. I’m very competitive and I love to win.”
“Oh, you got nothing on me, cowboy,” Lara joked.
“I’ll take your word for it,” I said.
We continued to hang out and shoot the breeze a bit longer. But eventually the party started to wind down a bit. I was hoping to get another dance out of Debbie, but I hadn’t heard any songs I really liked from the band for a while and it was important to get the right groove component when you were dancing. Otherwise, I just couldn’t get into the rhythm of it. Besides, I was having a ball hanging out with Debbie and her friends. They were all pretty fun. This evening had been perfect, so far.
“So, when are we doing this McNare house thing?” I asked after a bit.
“You seriously want to do that?” Debbie asked.
“Hell yeah,” I said. “It sounds like a hoot.”
Mark and Greg both looked at each other and burst out laughing.
“Alright, man. Let’s go now,” Mark said.
Chapter Five
Debbie
I was having what was possibly the best night of my life. I couldn’t believe I’d actually won the costume contest and I’d met the most interesting guy, not to mention the sexiest, that I’d ever seen. Of course I thought the same thing about Daniel when we’d first met, but being with Paul tonight had opened my eyes to a whole other world. Daniel may have been right in calling off the wedding. The fact that I’d met Paul so easily and quickly reminded me of how unpredictable life could be and that maybe at twenty-three I hadn’t experienced enough life yet to know exactly what I really wanted. I mean how many more guys like Paul were out there waiting to sweep me off my feet?
Paul was certainly doing that. The whole thing had my head spinning like crazy. I mean, he was sexy, charming, funny, and also mysterious. He was the total package. And I loved that he had a bit of the bad boy in him. I was trying to distance myself from bad boys, but I had a feeling that they were my drug and I’d always be with one. I wasn’t sure why, but unless a man had that darkness to him, that little bit of something naughty, I found him boring and I just didn’t have that attraction to him. I don’t know why. I was sure it was going to get me into trouble one day, but for now I was just trying to move on with my life and leave that jerk Daniel off in the dust behind me.
“So, what was it like?” Lara asked.
“What?” I replied.
“That kiss with Paul.”
I glanced around to make sure that Paul was still in the men’s room.
“It was magnificent. My toes actually curled under,” I said.
“Wow, I’m so jealous. That guy is great,” Lara said. “I can’t believe he really wants to do this McNare dare.”
“I know,” I said. “He sounds like the type of guy who is always up for anything. I think he is going to be a lot of fun to be with.”
“Be with? Are you already thinking that this is a long term thing? You’ve known the man for like two hours.”
I rolled my eyes.
“No, I’m not saying we are going to be dating long term or anything heavy. I just have a feeling that I would like to see him again in another setting, like a regular date or something.”
“Is that your way of saying you wish we weren’t here right now?” Lara teased.
“That’s funny,” I said. “But no. That is not what I mean. I just hope that Paul and I have some more fun together.”
“Are you going to go home with him tonight?” Lara asked.
“What? When have you ever known me to go home with a guy I just met?”
“Never. That’s why I think you should do it.”
“You are crazy as hell,” I laughed.
“See? I tell you that every day,” Mark said.
“Shut up,” Lara snapped. “Stop listening to our convo. This is girl talk.”
Mark giggled and went back to talking with Greg.
“What are you talking about?” I asked.
“You have always been the good girl. You’ve never done anything crazy like that. How much can you possibly know about yourself if you’ve never had a one night stand?”
“I’m not having a one night stand. That statement makes no sense. Besides, I just told you I hope Paul takes me out on a proper date sometime. That defeats the purpose of the one night stand.”
“What? Now you are going to lecture me on that?”
“Yes. You and Mark have been together since right after high school. So, I doubt you’ve had that much experience.”
“True, but I read a lot of dirty romance novels and I watch a bunch of trashy TV. I know things,” Lara said.
I laughed so hard that I almost choked on my punch. Lara said the most outlandish things sometimes. She was the funni
est person I knew, but I had a feeling Paul might be giving her a run for her money.
“I don’t think we are hooking up tonight,” I said, “but if something were to happen I’d be glad to fill you in on it.”
“Well, I would think you would fill me in on it. That kind of goes without saying.”
“How is Daniel taking all of this?” Lara asked.
“I don’t know,” I said. “Taking all of what?”
“Well, you probably haven’t been watching him, but Daniel has been giving you and Paul the stink eye all night. I think he is so jealous.”
“Good,” I said. “But why would he be jealous? He broke up with me. He wanted to chase everything in a skirt.”
“Well, maybe he is realizing that he can’t really do better than you, or even half as good. I mean you’ve seen the stupid skanks he’s been hanging with. And he hates that you are doing better than him. Paul is one of the finest looking guys I’ve seen around here in forever. I mean, every woman in here has been checking him out. Including the girl Daniel is with.”
I looked over to where Daniel was sitting with his date. After a moment he looked over at me and I saw something odd in his face. Was that regret? Shame? Or just a bit of anger? He quickly looked away before I could tell.
Oh, yeah. He was watching me and did not want me to realize it. The thought was very comforting. I hadn’t set out to make Daniel jealous, but I thought it was hilarious that I had. I was loving every minute of this.
“That is so classic,” Lara said.
“I know, right?” I replied.
“I’ll bet Daniel tries to get it up later and fails,” Lara said.
“What?” I laughed. “Why is your mind always in the gutter?”
“Because it’s where I live, I guess. But you know I’m right.”
“No, I don’t know that.”
“Well, he is going to be there trying to give the old heave ho to Pollyanna over there and he is going to be thinking about you and Paul getting it on possibly at the same time and he is not going to be able to see straight. He is going to be distracted and he is going to lose his wood.”
“Does she talk about stuff like this with you?” I asked Mark.
“Yes, non-stop, even though I beg her to stop.”
“That’s messed up,” I said. “You need help, Lara.”
“I’m aware of this,” Lara said in her usual deadpan style. “Tell me this isn’t funny to think about.”
I thought about it a moment and could not hold back the laughter. She’d planted the image in my mind and it was perfect. I really hoped she was right. At any rate, I’d succeeded in meeting a great guy and pissing off my stupid ex all in the same evening. There was definitely a God.
“Alright,” Paul said arriving back at the table and sliding into his seat. “Did you miss me?”
“Always,” I replied with a grin.
“Great. Now when are we doing this thing? I’m pumped and ready for it.”
Lara and I looked at each other, reading each other’s mind as if the same thought was going through our heads.
This is going to be epic.
Chapter Six
Paul
“Ok, you remember the rules?” Mark asked me.
I took another glance at the house and smiled back at him. This was going to be fun.
“Sure thing,” I said. “I’ll be in and out, no problem.”
Debbie and Lara were giggling about something that they were whispering amongst themselves. When I raised an eyebrow at them they both got quiet as little mice.
“Care to share with the rest of the class, ladies?” I asked.
“Um, no,” Lara said.
“You really don’t have to do this,” Debbie said.
“I know I don’t have to, but I want to. I used to love crap like this when I was a kid. And maybe I’m still a kid at heart because I think this is going to be so much fun. It might actually be better if we all went, unless you guys are chicken.”
“Yes, we are chickens, all of us. You have fun with this,” Mark said.
I looked at the rest of the group inquisitively. Anyone? Anyone?
None of these fish were taking the bait.
“Wow, you guys are happy being scared,” I said. “That’s perfectly fine. I guess I’m going to be the brave one in the group.”
“We all did this as kids. That was enough,” Greg said. “Seriously, man. This place is creepy as hell. I’ve seen some of the toughest dudes around dare each other to go into this house and they came out scared out of their minds. There is something to it.”
I stared into Greg’s eyes for a few minutes just trying to see how full of it he really was, but nothing. He thought he was telling the truth at least.
“Can I get a kiss for luck?” I asked Debbie, moving close to her.
Debbie blushed slightly and leaned in. Just when I thought she was going to kiss me she moved her lips next to my ear and whispered “I’ll give you a kiss when you come back.”
“Oh,” I said. “That’s how it is? Well, I guess that is about the best incentive you can give somebody. Ladies. Gentleman. I shall return shortly.”
“Nice knowing you, Paul,” Greg said popping the top of a can of beer he’d taken from the party.
I didn’t even glance back to acknowledge his little joke. I was gone already jogging up the front steps. The wood was half rotted and soft feeling under my feet. I was going to have to watch my step and make sure I didn’t break my ankle.
I tried the door, but it was locked. I guess I was going in through the porch window that was busted out and had an old garbage bag hanging over it.
Moving the garbage bag to the side I leaned in through the opening and stepped inside. Being careful not to trip as I pulled my rear foot inside I stepped down onto the floor below me.
I was in a living room. The house was even darker and creepier inside than it was outside. Mark and Greg weren’t lying. But it was still just a house. As much as I loved scary things and tales of the paranormal, I really didn’t believe in it. I’d never actually experienced anything and I’m one of those people who have to have actual proof in front of me that I can see with my own eyes to really believe in something. I’ve always been that way.
I pulled out my phone and activated the flashlight so I could actually see where I was going and began moving through the living room. The house looked normal enough, but very abandoned. There were a few small couches, a few pieces of furniture, and the smell of dust was thick and pungent in the air. It was hard to breathe without holding my hand over my mouth to filter some of it.
Coming out of the living room I was suddenly in front of a stairway that led up to the second floor. Around the stairway was a long hallway leading to a kitchen. I had to show the gang that I was in the upstairs window, so stepping carefully on the old decrepit steps I made my way to the upper story.
As I moved down the hallway I took a glance at a few of the bedrooms, an old bathroom, and a linen closet. It all looked pretty old and tattered. Nothing to see.
I quickly found the bedroom in the front of the house and stood in the window, holding the light up just enough to illuminate my face. I waved down at the gang who were all laughing and joking around. When they saw me they waved back.
Debbie had a gleam in her eye that I definitely wanted to see more of. She was kind of looking at me as if I was her next meal, and she was starving. That was hot.
I stepped back from the window and began searching for an object to take from the house. That was the dare after all. After a couple minutes of searching around the room I settled on an old knickknack of a union soldier. It was a little statue covered in dust, paint peeling, and cracked in a few pieces. But it was actually kind of cool.
I grabbed it and stuffed it in my pocket. Was it considered stealing? I mean none of this stuff belonged to anyone who was still alive. Besides I would probably bring it back at some point—or not. It was kind of cool.
As
I descended the stairs down to the first floor my mind started wandering about how many horror movies start out this way. Yeah, this little statue was probably cursed and I’d be cursed forever.
“Wow, I’ve got to lay off the horror, just a little bit,” I said to myself as I landed on the floor coming off the steps.
I was just about to go back out the window when I got an idea.
“Oh, that is good…” I muttered.
I quickly jogged down the hallway into the small kitchen and tried the door that led outside. It opened easily with only minor creaking, surprisingly.
I was now in the back of the house. I could hear the gang still out front joking around with each other. This was going to be hysterical.
It had been a while since I’d played a great practical joke on anyone.
Behind the house was an alley that spilled out onto the street one block over. I quickly broke into a sprint running down the dark alley and then made my turn onto the sidewalk, jogging past people who were casually strolling around on the warm night, many of them still in Halloween costumes.
I loved this time of year. It was fantastic to see spooky decorations and people dressed up. It had always been my favorite since I was little kid.
Within a minute I had made my way back to the McNare house, but I was now in the shadows behind Debbie and her friends. They couldn’t see me due to the shade from some shrubbery and a few trees along the side of the street.
Somehow I was able to control my laughter and get up very close to them. Still hiding behind a large bush in the darkness, I was only about ten feet away.
There I stayed a few minutes, just to get them all guessing.
“Hey, I wonder where he is. Why is this taking so long?” Greg asked after a few minutes.
“I’m sure he is fine,” Lara said. “Hell, he is probably messing with us.”
I almost laughed out loud.
“Maybe he fell down the steps and split his wig,” Mark suggested. “I mean that wood has to be really old and sucky. It could easily break under foot.”
“Would you shut up?” Debbie groaned hitting Mark in the arm.