CHAPTER TWO
Ember
“He smelled of danger and she inhaled too long.”
“You’re lying?” Sophie squeals over the phone. I giggle and flip the skype camera on.
Her blonde hair is up in a lazy bun and her sparkling green eyes stare back at me. Her thin lips are wide open as she looks at me surprised.
“Is this the face of a liar?” I laugh and watch as she jumps up and down.
“I can’t believe this shit. When did I ever guess you, out of all people, would want to go to a party?” I roll my eyes at her dramaticness, really it's not that big of a deal.
“Do you have a costume to wear?” She sits down in her pink plush chair and pulls the computer onto her lap.
I have a few costumes from when I was younger, I'm pretty sure I can still fit, but don’t say that aloud. Those were costumes from when I was 16, not adult worthy.
“No, I didn’t really prepare for Halloween.” I respond meekly and grab my tea.
I take a small sip and it eases my nerves. Going to the party sounds fun, but my experience with people has been nonexistent for years. What do I say if someone I don’t want to dance with asks me to dance? She jumps back out of her chair throwing me out of thought.
“I have the perfect outfit for you!” She yells and digs through the abyss she calls her closet.
“Please don’t be a stripper outfit, Soph.” I groan and roll onto my side.
“It’s not that bad, I swear. Just something that’ll get you out of your comfort zone but not too much.” She continues digging for a while before she pulls out a black leather jumpsuit, attached to the butt area is a curly spiky tail.
She lays it on the bed and goes back to the closet. She bends down and grabs a headband with curly black pointy horns and a necklace with an upside down cross.
“A sexy devil/demon costume?” I ask and lean closer to the screen.
“Yes, you need to come over and try it on. I can’t fit it anymore, but I know you can with that hot body of yours.” I roll my eyes at her compliment. Sophie was blessed with wide hips and a small waist while I’m shaped like a square.
“I’ll come over after I eat dinner. The party doesn’t start till midnight right?” She nods and places the rest of the costume on the bed.
“Alright, I’ll talk to you later. Do not change your mind, it’s too late plus I really want you to come with me.” I wave goodbye.
“I won’t.” I click the small red button at the bottom of the screen and shut my laptop.
Fuck, what did I get myself into?
“This is way too tight.” I try to pull the tight ass leathers from my arms but it doesn’t budge. “Is it stuck?”
“It’s supposed to be like that. Stop pulling on it before you rip it.” I huff and turn away from the mirror to her.
This fucking jumpsuit will be the death of me. If I can’t get it off now, how will I get it off later? I mentally roll my eyes and step over to her bed. I grab the headband with the horns and put it on.
I’ve curled my hair rather than wear it straight. The curls cascade right above my breasts and the headband fits perfectly with the vibe. I look fucking hot, but I feel like I’m suffocating.
“Don’t forget the necklace.” She clips the necklace around my neck and the upside down cross really makes me look badass.
“Damn, you look gorgeous.” She shakes her head and winks at me. “I did a fabulous job.”
I laugh and agree because truly I do look good as fuck.
I might remember how to socialize now that my confidence is sky high. I plop down on her bed and wait for her to dress. She’s going as a sexy bunny. Her costume is a pale white and matches her blonde hair well.
“Let’s get going before we’re late.” I stand up and follow her out the door.
The sky is pitch black and a cold breeze blows over my exposed skin.
I shiver and wrap my arms around my chest. Orange glowing pumpkins litter everyone's porch or driveway.
Candy bowls sit out on chairs filled to the rim.
I watch in awe as kids and adults walk past us knocking on doors screaming, Happy Halloween.
Halloween has always been one of my favorites. The thought of a masked man chasing me through the woods should terrify me but it doesn’t. It sparks something within me that is best to keep hidden. Some cravings are best left unspoken.
I can’t believe I let college ruin all of this for me.
“It’s right up here.” I turn to Sophie and nod.
I can see the red and orange lights flashing up ahead. The long dirt road we’re currently walking on will lead us right up to the house. My nerves begin to spike as loud screaming and laughter hits my ears.
Here goes nothing.
I stare in awe at the big ass house. It has to be at least four or five different floors.
The iron gate is wide open and we walk through.
The house is a dark and broadening black that pulls you in but also terrifies you.
Fake webs string from its peeling, cracked windows and fake gravestones cover the yard.
Lots of people are holding red solo cups filled with a drink I don’t want to try.
“Holy shit.” I murmur.
“Right, I think that every year. I’ll never get over this type of money.” Sophie whispers beside me.
I spot my brother off to the side talking to a bunch of other guys and smoking weed. The stench is so strong it wafts around the courtyard—It smells like a skunk's ass. I scrunch my face up and turn back to the front door.
“Can we go inside?” I ask.
I shiver along with the leaves that scatter the ground. The fall air is overly cold this year, I can’t imagine how cold it’ll be when December comes.
“Not yet. We party outside until 1:00am then the doors open and we’re each blindfolded and you know what happens after that.” Sophie says as she looks over at the bar. “I’ll go grab us a drink, stay here for a second.”
I go to disagree but she walks off. Her blonde hair swaying behind her as she gets lost in the massive crowd.
“Well fuck me.” I mumble and look around at all the different faces.
There’s a few people I remember from school but not really. Most of them have costumes that cover their faces. Something hits my side and suddenly I'm falling forward, I stumble for a moment before I catch myself.
“Hey, watch out!” I yell and turn around.
A guy with black wavy hair tilts his head and cocks an eyebrow at me.
My gaze drifts over him, memorizing every detail.
Black jeans with a black belt looped through them settle low on his hips and a black shirt, that squeezes his bulging torso, is tucked into them.
Veins pop out of his arms and I can feel the heat of his skin on mine.
Silver glints from the piercings of his nose and ears, catching the light with every movement.
He towers over me and his grey eyes bore into mine, pinning me in place. A smirk settles on his lips as he pushes his hair out his eyes, and I notice the glint of heavy rings on his fingers as well as the mask dangling from his wrist.
A ghostface mask.
“You bumped into me, Little Devil.” His voice is deep, rich, as his mocking tone hits my ears. I hiss at his words. A face of a god wasted on such a rotten attitude.
“I didn’t. I’ve been standing still this entire time. If you don’t want to apologize you don’t have to but don’t be a dick either.” I walk away from him before he can utter another word.
I’m not a little girl, way past that actually. I continue walking until I make it to the bar. Sophie leans against it flirting with the bartender behind it. He hands her two red cups and she lightly kisses his cheek.
“Sophie.” I tap her shoulder and she turns to me.
“Oh shit, sorry it took so long. The line was long as shit and that guy–” She turns and looks at him. He’s walked over to another set of people. “So fine.” I cringe at her words.
“It’s ok. I didn’t mind waiting until a prick bumped into me.” I feel my blood boil as I think back to him. He looks way too good to be acting like that.
“Who?” She looks behind me at the sea of people.
I look behind me and find him across the yard leaned against the building, staring deep into my soul. His eyes penetrate mine and he tilts his head as if in thought. A wicked smirk eases onto his lips as he slips his mask into place.
I point over at him and turn to Sophie. “Him!”
She turns to where I’m pointing and her eyebrows lift.
“Where?” I turn back to the side of the building but he’s gone.
“Oh, fuck it. He’s gone but he was rude as fuck.” I bring my hand back down to my side.
“Not surprising. Most men are.” I laugh at her response and grab a drink from her.
I stare down at the pink liquid and cringe. Yeah, I’m not drinking this.
'Wait what are they doing?’ I look up at where she stares. People begin to form a line.
“It must be time.” I look down at my watch, it’s exactly 1:00.
“Let's get in line before it gets too long.” I nod in agreement and follow her. I throw whatever's inside the cup onto the ground.