Chapter 31
Summer
We get our midterms back at school this week.
I’m pleasantly surprised I’ve gotten mostly As, even in AP Environmental Science.
I got a B- in precalculus, which I’ll happily take since it still makes little sense to me.
I made relaxation oil, a new blend for my bath, and lotion with oils and herbs that stimulate the vagus nerve.
I gave a small sample to both Gabby and Seb. If it helps, I’ll make more.
Halloween falls on a Thursday this year.
Seb and Gabby follow me home from school that day so we can carve pumpkins and get ready.
Ceres was kind enough to work all evening, so we don’t have to stop at Finn and wait for Zander.
Since everyone is going to the party tonight, we’ll put a bowl of candy out for any kids who stop by.
The condo passes out candy in the foyer, not allowing people to walk through the building, so Gabby and Seb are all set.
I grab some waters while Seb and Gabby cover the dining table with garbage bags.
“So do you guys just usually do the jack-o’-lantern face or something more fancy?” I ask, carrying the pumpkins to the table. Seb left his huge pumpkin in the condo's foyer. He and Troy carved it last night, and Seb bought a regular sized one at the grocery store to carve tonight.
“I bought stencils we can use,” Seb replies, pulling a package out of his backpack. “There are some pretty cool ones in here.”
We look through them, and I choose a cat and moon. Seb picks a funny face while Gabby goes freestyle, wanting to do a bunch of cutout stars. I hand out some knives while Seb turns on a Halloween music mix, and we get to work. I ask them to throw their pumpkin seeds into a bowl to roast later.
Gabby and I finish first, so she helps me clean up and roast the pumpkin seeds.
Then we go into the bathroom to start our makeup.
I take a little longer with all the brown paint I need on my skin.
Leaving her in the bathroom to change, I get into my brown clothes from my closet.
I’ll leave the rest until it’s time to go.
Checking on Seb, I see he’s still working. “Almost done, Hurry?”
“Yeah, I think so,” he nods as the front door opens. Zander and Troy both come inside with dinner in hand.
“Hi Zander, Troy,” I greet.
“Hello darling. How are you?”
“Good,” I smile. “Gabby is getting ready in the bathroom.”
“Done,” Seb exclaims. He sets his pumpkin beside ours on the island and helps me clean up so we can eat.
Gabby joins us, and we eat dinner quickly.
Zander and Troy take a few pics of us holding our creations, then leave right after, since they need to be at the club before it opens.
We get our pumpkins set up outside with battery-operated lights and the candy bowl, then Gabby helps me into the rest of my costume as Seb changes in Nick’s room.
Once I’m done, I help Gabby finish her accessories.
When I step out into the living room, Seb’s mouth pops open. “That’s amazing, Sunshine,” he says in awe. “Gabs, you look outstanding, too.”
Seb’s costume is pretty fantastic as well. He’s got a colored plastic UFO on his head with lights inside and metallic streamers hanging down all around him. His face is painted green; he has pointy ears and a silver sort of astronaut suit on. “Did you buy this or make it, Seb? It’s awesome!”
“Gabs helped me make the UFO, and I bought the suit. Sunshine, you’re a woodland fairy?”
“Close, a forest spirit,” I smile. “Gabby did a great job with mine, too.” My whole body is brown with green, blue, and purple moss pieces covering my arms, torso, chest, and head, with some gossamer strips interspersed.
I have blue iridescent wings on my back pointing downwards, and Gabby gave me blue eyeshadow with thick fake lashes, brown lips, and iridescent glitter around the edges of my forehead and along my cheeks.
“We need pictures. Gabby, you look like a girl right out of Woodstock.”
Gabby has faded and ripped bell-bottoms on with green platform shoes.
She has a white crop tank top with a peace sign and a beaded vest over it.
Her straightened hair falls freely around her, with a bandana wrapped across her forehead.
Her large, dangling peace-sign earrings swing gently with each movement, and her bright red lips complement a bold, electric blue eyeshadow.
To complete the look, Gabby’s arms are covered in colorful, jangling bracelets, and a mood ring glints on her middle finger.
We take a bunch of pics on our phones, then Seb drives us and Ceres to Alex’s house. We see pumpkins and a witch decorating the guard post as we drive by. “How does Halloween work with the richer families?” I ask.
“The guards will give out candy and keep the gates closed,” Seb explains. That makes sense, but it would be weird not to see all the kids dressed up at the door.
Bay’s car is already here, so we head upstairs.
The guys have already put on their costumes when we walk into the apartment.
Alex has a cap on his head, so it looks bald with white hair sticking straight out of the sides.
He’s got a lab coat on over a sweater vest and dress shirt, along with baggy dress pants, and is carrying a beaker.
Bay’s torso is a giant red Lego. E is wearing a chef’s outfit, complete with a white hat and jacket.
He has a fake knife in his chest pocket and a huge moustache. “Guys, you look so good!” I exclaim.
“You look beautiful, Summer, and Gabby, you are a 60s goddess,” Alex smiles.
“Ya’ll look great,” E comments.
“All three of you have great costumes,” Bay adds.
We chat for a few minutes before Ceres volunteers to take a group photo for us, and then we split into two vehicles to drive to Charleston.
The club has valet parking tonight, and I text Holly and Jaxon when we arrive. Once we’re all together, we walk to the door and hand over our tickets. Ceres speaks with the Finn employee standing behind the ticket area before we enter.
The place looks amazing. The room pulses with flashing-colored lights, the dance floor a vibrant center where black lights turn dancers into glowing figures.
To our left, a long bar gleams under the dim lights, with worn wooden tables and plush booths lining the edges.
A spooky scene surrounds us, with cobwebs clinging to everything, spiders scuttling, pumpkins scattered, and people in elaborate costumes.
Seb grabs my hand as the guys surround us as we make our way to the bar.
Gabby and I get onto the stools with Bay and E standing behind us.
A bartender comes over, telling us they have special Halloween drinks tonight.
Seb orders a round of the non-alcoholic specials and some water bottles.
Once everyone has a drink, Gabby and I follow Seb to a booth along the right wall.
After we’re seated, Troy stops by to say hello. He’s monitoring the right side tonight, with Zander on the left. There are three more Finn employees as well. One at the bar we must’ve missed, and two by the dance floor, along with Ceres. He snaps a few pics of us before waving goodbye.
Holly texts that they’ve arrived, so I give them directions to our table.
Seb begrudgingly gets up when a guy asks Gabby to dance with him.
I give his hand a squeeze in support as Holly and Jaxon make it to our table, looking great.
Holly’s shirt is black and says Netflix with movie reels all over, and Jaxon’s shirt is blue with “…and chill” on it.
The back of his shirt has a popcorn box and soda.
I take a picture of them, and then we all hit the dance floor.
Alex and E are glowing under the black light.
The night is wonderful. We drink, eat snacks, and dance our hearts out. There are a few guys who try to cut in and dance with me, but the guys close ranks quickly. I notice a group of girls circling the guys, but they haven’t made a move yet.
I need a water break around 9pm, so I yell to the guys and Holly before pulling Seb over to our table. We have several sealed water bottles, so I crack one open and drink deeply.
“Having fun, Sunshine?” Seb hollers.
Nodding, I offered him a reassuring smile. I’m having a blast. The music is loud, and the energy is infectious, yet a shadow of guilt lingers because Nick isn’t here to share this with us. My insides are tangled and chaotic, like a storm raging within me.
Seb taps my arm, pointing to the dance floor. The group of girls is finally making their move. They surround Alex, Bay, and E on the dance floor. By the way they’re moving, I’m guessing they’re college girls. “Should we help them?”
“No, they can handle themselves,” Seb smiles. “Who do you think will leave first?”
“Bay,” I reply confidently. No way he’d let another girl grind on him when he has Penny. Sure enough, as soon as a blond, sexy nurse turns her back to Bay and attempts to lean against his chest, he steps away. I can see him shaking his head at her, then walking away with Gabby.
The other two girls are dancing near Alex and E but haven’t openly tried to engage them yet.
The blond saddles up beside Alex next, but he sees her coming and sidesteps before she can get too close.
He says something to E, and they both head towards our booth.
“What do I get for winning?” I ask Seb before the guys get here.
“How about an orgasm, Sunshine?” Seb whispers right into my ear.
A shiver goes through me as E and Alex take seats beside us in the booth. Damn him, now I’m horny. Another thing my brain is trying to feel guilty about.
Bay joins us shortly with Gabby, a few trays of nachos between them, which we all happily devour.
Around 10pm, Seb and I get called up onto the stage for the costume contest. Neither of us win, but Seb comes in third place and gets a gift certificate for the water park and movie passes.
Everyone gets a small treat bag of candy as they exit as well.
After goodbyes, Ceres, Seb, Gabby, and I wait for Zander and Troy after the party to ride home.