Victor opened the box to reveal a lace and ribbon choker. The center was a large, hot pink stone.
My mouth opened. The stone was striking against the black. I thought it resembled a heart.
“Like it?” Victor asked.
“Look at that face,” Dr. Green said. “Of course she likes it. I mean if you look past the dripping blood and torn flesh and gross stuff, she clearly likes it.”
I started to giggle again. Dr. Green beamed.
“Yeah, yeah,” Victor said, waving his hand and looking away. “You made her gross.” He put the choker on me and then stepped away. “Are we almost done? We need to get going.”
“Let’s go, Trouble!” Gabriel called. “Go down. I’ve still got to get dressed.”
“Hurry up,” Dr. Green said. He took my hand, helping me off the stool until I was standing and stable in the heels. He grinned at me. “Well if Victor doesn’t want to be your escort at the moment, I’m happy to do so. Let’s go scare Erica and Jessica.”
I’d forgotten about them. Were they still downstairs? I hoped the makeup wouldn’t be too much for either of them.
Downstairs, Kota was talking to Erica in the kitchen. Erica had a witch costume on, complete with hat and a fake mole on her nose. Kota was in his black suit and green tie already.
Dr. Green nudged me to stand in the doorway to the kitchen, and Luke nudged me on the other side, encouraging.
I wasn’t sure what to do, so just to draw their attention, I said quietly, “Kota? Are you ready?”
They both turned to me, and their mouths dropped. There were different reactions going on at the same time, the dress and the makeup. The dress was pretty, but the makeup was spooky.
Erica burst out laughing. She reached for her phone and then snapped a picture of me. “Oh, Kota. That’s amazing. How come you didn’t do a zombie like her?”
“Must have been a last-minute decision...Gabriel,” he said.
“Luke!” I said, giggling. “And Gabriel.”
“Oh is that how it’ll be now?” Kota asked, but he was grinning. “You three are going to be the pranksters now.”
“She’s getting pretty good,” Luke said, and then patted my head gently.
“Hang on,” Erica said. “Jessica!” she cried out. “Come see!”
A moment later, Jessica came scurrying out from the living room. She wore a Katniss outfit, complete with a Mockingjay pin and a bow strapped to her back. She still wore her pink glasses, but it really was cute.
She turned the corner, first looking at Kota and her mother, and then when Erica pointed at me, her jaw dropped and she took a full step back, making a face. “Ew. Gross. Why?” she whined.
The others started laughing. “Sorry!” Erica said. “Sorry sweetie. I just had to. I couldn’t help it.”
There was a loud knocking and then a shout, sounding like Silas. “Are we ready? The cars are here. We’re about to leave.”
“Already?” Erica asked. She turned to us. “Not even a trick-or-treat?” she asked.
“Seems like we got the trick already,” Kota said.
Erica turned, and then fished out a couple of small candy bars from a bowl. She passed one to each of us. “Well, Jessica’s going to have to work extra hard to collect some for all of you when you get back. Have fun.”
I held my candy, smiling and hurried with Dr. Green, Kota and Victor to the door, with Luke going back to get Gabriel.
I made it to the hallway where I saw Silas in the doorway looking in. He was dressed the same as the others, with his jacket off at the moment, and his dark blue tie in place. I stopped short, unsure if I should approach while wearing the gross makeup.
Silas took one look at me and his eyes went wide. He planted a palm on his chest and he said something that I think was Greek and was pretty sure was a curse.
“Gabriel,” Kota said. “And Luke.”
Silas shook his head and sighed. “Aggele, you tell him I wasn’t scared, okay? Tell him that.”
I smiled conspiratorially, but unsure if I could really fool Luke. “Won’t he just try again on you later?”
Silas tilted his head, seeming to think. “You’re right. Tell him I peed.”
Barrels of laughter thundered through the house from everyone who stood close enough to hear Silas.
I passed my piece of candy to Silas, who grinned and winked at me quietly.
I hadn’t realized how much time it had taken to get washed, do the hair and makeup and to get dressed. The moment I stepped outside, I was smelling wood fires and crisp cool October air and a bit of pumpkin. There was an electricity tonight. Maybe it was because we were about to go out to the homecoming dance and do the job we were meant to do.
Right now, though, the whole street was dark with glowing Halloween decorations at nearly every house. There was activity as a couple of kids, along with some parents, walked up the street, stopping at houses and knocking on doors.
From up the road, I spotted two boys walking our way. They had superhero masks on, and carried a couple of bags for candy. I was pretty sure they were Micah and Tom.
“Hey!” I cried, calling back into the house. “Jessica! Come out for a second.”
Kota was already starting to move in front of me. Dr. Green was calling to the boys.
Jessica came out just in time as Tom and Micah climbed the steps toward the porch.
“Do we have to say the stupid trick or treat line?” Micah said from behind his mask. He looked at Jessica. “Who are you supposed to be? Robin Hood?”
“No, idiot,” Tom said. “She’s Katniss. You know from the movie.”
“It was a book first,” Jessica said. She curled her fingers at the boys. “Come here, Sang’s got the candy.” She pointed to her brother. “She’s behind him.”
They both turned expectantly toward Kota. I did the wink and then tilted my head out from behind him, trying to catch some of the light.
I couldn’t see their faces, but the eyes inside the mask went wide and stayed on my face as their bodies stilled. Maybe we couldn’t see it, but their long silence and the twitching of their feet like they wanted to step back but caught themselves, was enough. Everyone laughed.
“Didn’t scare me,” Micah said.
“Yeah right,” Tom said, reaching out like he wanted to touch it. “Is that a real eyeball?”
“Don’t smudge,” Gabriel said, coming out of the doorway. He nudged the others, pushing his way though. He had on his orange tie and beamed. “I don’t want to have to redo it.”
“Hey!” Nathan called. We turned toward the street, where two town cars were parked. Doors were opened. Nathan waved at us. “Come on! We’re going to be late! Sang gets this one!”
Gabriel grabbed my hand, “Let’s go! Dance time.”
I sucked in a breath, hurrying down the steps. I wanted to freeze time. I wanted this to take forever, and at the same time, I wanted homecoming to be over with so we could return. I wanted to go back and make pumpkins. I wanted to watch the horror movie. I wanted to get dressed up and scare the boys.
I’d done it, and it wasn’t enough. Halloween was amazing. I couldn’t imagine doing things differently, or with anyone else.
I slipped into the front town car. I was so busy getting in, grabbing a seat and having Gabriel and Luke pile in next to me, that when Nathan said, “Ugh,” I didn’t realize what he was talking about until I looked up and caught him staring at my makeup. I grinned and then did the wink.
Nathan’s face went white and then he turned his head away. “Oh gross. Gabriel...”
“Not bad...” said a voice.
Mr. Blackbourne sat opposite us. He wore the black outfit, complete with a gray tie. His hair was combed back. His black-rimmed glasses didn’t hide his gray eyes that were shining with curiosity as we entered.
My mouth opened, and I slowly stopped winking and opened both eyes, slightly embarrassed to have such gross makeup on.
Mr. Blackbourne studied my face, and the
n leaned in to examine closer. “You had me for a minute there, Luke.”
“That’s all I get?” Luke asked with a chuckle. He closed the door and a moment later, the car started up. “But I guess that will do. Now I just need North.”
I had a thought that we were forgetting people, but Kota, North, Silas, Victor and Dr. Green must have gone in the other car.
“Where’s the masks?” Gabriel asked. “Did you pick them up?”
Mr. Blackbourne reached for a black box next to himself and then picked it up, presenting it to me. He picked up others and then gave them to each to Nathan, Gabriel and Luke. “These might actually serve a dual purpose tonight.”
I was looking at Nathan and the others, wide eyed, with the box in my hand. My heart was already pumping.
Gabriel started to open his and then stopped. “Wait, did you do your pumpkin?” He moved to look out the window on the opposite side of the car. “Where is it?”
We all turned to look. The car, as if the driver knew, rolled slowly past Nathan’s house.
The three princess pumpkins were lined up on the porch together, along with Kota’s spider and Nathan’s zombie and Dr. Green’s Japanese mask. There were two sitting together among the zombies. One had a scary skeleton face, and I thought it was North’s. The other one was a skeleton, too, but it was smiling: Silas.
Together on the porch were two very traditional looking Halloween pumpkins. One was smiling, and the flames inside was brighter than the others, or so it seemed to me.
And then the other one had a wicked smile, with mean eyes.
Out of all the pumpkins, I knew it was Mr. Blackbourne’s. It was the scariest by far. Just the way the shadows worked with the grin, it was menacing.
The whole scene was enchanting. There were cobwebs across the windows, fake spiders, and the lighting was just right to cast weird shadows among the tombstones. I noticed the bowl of candy sitting out, on top of a haystack. The bowl was brimming with candy.
“Cool,” Gabriel said. He sat back, looking satisfied, and blew out a breath. “Thought we weren’t going to make it.”
“Dr. Green was kind enough to get us started, all we had to do was carve,” Mr. Blackbourne said. He turned and nodded to the boxes. “You wanted to do the honors?”
“Oh yeah,” he said. He undid his box, taking the top off and showing us what was inside: a half mask in a bright orange that matched his tie. “Check it out.”
I leaned over, mostly against Luke, to try and look closer at it. It looked like porcelain, and with smooth lines. Gabriel picked it up, and then picked up a black piece. He put the black bud in his ear and then put the mask on. “The mask has a mic in it,” he said. “Be careful when you eat or drink anything. Don’t ruin it.”
Nathan and Luke dove into their boxes. I watched them, wanting to see their masks, the colors.
Mr. Blackbourne reached for my box amid the distractions. Just as Nathan and Luke applied their masks, Mr. Blackbourne quietly opened the box. He looked at Gabriel, and then the other boys and then at me, presenting it.
My mask was a full face one, white, except for an expanse of crystals, mostly in hot pink, with extra stones embedded in different colors: baby blue, red, orange, black, silver, gray, dark blue, purple, green.
Beside the mask was a hair pin, with hot pink crystals throughout.
“Where’d the pin come from?” Gabriel asked.
“I put in the order,” Mr. Blackbourne said. He reached for that piece, pulling it from the box and handing the mask box to Gabriel to hold. Mr. Blackbourne motioned to me. “Will you turn your head, please?”
I did, slowly, facing the back window. I watched the second town car following us down the road, as I felt Mr. Blackbourne slip the comb into my hair and position it in place.
My heart thundered as Mr. Blackbourne’s fingers lingered what I thought was a little longer than necessary, touching the strands of my hair.
When he pulled away, I turned, meeting his eyes.
The silver in his shone. “Rather elegant, don’t you boys think?”
“Perfect,” Gabriel said. He caught my chin, holding my head as he put the earbud in my ear and then put the mask on.
“Sorry,” Nathan said, “but that mask is so much better than the creepy make up.”
Mr. Blackbourne reached next to him, picking up a wide hand mirror. He held it up, presenting it so I could check my reflection.
With the mask on, all hint of the makeup was gone. The crystals seemed to glitter in the low light inside the car. My hair glittered a little from the stones in the comb. The choker at my neck sparkled. The dress, the corset, the skirt: it all went together.
Like a princess out of a fairytale. A creepy one, perhaps, but still enchanting.
The car was quiet for the longest moment. I wanted to say something, but couldn’t find the words. I swallowed, trying to think of something.
Slowly, I breathed in, and found what I wanted.
“Thank you,” I said quietly.
Again the car was quiet. Red, baby blue and orange masks turned to me. Mr. Blackbourne gazed from across the car. I wondered if they had heard me, or if perhaps I had mumbled.
“Happy Halloween, Miss Sorenson,” Mr. Blackbourne said. “I apologize now that we’re having to work this year.”
“No, no,” I said quickly, slicing my hand through the air in earnest. “Please, I know...”
“Next year,” Mr. Blackbourne said, “things will be different for us.”
“Next year,” Luke said, “let’s go trick-or-treating in Victor’s neighborhood.”
“Yeah,” Gabriel said. “But let’s wear a theme again. I like this. No more picking out our own costumes.”
The boys talked about ideas for what to wear next year, but amid their chatter, I looked at Mr. Blackbourne.
His eyes remained on me, silently talking without saying a word. He didn’t have to say anything. I could feel it.
We were together for Halloween with our family. This was what I’d been missing. Not trick-or-treating or candy or parties.
I knew next year’s Halloween would be just as unforgettable.
And with that thought, there was a twinge of hope. Next year, I’d still be here with them. They were counting on it.
I dared to believe it.
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Books by C. L. Stone
The Academy Ghost Bird Series:
Introductions
First Days
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Forgiveness and Permission
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Push and Shove
House of Korba
The Other Side of Envy (April 2015)
The Academy Scarab Beetle Series
Thief
Liar
Fake (December 2014)
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Spice God
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ABOUT C. L. STONE
Certification
Marvelour of Wonder
Active Participant of Scary Situations
Official Member of F.A.M.E.
Experience
Spent an extraordinary number of years with absolutely no control over the capping of imagination, fun, and curiosity. Willingly takes part in impossible problems only to come up with the most ludicrous solution. Due to unfortunate circumstances, will no longer experience feeling on a small spot on my left calf.
Skills
Secret Keeper | Occasion Riser | Barefoot Walker | Magic Maker | Restless Reckless | Gravity Defiant | Fairy Tale Reader | Story Maker-Upper | Amusingly Baffled | Comprehensive Curiousness | Usually Unbelievable
C. L. Stone, Touch of Mischief
(Series: The Academy # 7.50)
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