Mixtapes & Polaroids | Sam x Deena

31

The Witch Hunt: Part 2

Kate arrives at the exact time she said, practically barreling through Deena's lawn to bang her fists on the door with purpose and urgency.

Kate was all dolled up, even her cast was wrapped in some leftover black cloth she salvaged from her closet. The streets were already littered with children, lights and decorations that for once, made the town feel like it was actually alive. Halloween was probably the only holiday Shadyside took seriously, they grabbed their spooky reputation and ran with it, going all out as to have every street lamp decorated with makeshift cobwebs and a shitty skeleton in a black cloak.

It wasn't much, but it was something and Kate loved it. It was one of the only nights in the year she didn't feel suffocated by their nothingness, that she could drive through the town and actually feel some sort of pride and joy. Plus, she couldn't wait to show off her outfit and her hair, which she totally spent more than two hours on and refused to even let Sarah have a peek until she was entirely ready.

"Deena? I'm gonna kick this door down!" Kate says, patience on zero as she waited by the front door, foot tapping against the floorboard of the porch as she goes to knock again.

"I swear to fucking— oh hi Mr. Johnson!" Kate only gets another bang in before the door swings open, revealing the oldest Johnson standing there with a knowing smile.

"Hey Kate! Grease?" He greets, looking over her outfit as Kate lights up, giving him a little twirl in her black skinny jeans, white top and black leather jacket.

"Yes! ONJ is like— my hero." Kate happily responds, surprised as he hands her a bag full of candy. She takes it nonetheless, pleased by the offering despite her reservations against him. She didn't exactly like what he put Deena through, but she promised the night would be drama free so she doesn't complain.

"Good taste! You look great I can see why J—" He begins, but as he's speaking the rumble of footsteps from the background draws closer in a rush as Josh appears, out of breath as he cuts his father off.

"Dad! Hi! Kate— grease?" He croaks out amidst trying to catch his breath, holding onto his father's shoulder just to steady him as Kate takes a step back to eye his outfit, thoroughly impressed.

"Kreuger? Nice. Like the dedication. Where's your sister?" Kate nods in approval as Deena soon appears, walking past the two boys to join Kate out on the porch.

"I'm here!" Deena smiles at everyone, awkwardly shifting on her feet as the conversation turns into radio silence, with Kate just looking at her and her outfit with an unreadable expression while Josh snickers from next to her.

"What?" Deena asks, glancing over everyone as her father shrugs, biting back a smile.

"I tried to tell you." Josh whispers.

"What exactly is going on here?" Kate points over her entirety, a look of disapproved concern washing over her features as Deena's father speaks up.

"I... yeah, i'm lost too. I didn't want to ask." He agrees sheepishly, and Deena practically stomps in place, groaning as irritation washes over her at the onslaught of judgement being rained upon her.

"Seriously? You can recognize Grease but not The Breakfast Club?" She asks sardonically, deadpanning to the older man as he just shrugs.

"I thought you had just gone goth." Kate chimes in with distaste, and Josh is absolutely cackling by the sidelines.

"I'm not— Allison? Ally Sheedy? Fuck. Is it really bad?" Deena deflates, glancing back at her dad with panic in her eyes.

"It's not that bad, honey." He tries to soothe, but it was to no avail.