like i can \/ nancy wheeler

iii. thriller

"you know it's thriller, thriller night."
ˏˋ°•*⁀➷

IT WAS HALLOWEEN IN HAWKINS. A very big deal for all the residents of the town. However, even considering how big a fan Colby was of the holiday, when he woke up that warm October morning, he simply got dressed as usual. This was normal for him, and for the rest of the student body at Hawkins High. Nobody dressed up. Even some of the middle schoolers had decided they didn't want to anymore.

Colby ventured into the kitchen, still rubbing his eyes to rid them of exhaustion. When he opened them, he saw Cassie and Jayson mumbling about something under their breaths, before glancing up at Colby.

"Hey, Bee." greeted Cassie warily, before turning away to open the fridge.

"Morning." muttered Colby tiredly. "Happy Halloween."

"Hey, I was thinking," Jayson downed a glass of orange juice before continuing, "since tonight is Halloween, why don't we watch Halloween?"

"You're only saying that because it's your favorite movie." Cassie pointed out, picking her head up from the fridge and smiling lightly.

Colby noticed something different about Jayson; he looked more awake than he had in months. The bags under his eyes were lighter, and his hair was brushed back. He'd even gotten dressed, much earlier than Colby had.

"You're up earlier." noted Colby, voicing his inner thoughts. Jayson raised a brow, looking down at his younger brother. His expression was somewhat amused, as if Colby had made a joke.

"Am I?" the older Martin hummed cluelessly, pouring himself some more orange juice. "Well, I'd best head back to sleep, then."

Cassie rolled her eyes, turning to Colby. "You almost ready to go, Bee?"

Colby nodded slowly. "Uh... yeah, I'm ready to go."

"Have fun at school today, guys." Jayson grabbed his glass of orange juice and headed back into his bedroom. It wasn't long until the radio was back on, and Thriller by Michael Jackson was playing loudly.

"Are we taking your car or mine?" asked Colby as they neared the key rack, eyeing both of two options.

"Mine." answered Cassie, reaching behind him and grabbing her key from where it was hanging. "I don't have work tonight, so I can take you home right after school."

"Thanks."

The siblings walk out to Cassie's car, Colby getting in the passenger seat and Cassie getting in the driver's seat. She's a cliché— she has the dice hanging from her mirror, and Colby has to hold back a scoff every time he sees it. The red paint on the exterior of the car is peeling, revealing its grey model underneath.