everlong| hocus pocus

002. hollywood

     THE TEEN GIRLS WALKED TOGETHER—chatting eagerly about their plans for the upcoming night, Jasper and Allison were all set on having the best costumes, perfect hair, and snagging the most desirable guys at the town's hottest parties. Their banter flowed smoothly until Max was mentioned. chatting about the planned night ahead of them. "Very bold. Too bold." Allison spoke to herself.
     "What? You like the dope?" Jasper teased.
     "Not really. I prefer taller guys. Maybe ones who are actually taller than me," Allison quipped, the girls sharing a giggle. It was true—Allison stood out with her height. "And his attitude isn't my style either."
     "Agreed."
     "I'd think he'd be more your type. I know you like brunettes. I think he's taller than you too. I bet you could straighten him out and talk about your shared hate for Halloween." Allison chirped.
     "Okay, I don't hate Halloween." Jasper interjected, halting their steps. "And for the record, just because we're not fans of it, doesn't mean we're soulmates." Allison eyed Jasper from head to toe, from her glossy hair to her worn cream-colored New Balances, then pursed her pink lips together thoughtfully, making a hmm sound.
     "We'll see, Jas."
Jasper enjoyed autumn, appreciating the decorations and the gracefully falling leaves, but the whole Halloween scene didn't resonate with her. It was just the whole Halloween thing. Running around door-to-door begging strangers for candy wasn't really her thing. But from the decorations, jack o'lanterns mostly carved very sloppily, and the leaves that fell gracefully from the trees, adding the perfect touch on top of everything. Of course was she going to admit it? No.
     "I bet he'll be filled with Salem Spirt soon. But, as for me, I refuse to change."
     Allison remarked knowingly. Having known Jasper for years, she understood Jasper Weiss's aversion to change of any kind. "Oh, I had no clue. One day my parents and I will pay for your brain to be studied by doctors. You're still the only person I know who doesn't believe in the Sanderson Sisters." Allison retorted.
     "No, I believe in them. It's just that I don't believe they sucked the souls out of innocent children. They were just weird and people didn't like that." Jasper countered.
     "Doesn't that sound familiar..." Allison teased.
     "Watch it, young lady I might just Mr. Watts on you."
     "Tell my dad and I'll make the Sanderson Sisters come get you."
     "Jesus, Allison."
     "I'm serious, I'll light the candle."
     "The candle wouldn't work even if you tried."
     "Jasper Weiss you get me everytime."

_____________

     Jasper and Allison were deep in conversation when they encountered a familiar face and that familiar scent of hair product—it was none other than Max "Hollywood" Dennison. Jasper sighed as Max's grin and doe-eyed gaze fixated on Allison, who seemed oblivious. He hadn't even seemed to notice her existence. "Allison..." Max began, awestruck, drawing the attention of both girls.
     "Hi," Allison replied dryly. Max leaned over slightly, glancing towards Jasper. Allison noticed, elbowing Jasper, who seemed less than enthusiastic about being acknowledged. Max managed an awkward, bashful smile before refocusing on Allison.
     "Look, I-um, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to embarrass you in class." Max apologized tentatively.
     "You didn't." Allison replied curtly.
     "My name is Max Dennison." he introduced himself bashfully, extending his hand.
"Yeah, I know." Allison said, shaking his hand briefly. "Just moved here, huh?" she asked, releasing his hand.
     "Yeah, last week." Max confirmed, leaning on his bike handlebars.
     "Must be a big change." Allison observed.
     "Yeah that's for sure." Max looked around. It really was a big change. Everything was different and nothing like L.A. Nobody knows him nor likes him for that matter. He's already made a bad name for himself. Looking after his sister and keeping his grades up was already hard enough and now they had to move? He didn't know if he'd ever get used to it.
     "You don't like it here?" Jasper chimed in, curious about the boy behind the laid-back demeanor.
     "Oh! The leaves are...they're-they're uh, great, but..." Max stumbled over his words. "I-I don't know. Just all this Halloween stuff." he admitted with a shrug.
     "You don't believe in it? Do you?" Jasper teased lightly.
     "What, do you mean, like, the Sanderson Sisters? No way." Max shook his head.
     "Not even on Halloween?" Jasper raised an eyebrow.
     "Especially not on Halloween." Max chuckled—just enough to charm the girl. The laid-back-tie-dyed confidence of the Dennison was completely gone. Jasper looked into the ocean blue eyes of the boy. Allison looked back and fourth between the two. She saw her conversation with Max completely become Jasper's. The laughing, the smiles, Allison was liking what she was seeing.
   "Trick or treat," Allison smirked, handing Max back the piece of paper with his number on it. Allison was devastatingly not interested. "Next time, hand your number to someone like her." she gestured to Jasper.
     "You're funny," Jasper replied sarcastically, smiling at Max. While not outright rejecting him, saying it directly in front of him didn't help his case either.
     "What's your name?" Max asked quickly, almost breathlessly.
     "Happy Halloween, Hollywood," Jasper teased with a grin before walking off with Allison, leaving Max completely behind in the dark. The sound of pedaling confirmed Mr. Hollywood had given up on both girls.
     "Are you sure you don't like him?"
     "No," Jasper replied firmly.
     "At least a little?" Allison teased, leaning her head on Jasper's shoulder.
    "Shut up, Allison."