everlong| hocus pocus

04. small talk

"TRICK OR TREAT!" Two voices shouted in unison. Allison and Jasper froze as they were preparing to sneak out unnoticed. One oddly familiar voice out of the pair was recognizable. After a moment, Jasper recognized it and out of Allison's room while she was briefly occupied, Jasper looked down at the pair greedily hoarding candy. The girl took a deep breath before revealing herself and squared her shoulders, observing the little auburn-haired girl tugging at Max's sleeve.
"Stalking me, Dennison?" Jasper's voice echoed down from the grand staircase. Max stuttered, trying to formulate a response. "Relax, it's fine," Jasper reassured him as she carefully navigated the stairs in her mother's black heels. Max, caught off guard by the familiar voice, respectfully doffed his hat, revealing his shiny, fluffy brown hair.
"This is your house?" Max asked incredulously.
"You're funny," Jasper chuckled, amused that anyone would mistake this mansion for her own.
"Max Dennison." Said Allison from the top of the staircase. Max looked up becoming flustered.
"Allison," Max acknowledged with a mix of awe and surprise as Allison appeared at the top of the stairs.
"Oh, Allison, hmm?" the little girl beside Max teased mischievously.
"Thought you weren't into Halloween," Allison teased.
"I'm not. Just taking my little sister Dani around," Max explained somewhat frantically, his hand nervously going to his back pocket as he straightened up, pulling Dani closer.
"That's sweet," Jasper remarked, a hint of teasing in her tone.
"I always do it." Max shows a smug smile, trying to show off to the girls.
"My parents made him," Dani interjected cheekily, earning a reprimand from Max.
"You guys want cider?" Allison offered.
"Sure," Max accepted.
"No," Dani countered immediately. Allison glanced at Jasper, who nodded in agreement. She poured two cups, knowing Jasper preferred cider.
"Thanks," Max said appreciatively.
"Of course," Jasper added cheerfully, clinking her cup with Max's before taking a sip.
"So, um, how's the party?" Max inquired.
"Boring," the girls replied simultaneously, their voices tinged with equal disinterest.
"But we're thinking of bailing later, right?" Jasper glanced at Allison.
"Um, about that..." Allison hesitated.
"No," Jasper interjected firmly.
"I'm sorry, my dad found out," Allison explained, her tone regretful.
Jasper sighed, contemplating the Halloween night that could have been. She took another sip, which turned into a gulp, finishing off her cider. "Well, I guess now we're stuck on candy duty," Jasper said, moving towards Dani and beginning to pick out the best candies from the cauldron-shaped bin.
"By the way, Dani, love your costume," Jasper complimented, smiling as Dani beamed back at her, emptying her palmful of candy into her bag.
"Thank you!" Dani smiled, wiping her hands. "I really like yours too. Though I couldn't wear something like that, 'cause I don't have any...what do you call 'em, Max? Yabos?" Dani's innocent comment caused Max to sputter into his cup, while Allison and Jasper exchanged surprised, amused glances.
Allison nodded. Looking to Max. "I'm really into witches," Allison redirected the conversation, sensing Max's discomfort and Jasper's astonishment.
"Really? Me too. We just learned about those sisters in school," Dani replied, biting on her chocolate witch.
"Oh, you mean the Sanderson sisters? Our moms used to run the museum," Allison explained, her voice tinged with nostalgia. The Watts and Weiss families were obsessed with the Sanderson myth. The Watts eventually passed it to the Weiss's due to some strange occurrences, and it eventually became abandoned.
"There's a museum about 'em?" Dani asked eagerly, swaying on her feet.
"Yeah, but they had to shut it down cause..." Allison leaned down to Dani's level, a mischievous grin mirroring Dani's. "a lot of spooky things happened there,"
"Hmm, bull," Jasper interjected, setting down her empty cup.
"Well, wh-why don't we go to this old Sanderson house?" Max suggested. "All four of us." Max glanced at Jasper, who met his gaze cynically. Allison looked uncertain, and Dani looked outright opposed to the idea. They exchanged glances, considering Dani's reluctance. "Well, come on, make believer out of me." The pair eyed each other in silence for a solid two seconds. Jasper let out a small, breathy chuckle before she caved in, gripping Max's shoulder tight, trying to take off her heels.
"Alright, fine." Jasper grunted stumbling to get her heels off. "let me get changed." she passed her heels to Max and looked towards her friend. "Allison?"
"We shouldn't leave the party." Allison sighed.
"I swear, no one will notice. We've spend the whole time watching 'Halloween' in your room," she pleaded, appealing to Allison.
"Okay, okay. I'll cover for you," Allison relented finally.

___

Allison efficiently helped Jasper wipe off her cat makeup with a single swipe, assisting her with her socks and then struggling for a moment to peel off the tight leather pants, replacing them with more comfortable jeans. Jasper quickly threw on her favorite white sweater and an oversized brown jacket, relieved to trade her heels for sneakers.
"Okay, you kids, have fun," Allison smiled, sending Jasper off with a maternal pride.
"No promises," Jasper quipped.
"Not too much fun," Allison winked playfully.
"Ew, gross."
"Okay, admit it, he's cute."
"He's not... completely unfortunate looking," Jasper conceded reluctantly, earning a satisfied smile from Allison.
"Good enough for me."
    
_____

     "Alright, let's go," Jasper urged, dashing down the stairs and quietly opening the door. Max stopped her, placing Jasper's off of the door—him now being the one holding. "What are you doing?" She questions, her face scrunched in confusion.
     "Ladies first," Max insisted.
     "Jesus..." Jasper giggled, taking Max's hand as they darted off into the night together.