Spooks & Cider

She's In Love with the Boy - Trisha Yearwood

"She's in love with the boy, 

And even if they have to run away,

she's gonna marry that boy someday."

Melody POV

I sit with my face pressed to the window that faces our family driveway, my hot breath fogging up the glass every time I take a breath.

"Be careful tonight, mi amor!" My mom yells from the kitchen, the sounds of pots clanging together following behind her soft voice. "Remember, eleven thirty! No later, Melody."

"Yes, Mamà." I replied, continuing to stare out the window for his headlights.

My best friend, Daniel, was on his way to get me for a haunted house. We've been close since grade school, but this past year there's been a shift with us. I've always thought that Daniel was cute, I couldn't have imagined he felt the same way. So tonight was a first for us, a date you could call it. The first outing since we've told each other how we feel.

I really like you, Melody. More than anything else in the world, I think. Daniel's words ran in my head like they were practicing for a marathon. I welcomed every round.

My heart pounded against my chest as I watched his headlights turn into the driveway. Grabbing the sweater my mom is forcing me to take, I shout a quick bye! as I'm running out the door towards Daniel's truck. Hopping into his passenger seat I can't help but grin back at his soft, lazy smile.

"Hi, Ducky," he says as I buckle my seatbelt in. "I hope you're ready for tonight."

"So ready!" I responded.

I was not ready. I knew this, Daniel knew this. For our entire friendship I've never been one for scary things, I jumped when a piece of fuzz I was unaware of invaded my vision.

So, a haunted house? Not great.

Spending time one on one with Daniel? My favorite thing in the whole world.

I watch as his hand reaches across the console to the radio, putting on one of our favorite songs.

"Are you sure you're ready, Ducky?" His eyes shot over to me, "you don't have to lie."

"Scouts honor," I reply as I try to put on a brave face. The car fills with the echoes of Daniel's laughter. Guess I didn't look as brave as I thought.

Daniel takes a couple more turns through our foggy neighborhood until we reach a parking lot filled with other victims for tonight's festivities. We hop out of our respective sides of the car and I immediately pull my arms around me. The sinister music and screams from the house are wafting in the air.

Before I can think twice I untie the sweater from around my waist, mamà knows best, and ruin my outfit by putting it on. My eyes are wide as I look around while we wait in line. I can't see much, but I don't trust that they didn't put actors in line with us for a little pre show scare. A large, warm hand grabs onto mine and gives it a firm squeeze. A yelp escapes my lips.

"It's not too late to go and do something else, Melody." Daniel says while giving my hand a couple more reassuring squeezes. Standing in line our height differences are much more noticeable, I practically have to throw my head back to make eye contact.

"No. We're here and we said we wanted to do some spooky shit this season, so we're doing it."

He locks our fingers together sending shockwaves throughout my body.