I'M HIS | BOOK 1 | BOYXBOY

10: "For you..."

The majority of kids were already in costume during regular school hours. There was a strict no-mask policy which I thought was stupid. It eliminates almost all of the classic slasher killers, truly the worst part about dressing up for Halloween in high school. Some folks still pried to sneak it in and of course, it was confiscated, promised to be returned after the day ended. I didn't get a lot of sleep last night, I was awake thinking about what my parents told me. I honestly still felt confused by what they told me but it made sense. It sounds so stupid but it's true.

    "Where's your costume?" David asked, buttoning up his sleeves on his Beetlejuice costume.

    I shut my locker door and looked at his ridiculous wig. "I forgot to wear it . . . nice hair."

"Should we come over to your place while you get ready?" Carolina asked, also blankly staring at David's horrid wig.

"Can you guys stop looking?"

We both quickly turned to look at something else. "Yeah that sounds fine, plus you can do your makeup at my place." I looked over to Angel's locker where he would've been standing if he had shown up today. "I'll talk to you guys later." The bell rang. "I gotta get to class."

I was holding out hope that Angel would come tonight. I knew my friends could tell I wanted him there, they were observant and honestly, it didn't take much to see how stupid I am over him. I feel like everyone knew and that made me a little insecure. Angel was my first crush that was actually tangible. Before him, it was Chris Evans, Sza, and Selena Quintanilla. Yes two of them may have been girls but could you blame me?

It also made me feel uneasy that the whole school knew about us. They knew about what happened and that somehow made everything worse. It feels like I have to tiptoe even quieter around everyone now. Not just because I hated people talking, but what if word got out to some homophobe who decided they wanted to 'deal with me.' It's bad enough to feel unsafe when walking down the street by a group of guys, but to now feel that way in school made me on edge.

+

I observed my costume in the mirror by the front door. I was flaring my arms messing around with the cape when I heard the doorbell ring. I grabbed the candy bowl and opened the door to three little kids along with their parents. They lifted their bags and screamed trick or treat as I dumped a few pieces of candy into each of their bags. It was one little Repunzle, one ninja turtle, and one little Voldemort. That one made me chuckle. They said thank you and headed off to the next house.

I kept the door open and peered out, staring at the groups of people out. So many little kids that I didn't even realize lived on our block. My mom came up behind me and dad followed her. They were dressed up as Morticia Addams and Gomez Addams; except my dad was Morticia and my mom was Gomez. I couldn't believe my dad did drag before me.

    Another group of trick or treaters approached the house and I handed my parents the candy bowl so they could have some fun also. I saw Carolina following behind them. She politely waited for them to leave and greeted my parents.

    "Nice dress Mr. Flores, you wear it better than Anjelica Huston herself." She was here to pick me up but she looked saddened for some reason.

"What happened?"

"David happened" She grunted "He flaked on us last minute."

"What the hell, Why?"

"He said he had something to do, all he told me was he'll meet us at the dance." She looked back at the car waiting for us. "We should get going, the taxi won't wait too long."

"Alright let's dip," I said bye to my parents and they bugged me to be safe. I promised them I would be--after all, it was just a school dance. Carolina grabbed a handful of candy from the bowl and thanked my parents. "Let's go, Poison Ivy!" I yelled at her.