ʏᴏᴜ & ɪ | Modern Family

1.5 HALLOWEEN

I come downstairs dressed in black ripped jeans with an off the shoulder pink top with my hair in a messy braid. I have my earbuds in listening to Katy Perry on my iPod.

“Morning, mom.” I say as I walk into the kitchen. “Oh, hey honey! Breakfast will be ready in just a second.” She says enthusiastically as she cuts carrots vigorously.

I suspect something is up. I grab a small carton of milk from the fridge just as mom “chops” her hand off. “Ahhh! My hand! Ahhh!” She screams.

I turn to look at her unamused as I take my earbuds out of my ears. “Very funny Mom. I know it's Halloween. Nice fake hand.” I say to her. I come closer to the chopping to notice a hand wriggling ever so slightly.

I am not fazed by this. “Again, mom. Very funny. You should get dad to try that with Luke. He'd freak!” I say as I laugh. “Aww, how'd you know I was there?” Dad says disappointed as he gets out from where he was hiding. “I saw your hand moving, dad. Not fooling me.” I tell him as I walk away. I put my earbuds back in and grab a banana and some strawberries as I'm going to make a smoothie.

“All right so everybody has to be here at 5:30 to rehearse our house of horrors. You guys have your costumes ready?” She asks us as she puts Luke's sandwich in a zipped lock bag. I finish off my smoothie I made this morning.

“It's a secret, mom. Manny and I planned something together.” Luke replies to Mom's question. “I love that.” She says back in admiration. “Can I have some candy?” Luke tries to ask before he goes out the door for school in which mom responds with a firm no.

“How about you girls? Anything?” She says as she turns to us both as we're sitting at the table. “I haven't really thought about it. I've got like, three huge exams tomorrow.” Alex says in response. “Yeah- me neither mom. I've just been so caught up with my study session with Spencer and the Roller Derby team I signed up for at school.” I say as I finish typing up an essay for school. “Plus, I've got an essay due today which reminds me I need to head out.” I say to her as I close up my laptop. “Yeah, mom me too.” Alex says as she gathers her books and comes along with me. “Oh come on, girls! You can't slap something together at the last minute. If you gave this costume half as much time and attention as you give your homework and studies you wouldn't be in this situation.” She tells as we stop to listen.

Just as we're about to head to the hallway to grab our school bags, Haley walks in. “Check it, I'm a scary black cat.” She says as she stands confidently beside us. We retreat back to the kitchen table. “Oh, I'm not missing this.” I say as I sit back down, ready for the drama and chaos to emerge. “Woah-- The only person that costume scares is me. Go find something else, now.” Mom says sternly. “To what, mom?” Haley complains. “I don't know. One of your old costumes. Honey, trust me, I am sparing you an entire day of guys asking you if you have a rough tongue.” Mom tells her as Haley walks away in disgust.

“Bye mom.” Alex and I say in unison as we grab our packed lunch for the kitchen counter. I slip my iPod and earbuds in my back pocket, Alex and I pick up our school bags, fling them across our shoulder and head out the door, ready for school.

“Oh hey, Alex I'm just going to head to the café to grab a coffee. Want anything?” I ask as we're about to part ways. Alex heads to school while I make a quick stop to the local café across the street. “Hot chocolate would be nice.” She tells me, softly. “Here's two bucks.” Alex says as she takes a loose bill from her jeans pocket as she hands it to me. “Thanks.” I say as I take her money and put it in my purse. “See you in study hall, okay?” I tell her. “Yep.” She says as she walks to cross the street for school.

I walk inside the café to be met with 'One Way or Another' by Blondie playing faintly in the distance. I stride up to the counter and read the menu before deciding what I want. To my surprise I get interrupted and met with a familiar voice, and face. “Hi. Could I please get a--” I say as someone who sounds familiar to me, puts a halt to my sentence. “Hey.” The velvety voice says to me. “Oh my God, Spencer? You didn't tell me you worked here! Did the school kick you out?” I ask him, worried. “No, no. I just need the extra money, since I'm turning sixteen soon that means I'll be getting my drivers license and getting my drivers license means I'm gonna need a car, so that's why I'm here.” He explains to me efficiently as he's wiping down the counter. “You didn't tell me you go here.” He says as he looks to me, preparing the cash register.