Everything We Always Were

Twenty One: Catching

Tomorrow is Halloween, and everyone is equally excited about it this year as they were last year at school today. The Friday jitters that are already there, are amplified. People wearing costumes, lots of dress code violations, and a pep rally during the lunch periods which I usually sit out on, but had to go to this year because of CJ.

It was all very loud and overwhelming and I ended up just staying seated in the middle of a bunch of sweaty jocks and CJ.

Now, it's a stampede out the door right after the final bell rings and I have zero plans.

I hadn't talked to anyone but CJ for the past week, for obvious reasons, and he was going to a bro party later tonight for an early celebration. He said it was because this year, all of them had girlfriends, so they wanted to celebrate like they used to before spending the holiday with their girls.

Of course, I was all for that, it just meant I needed to make up with Roni because she's the one doing my costume, since apparently she, Fran, and I were going to all be bunnies this year.

I'm not sure if that is still happening, and if not, I have to come up with something for tomorrow by myself. Which is not ideal. After CJ drops me off, I stall for about 30 minutes before I can't anymore and I text Roni.

Roni, I'm really sorry about all of the CJ stuff, I plan on breaking up with him soon I just needed some time, it was all too much at one time. I hope you can understand, I love you Roni, and I still want to be a bad bunny with you tomorrow :)

I throw in the little joke at the end and the smiley face for Roni's sake, although it makes me cringe. It doesn't take long until those 3 dots pop up and I'm biting at my thumbnail.

I understand, we are all just really worried about you. We are still going to the fair together, meet at Fran's at 3 tomorrow?

I exhale, smiling, and respond with a simple confirmation and set my phone down.

Now I can spend the rest of the day relaxing by myself for the first time in a long time.

Somehow, Fran and Roni are able to avoid talking about James and CJ the entire time that we get ready for the fair. The costumes are black, white, and tan and I was assigned the black one since it matches my skin tone better. According to Roni, of course.

It's basically just spandex shorts, and a half bralette, half tank top situation for the top. She provided me with the same black boots as last year, and of course did my hair and makeup. This year she straightened it and let it down, but stuck the makeup the same as always, simple.

We are ready by 6, and out the door with our boyfriends at 6:30 and that's where the night takes a turn for the worst. For me at least.

"Are you drunk, CJ?"

The second I close the truck's passenger door behind me, I'm hit with the stench of beer and body odor. CJ has a sloppy grin on my face but laughs. "Nah, babe, don't worry about it! One of the boys split some beer in the backseat last night, it's not a big deal,"

I scrunch my nose, "Were you driving drunk?"

"No, end of conversation." His tone is suddenly stern, and loud and it startles me.

I snap my mouth shut and turn to the window as he makes his way through town to the fair. It was in, sort of, the middle of town, where the park was and the police and fire stations, surrounded by woods on one side and the rest of the town and mountains on the other.

The space was big enough, with the park and parking lots and courtyard, for a parade earlier in the day (that all the teens skipped because it's "so not cool anymore" and then they set up sketchy rides and gimmicky booths and festival food stalls.