On Purpose

Chapter 9: Bacchanalia

———James———

Thursday, October 31st, 2019

"Are you serious?" Anthony asked incredulously as I held up the costume I had picked for him.

"Come on, Cupcake, Loverboy's going to love it," I said with a grin.

"I fucking hate you," Anthony deadpanned. I could tell he was nervous more than angry, though, with his refusal to make eye contact.

"I mean, if you want to back out of the bet—"

"Shut up," Ant snapped as he snatched it from me and stomped toward his room. I laughed as he slammed the door.

"This has a slit up the thigh!" Anthony shouted angrily through the door a moment later.

"Razor is on the bathroom counter!" I called back with a laugh. More swearing followed. Anthony stomped back out a few moments later and shoved a list into my hand.

"Go get me this," he demanded before turning on his heel and marching towards the bathroom.

"What is this?" I called after him.

"The stuff I need to do this correctly," Anthony snapped back before the bathroom door slammed shut and the water turned on. I stifled a laugh as I read through the list before grabbing my keys and wallet.

45 minutes later, I returned from my trip to the nearest Walmart. I could hear Anthony blow-drying his hair. A few minutes later, he stepped out of the bathroom in sweatpants and a baggy t-shirt, his hair loose.

"Here you go," I said cheerfully as I handed the bags to him. "Do you need help with your makeup?"

"As if your makeup skills even come close to mine," Anthony said with a roll of his eyes as he snatched the bag from me.

"The guys will be here at 5," I reminded him. It was 3:30 now.

"I know," Anthony said. "If you'd told me earlier what you wanted me to go as, I'd have started getting ready earlier."

"Stop fretting so much. Loverboy is going to love it," I said. Anthony immediately frowned and looked away.

"It's not fair. Your costume is so tame," he said eventually.

"Shoulda been better at beer pong," I countered quickly.

"I was fine; it was Donovan's dumb—" Anthony turned sharply toward me. "Did you know he was ass at beer pong?"

I grinned. "You are such an ass," Anthont seethed.

"When Loverboy wants to jump your bones tonight, I'm gonna say, 'I told you so.'" I replied lightly.

Anthony swore and stomped into his room once again, slamming his third door of the day.

I headed to my room and changed into my Woody costume before heading to the couch. I scrolled through my phone as angsty music blared from Anthony's door. Before long, there was a knock at the door, and I jumped up quickly to answer it.

"Hey," I said with a grin as I opened the door to see Marcus and Ben. I stepped aside so they could come in. Marcus gave me a quick kiss as he passed me, and I felt butterflies flutter in my stomach despite myself.

"Where's Ant?" Ben asked as he bounced on the balls of his feet.

"Still getting ready," I answered before handing him a bag with his costume. "Go ahead and change; he might be a while." Ben had cheerfully agreed to let me pick his costume, no questions asked, when I said it would go with Anthony's. Ben headed into the bathroom. Marcus used my room to change into his Buzz Lightyear costume.