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Dylan Skylar

Halloween night.

I'm sprawled on my couch, wrapped in the softest blanket I own, watching Batman Begins. A bowl of candy sits outside on the porch because I refuse to answer the door for trick or treaters. A nearly empty bottle of champagne rests within arm's reach.

It's 9 p.m., the room is dimly lit, and for the first time in weeks, I feel...content.

Until I hear a voice behind me.

"Batman, huh? Good choice."

I flinch, nearly spilling what little remains of my champagne. Whipping around, I spot Grayson standing in the doorway dressed head to toe in a vampire costume.

"Jesus, Grayson! What the hell are you doing here?"

He smirks, fangs glinting in the low light. "Nice to see you too."

I take a breath, glaring at him. "A vampire? Really?"

"Apparenty, I'm 'so pale' that it just made sense."

"They're not wrong."

"Look in a mirror sometime," He fires back, sliding into the armchair across from me.

"Why are you dressed up anyways?" I ask, settling back into my spot.

"Nicholas' Halloween party," He replies casually.

"Right. Forgot about that."

Grayson tilts his head. "Thought you said you were going?"

"I changed my mind."

"Decided to drink alone instead?" He nods toward the champagne bottle.

"You could say that."

He leans forward, resting his arms on his knees. "Mind if I join you?"

"Why aren't you at the party?"

His gaze drops to the floor. For a second, he doesn't answer.

"You weren't there," He says softly.

I blink at him. "Missed me?"

"Yes."

That catches me off guard. "Wow. That was... straightforward."

He straightens up, meeting my gaze. "Dylan, I'm sorry."

"An apology?" I raise a brow, leaning back.

"You've needed one," He says.

"Yeah. I have."

"For everything," He adds. "For anything I've ever done to hurt you."

I hum, turning back to the screen. "Could've been better, but I'll take it."

"Why are you acting like this?"

"It's Halloween. I thought I'd be left alone with my movies."

"Movies are better with a partner."

I snort, chuckling.

Grayson doesn't laugh. He just stares, his expression unreadable.

Grayson King

He's impossible.

Dylan's eyes are fixed on the screen, but my focus is entirely on him. His dark bangs fall over his face in a way that drives me insane, and the light from the TV reflects in his blue eys, making them looks even brighter against the freckles dotting his pale skin.

Everything about him pulls me in, and every day I spend around him, it gets harder to keep my distance.

I'm seconds away from saying something I shouldn't when he speaks.

"Grayson."

"Yeah?"

I snap out of it, realizing I've been caught staring.

"Stop being a creep and go refiill the candy bowl outside. Some little shit just stole all of it."

"On it," I mutter, grateful for the excuse to move.

I grab another bag of candy from the kitchen and step outside. Before I can refill the bowl, I spot Jason strolling up the driveway with some chick.

"Jason?" I call out, confused.

"Grayson, my man!" He says, grinning. "What's up?"

"Just hanging out with Dylan. What are you doing here?"

Jason points to the chick. "This is Alicya. I told her about Dylan, and she wanted to meet him."

I blink at him. "You brought a stranger to Dylan's house?"

"She's cool!" Jason insists. "Alicya, this is Grayson."

"Alicya," I say, offering her a tight smile. "Go home. Happy Halloween."

Jason frowns. "Dude, you're ruining the night."

"No, you're ruining the night. Do you even know this girl? Do you know about stranger danger?"

"Stranger anger doesn't apply to adults, Grayson."

"It applies to idiots like you," I snap, grabbing him by the arm. "Get inside."

"But-"

"Now."

I shove him through the door, slamming it behind us.

"Jason?" Dylan's voice drifts from the living room.

"Dylan, my love!" Jason announces, barreling toward him.

Dylan glares. "What happened? And don't touch me, you're covered in green paint or something."

"Jason tried to bring a random chick over," I explain.

Jason grins sheepishly. "For you!"

"For me?" Dylan repeats, crossing his arms.

"Her name's Alicya," Jason says proudly.

Dylan pinches the bridge of his nose.

"She was cute! I thought you'd hit it off!"

"Jason, never bring a random chick to my house again," Dylan growls. "And I swear to God, if you ever call me you 'love' again, I'll throw you out myself."

"Dylan, I just want you to be happy," Jason whines. "Is it so bad I want a niece or nephew someday?"

"And we're done here," Dylan says, shoving both of us toward the door. "Out. I need peace."

"Dylan-" I start, but he cuts me off with a pointed glare.

"Out."

The door slams shut, leaving Jason and me on the porch.

"Sheesh," Jason mutters. "Tough crowd."

"You're unbelievable," I snap, smacking him upside the head.

"Love you too, Grayson," He says, grinning as he heads back toward his car.
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Uploaded 10/31/24
Edited 01/19/25

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