October
Halloween
I tap the microphone. "Play something spooky," I tell my phone during my warm-up in the bathroom because music gets me going.
"Right Before My Eyes" by Cage the Elephant comes on.
Seeing myself in the mirror, I realize how dumb I look portraying Naruto for the third year in a row. But, it's what must happen if I am to show these villagers that I...am the true hokage...of Maple Park!
You could've been Noonan like Kenzie pushed.
True. I could've been Indiana Jones over a Power Ranger. I can't get over it. That's who Evansville always thought I was.
"Stephen! Mackenzie's waiting!"
Going downstairs feels like I'm going to some awkward school dance. I'm skipping every other step, revealing myself to the young, hysterical Earhart in my living room. Kenzie. She's gone all out with the period clothing, the darker, shorter hair, and even this thrift store ascot.
Aw! You're flushing.
"Closer!"
I don't think Earhart ever ran into Naruto. But, you know...why not? If it gets me away from Mom and her camera, then yeah.
"Smile!"
I look over at Kenzie. How is this girl remotely shy?
"Are you guys ready?" Dad asks.
Remember to send Peter and Jack a copy of that photo!
Outside, the sun starts its descent, leaving behind its nippy glow as far as my blurry eyes can see down Dobson Street. Streetlights aren't on yet, but I can see porches ready for picking. A band of pirates go by (whoever they are). They probably think I look like an orange idiot.
When has Naruto ever worn glasses like I have to? Never. Whiskers? Yeah. Eye black. It's all over my face. But, not glasses. Kenzie's into it, but I think she's just saying that because I'm her friend.
You know, because...why not?
Just be yourself and have fun.
"So, here's the plan," Kenzie says. "There is no plan. Just follow me, and by the end, we'll have enough candy to last the rest of the year."
"...If we don't finish it tonight."
Tonight. Our sleepover. We turned my room into a camping ground with a tent made of throw blankets. That, candy, and cheap ghost stories should make for quite the night when we get back.
YOU ARE READING
Earhart & Noonan: An "Us Club" Novel (#1)(NaNoWriMo15)
Teen FictionFor the first twelve years of Stephen Vaughn's life, just trying to get others around him to pronounce his first name the right way ("Stee-vehn Vawn") has felt like the hardest task he's had to try and cope with. That is, until his perfect life with...
