Right Uppercut

Chapter 12

“Boo!” Someone grabbed my shoulders from behind me at my locker. I didn’t jump in surprise.

“Ty, you know you have a very distinctive, loud step, right?” I turned to him, slamming my locker closed. “Plus, we’re the only two in the hallway.”

He crossed his arms with an amused expression. “You cutting, too?”

I shook my head. “No, I had a little emergency.”

He raised his eyebrows. “Right,” he drawled.

As proof, I held up the tampon in my hand, making his eyes widen. “Hey, you asked for it.” He stiffened for a moment at the uncomfortable moment and I smiled smugly in response.

“So,” he cleared his throat. “While I have you here, I should tell you the great news.”

I just stared at him, ever the conversational type.

“Well, Nick and I have touched our festive sides, with the help of Mitch, and decided to throw a Halloween party,” he smiled and bounced on his feet. “You’re our first formal invite.”

“I am honored,” I deadpanned. In truth, though, I was feeling both apprehensive and excited. Mitch would have more control of this. When I went (and let’s be real, I had no choice), I wouldn’t have to leave early, heartbroken and in tears because of Ethan unexpectedly being there.

“Hey, at least you heard it from me,” he held up his hands. “So, what do you say? It’s costume required, by the way.”

“Oh god,” I mumbled, thinking of the possible plans Mitch probably had. “But, yeah, I mean I can’t really say no, right?”

He laughed. “No, but you could’ve tried playing that game with Mitch.”

I shrugged and waved my hand. “Been there, done that.” I chuckled. “But, I should go. I have some more… pressing matters and Koosher might assume I’m having bigger problems going on for being in the bathroom so long.”

Tyson stepped away and grimaced. “Oh, Yeah. That.”

I rolled my eyes and started walking down the hallway. “See ya, Ty!”

I turned to see him wave, still standing in the hallway with a disgusted look. Boys.

***

“Oh my god,” I said as I walked into the foyer of Tyson’s house. “I can’t believe you actually did that.”

“Hosts that are tied together stay together,” Nick trilled as he and Tyson pulled liquor out of the cabinet.

I watched two of my friends struggle to pull glass bottles out of the cabinet while they remained attached as a set of boobs. That’s right, Tyson and Nick were dressed up as boobs for Halloween. Of course, the “bra” holding them together was very lacy, but I was still in shock.

“Should I have gotten streamers? I should’ve gotten streamers,” Mitch fussed as he hurried into the room.

He was looking at me, as if I were the final decision maker of this streamer dilemma, but I could only stare at him.

“Mitch… what are you supposed to be?” I asked tentatively. He stood before me in a short denim skirt, a striped sweater and argyle socks. His feet were clad in ugly, chunky clogs and he was wearing a black wig.

He was looking a mess.

“I’m Megan Parker, from Drake and Josh,” he smiled, then pointed to Tyson and Nick, who had fallen to the ground and looked like two turtles struggling to get up. “And they’re my two boobs.”