As Always (drafts; on hold)

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE ♥ Halloween

"Do you have anything to do this Halloween?" Dad asks

me.

"Uhh, the school party, but I don't want to come. I have no plans other than that. Why, you want to trick-or-trick-ing?" I'm infront of my laptop.

"Not me, but Dana does."

"Dana?" I look at him.

"Yes, Alice said Dana likes to go with you. That's your choice, though. You can say no."

"Sure I will come. Maybe this is the first step of our sisterhood." I smile.

"Really? You will?"

I nod.

"I thought it will not be that easy. If it's against you, just say it."

I laugh. "It is all in my will to spend my Halloween with Dana. Wait, what about Andrew?"

"I don't know if he will come, but Dana will be sure."

I stand. "Okay, I will just prepare my outfit for tomorrow."

"Sure." He touch the door handle but before leaving he adds, "Annie, this will mean so much. Thanks."

~~~~~~~

I plan to wear something simple. After he left, I go to my closet. I found a glistening dress which perfectly fits me. Now, I just have to find my old butterfly wings I used Halloweens ago.

First, I check the vacant rooms in our house. Then, when I still can't find it, I check the attic. Boxes and boxes of old things, just from dad and me. I found a box and open it. I saw a pic of us three on a Halloween. Maybe I am just five, or six. I have no idea. Dad is in a king costume, I am in a bee costume and mom is in a creepy white lady I usually see in horror, which makes me laugh because I actually remember I am really scared to her that time. You know, kid stuffs. Another picture is when I was a little older than the first one. This time, dad is in a pirate costume, I am a little butterfly same as what mom is wearing. We were so identical. It is like I am a small version of her or she is the large version of the little me.

In both pictures, there is a cake infront of us. I think it was just for Halloween, but I look closer and see it is a birthday cake. A tear escape my eye when I realize it is mom's. That's why we celebrate Halloweens so special because it is my mother's birthday. I forgot it all these years because there is actually no point of celebrating the birthday party of someone who is actually dead. Dad didn't remind me... Maybe that is also the reason why dad buy cupcakes every year and placing it on an end table beside his bed. I asked him once about it. He told me it is an offering for souls. Halloween is actually a ritual in ancient times, it is a special day where metaphysical beings dwells with normal beings here on Earth.

I look deeper in the box. There is the dress mom wore in the second pic. Pink and sparkling. There is the wings too! It looks like new. There are also a two smaller boxes. One is a pair of marvelous shoes that perfectly fits me same with the dress. The other box is my costume. The minimized butterfly.

I take the huge box down to my room with all the things inside it. Now I have a perfect Halloween costume.

~~~~~~~~~~

I eat lunch with dad.

"You have costume already?" He asks.

"Yep." The doorbell rang. "I'll take it." I answer the door and see Alice and Dana.

"Hi, Stefannie." Alice says.

"Hello, come in. Dad's in the dining, have you eaten lunch?" I help take the paper bag she is holding.