3Below One Shots

Halloween

Pumpkins, ghosts, and fake webbing decorated the streets. Children ran giggling door to door, bags bulging with sweets. Aja stood by the door, handing a young kid a twix while she waited for Steve.

The pair were going to a halloween party that night, one that Steve promised would be 'totally lit' and that it was a teenager experience that couldn't be missed. Krell had chosen not to go, saying that a movie would be more fun, but Aja suspected that he wanted to eat their stash of candy. It was fine, since it would give her more time with Steve.

Steve showed up in the next five minutes. He stood at the door and looked Aja up and down with a grin, eyes shining. He was dressed as Jack Skellington, from one of the halloween movies that he had convinced Aja to watch with him. She liked it, and she liked Steve's costume even more.

Aja didn't feel the same about her own 'costume'. She was going as her true self, and there was a nagging fear in the back of her mind that someone would figure out the truth. Steve did his best to assure her that nobody would know, but it was still hard. Even so, the little kids had said nothing about it apart from 'cool costume!' before they ran off to the next homes.

"You look great."

"I look how I always do though."

"I know."

Aja grinned and Steve kissed her forehead. "You're sure that nobody will know?" Steve nodded. "I promise. Eli won't be there and everyone else will just think it's a cool costume, trust me. But if you're really that nervous about it, I won't force you."

Steve opened his bag and pulled out a bundle of clothes. "I brought a Sally costume for you just in case. I don't sew very well so my mom helped... "

The teenager's face was red with embarrassment. "I know it's not very good-" Aja cut him off with an excited squeal and hugged him. "Oh Steve! It's perfect!" She excused herself to go change, genuinely touched by Steve's gesture.

The costume, despite Steve's fears, looked beautiful on Aja, who had the capacity to wear anything with the dignity of a queen, whether it be rags or jewels.

Steve took Aja's hand and led her to his car, his smile never leaving his face.