Becoming a DeMarlo

34: "Too cliché?"

Chapter 34: "Too cliché?"

Before I knew it, it was Halloween day. 

We all sat around our table at lunch, deciding on the last-minute details of our plans for the night.

We had agreed on Inside Out, mostly because Sara claimed group costumes were "mandatory for female friendship." Naturally, I had been assigned Sadness.

I had yet to tell my friends that I would be accompanied by security.

I opened my mouth to mention this detail, then immediately closed it. There was no casual way to say, By the way, several grown men may be stalking us through Lulu's house tonight.

"So tonight's mission is going to be finding me a new girlfriend," Sara insisted, immediately making Tamika roll her eyes.

"You just broke up with Penny a month ago, Sara. You can take a break for once."

"A month is a break!" Sara protested. "That's double the break we get for Christmas! I think it's time for me to get back in the playing field! And there's going to be people from outside our school at the party, so this is just a perfect opportunity."

"What about you, Maya? It's been a while since you've broken up with Tyler," Priya pointed out.

It had been a few weeks now, which somehow felt like both yesterday and a lifetime ago.

"I don't know," I answered, playing around with my food. "I guess we'll see what happens tonight."

—

As per Charlie's "requests", I would be getting ready at the house, and then joining the rest of the girls at the party.

Lucky for my brothers, my costume was quite conservative — with a simple, pale blue turtleneck, blue jeans, round glasses, and blue sneakers. 

Sara wanted us to go the extra step with wigs and facepaint, but there was no way in hell I would go that far. 

"That's it?" Elijah asked, when I walked downstairs for Rick to drop me off.

All three of my brothers were gathered in the foyer, looking me over, for some reason.

My eldest brother was scrutinizing me as if he were searching for a violation and was only becoming increasingly annoyed that he couldn't find one. 

"Yeah? Why, what were you expecting?" 

"Nothing," Charlie answered for him. 

Jasper was sitting in the armchair to the side, watching the scene like he was really enjoying my public sentencing.

"Now, for the rules—" Elijah began, but I quickly interrupted.

"Yeah, yeah. No drinking, no talking to guys, and home by eleven."

"Eleven? Who the hell said eleven? Home by ten," Elijah ordered.

I looked at Charlie for help, but the traitor shrugged.

"Ten-thirty?" he compromised, making Elijah frown. 

"Fine," I gave in.

"Rick, Greg, and Fin will be standing guard outside the party," Charlie told me. "The rest of our men will be dispersed inside the house."

I sighed at the thought, but I knew arguing wouldn't get me anywhere, especially with Elijah standing right there. If he got what he wanted, I wouldn't be going anywhere. 

"Fine. Can I go now?" 

Charlie nodded, before enveloping me in a hug. 

"Have fun, kid."