Jack-Oh-Lights

The Lights are Acting off

I could only sigh in relief when I finished carving the Jack-o-Lantern. I hadn't been invited to the party, as to be expected, but they decided I should do all the carving. And by they, I meant the popular kids. As much as I hated them, I couldn't do anything about it. I never played any sports, never got affiliated with any popular cliques, and was low on the high school hierarchy. School is cruel like that.

Placing the Jack-o-Lantern in my cart, which was already full of Jack-O-Lanterns, I started to pull. It felt like excessive torture, like they picked this job for me on purpose. Actually, that wouldn't surprise me. It's a mutual dislike, but judging by how bad the bruises would be if I didn't do this, I had no other choice.

I could hear their taunting laughs as I recalled all the times they did me wrong. Taking lunch money. Pouring water on my seat. All the insults and blames being yelled in my ears. All the loneliness caused by rumors. I wish I could have a friend.

As I was walking, I noticed a street light flickering. It'd be on for one second, off the next. It was kinda horrifying. I've been known to be sensitive to jump scares, and I thought it was a trick. Yet despite my consciousness yelling at me to stop, my body kept moving forward.

Once I got close enough, I could see a familiar figure laughing at someone. Ellie seemed to have changed targets and I was no longer her only victim. The other person, a girl, was begging for the insults to stop. She had no costume, so I could assume she was also not invited. 

I walked forward, wanting to step in. It was as if any logic was thrown out the window. Ellie was also my bully, so I'd be in for a bigger beating when we next met, but I couldn't stop myself from glaring at her.

"Aaren?" Ellie questioned. "What's with the glare? Reality catch up to you for once?"

I could feel my frown deepening. "No. I'm mad you're tormenting someone over something out of their control." Keeping eye contact, I felt my blood boil more. "You're ruining someone's Halloween. Don't you have some party to be at?"

"Yeah, but this was a mere past time," Ellie answered, scoffing. "It's about to start anyway. You better bring those carvings over Aaren." She said my name with such venom it made me want to destroy those Jack-o-lanterns. Once she was out of sight, I offered a hand to the girl.

"Thanks," she sniffled and took my hand. "I'm guessing you're...Aaren. I'm Summer. I wish we could've met under better circumstances." She introduced herself as she wiped her eyes.

"Nice to meet you Summer," I reply with a smile. "Don't worry about circumstances. Let's just enjoy our own Halloween."

"I'd like that," Summer replied, smiling. And I smiled back. Because I'd finally found a friend.