Chapter Five: Happiest Halloween

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The next night was just as exciting as everyone promised, if not more. Micheal had been blown away as he helped decorate the outside with lights and paper bats, watching the area come to life as everyone worked. By dinner time the place was twinkling with orange lights, a fire pit further from the house, and a large clearing left for dancing. Erica started the music as neighbors began showing up, and soon there was nothing but excited energy as people began eating, talking, and dancing. Mr. Maes brought out more caramel apples, the nearest neighbor Ms. Bell brought a large pumpkin pie, and a few others brought different types of casseroles. The Maes siblings quickly dug into the food much to the neighbor's delight, and Edward came up to Micheal with a spoonful of pie, his mouth full, insisting that Micheal try it.

"Ish de-hish-ush!" He mumbled, swallowing awkwardly when his mother gave him a look. Micheal laughed, eating it as he was told, his eyes widening.

"Oh wow!" It was delicious. He and Edward shared the spoon, handing it back and forth as they ate with gusto. Ms. Bell was ecstatic, to say the least, and looking rather smug as she stared at Mr. Maes, who glared back.

"Seem's my pie is good." She said. Mr. Maes smiled thinly.

"Oh yeah, yeah, sure. Good... But mines still better." Ms. Bell scoffed a laugh.

"Really? How about you ask your son or his friend?"

"Boyfriend, actually," Edward spoke up without glancing back. Ms. Bell gawked.

"Ah, oh, I see. Yes... that. The pie?" She asked. Edward and Micheal glanced at each other, humming.

"We're in trouble no matter how we answer," Micheal started and Edward nodded.

"Yeah, I don't want to risk the chance that either of you gets so upset about the answer that you stop making pies, so we're gonna stay quiet on the matter." They turned back to the pie as Ms. Bell and Mr. Maes argued behind them. Micheal glanced up when the sound of a wagon came up the dirt road. Edward brightened, grabbing Micheal's hand and dragging him forward as the wagon full of hay pulled forward, the black horse pulling it letting out a huff. Micheal laughed as Edward buzzed with energy, looking like a kid on Christmas. Erica, Tom, and Ethan all came up as well, along with two twin girls from a few houses down and Mr. Maes who went to talk with the driver of the wagon. 

"The hayride! Who wants to go?" Erica asked, looking around. 

"Me!" Tom said, jumping on the back, quickly joined by one of the twins. Edward turned to Micheal, grinning.

"You want to do it?" He asked. Micheal nodded.

"Sure." They climbed up, sitting next to each other on one of the bales of hay. A few minutes later they were off, waving at the other partygoers as they quickly faded from view. Micheal looked around in awe as they rode into the surrounding forest, the aspen tree leaves a collection of bright yellows, reds, and oranges. A cool breeze whipped by, causing fallen leaves to swirl and dance down the dirt path, birds and other small animals searching for food. Edward grabbed Micheal's hand, smiling at him, and Micheal smiled back even as his heart jumped into his throat. Yeah, everything about the ride was really beautiful. The moment was broken when Tom stuck his head between them, gripping them both by the shoulders.

"Smoochy smoochy! Man, we should'a let you two ride alone! Your mushy looks are gonna make me throw up!" Edward shoved him with a laugh, his cheeks red.

"Stop looking then!" 

"Yeah!" Erica chimed in. "They're cute! Leave them alone!" Micheal blushed as Edward rolled his eyes, turning back to him and grabbing his hand again.

"Sorry." He said. Micheal shook his head.

"Don't be, it's fine. Are you having fun?" Edward nodded excitedly.

"Are you?"

"Lots. This has been great. Thanks again for inviting me." Edward smiled brightly, and Micheal's heart stuttered at the sight. They enjoyed the rest of the ride, laughing as Erica and the twin kept Tom in his place. When the wagon stopped they were in front of a small pumpkin patch, and Edward led him to it quickly.

"Pick any pumpkin you want, the bigger the better!" Micheal looked around, grabbing one of the first pumpkins he saw and examining it. It was almost perfectly round with a small curly vine protruding from the top. He smiled, holding it in his arms and watching everyone else as they continued to look. Tom found a pumpkin that looked like it had been bashed in, its side badly dented, and oddly decided that he wanted it. Erica picked a small pumpkin because she thought it looked cute. Edward found the most ridiculously large pumpkin in the patch and hefted it above his head, muscles flexing under his shirt as he, somehow, managed to carry it to the wagon. Micheal was not going to acknowledge how sexy that was. Nope. Not going to do it. The twin found a pumpkin that was just a little larger than Micheal's which had a large stem and nodded to herself as she picked it up. Satisfied, everyone climbed back on to the wagon and it rode off again, winding its way through the forest and back to the house as night descended. They all showed off their pumpkins, talking excitedly about what they'd carve into them and arguing about which pumpkin would be the best. Micheal squeezed Edward's hand tightly, smiling as he listened contently. The rest of the night went well; They had a pumpkin carving contest which the twin, who Micheal learned was Dasiy, won, and Micheal and Edward talked and ate. Even Micheal's new kitten joined the party, happily accepting pets from the partygoers. All in all, it was a great night, the best Micheal had had in a long time, and he found that he couldn't stop smiling even once he and Edward went to bed, Edward talking about handing out candy to trick-or-treaters and having a scary movie marathon. 

"You're good with the slasher films as long as they have bad special effects, so that's what we'll watch, and I bought a whole bag of candy before we left for the kids so we'll be prepared. Just wait, you'll love it, the kids always dress up in such cool costumes. And I think Pam and Carla said they'd swing by so that'll be fun! Ok, it's getting late, I'll be quiet now. Good night, Mike, I had a lot of fun." Micheal smiled softly.

"I did too. Good night, Ed." They snuggled into their respective blankets, Micheal shuffling a bit on the couch, still smiling dumbly at the dark ceiling. Yeah, this was definitely one of the Happiest Halloween's he's had in a long time.


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                               ∫∫∫∫∫ Fin ∫∫∫∫∫


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