Reconstructing Amelia (unedited)

Chapter 22

October 31st, 2019:

"So," Neo said, plopping down beside me in Alan's designated seat. "What are your Halloween plans?" he asked.

"I don't have plans tonight, why?" He looked taken aback, a slight grin on his face.

"You don't go out on Halloween?" I shrugged.

"No, I never have," I replied honestly, not really seeing what the big deal was.

"You mean you've never been trick-or-treating?" I shook my head. I knew what he was talking about, I'd just never participated before. I'd seen other kids doing it back home but Ella and I were always locked inside on that night.

"Well, would you like to?" Neo asked, his eyes gentle. "I'm taking my sisters out tonight. Maybe you and Javi would like to come along?" I felt butterflies in my stomach again, a warm fluttery feeling tingling through my body.

"We don't have costumes or anything," I admitted. Neo leaned forward with a shrug.

"You guys can borrow something from my house," he told me. "I'm sure we have plenty of stuff from last year," A soft smile graced my lips.

"Are you sure that's okay?" I asked. He nodded.

"Is that a yes?" I blushed.

"Yes," I answered. He grinned.

"Good. Meet at my house at six-thirty?"

"We'll be there,"

***

"Are you excited?" I asked Javi softly as we climbed up the steps to the Mendosa house. He grinned widely, his eyes bright. Ben had made his own Halloween plans, as he'd told me he was spending the night out a bar or somewhere equally vulgar.

I knocked on the door, waiting for a response. Felix opened the door, surprisingly, studying me with a slight frown on his face, but he stepped aside for us to come in, muttering something inaudibly in Spanish before he closed the door.

"Neo! ¡Tu amigo está aquí!" He yelled up the stairs. There was no response and he sighed. "He's on the third floor, first door on the left," I forced a small smile.

"Grazie," I whispered before leading Javi up the first flight of stairs. I searched around for the second staircase before finding a small metal spiral that led to the last floor. I followed Felix's instructions, coming to a halt right outside Neo's bedroom. I knocked softly.

"Neo? It's Mia and Javi," The door opened rather quickly, revealing Neo standing in front of me, wearing joggers and a t-shirt. He grinned as he saw us.

"Hey guys," he said, gesturing inside. "Come on in," Emilio - who was sprawled across his bed - promptly shot upright and gave us a cautious wave. Their bedroom was surprisingly tidy; with dark blue walls and several posters tacked up in clusters. There was a variety of clothes and accessories lying out on the bed, looking like costume pieces.

"I brought up some stuff, you guys can choose," Neo told us, gesturing to the bed. Javi immediately went and started filtering through the items. He eventually held up a tall red and white striped hat, putting on his head.

"Sorella, guarda! Sono il gatto e il cappello matto!" Javi giggled. I smiled.

"Sì, ti piacerebbe che ci fosse il papillon?" Neo asked him, holding up a matching red bow tie. Javi excitedly said 'yes' and Neo helped him fasten it to his sweatshirt collar.

"Now all we need to do is draw on some whiskers and you're all set," Neo told him with a smile. "Do you want to pick out something for your beautiful sister?" Javi nodded and dug through the pile some more before pulling out a headband with big round mouse ears attached with a red bow.