▽ Tiffany Alvord Cover Of Pompeii

               ➣ twelve

''Ugh! Julie stop, you obviously have never heard of the word perfection'' Lydia critique while I was on top of the ladder, trying to set up all of her speakers evenly.

''Get down, I'll do it''.

I snorted at how strict and serious Lydia's décor mode was, making my way down the ladder.

Kira and I were currently helping Lydia decorate her house for the Halloween party that's stating in just a few hours, and it seems that this party was last minute because Lydia was completely stressed out that she even forgot about buying drinks -which is actually what Kira is doing right now-.

''Okay, I got some diet cokes-'' Kira started once she entered Lydia's house, listing off the things she bought from the store, but was quickly interrupted by Lydia.

''Diet?!?''.

''I-I thought you said-''.

''No, I Did Not! Ugh, did you at least get the Bud Lights?'' She questioned, practically pleading that something had gone right.

''Yeah''. Kira sighed, relief to no longer have an angered Lydia in presence.

I shook my head while taking a deep breath.

× × ×

''There, done''. Ariella smacked her red glossy lips in front of the mirror, her light brown hair braided down her back. I stared at her, my heart being surrounded by warmth as she smiled so eagerly at her own reflection. She was so happy to know that it is once again that night when everyone get's to dress up into another person they please, and to be treated with free candy.

Halloween.

This year, Ariella decided on dressing upon one of the Disney princess classics, Princess Jasmine. I on the other hand decided to go against Halloween for this year, I technically wasn't in the spirit to put much effort in a costume. But with Ariella, it's worth it.

''I really wish you dressed up this year mommy'' Ariella whined, eyeing my reflection with sad and pleading eye's.

''Maybe next year''. I pecked her forehead before taking off from on top of the sink. She released a displeased sigh, running to her room to grab her bag.

× × ×

''Trick Or Treat'' A group of kids chanted at the counter of Basile Café. Alice stood behind it, dressed as The Queen Of Hearts from Alice In Wonderland.

She popped her gum while saying, ''Sorry kids, we ran out of candy. Happy Halloween though''.

Their shoulders slumped in disappointment as they walked out of the store. Ariella and I walked up and while Ariella looked confused of why I brought her to a place that held no candy, I smirked knowingly at Alice who was obnoxiously chewing her gum loudly with that same smirk.

''That's the sister?''.

I nodded in response.

She looked around to make sure no kids were around to listen before leaning over the counter to look at Ariella.

''Hey kid? Want some candy?''.

I threw my head back to erupt a roar of laughter of how she sounded exactly like a rapist.

× × ×

I crumbled up another wrapper of Snickers, tossing it into the bag laid on the floor as Alice, Ariella and I sat on boxes stored in the back, happily eating candy.

''Okay let me guess.. Grandma made you dress up to bring in trick or treaters?''. I giggled as I watched her swallow her last bite of a Hershey bar.

''She bought me a Strawberry Shortcake costume Jules''.

I laughed again as Ariella was off in her own world, picking out candy that seemed pleased to her liking. Her eye's were wide at the options laid in front of her.

''Say why didn't you dress up?'' She asked as she opened a pack of Skittles.

''I wasn't up for it'' I replied, stealing a green skittle from her.

A distant yet audible scream had startled us all, our bodies flinching as we moved our heads in the direction at the wall -that Alice and I just so happen to sit beside-. Alice and I traded glances when it suddenly became quiet.

''Someone probably got prank it-'' Alice reassured, but was interrupted by more screams. We all got up but Alice put up a hand.

''Stay here, I'm gonna go check what's going on''.

She left the room, the door slowly closing behind her.

''Mommy is she gonna be okay?'' Ariella whispered, looking up at me with her eye's glistening from the tears that are starting to form.

''Yes, she is'' I answered.

We sat and waited but nothing was heard yet Alice never returned. That is, until the familiar tune of the ambulance was loud and clear from outside.

I picked up Ariella, keeping my grip securely of her on my hip as I walked us out from the back, entering a messy Café.

The ambulance was just in front of the place with police cars coming into sight. I walked out of the Café and looked around to find no sight of Alice.

''Alice!'' I called.

Some people stopped their actions to stare at me as I looked around the crowd for a costume red head, lost as to where to go.

''Mommy..'' Ariellla mumbled as she pointed to someone on the stretcher, entering the vehicle.

It was Alice, soaked with nothing but blood.

''Oh my god'' I whispered almost breathlessly. My throat became dry as a big lump appeared in it. My eye's rapidly -and practically- investigated her injuries that I didn't even notice I was crying until Ariella wiped the liquid from my cheeks.

Blood was everywhere. Possibly from up close you couldn't even see the source of where the blood was leaking from. It could have been from her neck, or her arms, or her cab muscles, or from her sides.

'What the hell coud have happened?'.

× × ×

Exhausted but still wide awake, I entered my apartment with Ariella still carried at my side just ready to hit the lights.

''Hey'' Lydia greeted, once I walked further into my home. To be quite honest, I didn't even notice they were here, and because of that, I jumped at the sudden shock, almost dropping Ariella.

''Hey, what are you guys doing here? Aren't you all at that party?'' I questioned while rubbing my eye's to get rid of my tiredness for the sake of my company.

''She cancelled it early so we can come see how the little one's first Halloween in Beacon Hills turned out'' Kira budged in, smiling genuinely at the tired princess.

''Different'' Ariella simply answered.

''We didn't mean to intrude by the way, we just wanted to see you guys, because you know.. It's Halloween'' Stiles stated awkwardly.

''Yeah and I couldn't help but browse you're dvd collection and saw one named Ariella's first and second Halloween. Mind if we watch?'' Malia asked, politely. Too politely.

''Sure''.

Scott remained in his seat while Kira and Lydia returned to their seats on the couch, Stiles taking a seat on the recliner while Malia set in the disk.

Ariella forced herself out of my, only to rush over to Stiles to sit on his lap, cuddling into him. I watched extremely carefully to see how he react. He in fact wrapped both of his arms around her, both Stiles and Ariella smiling as they leaned back.

I stared at them, suppressing the urge to smile of how perfect this view was.

'It could be this perfect everyday If you told him', my subconscious nagged.

Huh, fat chance.

Malia sat on the floor beside the recliner as the little home movie started playing.

''Look how excited she is'' Violet giggled.

Back in Arizona, Violet was my only friend and she had not only supported my child care for Ariella but helped me through my school work and basically life. She was a junior by the time we had met.

''She's dressed as a lady bug''. I laughed as I strolled the stroller through down the pavement.

''You know what I mean''.

The video was cut to a later part to where we stopped in front of a house, an elder giving a load full of candy.

''Trick Or Treat!''.

Ariella only held the bag up, wanting candy as well as the group of kids.

Ariella was next in line and just when she was going to get candy, a boy came back and moved his bag in front, to quick for the elder to realize before dropping the candy in the bag. Sadly it was actually the last of the candy she had.

''Did that brat just do that?'' I questioned as he started to walk away triumphantly.

The camera landed on Ariella to see her go into her bag to take out a grape Jolly Rancher, only to be thrown at the back of the boys leg.

He turned around confused and Ariella took that as the chance to spit her tongue out.

I couldn't help but laugh, remembering how angry Ariella was that night. She didn't even wanna keep trick or treating after that.

''Who knew Ariella had a mean side'' Lydia commented as she laughed along.

''Screw that I would've gotten out of the stroller and thrown it at him instead and look like a angry little midget- Do you know how funny they look when their mad?'' Stiles added, having us laughing hysterically.

The video was cut to the year Ariella was the age of two, which by that time she was able to walk, only her words weren't quite there to form in proper sentences.

''Ring Candy!'' She cheered as she ran over to a house that only handed out Ring Pops.

I started to get nervous because by the time Ariella was two she was already calling me mommy.

''Hey uh-'' I yawned, getting everyone's attention.

''Nothing much happens in this part, and Ariella and I have been through enough today as it is-''.

''What happened?'' Scott immediately questioned but I shook my head.

''I'll tell you tomorrow but right now, I think it'd be best if we get some rest'' I finished, going over to the my blu-ray player, turning off the home movie.

''Okay..'' Lydia replied weary of my sudden attitude. She stood up and stretch, as did everyone else but Stiles remained in his seat.

''Stiles, we gotta-'' Malia started but he shhed her. That's when we all noticed Ariella was asleep in his lap.

''I got her'' I whispered but he thought otherwise.

''I'll do it for you''.

He carefully stood, carrying her bridal style while taking her down the hall into her room.

''We'll see you on Monday Juliet'' Kira stated, giving me a hug before leaving. Lydia did the same except for Malia and Scott, they just walked out without another word.

Malia I understood, Scott not so much.

''She's in bed'' Stiles affirmed. I nodded with a small grateful smile.

''Thank you''.

He nodded, engulfing me into a hug, one that wasn't nearly as awkward from when we first hug. In fact this hug was more comfortable. He released me from his grip, heading out afterwards.

'Today has truly been a long day'.