Ocean

For the first time since I was about five, I was being forced into Halloween. It had been long enough that I forgot it even existed.

When Hayden brought it up over dinner, I dropped my fork in surprise.

"We always celebrate it with a party and candy," he spoke casually. "And well we were all thinking of going in couples costumes." I stared at Hayden in disbelief.

"Vira even suggested we all do a group costume for fun." Hayden grinned, "but she couldn't think of anything we all liked."

I nodded slowly.

"So what would you wanna do?"

I shrugged.

"You get to decide for me and you." Hayden rolled his eyes. "According to everyone I suck at Halloween."

Sighing, I nodded and went back to my dinner.

"I need to know by tonight."

I didn't lift my head to glare at him. But if I would have, I would be in so much trouble.

I pulled my notebook out grudgingly.

Wonderland, Disney, Harry Potter. I slid the note over to him and went back to pushing my food around my plate.

"Wonderland. That's a new one." Hayden smirked. "Maybe we can pull off a group with that one." I watched as Hayden pulled out his phone.

Three days later, Hayden showed up with a giant dress and a list of things that were probably going to happen on Halloween. Something I wasn't expecting but it was a nice gesture. It gave me a day to prepare for the worst.

It was finally Halloween. I was waiting for a bit to get ready cuz I needed Hayden's room to myself, but my reading was interrupted by a loud crash.

I got up hurriedly, heading to the kitchen, to see where noise had come from.

I stopped short, trying not to laugh.

In the middle of the kitchen stood Hayden. At his feet, glad shards lay. The look on his face was one of fear and guilt.

I rolled my eyes I moved carefully around, Picking up the larger pieces up while forcing Hayden to sit down in the chair at the bar.

He had dropped the large glass bowl that we have. I tried to be careful but I felt the sharp sting in my palm knowing a new cut had formed.

I shooed Hayden out of the kitchen to get ready as I pulled out the broom to clean up.

Once all the glass was clear up. I started preparing for when Hayden's friends came.

They had apologized for what they said, even though it wasn't really needed. It wasn't like they were wrong. I mean who wants to be with me. I got lucky he even agreed to this.

A knock on the door interrupted my thoughts. I rushed over to let in two of Hayden's friends, greeting them with a wave.

I started up the stairs knowing that I would need to start getting ready.

I entered Hayden's room, not bothering to knock. That was a mistake. Grabbing my dress I Stepped out of the closet and ran right into a strong chest.

A bare chest. My dress slipped from my fingers, and I got lucky Hayden caught me. Only now I'm pressed against Hayden's chest. Finally I got the courage to look up at him, making eye contact. Time seemed to freeze as he stood there, holding me close.

"You ok?" His voice sounded deeper than it normally did. I nodded slowly without breaking eye contact. His sparkling green eyes almost looked like they were glowing against the shadows on his face. It was so beautiful to look at.

He stared back, his eyes glanced down my face slowly, before up in my eyes again. Slowly he leaned down till our faces were barely an inch apart.

My breath caught in my throat, the scent of his cologne filled my nose. He smelled good.

The click of a camera interrupted the moment. Both of our attention was drawn to the doorway where Jayden, I believe, stood. He had his phone out, directed at us. Behind him, Nicola was pulling him out the door.

Hayden let me go and I immediately stumbled stupidly. Hayden caught me by the shoulders this time.

"Are you ok?" His hand dropped to my waist to steady me. I Nodded quickly, reverting my gaze to the floor to find my dress and hightailing into the bathroom.

Once the door was locked, I dropped to the floor, my heart pounding. What was that? Taking a couple deep breaths, I tried to compose myself.

I pulled my dress on before it dawned on me. I would need help with the lace up back.

I heard a knock on the door and my heart jumped into my throat.

"Hey, do you need any help getting ready?" When I heard Viras' voice my heart dropped slightly. I unlocked the door and let her into the bathroom. She was dressed with her hair curled already.

"Here, let me lace you up."

The dress itself was a piece of art. It had a corset style top with full sleeves. It was made of a deep maroon fabric with a layer of black lace overtop. The skirt had two parts to it. I wore fishnets underneath the skirt that reached just above my knee. It had two layers of black tulle petticoat underneath. Worn over that attached to the belt that was fastened around my waist was a skirt that reached the floor and then some. It flowed out behind me. It was not a full skirt. It didn't cover the front to show the underskirt and to make walking easier.

Vira left to finish her costume.

Sitting alone in front of the mirror, I started the makeup transformation. I had a photo of the red queen on the counter next to me. Vira helped style my hair up in two buns. In front of my lay an array of brushes and sponges.

Glancing in the mirror, memories from my first and last Halloween flowed through my mind. I was five at the time. We were all getting dressed up, me, my mom, my dad and my grandparents. I was going trick or treating for the first time.

Glancing at the picture I had, I looked in the mirror again. Time to make some creative choices.

Putting in the final touches on the heart around my eye, I applied a deep red shade to my lips and stood admiring myself in the mirror. I slipped the healed boots that stood ready on. Zipping them up, I grabbed the scepter that lay with them and pulled my attitude out. I slammed the door of Hayden's room open and stepped out into the hallway.

I heard the chatter from the living room die slowly. Gripping the homemade scepter in one hand and my skirt in the other, I took my first steps to the stairs.

My heart raced faster with each step. Reaching the stairs I glanced down at the living room, I noted that everyone was watching me. I grabbed the stair bannister, letting my dress fall. The clicking of my heels against the stairs was the only sound. They echoed in the silence.

Reaching the bottom of the stairs, Hayden greeted me with his hand. "Your Majesty." He dipped down into a bow.

I glanced around, my lips pursed. The Cheshire cat, the caterpillar and the mad hatter all dropped as they should. My gaze met the White Queens and she greeted me with a simple nod.

Finally, the Cheshire cat broke the silence by bursting out laughing, followed by the other three. I let a soft giggle escape.

Hayden was dressed as Time. He wore all black with massive shoulder pads. He had a false moustache on. A handlebar moustache no less. his hat stood awkwardly tall on his head.

Vira grinned and gave me a big hug, which wasn't easy in her large ballgown. Nick returned his hat to his head with a wacky grin that matched him so well.

Nicola Bound over with a Cheshire grin on her face. The mischievous glint in her eye was all too fitting.