Hayden

I pulled my costume on quickly, trying not to think about what had just happened.

I rushed downstairs to hear knocking on the door, opening it to reveal Nick and Vira. Nick was fully in costume, but Vira was simply wearing leggings and a t-shirt. Her hair and makeup was already done. She carried a large bag with what I assumed was her dress in it. She disappeared upstairs to finish getting ready as Nick and I made our way to the kitchen.

Ocean had gotten everything set up; I should have expected that as she's that amazing.
I mean she's beautiful, smart, talented, calm and yet somehow sarcastic and sassy at the same time. And yet she doesn't speak very often. All her personality shined though her actions.

I smiled at the thought of her.

"So, what happened." Nick grinned, wiggling his eyebrows at me.

"What do you mean."

"You are blushing." Nick grinned. "So, what happened?"

"N-Nothing." Fuuuuuuuck. Yeah, my stutter gave it away.

"Oh, that?" Jayden popped his head into the kitchen. He was wearing one of the most ridiculous things I had ever seen. He appeared to be wearing some sort of sleeping bag looking costume with a hood. It had legs attached to the sides, a lot of legs.

He motioned toward me with his pipe, "Here I have a picture."

Jayden pulled his phone out of his pocket.

"Oh fuck no. " I reached out in an attempt to grab his phone.

"Hands off lover boy." Jayden teased.

"OH?" Nick grinned at me.

"Hands are for the lady right?" Nick winked at me.

My face burned as I tried to hide the blush. I tried harder to get Jayden's phone.

"Children!" we all froze in place as Nicola stood leaning against the door frame.

She wore a purple striped dress, stiped tights and cat ears and paws.

"There's a queen waiting for you."

Nick quickly straightened his hat and hurried to follow his sister to the Livingroom.

Jayden and I followed, smiling at Vira who joined us in her elegant costume.

Nick, or should I say, the hatter rushed to her side. Jayden and I got a laugh out of his puppy face.

"Well, I think the party is almost ready." I smiled at them, and small conversations started among us.

The slamming of a door broke off all the sound. I rushed to the bottom of the stairs to greet Ocean. she walked with something I wasn't used to. none of us had seen it on her before. Attitude.

And damn, it was hot.

I wanted to kiss her so bad.

No. Not right now. No. Probably not for a while. NO. I took a breath trying to clear my thoughts. I hoped the feeling would pass as Ocean finally joined us in the living room.


The snacks that Ocean had set out on the table were picked at as we socialized.

We were getting kind of board, arguing about what to do. Finally, Vira jumped up and pulled a foam sword out of nowhere. "Sister." She pointed it at Ocean. "I challenge you to a duel."

Ocean unzipped her boots and tossed them aside. She stood with grace and thrust her scepter out in front of her at the ready squaring her shoulders. The power in her stance suited her.

"I to wish to aid my Queen" Nick stood pulling another sword from Vira's dress.

"Me too." Jayden joined their side. His pipe, now a weapon.

"Come on, three versus one that's hardly fair." Nicola cackled as she grabbed the bowl of popcorn.

"Make that two" I stood brandishing my scepter. And thus, the fights entailed.

I faced of with Jayden as Ocean was cornered by Nick and Vira. Jayden was hard opponent. I got a moment to glance over and to my surprise, Vira was on the floor, playing dead. Ocean and Nick were deep in combat. Ocean moved with grace, and she seemed like she knew what she was doing. But the way she moved and her legs showing in the fishnets she wore beneath the dress.

"Gottcha." Jayden grinned as he poked my chest with his pipe.

"Ha-ha. You snooze ya loose." Nicola laughed from her place on the couch. she took a handful of popcorn and tossed some at me.

I dropped to the ground as a good sport and lay there dead with Vira. I watched as Ocean dodged a couple blows from Nick and Jayden. My friends came at he from different directions and I held my breath as she waited till the last second to duck down out of the way letting them collide.

Ocean slid across the wood floor to my side. Her fingers brushed my hand as she yanked my sceptre from it. She rose to her feet, the back of her dress sweeping against me. Watching her stand with not one but two weapons, my heart quickened. She looked powerful. Like she could rule the world. Like she should rule the world. My breath caught in my throat as she squared her shoulders watching Nick and Jayden regain their posture.

Jayden gripped his pipe with two hands and Nick mimicked his stance, holding his sword at the ready.

Ocean made no move to advance, but rather motioned for them with one finger. Both my idiot friends took off toward her at full speed. Clearly forgetting I was laying on the floor behind her.

Not a second to late Ocean ducked out of the way. She straightened up behind them and knocked them both in the back with her elbows.

They both tripped over me. And it hurt. But I tried not to move. Both guys scrambled back to their feet as I tried to catch my breath. Nicolas Cackling from on the couch was enough to make Vira laugh. I tried to keep my composure and finally glanced back at the fight. Ocean was locked in combat with Jayden as Nick charged towards them. I found myself holding my breath. Using Jayden's pipe to counter Nicks advance, Ocean Twisted over to jab Nicks stomach with my scepter.

Nick stumbled back in surprise.

"Noooooooo." Jayden cried out dramatically. He grabbed onto Nick and pretended to weep over his dying friend. Laying Nick on he ground, all three dead bodies were now shaking with laughter, including my own. Nicola sat on the couch, doubled over in giggles.

"This ends here." Jayden stood, holding his pipe in shaking hands.

I glanced at Oceans face. The grin on that played on her lips caused a shiver to run down my spine.

I watched as she a Jayden started circling knowing he didn't stand a chance.

Come on Ocean. Finish him. You got this. I cheered her on in my head.

Jayden jabbed, she dodged. He swung, she parried. He swung again. Ocean parried with both scepters, pinning his weapon between hers. In one swift motion she twisted the weapon from his grasp and sent it flying. It hit the ground mere inched from my face. Well, its clear. She wants me dead. Surprising? Not really.

Despite standing almost a foot over Ocean, Jayden looked small. He started walking backwards towards me. Ocean in hot pursuit. Both my staff and hers hanging at the side.

"Look, look, I'm sure we can figure out a different solution." Jayden stuttered.

Ocean just grinned.

Then the expected. I was bracing for it, but it hurt. Jayden tripped over me. Again.

Landing on his ass, he continued to plead. He crawled backwards as Ocean just kept calmly walking toward him. I couldn't see her face as she walked. She raised her queen of hearts sceptre toward the terrified caterpillar.