Chris and I part ways once Drew and I decide to head back home. I told him that I'd consider going to a few of the parties later, but we both know that it'll never happen. The party scene that Chris has grown to love so much isn't something I enjoy.

"All it is is a bunch of idiotic kids who are abusing alcohol and making complete asses of themselves. How is that any fun?" I muttered as I walk into the hall closet. The house is completely silent meaning that every creak in the wooden floorboards sounds like an explosion. As I open the door I crouch down and start moving things around. "This is much more my style." I grinned as I lift up a roll of toilet paper.

Just for good measure, I pack six extra rolls into my bag before leaving the house and locking the door behind me. The sun has long since set on the horizon and I grin as my eyes rake over the front yard.

"What better place to start than here?" I know I'll be the one to clean up the mess tomorrow, but something about playing this type of prank feels too good to pass up.

It's almost as if I'm playing it on my mom personally.

That makes up my mind and I walk towards the front tree in our yard only to come up short when I notice someone sitting on the bench. Their back is to me, but a name appears in my head and I just know who it is.

Annie.

I flinch at the name because I know it's not her real one. A part of me searches my memories trying to figure out what it is, but every memory I have of her is at school and everyone there calls her by a nickname.

She's anorexic. Anorexic Annie.

I swallow a lump that's formed in my throat and bite down on my lip as I start to feel nothing but pity for this girl sitting in front of me. She seems so small and almost like a child in this large world. Someone who's been cast out and belittled by people who probably don't even care to know the situation.

By people who won't look at her properly.

The image of my mother comes to mind and, before I can stop, I find myself saying,

"Oh, I didn't expect someone to rain on my parade."

She jumps, no doubt startled by my sudden appearance and turns to look back at me. Her eyes are wide in surprise and I smile down at this girl who's as beautiful as a flower. Her hair is still pulled back into a high ponytail, though I notice some loose strands falling into her face. Pale skin seems to glow in the light from street lamps and I notice that her cheeks are slightly hollowed, my guess is from her anorexia sickness.

"Sorry," She said as she stands. "I didn't know someone had already claimed this yard." I notice her eyes dart around before landing on the toilet paper I have in my hand.

Oh, she's worried about being caught up in my prank.

Before I can fully comprehend what's happening she's turning on her heel and starting to walk away forcing me to hurry towards her.

"Hey, hey, hey not so fast." I said as I block her path. She leans away no doubt uncomfortable from my closeness. I smile a little more at that and breathe in, loving the way she smells of the beautiful thing she resembles.

"Umm, can I help you?"

My smile grows if at all possible at the wary tone she used and I hold out the hand free of toilet paper. For whatever reason, my need to get to know this girl, the real one and not the one made up by a cruel nickname, is almost unbearable.

"Why yes, you can with your name."

She raises an eyebrow that screams the question 'are you serious?' at me. It's difficult not to laugh at how cute she is, especially when she crosses her arms over her chest. A few chuckles escape me as I lift my hands up in the air.

"Sorry, I've been told that I'm a huge flirt. I mean no harm, really." I lower my hands, then, before continuing. "We actually go to school together. I've seen you around. You're name's Annie, right?" I flinch inwardly at the use of her nickname and do my best to recollect myself, hoping that she'll correct me with her real name. Instead, she snorts and looks away from me, her eyes landing on a group of people our age.

A faraway look takes over her brown eyes and I notice that she wraps her arms around her stomach which has my chest tightening.

"No, it's not." My smile falters at that and it takes everything I have not to nod. I decide to play moron in the hopes she'll confide in me and feel better.

I just want that hurt look in her eyes gone.

"Then, why does everyone call you that?" A smile finally graces my flowers face and it's one that has the knots already in my stomach tightening and twisting all the more. The smile she wears is one that's been twisted through the years of bullying and abuse. It's a smile that shouldn't exist on this girls face.

"Who knows." There's nothing I can say to that and we fall into an uncomfortable silence. We stand there, across from each other and the atmosphere around us heavy. When I can't take it any longer I reach out my hand to her and smile when she looks my way.

"Well, my name's Ray."

Maybe I can turn this around. I'll get a smile out of you before the night is up, Annie. A real smile.

"Ray? Who name's their kid Ray? Is it short for something?"

I shake my head as I answer,

"Nope."

My eyes move to her mouth as I notice the corners of her lips twitch upwards. Amusement dances around in those brown eyes and I know I'm starting to crack that tough shell of hers.

Come on, girly. Almost. Give me that smile.

It shocks me like a punch to the gut just how much I want this girl's smile. It's almost scary, but I find myself continuing to push forward.

"Then, I'm calling bullshit. That's not your real name." My own excitement sparks to life at this and, for the first time in a while, I actually feel like someone's looking at me as Annie's eyes roam over my face, trying to figure out who I really am. It's something that even my best friend Chris hasn't been able to give me.

All he ever sees is the childhood friend who needs to be taken care of.

"Then, I'd say you're not just another pretty face, but also pretty smart too." I want to fist bump the air as I watch a gorgeous shade of red paint over her pale complexion. It's then that I really notice just how small she is. I notice just how frail this girl is as that breathtaking color highlights her already pretty features.

Yet everyone else doesn't seem to see it. They see a name and nothing else. They see a label.

I bite down hard on the inside of my cheek, forcing myself to keep my bitter feelings inside rather than expressing them outward. I don't want to scare her off.

"So, how about this, miss Not Annie." I start as I shove my feelings way, way down. "You tell me your real name and I'll tell you my real name." Her eyes travel from my face to my hand and back again.

Come on. Take the bait, flower. Give me something.

Some other force must be listening to my thoughts because I get that smile that I crave and her features come to life. It's as if I'm looking at a sunflower because she seems to light up the darkest parts of my emotions in an instant. Her small hand slips into mine and I never want to let go.

"Pleasure to meet you, Ray, the name's Annie." Her tone is just the tiniest bit condescending, but I only find it amusing and chuckle. I release her hand and sit down on the bench, pleased when she takes a seat beside me.

"So, that's how it's going to be. I'm starting to get your number, Annie." I watch as she tucks some of those loose strands of hair behind her ear, almost mesmerized by it. My fingers itch to be the one to do it.

"I don't think you are, Ray." My brows quirk up at the challenging note I hear in her voice and I lean forward, resting my arms on my knees. My determination and excitement at the challenge must be contagious because I notice it coming to life within Annie as well.

"How about we play a game? Let's see if we can guess the other's name. Whoever guesses first, wins." Intrigue flickers to life in her eyes and I know I'm starting to get her.

"Oh, and is there a time limit to this little game you've thought up?" I shake my head and say,

"Nope. Since we go to the same school, we'll have an unlimited amount of time to figure it out."

"And clues? Surely we get some of those."

I lift up two fingers, my smile growing wider because I know I've got her. Hook, line, and sinker.

"Two clues, no more than that." I can see the wheels turning in her head and I just lean back and look out at the street before us because I already know what her answer will be. I've won her over and I enjoy that win, still basking in how it felt to see her smile earlier.

My eyes travel over others our age heading off to parties or to play their own Halloween pranks on unsuspecting people. I laugh at them from the inside because, no matter what they're planning on doing, what I'm doing will be way better.

Why have I never approached this girl before? What have I been doing up until now?

I find myself wondering as I look up at the star-speckled sky. Images of my mother and my father and my now broken family filter through my head and my mouth gets a sour taste.

Oh yeah, I've been dealing with the aftermath of his leaving.

A movement to my left has me looking back at Annie just as her brown eyes clash with my green ones. My negative emotions seem to fly off as she says,

"You're on. I'll knock that cheeky smile right off your face with my inevitable win."

"That sounds like a challenge, Annie. I like a good challenge." She relaxes back on the bench and looks out at the people I'd been studying moments ago.

"You go first with the clues." She said and I look down at the ground at that, trying to figure out how to give clues without giving away my name. I hadn't thought this far in advance when I came up with the game. After a second I decide on two and say,

"I'm named after a famous artist and my favorite color is orange."

Annie's brows furrow at the two hints and I mentally pat myself on the back for making it difficult. It'd be no fun if she figured it out right off the bat.

"Alright, you next," I said and almost instantly she responds,

"I'm named after a popular kids book character and I love little piglets."

What the hell could that be?

I questioned as I rake my mind of every possible name. All of them seem like they'd suit her and, out of the corner of my eye, I notice the amused look dancing around her features, though I can see the underlying solemn emotions hidden well under the surface. It confuses me and I find myself thinking about that more than the clues. We sit there for a few moments in silence until I can't take it anymore.

Annie jumps, startled when I suddenly stand up. I turn and hold my hand out to her as I say,

"Well, we're not going to sit here all night and contemplate the others name. I say, let the hints sink in and we'll go from there. So, how about we have some fun while we wait?" Much to my amusement, Annie places her hand warily in mine as she asks,

"What kind of fun?" I pull her up with enough force that she bounces off my chest. I don't let go of her wrist as she looks up and meets my eyes, her cheeks warming from our closeness.

"Why, the only kind you can have with toilet paper on all hallows eve."