Author's Thoughts: I expect lots of wonderful comments. You'll see why ;) I hope you enjoy! I'd like to dedicate this chapter to Kailamo and terrababii. 

Also, for anyone who wants to know the timeline for the last fifteen chapters: C26 – October 19th | C27 – October 21st | C28 – October 22nd | C29 & C30 – October 23rd | C31 & C32 – October 24th | C33 & C34 – October 26th | C35 October 27th | C36, C37 & C38 – October 28th | C39 – October 30th | C40 – October 31st/November 3rd

Thank you for reading and voting and commenting and being awesome! And without further ado, I present chapter forty.

Playing Trick-or-Treat

Artificial cobwebs and spiders are strewn all over the place. Skeletal remains (fake ones, of course) can be found positioned in chairs or hung up on doors while white sheets, made to imitate the more friendly and mediocre ghosts, dance in the wind. Styrofoam gravestones with R.I.P printed out in a gory, blood-red font are wedged securely into the wilting grass. Perched on the steps and porches of nearly every household in the area are orange and white pumpkins carved with an array of expressions and things. All which are illuminated by a warm candle sitting on the inside.

The sun has completely vanished, no longer in view, allowing the moon and stars to claim the sky. That's right, folks, it's that time of year again. It's Halloween. Tonight, people, children and adults alike, will get to dress up as whoever or whatever they want to be and indulge themselves with free candy and scaring the heebie-jeebies out of some poor unfortunate souls.

This holiday is also one of the only times where it's universally acceptable to open your door for a complete stranger and, for others, accept candy from someone you don't know without having to worry about much.

The forecast said it will be a cloudless night, the temperature dipping into the low forties with winds that could go up to thirty miles per hour. The weatherman, Timothy DeAngelis, prompted trick-or-treaters to bundle up in order to stay warm and many have taken his advice with the exception of a few people who are almost immune to the brisk weather or those who intentionally refuse because doing so will only ruin their costumes.

On Evergreen Street, dozens of children are wandering around, moving from one house to another and garnering as much candy as they can before they have to return home.

Again, the doorbell chimes throughout the house for what feels like the hundredth time and Ethan walks over to answer it. Swinging the door open, his expression immediately brightens at the sight of two familiar faces. "Trick-or-treat," Cameron sings as he holds out his pillow case.

"Looking good, Cam," Ethan compliments, dropping a generous handful of candy into the bag. "Here, you go. Who are you supposed to be?"

Cameron frowns, nose wrinkling. "I'm Abraham Lincoln. Isn't it obvious?" he replies as he points to his top-hat and fake beard.

"Ah, I see it now." Ethan nods with a smile before his attention moves to the girl behind him. "You're not going to Matt's party?"

Charlie shakes her head. "I won't be missing out on much. Besides, I'm taking him around. It's my turn this year. What about you?"

"I don't think so," he answers. "I don't have a reason to go. Is it just the two of you?"

"No, Alex is here too," she says with a serious countenance, glancing to her left. "He's the Invisible Boy." Ethan sends her a pointed look and she puts her hands up and laughs. "I'm joking. Yeah, it's just us."

"Is it cool if I tag along then?" he questions. "It's pretty boring staying home." It's been awhile since he went out mingling with the young trick-or-treat goers too. Back in Stowe, Ethan would usually attend the annual Monster Bash, which was always hosted by Agatha Brenshaw since she had the largest house in town. It'd be a refreshing experience.

"Fine by me." Charlie shrugs, even though she is exploding with happiness on the inside. "We're going to walk all the way to Somerset and then come back. Is that okay with you?"

"Yeah." Ethan smiles. "Let me just grab my jacket first."

After telling Layna he would be going out for a while, the trio head down the street, stopping by every house with a light on. When they arrive at the familiar house at the end of the road, belonging to Hayden and his family, Cameron furrows his eyebrows and turns to look at his sister. "That's weird. This is the first time the Knights' lights are out."

"I don't know," she states. "Guess they don't have time to give out candy this year."

"But Mrs Knight always has Snickers just for me," the boy whines.

"Maybe next year." Placing her hands on his shoulders, Charlie prods him to keep moving forward. "Let's get going. We have to get back before ten."

As Cameron collects candy from house to house, Ethan and Charlie would wait for him together at the curb. Their conversations, per usual, consist of a lot of teasing and taunting being exchanged between the two of them, all which is done light-heartedly, of course. Just being within each other's company is more than enough for them.

"Thank you, Mr Jenkins. Have a good night," Cameron beams as he whirls around and skips down the front porch. Overjoyed, since his pillow case is already half-full, Cameron peeks inside to see all of the goodies sitting inside, just waiting to be devoured by him. Not paying any mind to where he's going, the boy suddenly bumps into someone, causing him to stumble back a step. "I'm sorr—" as soon as he lifts his head up, it feels like someone has severed his vocal cords, rendering him unable to utter another word.

"Give me your candy, Whitmen," Jasper demands, his herd of delinquents all standing behind him.

Cameron looks past them over to where Charlie and Ethan are. They don't seem to notice the predicament he's in and he decides to settle the matter before they intervene. "No," he rebels firmly, his eyes now narrowed at Jasper.

"What did you say?" Jasper takes a step closer, his teeth gritted.

"You heard me," Cameron says as he holds his head up. "I said no. Go get your own candy, you lazy goat!"

"What the fuck?" Charlie frowns at the sight of the group of boys standing in front of her brother's path and after assessing the situation, she realizes the plight. "Those little fuckers," she hisses.

"Charlie, let's not get involved," Ethan remarks, grasping onto her hand.

"Well, I'm not going to stand here and watch them pick on him," she answers curtly upon seeing one of the boys getting up in Cameron's face. An idea then reveals itself to her and although she would prefer using her fists on those jerks, she has to control herself. Besides, sometimes, words can be more effective than violence. Just ask the guy who said the pen was much more powerful than the sword.

"Why you little—" Jasper reaches for the collar of Cameron's coat, but freezes at the sound of Charlie's voice.

"So you're the punks that have been messing with my little brother," she hums as she walks up to them. The boys part like the red sea, allowing her to get a clear view of Cameron and Jasper.

"Charlie, I can handle this," her brother insists.

"I know you can," she agrees. "But remember what Judge Melbourne told you the last time you pummeled those boys unconscious over the summer in court?" For a second, Cameron's brows kiss along with Ethan's as they stare at her like she's sprouted three heads. Charlie, however, ignores their quizzical gazes and carries on, "If you get into another fight, they're going to send you to the juvenile center for misbehaved kids for good this time."

Upon hearing her words, Jasper swallows and takes a step away from Cameron. "You went to court before?"

"He's a regular there." Charlie nods. "If you don't believe me, go and pay Judge Melbourne a visit yourself," she adds in smoothly. "But if I were you, I would get lost. Don't say I didn't warn you. Cameron can get pretty scary if he wants to. But since he's been trying to turn a new leaf and be good for once, kids like you thought he'd be an easy target. You're only testing his patience if you asked me."

"L-let's go, guys." Jasper practically bolts off, his friends hot on his tail. That had been easier than she expected.

"Charlie, you lied to them," Cameron gawks as he watches them disappear down the street. "You're the one who knows Judge Melbourne, not me."

"So?" His sister snorts. "Did you want me to beat the snot of them?"

He purses his lips out. "Well, no."

"Exactly," she states. "Besides, if I did resort to using my fists, they would have just ganged up on you at school when I'm not there. By doing this, I gave them a good reason to stay far away from you."

"How'd you know I was getting bullied?" the younger boy interrogates.

"A little birdy might've told me."

Cameron immediately turns and sends a pointed look at Ethan. "It was you, wasn't it?"

"Hey, a guy's got to do what a guy's got to do." Ethan shrugs sheepishly. "But, in my defense, I only told her after I made her promise not to interfere."

"Fine, I'll let you off easy. But for the next block and a half, you have to trick-or-treat with me and give me all of the candy."

"I'm too old for that, Cam. Can't I just stop by the market and buy you some instead?" he bargains.

"Nope," Cameron rejects promptly. "Now let's get going. I brought an extra pillow case. Here."

"Charlie, aren't you going to say something?" Ethan turns to her as his last hope.

"Don't forget to say thank you?" she answers with an amused smile.

He scowls in response. "Seriously?"

"Hey, you shouldn't have told me," she rebuts.

"You've got to be kidding me."

"Yeah, no shit." Charlie takes a step closer to him and exhales. "I'm thankful you told me, but you've got to suffer the consequences now. It's only fair. A block and a half is barely a mile. It'll be over before you know it. Plus, it's all free."

"This is unbelievable. I don't even have a costume," Ethan grumbles, still feigning hurt that she would throw him under the bus so easily. But after what she just said, he can't stay mad at her.

"Oh wait, I've got something." She shrugs off her sweater, leans forward and ties it around his neck. The abrupt and close proximity has his heart buzzing and Ethan holds his breath. He doesn't want her intoxicating scent to infiltrate his system or else this night will not end well for him. Once she pulls away, his lungs greedily vacuum the oxygen around them. "Now you can say you're a superhero if they ask."

"Yeah, because this isn't embarrassing at all," Ethan drawls out sarcastically.

"It's only embarrassing if you think it is," retorts Charlie. "It's pretty creative and resourceful if you asked me."

"Aren't you going to be cold?" he queries.

"Nah, I should be good."

He doesn't doubt her ability to withstand the frigid weather, but he wants to do the gentlemanly thing. "Just wear my jacket." Ethan removes the article of clothing and in one fluid motion drapes it over her shoulders. Now it's the girl's turn to have heat flush her cheeks.

"But you have a t-shirt on. At least mine is a long-sleeve," she remarks, somehow managing to keep her voice steady and level.

Ethan raises a brow. "Do you feel bad?"

"Not really. It's not like I'm forcing you to give me your jacket."

"That's good because you shouldn't feel guilty if you've done nothing wrong. This is what guys do for the girls they like," he declares proudly, his chest puffed out.

"Could you say it any louder?" she hisses, glancing around, afraid someone might have overheard him.

"I could." He grins as he brings his face closer to hers. She could smell the subtle cologne her nose has grown accustomed to and a thick layer of blush falls over her cheeks. "Do you want me to?"

"No! Just go and get some fucking candy already, would you?" she snaps. And with a broad and handsome grin, Ethan salutes her with two fingers and skips after Cameron, her sweater flapping in the wind behind him. Watching as he slings an arm over her brother's shoulders, Charlie's lips can't help but also curl into a smile as she shakes her head. So this is what it feels like to truly like someone.

It's a quarter until ten and Charlie, Ethan and Cameron are all journeying back towards their neighborhood, which is still a good ten minutes away. Cameron is walking ahead of the two, giving them privacy to talk.

"Still no word from Chase?" Ethan asks as they stroll side by side, their shoulders brushing up against each other.

"Nothing. He's such a dumbass," she scorns. "What's running away going to do?"

A prolonged pause ensues before Ethan speaks his honest opinion, "Tire him out. That's what it did to me." Charlie shifts to look at him properly and finds the boy gazing up at the raven-colored sky, speckled with tiny white dots commonly known as stars. "I thought I could run away from my dad and the people back from Stowe, but I couldn't," he continues thoughtfully. "I was so embarrassed to have a dad who was transgender, but after meeting you, I realized I was wrong for thinking like that.

I mean, a small part of me knew the way I had been acting wasn't fair, especially not to my dad. I guess I was just mad about everything. Thinking about it now, though, I've got nothing to be embarrassed about." Next, Ethan peers back down and flashes a subtle smile at her and Charlie's heart starts to beat out of rhythm "You're right. Something is embarrassing only if you, yourself, think of it as embarrassing. What my dad did, it was something to be proud of. Not a lot of people have the strength or courage to be who they really are but I'm glad she had what it took."

"Sorry, just to clarify," Charlie cuts in, "your dad does identify with the female gender?"

"Yes, she does," Ethan confirms.

"So why do you keep calling her dad?" It's a legit question. Shouldn't Ethan refer to Olivia as mom?

"It's confusing, I know. It's because it would be too much for me to lose my dad," he explains quietly. "For the last sixteen years of my life, Olivia's the only dad I've ever known. We talked about it and decided that it would still be appropriate for me to address her in that manner."

"You love her a lot, don't you?"

"Of course. How can I not? She's my dad. God, that still sounds weird, but I've got to get used to it sooner or later."

Having heard his story, Charlie can't help but feel like she had been too quick to judge the boy. Then, she recalls the terrible first meeting she shared with his father. "You don't think Olivia hates me, do you?" she asks in a timid voice.

"Why would you say that?" Ethan blinks profusely.

"Uh, hello. Did you not see how badly I fucked up when I was saying hello to her?" she deadpans.

"Since when did you care if somebody hated you or not?" he teased. Is he serious?

"She's not just somebody," defends the girl. "She's your dad."

"Well, I'm sure she doesn't hate you that much." Charlie instantly pales and Ethan laughs at her ghost-stricken face. "I'm kidding. She doesn't get angry at that kind of stuff. As long as you're trying, she'll always welcome you."

* * *

Today, Charlie skips out on school. Don't worry. She has a valid reason. Charles needed help at the office earlier since one of the employees had called out due to a family emergency at six in the morning. All that was required of her was answering the phone in a courteous manner until noon, where another veteran worker would relieve her of her duties. Naomi, the woman who had been scheduled to come in at noon, arrived half an hour early for her shift, which explains why Charlie's already back home, enjoying another marathon of Supernatural.

Her afternoon chalked-full of demons, blood and gore is disrupted by some imbecile repeatedly jamming their finger into the doorbell. Seems like someone is in a hurry. After hitting the pause button, Charlie marches to the door, prepared to give the intruder a piece of her mind. The curses ready to come out get swallowed once she finds Ethan standing on the other side of the threshold.

"What are you doing here?" she questions, baffled. "School's not even over yet."

"I couldn't wait," he pants, locking eyes with her. "Charlie, if you're genuinely sincere about giving me a chance, then please be honest with me." She's not sure what to make of the situation until he continues, "Are you and Hayden really dating?"

Her mouth falls open a little but she doesn't say anything. Too many thoughts are running amuck in her head right now. Why would he be asking her about that out of the blue? Then, without any kind of warning, Ethan gets rid of the distance separating them, his lips crashing against hers.