This is an alternate universe chapter that does not follow the original plot.

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"Jeff?!" you called out. "I need some help with this!"

You stood on the bottom of a ladder with lights in hand. The bundle was relatively long, so you were finding it hard to unravel. Plus, the evening sun was protruding in through the window and blinding you.

"What is it, babe?" Jeff asked as he entered the living room. He wrapped one arm around your waist and kissed your cheek.

You smiled and told him, "I can't get this untangled."

He took the lights from your hand and tried to make out what could have happened to make them so messy.

"Do we really need them?" he questioned.

"Yes, Jeff," you laughed. "We've used them every year."

"It's only been three," he declared. "But I gotta admit, it feels longer."

You nodded as he sighed and started to pick at the pile of lights. Staring off into space, you noticed a new box sitting on the coffee table behind him.

"Oh, there's another box," you said. "Did you get another one?"

Jeff crooked his head around to look at the new package.

"No, but I really don't feel like untangling these," he replied, "so let's just use that one."

You stepped down from the last step of the ladder and reached for the new box, only to have Jeff pull your torso in the opposite direction. You gazed up at him.

"Do we really have to do it now?" he asked. "Halloween isn't 'till Saturday."

"I guess not if you really don't want to," you muttered. "But I think you're forgetting that today is Friday."

"Oh," he mumbled, looking away. "Whoops."

You smiled and suggested, "Maybe we can do it tomorrow morning if you had something else in mind?"

He smiled and kissed your forehead. "I was thinking we could do that whole dinner and a movie thing."

You smiled.

"Sure."

Everything was amazing between you and your boyfriend Jeff as you neared your three-year anniversary. Halloween seemed to be his favorite season, so you always went crazy with decorations. You loved the orange lights and tinted candles that really showed the spirit of Halloween.

Saturday night came sooner than you expected. The sun was just reaching for the horizon and banishing all the dark clouds into the distance. The moon was right around the corner and you couldn't wait to see all your guests at the party.

Jeff was running around the house like a maniac trying to make sure everything was in order. He said that some of his old friends were coming to visit and that he wanted to make a good impression.

"Hey, I'm gonna go check on the sink upstairs," he said, circling around you in the hallway. "'Cause I think it started having problems again."

"Yeah, it was acting up," you replied as he started to run up the stairs. "Don't stress it!"

You sighed as he hurried around the corner.

The doorbell rang almost immediately and you jumped as the small chime went off. Fixing your outfit a small bit, you turned to face the door and slowly turned the handle.

You smiled at the person waiting on the porch.

"Hello!" said dark-haired man.

"Hi!" you greeted. "Come in!"

He stepped onto the wooden floor and held out his hand.

"I'm Dr. Smiley, but you can call me Devin," he declared.

You shook his hand as you replied, "Nice to meet you! I'm (y/n)."

"Oh, that's right!" he exclaimed. "Jeff told me about you."

You blushed at the thought of your boyfriend telling his friends about you. It was such a sweet thing of him to do.

"You talk to him often?" you asked.

"To check up every once in a while," the man muttered. "I actually work at the hospital on Dool B. Road, so I met him after a stabbing accident-"

"Devin?!" Jeff called from the top of the stairs. He stumbled down and stepped between the two of you.

"Hey!" the doctor said. "How's that cut doing-?"

"I'm great!" Jeff exclaimed. "Why don't you come with me and I'll show you the house?"

"Sure!" Devin replied. "Nice meeting you... (y/n)."

You nodded and slid into the kitchen as Jeff led him upstairs. Something was off about that guy, but you wouldn't let it distract you from having fun. Your best friend was coming back home from college to visit for the first time, and you wanted to make the most of the night.

After a couple more neighbors arrived, you finally spotted your friend's car pulling up to the curb. With excitement and eagerness, you flew out the door and met her as she climbed out of the vehicle.

"Hey, (y/n)!"

"I missed you!" you said.

"Me too!" your friend exclaimed. "How are things with you and Jeff?"

"Oh, it's great!" you replied. "Just how they were when you left."

"That's good!"

You and your friend danced inside and came face to face with Jeff and Devin.

"Hello!" your friend exclaimed. "Nice to see you again, Jeff! And you must be a friend of his."

Devin laughed, "An old acquaintance, I would say."

Jeff pulled you over to the side as they talked. He eyed them for a moment or two before pulling you around the corner.

"What's wrong?" you asked.

"Don't talk to Devin anymore," he demanded.

"Why?" you questioned with utmost curiosity. "I thought he was a friend."

"He isn't," Jeff whispered. "He shouldn't even be here."

"Okay," you mumbled, trusting his word. "I'll just avoid him for a bit."

"Thanks," he replied. "I'll explain it to you later."

Later in the night, when the moon was directly out the back window, you called everyone into the living room. A couple years prior, you had created the tradition of watching a horror movie on Halloween night. With a show of hands, the group decided on a classic this time around.

Some guests were huddled on the couch while others snuggled in blankets on the ground. You and Jeff decided to take the chair in the corner next to the door. About halfway through the movie, you got up to refill your popcorn bowl.

"You're gonna miss the best part," Jeff whispered.

"I've seen this before," you laughed back, smiling at him.

Scurrying into the kitchen, you heard the dull noise of movement come from the hallway. Shaking it off, you placed the bowl on the counter and went to reach for the bag of extra popcorn.

"You and Jeff seem to be getting along fine," a deep voice called.

You spun around like a carousel and saw Devin emerging from the darkness of the other room.

"Oh, hi," you muttered. "You scared me."

The tension and awkwardness was rising as you waited for the doctor to say something.

"I'm surprised," he replied. "You used to be fearless."

Jeff popped his head around the corner and snaked his arm around your waist.

"Can you help me with the sink upstairs?" he asked. "Your friend dropped a ring down it."

"Yeah," you replied, happy that your boyfriend came to save the day.

You followed him upstairs and turned the corner into the hallway. The lights were off, so you reached for the switch, only to have Jeff pin you against the wall and have his lips crash into yours.

"What are you doing?" you asked as you pulled away.

"Having a good time," he replied.

You then realized that he didn't actually need help with the sink. He just needed an excuse to be alone with you.

"Oh, come on," you mumbled. "We're hosting the party."

"Who cares?" Jeff asked, kissing you again.

"They'll wonder where we-"

"They'll wait."

He made out with you once more, running his hands through your hair and around your neck.

You smiled and whispered, "I love you."

"If you love me, I must be completely obsessed with you," he muttered, playing with your necklace. It was the one he gave to you, actually. A small heart was etched into a metal square at the end of the chain.

"You're good at making me blush," you declared.

"So I should make you mysteriously vanish from the group more often?" Jeff joked.

You giggled and replied, "That's not the only way," while gazing deeply into his eyes.

"Oh really?" he asked.

You nodded and brushed your nose against his.

The rest of the night was amazing. You had tons of fun with your friends, right by Jeff's side, of course. After many rounds of spin the bottle and other party games, all the guests left smiling and exhausted.

When you finally rushed the last group out the door, Jeff stood next to you, waiting for the coast to be clear. At the click of the door closing, he brought you close and showed you his affection once more.

Nothing was ever going to separate you two. Like Jekyll and Hyde- Bonnie and Clyde- you were completely meant to be.

And you could thank fate for that.