It was just a week after the incident at Tyler's house that it was Halloween.

Josh didn't have any particular opinion on Halloween. He didn't love it. He didn't hate it. He didn't even really celebrate it.

However, it was the day of Halloween that Josh was sitting at lunch with Tyler and Jenna that he was given a reason to celebrate it.

Jenna had just sat down and had a wide smile on her face. "Guess what!"

"What?" Tyler asked from where he sat beside Josh. Things between them were still casual. They were still flirty with each other. They haven't kissed since Tyler's house mostly because Josh was scared he was going to ruin it again. However, Tyler couldn't be totally repulsed by him if they were still flirting.

"Clear your calendar for tonight," she began. "We're going to a party!"

Josh's nose scrunched up in distaste. "A party?"

However, Tyler practically paled. "A party?" He looked terrified. Maybe it was an anxiety thing.

Jenna's face softened when she saw Tyler's expression. "It'll be okay," she told him. "We'll talk later."

"Why a party?" Josh asked.

"Ashley, the girl you met at homecoming, throws killer Halloween parties every year. Like, genuinely outstanding. She has a theme every year too. This year it's magical and supernatural," she explained, sending a wink towards Tyler. "She invited us. All of us."

"I don't know..." Josh trailed off. "It's like super last minute. Plus I'm not a party person. I went to like two with acquaintances back in Ohio and didn't like them."

"C'mon," Jenna pouted. "It'll be fun. I've gone every year of high school. Tyler's coming too, right?"

Tyler still looked unnerved. "I um..."

"Great!" She clapped her hands together. "This'll be fun!"

---

Josh waited patiently in his car for Jordan to hurry. He wanted to get home so he could get ready for this party. If Tyler was going, he had to go.

The devil himself opened the door, sliding in. "I need a costume I'm going to a party tonight," he instantly said.

"What party?" Josh asked.

"Some girl's. She's on the cheer team. My friends and I are gonna sneak in."

"Ashley?"

"Yeah? How'd you know?" Jordan asked, grabbing the aux cord he put in there and plugging it into his phone. Josh didn't question it. Jordan surprisingly didn't play shitty music.

"I'm going too. I actually got invited."

Jordan's mouth fell open. "You're going to a party?"

"I know!" Josh laughed out. "Crazy."

"We need to go to Party City!" Jordan urged. "Stat!"

Josh rolled his eyes and backed out, making his way home. He was asking if he could even go before he did anything (with much complaint from Jordan).

Once the two got home, they entered and shut the door quietly. "We're home!" He called.

"In my room!" His mom called back.

The two brothers walked in, seeing their mom folding laundry on the bed. "Hey," Josh greeted.

"Hi boys, how was school?"

"Josh and I are going to a party," Jordan offered before walking out and most likely going to his room.

Josh rolled his eyes. "Can we go to a Halloween party? We both got invited but we're going with our friends."

His mom thought for a moment. "I don't see why not. Your curfew is 11, Jordan's is 9:30."

"What? Why?" Jordan whined from down the hallway.

"Because Josh asked and he's older!" Their mom replied, calling down to Jordan's room.

"Thanks, Mom," Josh smiled. "Do you happen to know where the costume box is?"

"Somewhere in the basement."

Josh thanked her and went to his room. He set his bag down before making his way to the basement.

He only had to look for a few minutes before he found a box marked 'HALLOWEEN COSTUMES'. Opening it, he dug through it to find something that could work.

He found a set of devil horns from Jordan's costume in 5th grade and a Harry Potter costume from his own middle school years. He figured both fell under magical and supernatural.

He knew the Harry Potter costume wouldn't fit but he figured he could wear his black hoodie and reuse the glasses and scarf and just draw a scar on his forehead.

And speaking of the... devil... he left the horns out for Jordan.

He was on his way up when he saw a text from Tyler. His heart instantly swelled and he smiled.

Tyler
Hey Jenna's getting ready with some girls on the team. Do you want me to pick you up?

He typed a quickly reply

Josh
Sure :)

He dropped the horns off in Jordan's room, ignoring his questions as he went back to his own room.

Josh worked on his homework and ate dinner. He spent the rest of his time getting ready until Tyler texted him saying he was there.

He made his way out of the house, getting into Tyler's car with a smile. He let out a sigh of relief once he was in the warm.

"Hey," he greeted.

Tyler looked over. "Hey! You look cute," he complimented. "Harry Potter. I like it. Fits the theme."

"Thanks," Josh blushed. "What's your costume?" He asked, confused. Tyler wasn't dressed up at all.

He watched as Tyler gave him a smile, his teeth showing. Josh noticed his two canines were sharpened. "Ta-da!"

Josh frowned. "A vampire? Kinda lame, don't you think?"

Tyler closed his mouth, narrowing his eyes. "It's not lame!" He whined.

"I mean you didn't even dress up for it. You just stuck fake teeth in your mouth. I'll give it to you for how realistic they look but other than that it's kinda boring."

Tyler scoffed and put the car and drive. "It's not lame," he grumbled.

Josh let out a laugh. "I'm just teasing you Ty," he cooed.

Tyler's face turned a light shade of red but he still had a grumpy look on his face.

"I think you're one cute vampire," Josh added. "Even if it's just for Halloween."

A small smile made its way onto Tyler's face. "Thanks."

The two made it to the address Jenna texted them and got out. Cars were lined up and down the street but nothing looked chaotic on the outside.

They made their way into the house, hands clasped together after Tyler grabbed Josh's without saying anything. Josh noticed it looked fun but not wild. It looked like a regular high school party. Not like a fake rager they put on TV.

"Hey guys!"

They turned to see Jenna. Josh noticed she was in her cheer uniform but there was fake blood around her mouth. "What are you supposed to be?"

"Jennifer from Jennifer's Body."

"Who from what?"

Jenna made a face. "Oh-kay. I see the type of person you are," she replied playfully. "Harry Potter. Cute," she turned to Tyler. "What's your costume, Ty?"

He opened his mouth and Jenna's eyes widened before narrowing. "What?" Tyler asked, faux innocence obvious.

"A vampire?"

"Don't give me that. You're a demonic cheerleader. Doesn't seem much like a costume."

Jenna flicked him on the head. "You're lucky I love you, asshole."

"I know."

A girl came up and started talking to Jenna so the two bid farewell before continuing through the house.

Josh saw Jordan in the corner with his friends, a drink in his hand. The two locked eyes and Jordan's widened. 'Don't tell Mom' he mouthed.

Josh just rolled his eyes and the two kept walking. "Do you want anything to drink?" Tyler asked him.

"I don't drink," Josh replied.

Tyler smiled. "Me neither."

The two talked with some people, Tyler introduced Josh to a few guys on the basketball team, they played a game of cup pong but didn't drink any of the beer, before deciding that although they had only been there a little over an hour, they were over it.

They were walking back out to Tyler's car, hands together once again, when Josh spoke up. "Parties are just not my thing."

"Mine neither. I have bad memories of parties," he admitted quietly.

Josh looked at him sadly. "Anything you wanna talk about?"

Tyler shook his head. "Nah."

Josh noticed something. "What happened to your teeth? They're back to normal."

A sad smile appeared on Tyler's face. "Took them out. They got annoying."

The two got into the car and Tyler started it but didn't begin driving. "Wh—" Josh began.

"I like you," Tyler spoke.

"I like you too," Josh replied. "A lot."

Tyler looked at him. "Do you want to be my boyfriend?"

Josh blinked, taken aback. However, a smile quickly made its way onto his face. "Yeah."

"Yeah?" Tyler smiled.

"Yeah," Josh paused. "I thought you wanted to wait until your life got less hectic."

"Oh fuck life," Tyler spoke before leaning in and kissing Josh slowly.

Josh instantly kissed back, happiness bursting in his chest. It felt like fireworks were going off.

He was too distracted by the kiss to really think about anything else but he did think about one thing.

He was very lucky to have moved to Hartgate when he did.