"Is anyone going to the Halloween party this year?" Gem's question hung in the air, prompting El to take a satisfying bite of her chicken sandwich before meeting her friend's gaze.
Oh right... the Halloween party. Halloween still existed.
Oops. El wasn't about to admit that she had completely forgotten about the festival, let alone its party. The outside table at their high school provided a rare opportunity for El to spend time with her friends. Gem, one of her closest companions, remained oblivious to El's double life. Secrecy was paramount, and El had vowed to protect it at all costs.
Gem, with her angelic face framed by long brunette curls, possessed an endearing youthfulness. Her big hazel eyes and freckled cheeks made her appear younger than her peers. Aspiring to become a lawyer, Gem exuded a remarkable sense of justice and radiated positivity. El admired her friend's refusal to conform to societal expectations, living by the motto that "life is too short to not do meaningful things."
Am I doing meaningful things? El questioned herself from time to time.
Parker, always the one with random and outlandish ideas, suggested dressing up as Macbeth and the three witches, cursing everyone at the party. Groans echoed from the group, familiar with Parker's eccentricity. On good days, they laughed along; on bad days, they scolded him.
Today was an okay day.
Parker, seemingly unremarkable in appearance, blended into the crowd effortlessly. Neither strikingly attractive nor repulsively unappealing, he occupied a middle ground. With mousy hair, a plain face, and blank brown eyes, Parker's personality compensated for any physical deficiencies. Engaging in conversation with him left an indelible impression, as his unique thoughts often challenged perceptions and offered a fresh perspective. Sometimes, his words seemed random or perplexing, only to reveal deeper meaning upon reflection.
El recalled a peculiar conversation with Parker one night. "Do you smell that?" he had asked.
She had sniffed the air suspiciously. "You didn't fart or something, did you?"
Laughing, Parker replied, "No, silly girl! I'm talking about the night. It smells like... something."
"Huh?" El sniffed again. "I don't smell anything."
"Try again. There's a distinct smell."
"Is that so?" El sniffed slowly, trying to discern the elusive scent. "The air feels fresh."
"Yeah, like a freshly opened bottle of Coke."
Since that night, El associated the night air with the image of an opened bottle of Coke. Damnit, Parker.
Parker's way with words made him a natural fit for acting in the school theatre, often drawing requests to join the school play. However, his lack of dedication left much to be desired, leading some to question his very existence.
When asked about his future plans, Parker simply shrugged, uncertain of his path. "But I like hanging out with you guys," he had said with a smile. "It's fun."
"We may go our separate ways," El had reminded him. "You can't hang out with us forever. What about your future?"
"Hey, I'm a free spirit. I'll find a way." Parker flashed his signature dimpled smile.
That's Parker, El thought. A free spirit.
"I'm not keen on dressing up, but I suppose we should go," Raven interjected, sipping her green tea. "After all, it's our final year."
El hadn't known Raven for as long as the others, but they had developed a strong bond. Raven, with her model-like appearance, boasted long, slender limbs and captivating features. Her creamy, flawless skin and black hair, paired with mismatched green and blue eyes, gave her an alluring mystique. Raven fancied herself a reincarnated Persian cat.
Despite her beauty, Raven remained humble, avoiding competition and drama among their peers. Her conversations were limited to their tight-knit group, and she assumed the role of a nurturing mother figure, dispensing wisdom when needed. Raven aspired to become a teacher, a profession befitting her gentle nature.
"Sorry, guys. I don't really feel like going," Gem admitted sheepishly.
"Why not?" Parker inquired.
Raven's eyes widened. "It's your birthday that day."
"Oh yeah!" El exclaimed, her cheeks flushing. "I'm so slow. Sorry, Gem. It didn't even register."
"It's cool," Gem laughed. "I only realized this morning when I saw the poster. I was like, 'dayuuuuum.'"
"Well, what do you want to do then, birthday girl?" Parker teased.
"If you guys aren't too invested in the party, how about we hang out at my place?" Gem suggested, her eagerness barely concealed. "We can watch a horror movie and indulge in snacks. It's been a while since we've done that. We've all been so busy..."
The friends exchanged glances, a silent understanding passing between them. Without hesitation, El wrapped an arm around Gem.
"We'll be there!" she declared with a grin, the others nodding in agreement.
Yet deep within her smile, a nagging feeling gnawed at El. How could she fully enjoy the company of her friends while a murderer roamed free...