"Are you ready for tonight?", Matt asked as he walked into the kitchen to find Zephyr going over some notes.
"For what again?", Zephyr asked.
"Claire invited all of us to her haunted house and we all have to go in costumes", Matt answered.
"Oh", Zephyr plainly replied, "I'm not doing that".
"What?!", Matt screamed, "Why?!"
"I've got three huge exams tomorrow", Zephyr replied, "And I think revising is a better use of my time than dressing up for some stupid holiday".
"You take that back!", Matt exclaimed, "Halloween is the best holiday and there's no denying it".
"Really?", Zephyr asked, "I've always preferred Easter. Good weather. Good food. School break".
"I don't care what you say", Matt exclaimed in a righteous tone, "You're coming with us no matter what".
"And what am I meant to go as?", Zephyr countered, "I haven't exactly got a costume".
"Don't worry about that", Matt reassured, "I thought something like this might happen so I got you a costume in advance".
"And will I know what this outfit is in advance?", Zephyr asked.
"Nope", Matt replied, a smug grin on his face, "But I'm sure you'll love it".
"I'm starting to think that I'm going to regret this", Zephyr muttered under his breath.
"Now hurry up", Matt said, clapping his hand, "I have to drop you off for school and then pick up the costumes".
[Time Skip]
"Are you dressing up for the haunted house at ours tonight?", Alex asked Zephyr whose table was right next to hers.
"I'm being forced to", Zephyr replied, "What about you?"
"I have to", Alex answered, "Mom always makes Halloween a big deal".
"Same with my Dad", Zephyr responded, "Are you going to dress up?"
"I'm apparently a captive or something so I don't have to dress up", Alex stated.
"Lucky", Zephyr muttered, "I don't even know what role I'm playing, let alone what I am".
"That's unfortunate", Alex remarked, giving his hand a comforting squeeze under the table. "I'm sure it'll be fine", Alex reassured.
"I've got 1 Biology exam and 2 Physics exams tomorrow", Zephyr mumbled, "I should be revising but instead I'm wasting my time by dressing up".
"That's exactly what I thought", Alex agreed, "Unlike you though, I've got 1 Biology exam, 1 Literature Exam and 1 History Exam".
"I'm sure you'll do great", Zephyr encouraged her, giving her hand a gentle comforting squeeze in return.
"You better hope I don't do too well, otherwise that valedictorian spot will be mine", Alex teased.
"I shall await you at the top, young one. Strive with all your heart to best me, Alexandra Anastasia Dunphy", Zephyr challenged, receiving a determined nod from Alex.
For a few seconds, both Alex and Zephyr stared at each other, before they turned to look away at the same time, struggling to hold in their laughter. Once they recovered, they got back to listening to the teacher, only to realise the lesson was essentially over.
"Now. I know that many of you are excited about Halloween", the teacher began, "But I must remind you that all of you have exams tomorrow. While I won't tell you not to enjoy Halloween, I will advise you all to do some revision, it may be the difference between a pass and a fail".
Looking at her students, the teacher received lazy nods from them and some offhanded "Yes", causing the teacher to sigh. Her eyes quickly flickered over all of the students in her class, briefly pausing at the sight of two students holding hands under the table, but ignored it, having gotten used to their shenanigans. Truthfully, she was surprised by the boldness of the two and initially wanted to scold them, but the fact that they were the top 2 students in her class convinced her to give them some leeway.
"What have we got next?", Zephyr asked Alex.
"I've got History but you've got Physics", Alex answered, quickly noting down what was on the board.
"Ugh", Zephyr groaned, "Mr Jones is so annoying. He's always complaining. 'Zephyr, pay attention'. 'Zephyr, don't sleep in the lesson'. 'Zephyr you have detention after lesson'. 'Zephyr, where's the homework that was due last lesson?'".
Alex rolled her eyes, "That's because you're annoying. If you paid attention and did all the work required of you, he would let you do what you want. Ms Brown lets me study by myself as long as I do all the work in time".
"You're a teacher's pet", Zephyr replied, "Always listening to what the teacher says".
"No I'm not", Alex complained.
"Yes you are", Zephyr argued, "Have you ever said no to a teacher? Actually, has a teacher ever shouted at you?".
"No", Alex answered, embarrassed by the truth.
"Exactly", Zephyr said, "Proves my point".
"Urgh", Alex groaned, crossing her arms and looking away from him.
"But that's what I like about you", Zephyr whispered into her ear, "I'm the hot bad boy while you're the cute nerd. Sounds like something out of a romance novel, doesn't it?".
Hearing his words, Alex's face turned from white to a bright crimson in the blink of an eye. "Don't do that", Alex muttered, embarrassed.
"Do what?", Zephyr teasingly whispered, his cool breath falling on Alex's ear. Instead of answering, Alex pouted. "Don't do that", Zephyr whispered.
"Do what?", Alex remarked.
"Get angry", Zephyr said, placing his hand on top of her, "It makes me feel sad".
"Really?", Alex asked, hiding the growing smile on her face.
"Yep", Zephyr replied, "I'll do anything".
"Anything?", Alex questioned.
"Yes", Zephyr answered.
"Okay", Alex said, nodding her head, "I want you to kiss me in front of all the girls".
"That sounds more like a reward than anything", Zephyr remarked, "But it shall be done".
"Good", Alex stated, intertwining her fingers with his, "Because I want everyone to know you're mine".
"Ooooh", Zephyr whispered, "Possessive Alex is so hot. Will I see her regularly?"
"Wh-what are you on about?", Alex mumbled, "I'm not being possessive".
"Yes you are", Zephyr argued, "And I love it".
"Y-you do?", Alex asked.
"Of course. Being possessive means you care", Zephyr stated, "And that's what matters to me".
[Time Skip]
"Seriously?", Zephyr asked, looking at the costume laid out before him, "That's what I have to go as?".
"Yep", Matt replied, "You play a really important part in the haunted house".
"Isn't that a bit too much?", Desiree asked, agreeing with Zephyr.
"That reminds me", Matt said, clapping his hand, "Desiree. I'm going to need you to do our makeup".
"This isn't enough?", Zephyr asked, horrified by what lay before him.
"You're wearing make-up?", Desiree questioned.
"Yep", Matt answered, "We've got to look the part".
[Time Skip]
"So, how do we look?", Matt asked Bella.
"You look so cool", Bella answered, stars in her eyes.
"Really?", Zephyr asked, unsure.
"Yeah", Bella answered, "Zephy looks the best".
"Well. That does make me feel better", Zephyr replied, somewhat reassured by her compliment.
"I feel like the costume's a bit tight", Desiree said, "It's a bit restrictive in the chest area".
"I think all women your size have similar problems", Matt replied.
"What do you mean 'your size'?", Desiree asked.
"Nothing", Matt quickly answered, seeing the anger in Desiree's eyes.
"How does Bella look?", Bella asked.
"You look so cute", Desiree answered, picking Bella up.
"But I want to look scary", Bella muttered, disappointed.
"You look terrifying and cute", Desiree comforted, "Isn't that right?".
"Yep", Zephyr answered.
"Of course", Matt agreed, "You'll be the scariest person there".
"Really?", Bella hopefully asked.
"Yeah", Zephyr placated, "Would we ever lie to you?"
"I don't know", Bella said while in deep thought.
"Anyways", Matt interrupted, "Let's go!".
[Time Skip]
"I know they love Halloween", Desiree muttered, "But isn't a bit too much".
Matt gasped, "How is this too much?"
"Not everyone is like you Dad?", Zephyr complained, "Last Halloween, you paid people to decorate the house, which included removing a wall for the haunted house".
"You seriously did all that?", Desiree asked, pressing the doorbell.
"Hey guys", Phil said, opening the door and moving to the side to allow them to enter, "You guys look awesome", he commented after seeing their costumes.
"Thanks", Matt replied.
"You both look like real zombies", Luke said in awe, seeing the couple.
"I know right?", Claire agreed, seeing their costume, "Where are Zephyr and Bella?".
"Right here", Zephyr muttered, walking into the house.
"Woah", Manny muttered in awe upon seeing his outfit. Zephyr was wearing a charcoal suit, leather riding boots, and an intricately knotted red cravat, covered by a full-length, red frock overcoat with a cape. His face was incredibly pale, sickeningly so. His canines were longer and sharper than normal, with some teeth having red pigments on them.
"What's the difference between what they're wearing and me?", Haley complained.
"There's a huge difference", Claire explained, "Now. I assume you all know your roles".
"Yep", Matt replied, nodding his head eagerly.
Bella, who was a cute little ghost, rapidly nodded her head.
"Yeah", Desiree answered.
"Urgh", Zephyr groaned, "I can't believe I'm a stupid vampire".
"But you've got one of the biggest roles", Phil said, "As the kids pass Alex's cage, Dad will do the thunder and lightning, with you appearing right behind them".
"You'll smile at them, showing them your bloody teeth, saying 'You all look like a great meal. Unfortunately, I've already had my fill'", Claire added.
"Whatever you say boss", Zephyr said dejectedly, half-heartedly saluting her.
"Hey guys", Jay said, walking into the house with Gloria right behind him.
"Hey", Phil greeted, "Wow! You guys look great".
"Thank you, Phil. I try my best", Gloria said with an evident accent, "You look very dead-like".
"Gloria, stop it", Jay tried, "I already said I'm sorry".
"From now on, I only speak in proper American", Gloria interrupted, "I wouldn't want to embarrass you".
"Did she just get back from the dentist?", Phil asked.
"She's mad at me because I told her that sometimes people don't understand her", Jay said.
"Make it right", Phil said, giving Jay a pat on the shoulder, "We're all just hanging by a thread".
"Hey! Dad! Oh, you look great", Claire exclaimed. "Oh good. Gloria's in position", she said, giving Gloria a brief nod and leading Jay towards the fog machine, "Here you go".
Just as she was about to give some more instructions, Claire was interrupted by the ringing of the doorbell and the collective shouting of "Trick or Treat!".
"Ok!", Claire exclaimed, "Everyone, get in position. This is not a real rehearsal. These are our first victims".
"And so it begins", Zephyr muttered under his breath.