We were in the middle of the pumpkin carving competition, and Olivia's room had transformed into a creative workshop full of laughter, chatter, and, of course, a bit of chaos. Each of us was immersed in our own design, but the ways we approached the process couldn't have been more different.
Lindsay was completely focused on her task, as always. Her minimalist style shone even in something as simple as carving a pumpkin. She had decided to create a balanced and elegant face: two large round eyes, a soft and symmetrical smile, with clean lines that reflected her need for organization. She used a spoon to remove the pulp with surgical precision, leaving not a single stain out of place. She had even brought permanent markers to add subtle details, like small dots that resembled stars around the eyes. It was clear that her pumpkin would be a masterpiece of simplicity and harmony.
On the other hand, Olivia was a whirlwind of creative energy. It looked like she had been wrestling her pumpkin hand-to-hand. There were bits of pulp stuck in her hair, on the sleeves of her apron decorated with skulls, and even on the tip of her nose. But that didn't seem to bother her at all. She was completely absorbed in her project, humming melodies while carving what she described as "a ghost dancing salsa." According to her, it was as if the spirit of Halloween was celebrating with Latin music. The ghost had huge round eyes, raised eyebrows in an expression of eternal surprise, and a tongue sticking out to the side, as if it were enjoying a wild dance. To bring more life to the design, she decided she needed musical inspiration.
"Wait a second!" exclaimed Olivia, placing her knife on the table. "I need to set the mood. What better than La Isla Bonita by Madonna to inspire this moment?"
Without waiting for a response, she pulled out her phone and played the song. Soon, the room was filled with Madonna's smooth voice singing about golden beaches and lost loves.
"Last night I dreamt of San Pedro,
Just like I'd never gone, I knew..."
Olivia began to move to the rhythm of the music, swaying exaggeratedly while carving her pumpkin. At one point, she even tried to teach us some improvised salsa steps, although Lindsay and I just laughed from our spots on the floor.
"Come on, guys! Feel the music!" she said, spinning around her pumpkin as if she were a professional dancer.
"I think I'll stay seated," I replied, trying to keep a serious tone, though I couldn't help but smile at her enthusiasm.
As for me, my design was much less minimalist than usual. I had decided to do something more elaborate this time: a nighttime landscape with stars. First, I carefully drew a silhouette of mountains in the background, followed by a sky full of tiny stars that I planned to illuminate with LED lights. My intention was that when I turned on the lights, the inside of the pumpkin would glow like a starry sky. I took my time with each detail, making sure the cuts were precise and the lines flowed naturally. I wasn't as meticulous as Lindsay, but I also wasn't as chaotic as Olivia. My style was a balance between both extremes, though this time I had allowed myself to be a bit more creative.
"How's your masterpiece coming along, Sack?" asked Olivia, interrupting my concentration. She held up her pumpkin toward me, showing off her deliberately imperfect design. "Do you think it can beat yours?"
"I doubt it," I responded, trying to sound serious, though I knew she was only joking. "Mine has class. Yours looks like it was attacked by a raccoon."
"Exactly!" she exclaimed, pointing proudly at her pumpkin. "That's the intention. I want people to feel empathy for my pumpkin. Like it's lived a tough life but still finds reasons to dance salsa."
Lindsay looked up from her work for a moment and glanced at us with a mix of amusement and exasperation.
"I think you should worry more about finishing your pumpkin than giving it a dramatic backstory," she said, quickly returning to her design.
After a few more minutes of work (and Olivia singing snippets of La Isla Bonita ), we finally finished our designs. Lindsay was the first to hold up her pumpkin, looking proud of her work. Her design was clean and elegant, with a kind and balanced expression that reflected her organized and calm personality.
"Perfect," she said, turning her pumpkin so everyone could admire it from all angles.
Olivia was next to present her creation. Her pumpkin was the complete opposite: chaotic, exaggerated, and full of life. The huge round eyes and oversized smile, along with the tongue sticking out to the side, gave it a comical air that was impossible not to appreciate.
"And here's my masterpiece!" she announced, holding up her pumpkin as if it were a trophy. "It's unique, misunderstood, and absolutely amazing."
Finally, I lifted my own pumpkin. My design was more detailed than usual: a nighttime landscape with mountains and a sky full of stars. When I placed the LED lights inside, the effect was exactly as I had imagined.
But then, Olivia noticed something unexpected.
"Wait a second!" she said, stepping closer to inspect my pumpkin more closely. "Where's the face? It doesn't have a face!"
I rolled my eyes.
"We never said we had to carve faces on the pumpkins. We just said we had to carve them."
"But it's a HALLOWEEN pumpkin!" protested Olivia, pretending to be indignant. "Pumpkins MUST have faces! What kind of heresy is this?"
Lindsay intervened before Olivia could continue with her theatrics.
"Actually, I really like Sack's design," she said, examining my pumpkin carefully. "It's different, but it has a special touch. The stars glow as if you're looking at the night sky. It's... beautiful."
Olivia frowned but then smiled.
"Well, I guess you're right. It's different, yes. Though it's still weird that it doesn't have a face."
"Thanks, Lindsay," I said, ignoring Olivia's comment. "It means a lot coming from you."
Lindsay smiled, clearly pleased with the compliment.
"Good job, team," said Lindsay, looking at us with a small smile. "Now we just have to wait for Megan to decide who the winner is."
Olivia let out a dramatic sigh.
"I just hope Megan is capable of appreciating the genius behind my pumpkin. If I don't win, I'll have to reconsider my faith in humanity."
Lindsay rolled her eyes but couldn't help smiling.
"Let's go find Megan before you change your mind and decide to sabotage our pumpkins."
We laughed as we gathered our materials and prepared to go look for Megan. According to Lindsay, she was probably at some Halloween event organized by her debate club. I knew it wouldn't be hard to find her; after all, she was always surrounded by people or participating in campus activities.
The path to the building where the event was supposed to take place was filled with costumed students. Apparently, the Halloween spirit had invaded every corner of the campus. We passed by a group of girls dressed as the Sanderson sisters from Hocus Pocus , complete with brooms and pointed hats. A little further ahead, a tall and skinny guy wore a skeleton costume so detailed that it almost looked real, while another student walked around with a wolf mask and a black cape, theatrically greeting anyone who looked his way.
"This feels more like a costume convention than a debate competition," commented Olivia, pointing to a girl wearing a black cat costume with shiny ears and flawless makeup. "Though, honestly, if I were the judge, I'd give her first prize just for the effort."
"I don't think it works that way in debates," responded Lindsay, though she couldn't help smiling at Olivia's comment. "But you're right, everyone has taken this very seriously."
As we walked, I noticed how the energy on campus felt different. Orange and purple lights blinked in the trees, and garlands hung from the poles like luminous vines. There were lit pumpkins at every corner, some with traditional faces and others with much more elaborate designs. I even saw one that seemed to have a small dragon carved into its surface, with green LED lights simulating fire.
Olivia didn't stop talking, pointing out every extravagant costume or eye-catching decoration, but I preferred to stay on the sidelines, observing silently. It wasn't that I didn't enjoy the festive atmosphere; I just didn't feel the need to actively participate in it. I simply walked a few steps behind them, letting their laughter and comments flow uninterrupted.
"Do you think Megan will be in costume?" asked Olivia, adjusting the apron that still had bits of pumpkin pulp on it. "Because if she's dressed as a Supreme Court judge or something, I'm going to start worrying about my pumpkin."
"I doubt she'll be in costume," responded Lindsay. "It's more likely she's coordinating the event. You know how she is: always busy, always organizing something."
Olivia huffed but didn't say anything else. Instead, she started humming again, this time a melody I vaguely recognized as Thriller by Michael Jackson.
When we arrived at the debate club building, we realized the event was already in full preparation. There was a sign at the entrance that read: "Halloween Night: Debate and Costumes." Several tables were set up in the lobby, decorated with black tablecloths and small lit pumpkins. Students were coming and going, some in extravagant costumes and others simply wearing masks or thematic accessories.
After a few minutes of searching, we finally found Megan. She was chatting animatedly with a group of people near a central table, where several trophies and prizes were displayed. She was wearing a black sweater with an embroidered cat that glowed under the light, and although she wasn't in costume, her hair was tied up in two high pigtails that gave her a playful air.
"Megan!" called Lindsay, approaching with a smile. "Do you have a moment?"
Megan turned toward us, and her eyes lit up when she saw us.
"Lindsay! Sack! Olivia!" she exclaimed, greeting us enthusiastically. "What are you doing here? And why do you have pumpkins? Is this part of some new strange tradition?"
Olivia proudly held up her pumpkin.
"Exactly. We've had our own pumpkin competition, and we need you to be the official judge. Your objectivity is legendary."
Megan raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued.
"A pumpkin competition? Seriously? Well, I can't say I'm surprised. You guys always find creative ways to spend your time."
"So… do you accept being the judge?" asked Lindsay, trying to sound casual, though I could detect a slight tone of hope in her voice.
Megan smiled, crossing her arms.
"Sure, why not? But I want to see them first. Show me what you've done."
We exchanged glances, sharing smiles. We knew this was the moment of truth. No matter who won, we had created something special together.