The next week everyone was abuzz about Halloween. The school dance was on Friday even though Halloween was officially on the Monday after. They probably thought it wasn't wise for a high school to throw a dance on a school night.
Paul saw Melissa in the hall at her locker putting away books. She was humming and quietly singing that song the monster mash. Paul stood behind her just to listen. He finally interrupted. "Fun fact we never actually hear the monster mash. That song is just a song about the song. It's weird."
Melissa chuckled, "Never thought about it like that."
The two walked off. "So I assume you're gonna talk me into helping set up for the dance." stated Paul.
It was a surprise to hear her response. "No, actually I'm skipping being in charge for just a little bit. Sometimes I get so busy I forget to actually enjoy stuff."
"Oh well, now I don't know what to do with myself," Paul joked.
He could see the light bulb go off on her face. "Well I do need help in a very special project, I still need a costume.”
"You would want me to help with costume selection?" the perplexed teenage boy asked.
"Yes! I need a proper opinion. Delilah is wrapped up with brother drama. Beatriz is all in her studies, and my brother just laughed. So you're like literally my only hope here Paul." pleaded Melissa.
He caved. This would be the first time the two ever hung out alone. There were always others around. He figured it might be fun even if it made him a little anxious.
The pair took off to the costume store after school. The ride was almost conversationless. When they got there they started walking in the aisles looking at all the costumes on the hangers. Paul decided to break the awkward silence. "So what did you have in mind?"
Melissa turned around, "I don't know. For the last three years I planned a cute couples costume with Quinn. This year I'm planning for just me."
He picked up a costume off the rack. "Well you could go with a classic nurse?"
Melissa shook her head no and continued walking down the aisle. Paul picked up another costume. "How bout princess Leia."
"I've never seen Star Wars."
Paul jokingly made an exaggerated shocked face. "What! It's a classic and it's Quinn's favorite. I'm surprised he didn't show you." Paul regretted that last part.
Melissa stopped in her tracks. " Wait, what are you going as?"
Paul didn't have an answer. "Oh my god. I don't know. I forgot about that part.”
Melissa picked up a costume and handed it to him. "How about you go as a pirate?"
Paul grabbed the costume. "Not a bad choice. Pirates are in this year." He placed that costume on the rack and picked up another one. "Oh I've got it. How about a hot vampire."
Melissa giggled. "You're supposed to be something different on Halloween. I'm already hot and-" Melissa paused for a second and turned away, "And every girl there will probably be a vampire, it's an easy one."
The two continued walking in the store. He saw the perfect costume for her. He was excited to show her. "I've got a good one. It's you but different and I'm sure no one else will be wearing this costume."
Melissa walked up with one behind her back, "I've got the perfect one here for you." The two exchanged costumes. Paul handed her a Carrie costume. Melissa handed him a Rowdy Roddy Piper costume.
Paul loved it. He was a big wrestling fan. Although he was hesitant to wear a kilt because it looked like a skirt. "Wait, how'd you know?" he asked.
Melissa laughed. “You once went on a rant at lunch about how he was your favorite wrestling guy because he was the best villain."
The fact she remembered that wowed Paul. Melissa looked down at hers. “Carrie as the bloody prom queen.” She laughed, "This is weirdly perfect."
“Plus you can wear your homecoming crown.” Paul suggested.
The two purchased the costumes and headed to the car. Melissa's door got stuck. So Paul went around the car to help. "Sorry" he said while jiggling the handle. "Old car, it gets stuck sometimes."
The door handle lifted and Paul opened the door. "Wow Paul didn't know you were so gentlemanly.” Melissa joked.
This made him blush. He got in the car to drive her home. The two talked and joked the whole way there. When they got to her house Melissa looked over to thank him and gave him a hug. "Thanks for the good day. This was the first one in a while."
She exited the car and he waited to make sure she got inside before he drove off. Paul was glad this day turned out to be fun. Plus he got a cool costume out of it.
The next day at school, everyone was eager for the dance. Some people even showed up in their costumes. It was the last period for Paul and that meant history class. The lesson today was actually interesting to him, the history of Halloween. Eventually the bell rang.
Paul raced out of the class room with Quinn by his side. Paul went over to his friend's house to get ready. Quinn changed into his costume. He decided to go as Han Solo. It was now Paul's turn to change. He walked out of the bathroom dressed in his costume to show his friend.
"Dude, that's awesome," the impressed Quinn said.
"Right!? Melissa picked it out." Paul blurted out before thinking.
With a confused face Quinn asked. "Since when do you and Melissa hang out?"
Paul felt guilty for a second. He questioned whether or not he should have been hanging out alone with his best friend's ex-girlfriend. There was no ulterior motive on Paul's part. He gave his friend some reassurance. "Dude be cool. I was her last choice and I needed a costume too. It was no big deal."
Relief washed over his friend's face. They'd have to discuss it more later on because it was time to head to the dance. They were a little late so the party was in full swing when they arrived. He immediately saw Melissa. She looked great. He was about to go up to her but he felt weird about it after Quinn's reaction early today. Paul tried to see who else was there. That's when Rhea approached them dressed as a zombie cheerleader.
"That is perfect," Paul said to Rhea.
Rhea did a spin, "I know."
Ahe and Quinn hugged and she asked him to go dance. Paul could read between the lines. They were definitely in a real relationship now. He felt happy for them. The two made sense as a couple to Paul.
Paul spotted Mr. Everald and Noah standing in the corner watching the teens. He was definitely curious how they got Zane's brother to agree to this. He also made a note of how chummy the two older gentlemen were. Every time he saw Noah, Mr. Everald was there. It was weird to consider them friends because it was weird thinking anyone could be Noah's friend. Noah was a jerk to everyone from what Paul saw and went out of his way to make others mad or feel uncomfortable.
His eyes scanned the room. He then saw the twins on the dance floor, so he went over. A few songs later they decided on a break. At the punch bowl, Paul asked about their costumes. Tyler was a Ghostbuster but he couldn't figure out what Beatriz was, "Who are you supposed to be?"
She responded, "Mia Farrow from Pulp Fiction.”
"Oh. I see it. The syringe and bloody nose. Got it."
The group grabbed some snacks and sat down. Aiden and Melissa walked up.
"Hey guys, everyone looks so great." Melissa said with a smile.
Beatriz looked Aiden up and down and asked, "What are you supposed to be?"
He raised a protest, "Nudist on strike."
Melissa pushed the sign down. "Yes it is a very clever way to not wear a costume."
Noah walked up. "Alright juveniles, no spiking the punch bowl. Nice costume Aiden."
Paul noticed Beatriz's face as Noah was talking. She looked extremely annoyed by his presence. Noah continued. "I need to borrow Tyler and only Tyler for a brief talk."
Noah grabbed Tyler and started to pull him away when his sister chimed in. "I will come too, in case you need another opinion."
The three walk away. Paul wondered for a second what those guys would even need to talk about. Just then, Delilah and Zane walked up. The pair dressed up as Robin Hood and Maid Marian.
Paul joked around with them, "Wow a couples costume guess you guys are official."
Everyone laughed. Paul was thankful he was no longer angry about his ex moving on. He was even glad he had a new friend. Delilah turned to Melissa to compliment her costume.
"Thanks, Paul picked it out." Melissa replied.
Delilah smirked and looked at him. "Oh he did?"
"Yep costume picking is a new talent I've acquired." Paul said before taking a sip from his cup.
The group spent a few minutes talking and snacking. Zane looked over at Mr. Everald and looked around the room. "Where's my brother and where is Tyler?"
Paul answered. "Oh he and the twins stepped away a few minutes before you walked up "
Zane got serious. "Which way did they go?"
Paul pointed in the direction. Zane went sprinting. The group looked at each confused and decided to go after them. Paul ran through the back door and instantly saw Noah and Zane fighting. Not just an argument but a full on fist fight. Delilah dropped to the ground to comfort Beatriz who was holding Tyler who was unconscious. Paul had so many questions but before he could ask, he needed to break up the fight.
He got in the middle of the brothers and tried to stop them. Zane accidentally punched him in the face. Mr. Everald rushed in and grabbed Noah. Paul grabbed Zane and pulled him away. The physical fight was done.
"I'm okay being the bad guy because it needs to be done." Noah yelled to Zane.
The chaos was over and Mr. Everald dragged Noah inside. Delilah and Beatriz were sitting by Tyler. Aiden went back inside to hang out with Rhea and Quinn. Zane was sitting on a bench. Paul sat next to him. "You okay?"
Zane shook his head, "Yeah I'm good. Sorry about hitting you."
Paul let him off the hook. "Nah forget about it. It reminds me of how we first met." The two laughed. Paul followed up, “What was that all about anyways?"
Zane got up. "It was about me believing my brother can change and be different but he does something so stupid and violent." he said before he began to walk away.
That answer was frustrating because it didn't answer anything. Paul called out as Zane left. "That's not really an answer. What you said is just vague and mysterious.”
He decided to drop the subject and go back inside. Melissa followed him. The pair sat down at a table. 'Well you can put this dance in the interesting and violent category." Melissa said to lighten the mood. "How's your face?"
Paul down played the injury. "Well I am Rowdy Roddy Piper so I can take a punch."
Melissa laughed while putting a cup with ice on his face. "Well this is one way to end a dance."
"At least the police aren't here," said Paul. That made Melissa laugh again. He continued, "Or we can end this night properly. Do you want to dance?"
Melissa replied yes without any hesitation. The pair went onto the dance floor to dance to a slower song playing which was the last song of the night. It ended, they said goodnight, and they went their separate ways.