Fatal Flaws

chapter 21

Even though I knew we were coming here, I haven't given it much thought. I have no clue what to wear considering that I haven't dressed up in years. I'm pretty sure the last time I did something like this, I was twelve. That was right around the same time that I lost my innocence and everything that went along with it. Maybe, this is one of the reasons I hate this holiday.  

I'm lost in thought, mindlessly running my fingers over the various fabrics. I continue walking,  making my way towards the back of the store. No one notices me disappearing, leaving them to argue about the costumes. I can still hear their muffled voices but I can't understand them. 

It's crazy, I never knew there was so much fuss about a make-believe holiday. Everyone knows that the candy factories invented it, for some get-rich-quick scheme. I don't even see what all the hype is about. I could understand if people used it to hide from themselves. It would be fun to play dress up and pretend to be someone other than myself. 

"Bex, is that you? Oh my gosh, it is" an all too familiar female voice from my past comes from behind me. A shiver runs down my spine. I would know that voice anywhere. Why her? Why now? My feet don't want to move, but my mind tells my body to run To escape her.

But instead, I don't get the chance. She grabs me from behind, spinning me around, and pulling me into a giant bear hug. Her blonde hair whips around, landing in my semi-open mouth as she squeezes me tight.

"Hey Ashley, what are you doing here?" I stammer as she releases me, allowing me to take a few wobbly steps backward, away from her. I'm silently cursing in my head. What did I do to deserve this? It's like the universe is trying to punish me, in some horrible way. I hope she doesn't catch onto the pure annoyance in my voice as I stare at her, lost for more words.

"You know, Halloween was always Johnny's favorite holiday. Plus, how could you forget every year my mom throws an enormous party silly" She lets out a fake laugh. She has to remember her mother never allowed me to attend any of her exclusive parties. Their whole family was against Johnny and me being together. I was too young for him and he was way too good for me. That's why she's bringing this up, she wants to humiliate me. I should have known.

The painful memories come rushing back to me. I was forced to spend every Halloween alone. Bored, waiting late in the night when he could finally sneak away from his controlling family. I shuffle my feet around, standing there silently watching her. I don't know what to say. I wish I could disappear, sink into the floor.

She turns away from me, pulling several scented candles off the nearest shelf. She opens each one, sniffing them. Eventually settling on a pumpkin spice latte-scented one. Carefully, she places the remaining ones back on the shelf. I'm contemplating running for it when she turns back to face me.

"They have the best stuff around here. I come every year," she boasts, walking a little farther before stopping again. She grabs more things from the shelf. Shoving several plastic skulls into her already full overflowing cart.

"But seriously, where have you been hiding? I figured you were dead or in rehab somewhere," she smirks, picking up a giant pink Sombrero. She gives me a fake sympathy smile before placing it on her head. Ashley hasn't changed since the last time I saw her. Which, unfortunately, was at the funeral. She's always been such a pretty girl. Her long wavy blonde hair and enormous round blue eyes are astonishing.  She never overdoes her makeup. It's always perfectly paired with her pale skin tone. And, of course, she has the perfect body to go along with it. A slim waist, big breasts, with a perfectly sculpted butt. Nice long slender legs which she has no shame in showing off. I think to myself as I take in her outfit.

A black suede miniskirt, with a slit ending right below her ass. Her breasts are nearly popping out of a tight-fitted off-white cream sweater. It has an extremely low-lying neckline. The tightness of the thin material outlines her slim waist.