Page 2 of Huge

Lacey picks precisely that moment to bustle in with a steaming pot of something. “We’re having chili tonight. Your dad hates it, so I thought we could indulge while he’s away.” She smiles at the thought of dad, and his picky eating, and I groan internally. They are still so loved up. It’s nauseating, and kind of sweet, too. Dad had been on his own for too long, and I’m glad he found someone as lovely as Lacey to care for him.

“That’s great. Thanks, Lace,” I say.

“Are you sure, Jenna?” Harrison asks. “You know, with your hot flush and all.”

Lacey looks at me, then rests a cool hand on my flaming forehead. “Aren’t you feeling good?” she asks with concern.

“I’m fine,” I say, shooting daggers at Harrison. Lacey glances between us, perplexed, then nods and retreats to the kitchen for the rest of the food. I continue to glare at Harrison, who laughs and shrugs as if he wasn’t trying to be funny. I look around the room, struggling to think of anything else to say that won’t provoke another of his attempts at humor. And I’m desperate to find something to take my mind away from where it wants to go.

“I overheard you talking about a Halloween party,” Lacey says as she comes back with another large pot.

“Yeah.” Harrison holds his plate out for the first helping of dinner. “Jacob’s parents are out of town, and they’ve said he could have a party.”

Lacey’seyebrows practically hit her hairline. “They’re braver than I am. I don’t think I’d ever feel comfortable leaving this house in your hands.” She shakes her head and chuckles. “I remember some of the house parties I went to.”

“Oh yeah,” Harrison says, shoveling a forkful of chili and rice into his mouth and chewing.

“Yeah. You guys didn’t invent having a good time, you know?” She laughs. “So, is it a dress-up party?”

I chuckle, thinking it’s more likely going to be an undress party, but Harrison nods. “Jacob’s got a thing about horror movies. He wants everyone dressed in something terrifying.”

“So, what costume are you getting?” Lacey asks.

“I was thinking of Freddie Kruger, but it’s a little clichéd.”

“Mmm…I’ll have a think,” Lacey says. “Are you going to go, Jenna?”

“I doubt it,” I reply. “Wouldn’t want to cramp Harrison’s style.”

“Oh, don’t you worry about that, princess,” he says with a grin that makes me want to slap him and sit on his face all at the same time. “It won’t bother me if you’re there.”

“Oh yeah,” I say, and a spark of an idea comes into my head. “Well, I’ve got plans already.”

As Harrison and his mom debate horror movie costumes, I begin to plot. If everyone at Jacob’s party is going to be in fancy dress, maybe I can have a little fun with Mr. Hilarious over there. He thinks he’s Johnny-big-bollocks, but I’ll show him who’s got the biggest balls. It’s a moment of perfect clarity, and total insanity rolled into one. I’m going to rent a costume of my own, something sexy with a full mask and wig, so he won’t know it’s me, then I’m going to go to that stupid party and get my hands on Harrison, just one time. I know I’ll never get a chance for more, so I might as well make the most of the weapon that Harrison’s stashing in his boxers.

He might call me princess as a joke, but when I’ve finished with him, he’ll be worshiping at my royal feet.

It’s perfect.

I get what I want, and hopefully, it’ll get my fixation out of my system. I’ll get the memories, and he’ll never find out it was me.

Everyone will be happy.

2

CONCEALMENT

Harrison decided to dress up as Pinhead fromHellraiser. I guess he’s going for the retro effect and thinks it’s totally hilarious when he jumps out on me as I walk through the front door and frightens me half to death.

My costume has been causing me some trouble. I need something sexy. I wouldn’t be able to seduce Harrison wearing something gross. But it also has to keep me as anonymous as possible. All the horror masks I looked at were seriously scary and grotesque.

In the end, I settle on being a vampire with a black lace bat-shaped mask, a long black wig with bangs, and a short black and red dress that flares out around my thighs and has a high collar to complete the effect. I buy a palette of face paint and some fake blood, but draw the line at fake teeth, because, well, I’m planning to do things with my mouth that don’t involve piercing jugulars!

I practice the look once, a couple of days before the party, so I can make sure I have everything I need. It’s strange to cover up my short blonde hair with a long black wig. In the dress, I feel like a different person. Edgy. More powerful. With the make-up and mask in place, I’m almost unrecognizable. The one thing I worry would give me away is my eyes. I’ve inherited my mothers yellow-green cat eyes, and they’re pretty unique. So much so, I decide to buy some colored contacts, opting for violet to really complete the effect.

On the night, I wait for Harrison to leave. I knew he’d want to come and show off his costume before he left, so I make sure to stuff all my accessories in the closet.

“So, what do you think?” he asks, sticking his head around my door, then coming to stand in my room.

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