Page 50 of Vexing the Viper

Fuck, I'm getting in my feelings again.

"I mean, some people like simple things. I don't, but some do."

Laughing, I shake my head at Will. He's always been loud and out there, but he's a great teammate, and he's becoming a great friend.

"I am not wearing this," Sam grits out while strolling out of his dressing room.

I turn and face him, choking on the laugh that tries to break free. "What the fuck is that?"

"I don't know," he whines, pulling at the hem of the jacket. Tilting my head, I take in the tux, or the outfit that's cosplaying as a tux. It's worse than Will's. Sam's tux is powder blue withwhite ruffled sleeves and collar. The blue jacket of the tux has a deep v at the neckline.

"Where did you find it?"

"It was on the rack. All I saw was blue, so I grabbed it."

"You look fucking ridiculous." Snickering, I can't hold back and let a laugh free.

Sam rolls his eyes, storming back into the dressing room. He comes back out a short while later and walks back over to the racks. He pulls down the same suit as me, and I chuckle again.

"Copycat."

He rolls his eyes shrugging. "Whatever, it seems to be the only normal tux in this place."

"Come on, let's go buy them and get lunch."

We end up eating lunch at a restaurant, the three of us talking about the Halloween Ball. Will fills us in on more of what happens on the blood moon.

"So, all monsters are in their shifted form?"

"Yeah, it's pretty awesome. Before they let humans into Creelin U, there were more monsters walking around in their true form, but this year there's not many that do."

"Yeah, I see some here and there, but not as many as I was expecting."

"You'll see a lot tonight. It's going to be epic."

"I can't wait."

But really, I can. As much as I want to go, I'm also dreading not going with Niko.

Staringat myself in the mirror, I give myself a final glance before deciding I look good enough. I'm not wearing a baseball cap and my hair is styled as well as I could get it. I’m wearing myblack tux with a black button-down and light green tie. The tie immediately reminded me of Niko’s eyes, so I snatched it off the shelf without a second thought. Pulling on my sleeve, I adjust the cuff, feeling self-conscious. I'm not much of a person who dresses up, so I can only assume I look fine. I spray myself with some cologne before stepping out of the bathroom.

Niko and Mateo are both sitting on the couch, and when I walk into the room both of their eyes lock onto me.

Niko's gaze scans my body head to toe, then back up again. There's lust in his eyes, and I know he likes what he sees, yet he still doesn't say anything.

"Damn, dude, you clean up nice," Mateo says, filling in the awkward silence.

"Thanks, man, I'll see you there."

"Of course."

Not waiting for it to get more awkward, I walk to the door giving a soft, "Bye" as I walk out the door. I walk out of the dorm and through the quad, making my way to the banquet hall. There are so many other students around me, and I can't stop myself from looking at them. All of them are dressed up, some more so than others. There are monsters walking among the student body, and I wave when I see Savannah, the Harpy from the liquor store. There's a group of Mummies hanging by the sidewalk, laughing and talking. One of the guys from my Intro to Monsterkind class walks over to the crowd before transforming into a gorgeous Phoenix. I'm intrigued and mesmerized by all the monsters before me.

I wish I was sharing this with Niko.

Finally making it to the banquet hall, I pause when I step through the front doors. Everything is decked out in Halloween decor. There are candelabras all throughout the room, dimly lighting the area. Orange and black linens decorate the windows and tables, playing on the Halloween vibe.

I don't see any of my teammates yet, so I walk over to a table in the corner. Grabbing myself a cup of water, I turn and scan the rest of the room.

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