Page 31 of Wicked Lies Grow Wildflowers
Sage is perched on my bed trying to talk me into the local Halloween Bash, which is next weekend, as she likes to remind me over, and over, and over again. I always end up going because Halloween is her favorite, but I hate dressing up and having any attention on me, especially because Sage insists on the skimpiest costumes. No shame, if you’ve got it flaunt it and all that—I just hate when it’s me who does the flaunting.
“UghhhSage, I amnotup for a costume requiring that much effort this late in the game. Can’t we just do something easier? Like slutty bunnies? Or vampires? Or cats?” I beg.
She squints her eyes at me as she says, “You are no fun Maeren, but you’re lucky I love you. And you’re lucky I love vampires.”
“Vampires it is. And I promise next year I’ll be more prepared. I've just been all over the place lately.”
She wiggles her eyebrows at me, “Oh, all over the place, huh?”
“Get your head out of the gutter Sage,” I scoff as I toss a pillow at her.
“But really Maeren, I’m so happy for you. You deserve someone who treats you well, and Xander seems like a great fit for you. So be scatterbrainedallyou want, you deserve to have your brains scrambled.” Leave it to Sage to turn a kindhearted comment perverted, but I love her for it.
“I’m really, really happy, Sage. I like him so much. He makes me feel good about myself, and I even told him all about my family drama. Well I gave him the SparkNotes version at least, and it didn’t scare him away. I was so worried it would be too much baggage for him, and you know how it embarrasses me, but it was totally fine. He actually stood up for me and told me that I don’t deserve any of my mother’s treatment, and that if he ever heard her speak to me badly, he’d put a stop to it. And that just means so much to me, ya know?” I’m a little watery eyed by the end of all that and Sage is staring at me with a smile on her face.
She wraps me in a hug and says, “I love him for you, Mae. But don’t forget, if he ever hurts you, I will end him. Now, let's get going on these costumes, shall we?!”
“Dear God,why did I let you talk me into this?!” I shriek as I look at myself in the mirror. We are about to leave for the Halloween bash, and Sage is putting the finishing touches on our costumes. My fishnet tights are partly covered by knee-high black boots, and a red velvet cloak is the only thing protecting my modesty. The skimpy black bodysuit I have on doesn’t even cover half of my ass. Sage helped me glue on fake fangs andadded fake blood to the side of my mouth. She did my makeup with smokey eyes and a dark red lip before teasing my hair to Heaven.
“Because you look hot, babe,” she winks with a giggle. “We both do.” And while she may be right about herself because she’s dressed in the same tiny outfit, her curves making me envious, I feel so uncomfortable. The small blessing is that Xander can’t make it tonight, so I don’t have to be any more mortified than I already am. He has to finish some big projects for work, but he asked me to send him pictures of my costume—I'm not sure I’ll be doing that.
“Let’s just get this over with.” I tell her.
“Oh come on! You know you’re gonna have so much fun with me!” Sage pledges as she gathers up her things. I shoot Gracie a pleading look, wishing she could save me as she lazily blinks her eyes from the head of my bed. So much for that idea.
The Halloween Bashis already in full swing when we finally arrive. We were slightly late because Sage insisted on taking a million selfies together before we could leave my house. Stepping out of the car, I take in the sight before me, and I do feel a twinge of excitement.
The Halloween Bash is held at a local venue and festive decorations are everywhere. There are orange string lights hanging from arbors and the awnings, and smoke machines cover the grass in a thick fog. A plethora of typical Halloween decor like ghosts and lanterns in trees, tombstones, and skeletons adorn the rest of the outdoor space. Food trucks line one side of the venue’s building in case anyone needs sustenanceto soak up their booze. Creepy music comes from speakers hidden in the bushes as we make our way inside. I take in everyone’s costumes, slowly feeling less out of place in mine.
The venue’s interior is decorated much the same, but with the overall vibe of a haunted house. Flickering candles line the windows and fireplace mantel—all electric, thankfully. Drunk people and fires are never a good idea. A dance floor takes up the middle of the large floor space and a DJ blasts classic Halloween songs. Many people are lined up for drinks at the full service bar in the back, and bodies fill nearly all of the dance floor. Sage grabs my attention over the blaring sound of Monster Mash.
“Let’s drink!” She pulls me along to the bar, and as we wait, she chats up those around us, exchanging compliments on costumes and sharing her giddy excitement for the holiday. Seeing her happy makes me happy. She’s always the life of any party.
I feel someone brush against me, and I take a small step forward, trying to give them some space, but then I feel a tug on my cloak. I whip my head around to see what’s happening and note a fully costumed person behind me. They are wearing a creepy Jack-O-Lantern mask and an entirely black outfit, head to toe covered in black, and it briefly reminds me of a dancing pumpkin man video I’ve seen before. They’re just staring straight ahead at me, creeping me out. I can’t even distinguish their eyes from behind that mask; all I see are bottomless black pits.
Trying to ignore them, I turn my attention back to Sage who’s now chatting it up with a unicorn and a superhero. A scary costume at a Halloween function isn’t weird, after all. Soon the line moves and the creep leaves me alone.
With drinks in hand, Sage and I shuffle to the dance floor, and I pretend this is just another night at The White Rabbit. We’re twirling around together in our own little bubble, and I’msuddenly thankful she dragged me out tonight. We haven’t had a night out together in a while, and I’ve really missed her.
“Hey Sage!?” I yell.
“Yeah?” she asks, grabbing my free hand and spinning herself under my arm.
“I really love you. Thanks for making me come out tonight,” I gush.
“Uh oh, someone’s drink is making them a little mushyyyy,” she jokes, giving me a kiss on my cheek. “I love you more! Now let’s go grab another drink!”
After a few beverages I decide it’s time to stick to water and sober up; I need to get us home tonight. Sage is currently grinding on a man who is dressed as Clark Kent, I think. She’s got his tie between her teeth and he looks entranced by her, but who wouldn’t be. “Hey, I’m going to grab some food outside, I’ll be back for you in a bit,” I say into her ear, trying not to ruin the moment but also trying to make sure we both get home together and in one piece tonight.
“Okay!” she slurs, “I’ll be here!”
On that note, I push through the gyrating crowd and rush outside, the burst of cool air on my skin a welcome balm to all the sweat. It’s quiet out here, hushed conversations carry on over the sound of the food trucks humming and the ambient Halloween sounds still filtering through the speakers. Leaning against the cold brick of the building, I hug my cloak tight around myself, the material thin but offering a little warmth against the breeze. I let my body cool down and relax before the scent of cotton candy and fries lure me in.
I order a funnel cake, because you’ve always gotta get one when you have the chance, and seat myself on one of the empty picnic tables. I realize I didn’t text Xander at all tonight and check my phone, seeing a single message from him sent over an hour ago.
Xander: Hope you’re having fun. Be safe. And send me a pic, bloodsucker.
My liquid courage has built up plenty tonight, so I attach the best photo Sage took of me in costume and send it with the caption “I’ll suck more than your blood.”I am probably, definitely, one hundred percent going to regret sending that in the morning, but that’s a problem for later, not for right now.
