~ Zoie's POV ~
- - - - - TWO WEEKS LATER - - - - -
Miles had been acting kinda strange lately.
Remember when Zoie and Miles first got together and he couldn't get enough of her? They'd even meet up in the parking lot in between classes. Well, now, Miles was the total opposite of that. He was difficult to reach, always busy, and Zoie barely had any quality time with him. Even last weekend, they didn't go out on a date or anything. He said he had baseball practice and Zoie just stayed home.
Zoie didn't wanna be the clingy girlfriend, so she said nothing. But deep down inside, she felt something was off. Because even when Miles was there with her... it didn't really feel like he was there.
Maybe... we just need to spruce it up a bit?
Zoie stood in front of the mirror in her tight little black dress. Her hair was neatly curled and her make up was on point. She picked up a pair of feathery wings from the bed and put them on her shoulders. Feeling satisfied, she then grabbed her bright red lipstick for a touch up.
Perfect.
Today was Halloween day and Zoie had transformed herself into this gorgeous vampire princess. The Stanford student council was throwing a massive Halloween extravaganza on campus, complete with a DJ, a haunted mansion, and of course - a costume party.
Zoie thought this might just be what she and Miles needed. A little break from the hustle and bustle of school. A little dress up game. A little bit of fun.
Zoie grabbed her purse and stepped out of her room. Once outside, she spotted Asher lounging on the couch, watching TV. When Asher saw her coming out, his eyes went wide like saucers and he did a double take. Zoie could even see his Adam's apple moving.
"Ta-da!" she chimed as she came closer. "Can you guess what I am?"
"...A stripper?" he blurted.
"Excuse me!" she exclaimed. "I'm Elena from the vampire diaries!"
"Huh?"
"Never mind," Zoie rolled her eyes and sat down on the armchair next to the couch.
Since her dress was super tight, they were hiked up a bit when she sat down. Asher sat up straighter and he couldn't stop staring at her dress. Especially on her exposed upper thigh. Zoie then put one foot up on the coffee table as she was adjusting her knee-high boots. Asher cleared his throat and crossed his legs.
"Where are you going anyway, looking like that?" he asked.
"The school's Halloween party. Duh," she replied like it was obvious. "Aren't you going?"
Asher just shrugged.
"You're not going?" she whined. "But everyone at school is gonna be there!"
"Exactly," he mumbled. "Not really my scene,"
"What? Pretty girls in sexy costumes, dancing, and drinking all night - that's not your scene?"
Asher let out a half smile.
"Nah," he said. "Not tonight,"
Zoie frowned and crossed her arms. It had been two months since they started college and she noticed that Asher was barely participating in anything.
"You know, we still have four more years of this," she said. "The least you can do is have fun while you're doing it,"
"Put on a costume and talk to some snobby kids? Not my idea of fun," he scoffed.
"Then what do you do around here for fun?"
"I've got a thing," he said with a smirk. "Maybe I'll show you sometime,"
Zoie didn't know if he was being flirty or playful, or both. But all of a sudden, she felt that knot in her stomach that she hadn't felt in weeks.
"Well, anyway..." she trailed, changing the subject. "Can I ask you a teensy, tiny favor?"
"That depends," Asher cocked his head to the side. "What is it?"
"I need a ride to the Halloween party. I can't really drive in these boots," Zoie motioned to her tight, high-heeled boots. She could barely walk or stand in them, let alone drive.
"I'm surprised you're not going with your boyfriend," he said.
"They have a big game coming up against Berkeley tomorrow. Miles's got baseball practice until late, so he'll just meet me there,"
Asher narrowed his eyes like he was suspicious about something. Zoie gave him a reassuring smile like everything was a-okay.
"Alright, fine," Asher sighed and got up. "I'll drop you off,"
"You're just dropping me off? You don't wanna stay?" Zoie got up too.
"I'm gonna have to wear a stupid costume if I go inside,"
"Exactly! And I got just the thing for you---"
"No costumes!" Asher cut her off quickly.
He then went to grab the car key and Zoie chased after him.
"But, Ash-"
"I ain't dressing up for no party, you can bet on that!" Asher said firmly, putting his foot down.
Zoie stared at him with a challenging look. Asher stared right back. Zoie's eyes then softened and widened, giving him her best puppy-eye look. Asher let out a scoff.
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~ Asher's POV ~
"There! It's perfect!" Zoie chimed happily as she adjusted a black cape over Asher's shoulder.
Apparently, Zoie had gotten Miles some vampire king outfit, but since Miles had to go straight from practice, he was using an old costume he had instead. So, now all of a sudden, Asher became the proud owner of this vampire cape and matching suit.
Fúck me. How the hell did I end up here?!
"You look great in this, by the way," she said again, adjusting his collar this time.
"Yeah, right," Asher rolled his eyes.
I probably look like some weird cross between batman, a butler, and the phantom of the opera type of shit.
"No, I'm serious," Zoie said. "You look like Damon Salvatore!"
"Who?"
"Never mind," she laughed and shook her head.
Zoie's hand was resting on Ash's collar and her fingers were grazing his neck. Asher felt his skin shudder at the touch.
"Come on, let's go inside!" she exclaimed as she pulled him by the hand.
Zoie led Asher under the grand arches into the school's memorial church, which has been turned into a Halloween haunted mansion. The large church was built during the American Renaissance, complete with beautiful Romanesque and Byzantine architectural details. Being gothic and rather old, the church didn't much to be transformed into a haunted mansion. Inside the church, the lights were dimmed and there were candles everywhere. There were also cobwebs, skeletons, and jack-o-lanterns adorning all the corners of the great hall. Right on the altar in the middle stood a DJ booth and this dancey-electronic music was blasting from the speakers.
"Wow, this is cool, isn't it?!" Zoie yelled over the music. Her eyes were bright as she scanned around the room, looking at the guys and girls in their costumes.
"Do they have to be this loud?" Asher huffed in annoyance. He put one hand on his ear to block off the loud music.
"This is the sound of our youth, Ash!" Zoie said as she pulled his hand away. "The sound of our freedom! Enjoy it!"
Laughing happily, Zoie then pulled Asher over to the drinks corner. She was busily pouring some drinks from the punch bowl when Asher noticed some guys in Peaky Blinders costumes checking her out. Asher suddenly got territorial. He stood closer behind Zoie, covering her body while glaring daggers at those guys. The guys saw the stare of death coming from Asher and they backed away immediately.
"Oh!" Zoie turned around and gasped in shock when she saw Asher standing so close to her. His face was literally only inches away.
"H-here you go," she stammered, giving him a glass of punch while stepping back.
"Thanks," he said as he took it.
Zoie stood rather awkwardly as she sipped her drink. Asher noticed that her cheeks were turning pink.
Is she blushing?
"Okay, I'm gonna go find Miles," she said quickly, avoiding eye contact with him.
"Okay," Asher said simply.
Zoie flashed him a quick smile before dashing away, whispering, "Remember, Ash, have fun!"
Asher watched as Zoie disappeared amongst the sea of people. He took a sip of his drink and noticed the cheap vodka that had been mixed in there. Rolling his eyes, he downed the drink anyway and poured himself another cup.
If I'm gonna get through tonight, I'm gonna need more of this.
As he was pouring his drink, Asher saw something in the corner of his eye. Karlie, Jo, and some of their friends were standing by the dance floor. They wore this matching Santa Claus outfit straight from that movie, Mean Girls. Karlie caught his eye and she winked at him, smiling playfully. She then stepped into the dance floor and started dancing, motioning for Asher to join her.
Asher scoffed out a smirk. He finished the rest of the drink in his cup before turning away, far away from that dance floor.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
~ Zoie's POV ~
Zoie went up the stairs of the church until she reached the second-floor balcony. This part of the party felt quieter and more secluded than the downstairs dance floor. It had the entrance to the haunted house and they even had a photo booth. Zoie spotted Miles talking to his baseball buddies as they leaned against the railing. A smile curved up her lips as she approached him. He had his back turned to her, so he didn't know she was coming. Zoie sneaked quietly and put her hands over his eyes.
"Guess who?" she whispered.
Miles turned around and his jaw fell when he saw her.
"Damn!" he gaped. "Baby, you look so good!"
Miles was eyeing her up and down. Drool was literally falling from his mouth.
"You don't look so bad yourself," she shrugged coolly, noting his outfit. "What are you supposed to be?"
Miles was wearing his usual baseball jacket and cap, some jeans, and a white t-shirt.
"I'm the jock athlete from the movies," he beamed.
"What movie?"
"Just whatever high school movie. You know what I'm talking about, right?"
Miles was laughing, but Zoie wasn't. Maybe he forgot, but a few days ago, he promised Zoie that they'd wear a couple costume to the party. Zoie spent hours scouring the town for some last-minute Halloween costumes. But him? He didn't even put any effort whatsoever.
"If you didn't have a costume, you should've told me. I could've brought you the vampire suit I got," she said.
"Ah, that one? Hell no!" Miles shook his head firmly. "I'm good,"
But I thought we were gonna couple...?
Zoie couldn't hide the disappointment on her face. Miles then noticed he might've said something wrong.
"Hey, come on," he cooed as he pulled her into his arms. "Let's have some fun. How about you and me go take a walk to the haunted house, yeah?"
Zoie let out a sigh and nodded her head. Miles gave out a smile as he led her to the entrance of the haunted house.
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~ Asher's POV ~
Asher wasn't feeling this dumb party. The only reason he agreed to go in the first place was for Zoie. But ten minutes in and she already left him to be with her boyfriend.
Now what am I supposed to do with this?
Asher shook his head at the costume he was wearing. It wasn't tacky or anything, it was just this velvet suit with a black cape. Suits were never his thing. They were far too constricting. Asher loosened his tie as he walked over to the bar. Yes, the venue actually had a bar. The bartender asked for IDs though, so only those who were 21 and over could order alcohol. But still, it didn't stop the kids from spiking the free punch with cheap vodka.
"Hey, can I get a whiskey? On the rocks," he said to the bartender.
"ID please," the bartender replied.
Asher pulled out his wallet and picked out his driver's license. The bartender inspected it and gave it back.
"Coming right up," he said.
Asher put his wallet back in his pants and sat down at the bar. Most of the people here were probably underage, only the seniors were probably 21 and over. Asher though... he was 24.
"Hey, bro,"
Suddenly, Asher's peace and quiet were interrupted by a voice. Asher looked to his side and saw a guy in a baseball jacket. He looked like one of the guys on Miles's team.
"That chick that was with you earlier, is she your sister?" the guy said again. Asher noticed he had a strong Spanish accent.
Asher scoffed and took a sip of his drink.
"Not really," he said.
"But y'all are related or something like that, I heard?"
Asher rolled his eyes in annoyance.
"What of it?"
"Nah, I was just wondering if she's single yet?"
Asher narrowed his eyes.
"She's dating your friend," he reminded him.
"Miles?" the guy looked taken aback. "That shit's still going on?"
Asher was really confused now. As far as he knows, that shit was still going strong.
"What, you don't think so?" he asked, cocking his head to the side.
"Well, I mean... Miles showed up at my party last night with a different girl, I just assume-"
"Wait, what?" Asher cut him off sharply.
The guy started stammering. He realized he probably shouldn't have said that.
"What did you just say?" Asher pressed as he stood up tall.
"Ah... well... you know how it is," he chuckled.
"What exactly did he do with this other girl?" Asher kept pressing. The guy had to step back because Asher kept coming closer.
"Bro, come on. You need me to spell it out for you?"
Asher had no restraint. He grabbed the guy his collar and brought him closer. The guy was shocked and he tried to push Asher back, but he wasn't strong enough.
"Alright, alright, they had sex!" he admitted finally. "I-I mean, yeah, Miles is a total player... But like, who isn't nowadays?"
Asher was glaring daggers into this guy. He was so mad. So beyond mad. His hands were curled into fists and he felt like killing somebody tonight.
But still, this guy wasn't the target. Asher only had one thing on his mind and one person he wants to deal with right now. Letting out an angry scoff, he let the guy go and quickly turned around.
"H-hey, man, where are you going?"
Asher didn't respond in words. He finished the whiskey and slammed the glass down before walking away.
I'm gonna kill that fúcking son of a bitch.
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- - - - - - To Be Continued - - - - - -