Apparently when Pace was "good and ready" was no time in the near future. Or at least, to the growingly curious Charlie, it did not seem that he had made it to the costume shop during any of his disappearances, for the only costume she could find in their room was her own.

"The party's tomorrow and he still hasn't gotten his costume yet?" Demeter raised his brows on Friday evening.

"And what about Rib's birthday present?" Apollo frowned just as Pace made his way through the dorm and out the door.

"Maybe he's going now," shrugged Charlie, though she knew it was likely he was only going to wherever it was that he normally went, somewhere far off through the trees.

~~~

"ALL FINISHED!!!" Rib's shout blared through the dorm on Saturday morning. "AND IT TURNED OUT PERFECT!!! I NEED TO GO TURN THIS IN FOR THE PARTY TONIGHT!"

Rib zipped out of his room, across the kitchen, and into the hall, a shiny disc in his hand, still wearing his cartoon-ghost-print pajamas. 

"Well, he's excited this morning," said Apollo.

"Yeah, you'd think it was his birthday or something," Demeter joked as Max poured everyone some juice.

Charlie smiled and began to take a sip, but a voice called to her, making her freeze with the glass to her lips.

"Not so fast," Pace had returned and was now standing in the doorway to their room. "Get over here," he added before whisking inside the bedroom.

"Huh?!" Charlie stared after him nervously.

"Uh-oh," smirked Demeter. "What did you do now?"

"Nothing!" Charlie gulped.

"Just yell if you need backup," laughed Apollo.

Charlie frowned and, at last, followed Pace into the room.

"Umm... What did you want?" she asked tentatively when she joined him inside.

Without a word, Pace tossed a plastic bag at her.

"What's this?" she peeked into the bag. 

"Rib's present," he said.

"Why are you giving it to me?" asked Charlie. "Did you want my opinion or something?"

"No. I want you to wrap it," he ordered simply, moving to place another bag inside the closet.

"Oh," Charlie watched him with a frown. "Hey, is that your costume?" she asked after a moment.

Pace ignored her.

"Can I see it?" she wondered.

"Can I see you wrapping that before Rib gets back?" grumbled Pace, moving for the door.

"Fine," sighed Charlie, but once Pace left the room, she eyed the closet again, curiosity getting the best of her. However, before she could reach for the handle to snoop around, Pace stormed back in, threw open the wardrobe, and pulled out the bag he had just stowed inside. Then with an evil grin, he exited the room once more, taking his mystery costume with him.

"Jerk," Charlie groaned, resigning herself to wrapping Pace's present for Rib.

~~~

"Okay! We're all set for the film showing!" Rib returned shortly after Charlie had finished wrapping his gift. "Charlie! Tonight's the night you become a star!" he grinned, taking a seat at the kitchen table as a low scoff came from the couch where Pace was lying.

Flooding with embarrassment and dread, Charlie sat back down in front of her juice, trying not to think about the movie.

"Here you go, birthday boy!" Max called cheerfully, placing a plate in front of Rib.

"Wow! This is awesome!" Rib beamed, examining the dish Max had prepared for him.

Rib's breakfast plate was filled with all sorts of goodies- a pancake shaped like a zombie face, with gooey, red raspberry syrup, cookies shaped like witches' fingers, a caramel apple, some candy corn, and, of course, a side of Scary O's.

"Today's gonna be perfect!" he grinned, digging in.

"I hope so," thought Charlie, anxiously imagining the party.

~~~