Hello, heart.

Hello, brain.

Hello, ovaries.

"Thank you guys for coming on such short notice." I look in the mirror. "As you know, Lucas and I are going to have sex today."

Yay. We're so happy.

Be safe.

Make his dick fall off.

I walk around the room, fingertips touching. "Indeed, it is a magnificent deal. Many suitors in the past have not satisfied us, for we are... far too demanding and destructive."

Need therapy.

Don't think that.

Violence hehehe.

"Which is why... " I close my eyes. "We must... unleash... Lucas's demon."

Unleash.

The

Demon.

I cackle, throwing my head back. "There's a Halloween party tonight and the fool thinks we're going in matching costumes. But he has been lied!"

You forced the guy to dress up with you.

There was a lot of blackmail involved.

What matters is that we won.

"Our man is a possessive specie. He 'doesn't share.'" I mimic his voice with jazz hands. "Which is why... we bought this!" I bring forward the very sexy - but classy, because it's mid-thigh - nurse costume.

Oh, Lucas will ji- I mean swoon from your beauty.

Why, you classy classy ho.

Who's ready to die?

"Let the games begin."

~

At 6 PM, Lucas — the victim — texts that he's arrived and my red heels click outside. I'm about to open the passenger door when he storms out and marches in front of me.

"What's this?" He snaps like he's tired of this shit. We've barely started.

I can't concentrate. He's so... fucking... hot. Somebody give me cold water. No, take me to North Pole.

Black jeans, white shirt, leather jacket. Hair slicked with strands on his forehead. Dark furious brows with chestnut glaring eyes.

A bruised up cut on his cheek — because I said we should go as badass, bloody Greasers. Sent him to Gina for special makeup. She even sliced his neck and stained his shirt.

"I asked you... what's this, Layla? You've been nagging for four days that we should do our fucking makeup and dress like idiots for some dumbass party. What are you wearing?"

"Why are you so angry?" I smile, stepping close. "Do you need some medical attention?"

He grits his jaw as if his eyes aren't darkening. I put my hands on his chest to push him against the car, leaning my body on him.

"We should go clean you up, so I can do my own damage." I say in his ear and he chuckles.

"You're going to be a little brat, aren't you?" He holds my hips.

"Depends if you can handle it, stud."

"You annoying sack of shit." He bites his lip, gripping me harder. "Get in the car."

I feel like I'm walking into hell.

He turns on some music and drives to Casey's, smiling the whole time like a Cheshire cat.

To be honest, I'm not happy. I expected rage. What the hell is this shit. I scoff and sink back in my seat, riding my skirt up a bit.

Lucas raises his arm above my legs, eyeing my hands on my lap. I confusedly move them and he smacks his palm down, making me flinch.

"Mine." He squeezes my thigh.

Okay, sir. It's too early to ruin my panties. I turn my flustered face towards the window, scheming my next plan.

"I hope Casey has a lot of guests. I've missed being around attractive people. Maybe some blonde surfers. Mafia leaders. Bike riders."

"Is that so?" He says calmly.

"I like a variety." I shrug. "Got a lot of needs to fulfill. A team effort—" I yelp when he cups me between my legs.

"The only effort you'll need is to keep up." He strokes me over my panties, unfazed by how I clench my thighs and grasp his wrist.

"Open your legs." He orders and as I do, he moves my undies aside. I grip the headrest, making him chuckle. "You like that, baby?"

I moan as he effortlessly circles his finger, eyes on the road the entire time.

"Say it." He presses harder and I lift my hips, mewling with angry need. "Say it..."

"I like it..." I gasp, now pushing his wrist close.

"You like it, what?" He asks innocently.

"Fuck you."

Without a warning, he slides his finger in. Holds it up as I whimper. "What was that?"

"I like it, sir!"

"Good girl." He pulls out. Puts his hand back on the wheel. Continues to drive.

~

We arrive to Casey's dumbass party.

"Ready?" He smirks, knocking on the door as I roll my eyes.

What I don't expect is an elderly couple on the other side. They look two hundred years old.

"That's some really good makeup." I say to who I only assume are Casey and Jacob taking Halloween too seriously.

"Layla." Lucas warns under his breath, offering his hand. "Hi, we're Casey's friends."

"Well, hello... " The grandma greets in a croaked-voice, eyes narrow with thick glasses. "What are you, a dead Greaser?"

"A bloody Greaser." He smiles. "My girlfriend insisted to dress like we just got in a fight. Clearly I made her angry."

"I see that." She stares at his neck before looking at me. "Then you had to change into your work clothes to take care of him."

"Yeah..." I laugh, nervously leaning on Lucas. "I take my job very seriously."

"I can see why." She raises her brows while her husband smiles uncomfortably.

"Please, come in." He moves his crazy wife aside as we walk in.

"We're Casey's grandparents." The grandma leads us to the kitchen. "Our retirement home doesn't allow kids to visit for trick or treating. So we asked to come here."

I bet it worked perfectly for Casey. She doesn't have to worry about answering the door.

"I would much rather stay with you than go to this party." I say.

"You're more than welcome to!" She leans with wide eyes. "But make sure to steal some booze."

I look at Lucas, telling him this must be done, but he seems exasperated and beckons to the backyard. Where people my age should be.

We greet Casey and the rest of the squad. Have a bit of small talk. A cocktail. Finger foods. But something doesn't feel right. I feel out of place.

Somehow, I connect with Gia and Shushan more. I know it's because of me, I've been more open with them. Have I ever been myself with Casey? I love her. Care about her. But still.

Is this normal? Is this how friendships grow apart? Is it supposed to hurt like a breakup? Should it be worked on? Is it bad if it can't? No one talks about these things.

"You okay?" Lucas asks as we stand by the bar.

"Yeah, sorry... just a little anxious." I hope he doesn't scoff, but he just kisses my temple.

I instinctively hug his waist and press my forehead in his neck, closing my eyes.

"You okay, baby?" He cooes, rubbing my back.

"Yeah..." I pull away shyly. "Thank you."

"You're welcome." He smiles.

~

After an hour and a half — when a respectable amount of time passes — I ditch the pool party and run to the kitchen with Lucas behind.

"Hello!" I greet, taking a seat by the island. "We're here to join the better party."

"About time!" The grandma hands me a jello cake, making me squeal. "The dessert's here."

We talk a bit about what we do. I forget their names, but the grandma used to be a florist and has a gun. She hides it in a pot of roses so the nurses don't find it. The grandpa used to be an accountant who helplessly fell in love.

"More of them!" Her eyes light up when another group of kids knock. The two put their arms around each other as they slowly walk to the door with hands full of candy.

"You guys are so sweet." I swoon when they come back.

"Aw, so are you guys." She says. "This is so nice. We don't get a lot of chances to talk to your generation. They find us too boring."

"Please." I laugh. "Walls are more interesting to talk to than some people my age. I get so bored sometimes."

Older people have more stories to tell. They're wiser. Their humor is fine like wine.

"Well, boredom isn't always bad." She smiles. "Sometimes it's a blessing, telling us we need change."

"Couldn't agree more." Lucas glances at me. "It can be a sign that you're not focused on what you want. What you're passionate about."

"I like production." I frown.

"No. You like numbers." He says calmly. "You like analyzing and predicting performances."

"Which is my job."

"It's a part of your job. The real job is leading Grant's brand."

"And that's a bonus. It helps me climb up the ladder."

"Is climbing the ladder what you really want?" He looks at me seriously and I scowl.

"What else am I supposed to do?" I laugh when I realize what he's getting at. "Oh, you mean data consulting? As in, starting my own business?"

"I could see that." The grandma says, stunning me silent for a moment.

"Yeah. A lot of women your age start their own business nowadays." The grandpa adds and now they're all looking at me.

"Okay... thanks for the support." I chuckle.

Lucas looks away. "You deserve way more credit than you give yourself."

Despite the conversations after, my mind stays on his words. The way he said them with such certainty was like an arrow cracking a shell and releasing my doubts.

I'm not a failure. I'm not insufficient. I don't have to beat myself for being imperfect. For being neglected. I'm not defective.

Bricks of protection crumble to the ground, disarming my mind with dust and smoke. Like a double-edged sword, it frees me while threatening. Enjoy, but carefully!

When we slow dance in the living room, I feel vulnerable with no distractions, no banters, no others. Our elderly friends hold hands on the couch, lost in their own world.

It intensifies the way Lucas looks at me. Warmth in his eyes. Softness on his lips. Tenderness in his touch. It flutters my heart.

"Did you have fun?" He asks on the way home and I nod.

"Yeah, did you?"

"Of course." He smiles. "I always have fun with you."

"You do?" I say like a wide-eyed owl.

"Why wouldn't I?"

"I thought I'm annoying."

"You are. You're the most annoying person I know."

"I'm free entertainment. Not to mention, a delicious snack."

"I'll be the judge of that." He smirks.

"You better."

He turns the car off and I'm ready to pounce, but he cups my face in a gentle kiss. I try to analyze, but every thought melts from his lips, making me sigh and give in.

"I like you." He pulls back and looks at me. "I really like you. You know that, right?"

"You do?"

"Yes." He says firmly, studying my face. "We don't have to do anything tonight."

"What do you mean?" I furrow my brows.

"You know what I mean. We don't have to do anything." He says softly. "We can just watch one of your stupid Anime shows or other crap you want to cry over."

I snort. "You say it now cause you haven't seen it. Wait 'till they get to you."

"Well, whatever." He smiles, swelling my chest. "I'll watch it even if I don't like it."

When he kisses me again, I respond with haste, lifting off my seat to get on his side, wrapping my arms around his neck.

He exhales like he's been holding his breath and deepens the kiss. I whimper a little when he pulls back.

"So what do you want?" His gruff voice parts my lips with appetite.

"Do I need to spell it out?"

His eyes widen. I narrow mine.

"Jeez..." I lean back and sigh. "If I knew you're such a romantic, I wouldn't have dressed up. Now I feel like I'm too much for you."

His expression sets in stone, giving nothing away.

"Last thing I want is to be stuck in a missionary, with you staring at me like a robot." I smile. "And have the bugs on the headboard laugh at you for making me snore."

He doesn't move. Not an inch. Not a muscle. I tilt my head with feigned concern.

"It's okay. Don't feel bad. I'll try to keep my eyes open. I'll even clap a little."

Anger flashes in his eyes. I softly giggle.

"Maybe I'll call you a good boy and pat your head when you come in two seconds—"

He opens his door, cutting my sentence short. Shuts it, walks around and jerks mine open.

"Out."

~ A/N ~
I don't know if you guys are ready...