"You want me to wear this?" Hallie wasn't sure what to say while staring at the sparkling fringe deep marine dress from the 20s.

It was phenomenal, but not something she would choose for herself. Those kinds of dresses were perfect for beautiful girls like Pride. Hailie thought that she would look ridiculous in such amazing costume.

"Of course I want you to wear this! The dress is made for you and you only."

Hailie bit her lip.

"I've planned to wear something casual. To be completely honest I didn't have any idea, I just assumed it's going to be a last minute costume."

"My sweet Hailie. Halloween is today. This is last minute." She moved closer to that sweet naive human. "You're lucky to have me. I've planned everything. Costume, accessories, jewelry and make-up of course." She smiled like she was the best friend in the world.

She was actually. In her company Hailie didn't have to be ashamed or introverted. She could be just herself and Pride thought that's the best that she can be.

"Right now you got me excited." Hailie let herself touch the sparkling material. "This color is gorgeous."

"Come on, try it on!"

She took the dress and walked to her wardrobe to change clothes while Pride set all her make-up accessories on a dressing table. She had to move stationery, which were used to make some decorations. The house was ready for the Halloween party as Debra took care of it. Now it looked even creepier than usual.

"Pride?"

Hailie left the wardrobe with such uncertainty that it took a minute before Pride was able to see her. Hailie was nervously shifting her weight from one foot to another.

"Wow, Hailie, just wow." She came closer and with one move she turned Hailie to the mirror. There she was. Looking at their reflection she saw a little shy, but lovely girl in a dress which seemed as if it was made just for her. It fit her perfectly. "You're gonna be a star tonight." Not bigger than she was, of course, but the second one for sure.

Hailie felt tears of happiness wailing up in her eyes. She turned to Pride and embraced her tightly, hiding head inside her silk blonde hair. It wasn't a dress that made her feel those emotions. It was the fact that she felt so good while being with Pride. Seeing how caring she was, how much she tried to make her believe in her beautiful self. Thanks to that Hailie understood what it meant to have a true friend. She never thought that she's going to befriend a demon, but right now she wouldn't wish for anybody else than Pride.

"Thank you, it's amazing." She didn't have to say anything else, her hug and the look on her face showed it all.

"You don't have to thank me. You deserve it, sweetie." She smiled at her, but inside she felt really weird. It was like after Gregory she forgot what it was to care so much for somebody, like she shut herself down. Hailie reminded her of that. For a long time, Pride didn't have so much fun as she had now, with that fragile human. "Come, we have to get you ready for your party."

It didn't take long as Pride had help from Envy and Greed. Hailie couldn't hear or see them, but they were there, getting ready too. This was the night when they could blend in between people.

Even Gluttony came for a few minutes, bringing a dinner for Hailie to make sure she'll eat something before the party. He also volunteered to prepare food for guests, which was a big help. He promised not to poison anybody, what Hailie didn't take as a good joke even if Pride was laughing.

When her hair and make-up were almost done, Debra finally showed up in Hailie's room. She was busy all day with Lucien, what wasn't completely coincidental. It took a lot from Pride, but she visited her least favorite demon in his room.

"Would you be so kind to take care of Debra today? I'd like to spend time with Hailie without the never-ending babble of a spoiled sorority girl."

Lust put aside a book he was reading and looked at her with fake astonishment.

"My, my, did you just ask me for a favor, Pride?"

She had a strong desire to either slap him or to leave this room without getting what she wanted just so she wouldn't look at his amused face. She did neither.

"I assume you take pleasure in sex with humans, so just... Actually do whatever you want, just make her stay with you not with Hailie."

There was a thought in his mind to tease Pride a little bit more, but their relation was bad enough even without his malice.

"You want it, you got it."

And so she did have a lot of time with Hailie.

"Hi, I'm Pride." She came closer to Debra, who narrowed her eyes in a confusion. "Hailie's best friend."

"She hasn't seen that one coming," said Greed to Envy.

Both of them were sitting on Hailie's bed and looking for the right jewelry for their costumes. Greed had tons of that.

"Like she cared anyway," replied Envy.

"Nice to meet you, Pride. I see you're not ready yet, Hailie. I thought that you may come and help us with the last preparations for the party." Debra walked in and gazed at Hailie's dress, swinging on a hanger. "Pretty," she complimented.

"You look great yourself."

For Hailie, she did look great. For the demons, not really.

"Hailie meant it? Debra is dressed up as a vampire. Couldn't she find an even more basic Halloween costume?" asked Envy.

"Oh, I love how mean you are," laughed Greed.

"You just love me." She sent her a kiss, while Debra was saying something about various underworld ideas and how she ended up picking vampire as it's better than a demon costume.

"Oh my Satan, wasn't Debra and Lust supposed to have matching costumes?" Greed bent in half, trying to stop the new wave of laughter.

"I cannot wait to see Lust dressed as a vampire. I'm going to make fun of him until the end of the world."

Hearing Envy and Greed talking, Pride couldn't stop herself from laughing at the last comment. Debra gazed at her with grudge, thinking it was something she said that made Pride so amused.

"What's so funny?" Debra asked with irritation.

"Vampires. I can't wait to see Lucien dressed up as one."

Debra took a big breath. She had no idea how the two of them knew each other, but it didn't matter at this point.

"He looks great and he's my boyfriend by the way."

Hailie almost choked up on the water she was drinking. She didn't know it was already so official.

Probably neither did Lucien.

"Congratulations then." Pride was still chuckling as it seemed more than funny that Debra tried to make her jealous and aware of their supposed relationship.

"We'll go and help you downstairs, just give us," well, not a minute for sure, „half an hour."

"Right. See you later."

Debra left the room and Hailie looked at Pride, trying to understand what just happened.

"Let's get you ready. I have beautiful golden jewelry for you, black long gloves and lots of feathers."

"And what will you wear?"

"You'll see."

It was worth the wait. When Hailie saw Pride's costume, she forgot the tongue in her mouth like she was enchanted. It was a breath-taking view. Hailie thought she was into guys, but seeing Pride she wasn't so sure of it anymore as it really was the most beautiful girl in the world.

"It's so you," she finally managed to say. „Pure queen."

"I know, it's my astonishing beauty." She struck a sexy pose, so naturally.

The white dress left the top of her shoulders uncovered, but it did cover the sides and flowed down into a stylish cowl neckline. It was a close fit which gave the dress a relaxed, yet graceful look. Waist was narrow, but with a golden ribbon that had been wrapped around her. Below the waist the dress fit snug around her and had a straight style with sexy cuts on the sides. It reached to just above her ankles. To top it off well she wore a small, but expensive crown and lots of golden jewelry.

Pride was a demon, but right now she looked like a goddess.

"I can't take my eyes off you," said Hailie, but just then she gazed at her phone and sadness appeared on her face.

"What happened?"

She took the phone from the dressing table and squeezed it in hand.

"Do you think I should invite Shane? I can't stop thinking about it, but it's quite late already. Party starts in one hour, besides I'm not sure where we're standing at the moment."

"Invite him." She had nothing against Shane and this evening might be a good way to find out a little more about him. Hailie deserved only the best and Pride was going to make sure she won't settle for nothing less. "Do it, because the other way you'll think about it all night and whole next week."

Hailie couldn't argue with that. She had a tendency to overthink.

Halloween Party in The Bloody Mansion tonight. Come by, if you want, she typed in the phone and sent before she would change her mind.

Text reply appeared a moment later.

I'm on duty all night, but I'll try to get off work earlier.

Hailie sighed, a little bit disappointed that he was working. Maybe if she told him about the party earlier he would take the night off.

Then came another text from Shane.

I promise I'll step by, just not sure when, but I'll let you know. Wouldn't miss your party for nothing in the world.

She smiled, thinking that maybe it was time to talk about what happened the other night. They had to finally settle things between them. She didn't want to be in an unending conflict.

Tonight was all about fun, yet neither of them suspected what was about to happen.