Song: Dandelions by Ruth B

Chapter Thirty-eight: Sugar, spice and everything nice

"You're really killing that Red Riding Hood costume." I complimented Leyla.

She smiled and spun around. "Thanks. I love your costume too."

Zane and I were rocking the old western style in our costumes. He picked them out and didn't show me till this evening after school. He said he got his inspiration from the Old Town Road video, like that's the best place. I don't see why we have to go to school on Halloween. I mean, the Principal won't die if he just gave us a day off.

"Thanks." I smiled at her.

Zane had wandered off to get us some punch that looks like vampire blood- I've heard- and so far Leyla was the only one of my friends I'd seen.

"Where are the rest?"

"I've only seen Xander."

"Who's he dressed as?"

She laughed a little. "He's calling himself the 'sexy cop'."

I snorted. "Of course he is."

I felt a hand on my back. I turned expecting to see Zane, but I yelped out of surprise. It was a knight. I jumped back and snapped. "Who are you and why are you touching me?"

I heard chuckling as the person removed their helmet. It was Wren.

I rolled my eyes. "You know how paranoid and jumpy I am. Don't come up to me like that. In that." I gestured to his outfit.

He laughed. "Don't worry I'm not wearing the helmet anymore, it's choking."

"Idiot." I laughed. "Love the armor though."

"I know right."

"I see you went with my idea." Zane said as he came back and handed me the vampire blood.

"You're drinking my blood. Mwah-ha-ha." The vampire started laughing. I turned around to see Axel, dressed in very white makeup and blood dripping from the side of his face. What did I say?

You're always right.

"Your evil laugh needs a lot more- how do I put this?- evilness." I commented. "You sounded like you were choking."

I turned as I saw a bunny hopping past us. I would have loved that costume. It's hilarious.

"I'll take that as advice and not an insult."

We continued with our funny and playful banter until colorful girls walked up to us.

Blue, pink, gre- What the hell? Really?

"Are you guys really dressed as the powerpuff girls?"

"Yes, and don't be jealous with that cowboy getup of yours." Hannah commented with a proud smile even though she had pigtails tied in ribbons.

Leyla ignored her. "I only see three of you. Where's Skyler?"

Yeah, it was just Anastasia in pink, Blossom. Hannah in blue, Bubbles. And Amelia in green, Buttercup.

Anastasia put a hand on her waist and smiled at Zane.

"Why is she looking at me like that?" He whispered in my ear. I just shrugged.

"She's moved on." She proudly announced for Skyler.

"From who?" Zahra snorted from behind. "Wasn't she with half the school before? The other half being girls."

I turned as Zahra and Kai came up to us clad in very nice pirate costumes.

They put the our in arrr!

Pirate jokes are definitely not for me.

Amelia just glared at her. "She was with Zane before."

"No she wasn't." He debated.

"Denying me now, are we?" Skyler asked, as the three of them parted ways for her.

Jessica Rabbit.

Although I'd never say it out loud, she looked great with that red wig.

"You look way better in a red wig Cherry." Zane bent to whisper in my ear and I turned to smile at him.

He is such a sweetheart.

That's what a part of me was thinking. The other part was jubilating because he unconsciously admitted the hair was red not cherry, but I guess now was not the time to mention it.

"Thanks."

He just responded by tightening his arm around my waist. I looked back to Skyler who was eyeing me irritatingly. "Charlotte. You look great."

"It's-" I was cut off by Hannah. "Charity. How could we forget?" And they all giggled.

They surely weren't made of sugar, spice and everything nice.

"Ignore them Char." Kai supported.

I went back to sipping my blood quietly. Even though it was so hard for me to ignore them and be quiet.

Skyler just laughed some more at my silence, then eyed Zane's arm around my waist. She grabbed Shawn who was lingering around them. He was wearing a leather jacket, white vest and jeans. Who was he supposed to be?

Who cares?

She grabbed him by his jacket and kissed him, and kept on kissing him. And on and on and on and on.

I think it's to make Zane jealous.

I turned to him and his eyes were flickering around uninterested. God, I love him so much.

I think maybe too much.

No such thing.

I turned back to Skyler and Shawn who everyone was looking at. Did we really have nothing else to do?

"I think we've had enough. The boy isn't even looking at you." Zahra scoffed.

Skyler released Shawn, turned to us, sneered, and walked away with the powerpuff girls strutting after her, leaving behind a dazed Shawn.

I patted his shoulder as we walked past him and into the big kitchen as some of us dispersed. Zahra grabbed Kai and dragged him off somewhere. Leyla said she was going to look for Jordan. And Axel just left. So it was just Zane, Wren and I.

"Whose house is this?"

Wren just shrugged and Zane was too busy on his phone.

"Zane?"

He didn't reply. I snapped my fingers in front of his face before he finally looked up. "What?"

"I was talking to you."

"Sorry. Sorry. I'm doing something."

"I can see that. Who are you texting?"

"Serena."

I inwardly groaned. The last three weeks she'd been in Spain. Please don't tell me she's back now.

"Is she back?"

Please say no. Please say no.

"Yes. She flew in last night." He smiled.

"Have you gone to see her?"

"No, but she's on her way here. I was giving her directions."

I nodded. "I see. Does she know we're dating yet?"

He scratched the back of his neck. "I haven't come around to tell her yet."

I scrunched my face up, pretending to think. "You haven't come around to tell her? Hmm, and why is that?"

"Oooh, see that gorilla. Bye." Wren said before running off somewhere.

"Uh-"

"I'm listening."

"You see the thing is-" He looked for words to say.

"I know why. You know she likes you, don't you?" I accused.

He scoffed. "Where is this coming from Cherry?"

I don't know, but it won't stop.

"You know and you won't tell her because you don't want to hurt her feelings."

What about my feelings?

Maybe I'm just being pathetic.

"That is not true. Serena is like a sister to me." 

Maybe that's his new anthem.

"And does she see you as a brother as well?"

"That is how it has always been."

"Then why did she lie to me that she was your girlfriend when I first met her? Do so-called siblings do that?"

Before he could reply, and no exaggeration this time, out of nowhere I was hit by a blinding white light. I honestly had to shield my eyes. In walked an angel.

And it is not a compliment this time.

She was dressed in a white long dress and had angel wings, she even had a halo.

Zane's smile widened and he went to envelope her in a hug. She started kissing his cheeks. "Sister my ass." If I saw my brother, I would pinch him not kiss him.

"How do you make this work?" Zane smiled as he gestured to her beautiful dress.

She turned around. "I am a model after all."

Show-off.

He laughed. "Only you Serena. Only you."

I frowned.

I thought the 'only you' was our thing. There can't be more than one 'only you', can there?

No. They were too busy engulfed in each other they didn't see me turn around to head away. But I guess Wren did from wherever he came from because he just popped up in front of me. With his helmet.

"The helmet again, really?"

He just shrugged. Then he bowed.

"You wanna dance with me?" I asked for him.

He nodded.

"Speak English, you dolt." I hit his helmet.

He just laughed and grabbed my hand, pulling me to the dance floor.

We danced for a while until I started feeling bothered that Zane wasn't looking for me.

He could have. Maybe he just didn't find you.

I'm on the dance floor. How far could he have looked?

"What's wrong?"

I looked up at that strange voice and chuckled when I saw it was only Wren around me. "Wren? What was that?" I asked in between laughs.

His voice sounded huskier, deeper, weirder and all in all fake.

"Uhh- It's uh."

I continued laughing. "I know you're trying to get into the character, but I don't think knights sound like that."

"Yes. That was it. I'm just getting into character."

"Well you're horrible at it. You sound like a dying frog."

"Thanks very much for your compliments." He replied sarcastically then went back to what he was asking. "So what's the problem?"

"I'm not sure if I should be talking to you about this, Wren. You're his best friend."

"You can trust me."

I chuckled. "I can't take you seriously with this voice."

He shrugged. "You'll have to deal with it. Now let's go to a quiet place where we can talk."

"Um, sure."

He led me out the back to a greenhouse. I didn't even know that place was here. "You said you didn't know whose house this was. How did you know there was a greenhouse out back?"

"Before you guys came I looked around a bit. So what's wrong?"

"Why do you want to know so badly?" He has never asked about Zane and I's relationship. Why now?

"Because I care about you. And I don't want to see you sad."

I sent him a small smile. "It's Zane."

"I thought we've established that."

I laughed a little. "Well, you're Zane's best friend. What do you think his relationship with Serena is?"

"Serena?"

"Yeah, you know. Zane's so-called sister."

"Of course I know. Like you said, they see each other as siblings."

"Nothing more?"

He shook his head. "And nothing less."

I should be glad he said that, but for some reason I wasn't, and he didn't seem to be done.

"But they're perfect for each other." He continued.

"Huh? I thought you just said they were like siblings."

"That's what Zane wants you to think. I don't think he will ever love you the way he loves Serena."

My heart broke. Wren knew him, so he was probably saying the truth, but wasn't a friend supposed to say it easier than that?

"Wren, why would you say that?"

"Because I don't want you to get hurt in the long run. I know Zane better and he's unsure of how he feels."

"He told me he loves me and I believe him."

"You do? Then where is he now? You've been with me for about 30 minutes, and I haven't seen him."

I can't listen to this.

"Wren, I think I'm going to go."

I opened the door to leave, but he grabbed my hand. I turned back to him.

"Are you going to look for him?"

"Yes. And now that I think about it, I want you to come with me. I want him to hear what his best friend has to say about his feelings. And I want to see if he'll deny it."

"Uh, I don't think that's a good idea."

"Why not? Don't you want to hear what he has to say?"

I started dragging him with me until we got back to the entrance. Then I heard my name being called. "Cherry!"

I turned to see Zane pushing through crowds of people, eyes searching. For me.

"He's looking for me." I muttered out loud.

"Well he took his time." Wren scoffed.

I turned to him. "What is up with you? Are you all of a sudden against me and Zane?"

"I'm against you being hurt."

"Then how could you tell me all those things? And aren't you meant to be playing Zane's best friend not mine?"

"Let's go back to the greenhouse so we can discuss this." He grabbed my hand. I yanked it back. "No Wren. Zane is looking for me. We can talk later. When your mind has settled down."

I felt a hand on my shoulder. I turned expecting to see Zane, but it was Xander.

"Sexy cop, huh?"

"And I'm his sexy cop date." Mia remarked as she came up beside him.

"Hmm." I remarked with a smile as I looked at their outfits. "I like."

"I don't think I've introduced you two before, Mia this is Wren." I turned, but Wren was gone. I searched for him, but he wasn't there.

That's weird.

"Who?"

"Never mind. He must have left. Do you need anything?" I turned to Xander.

"Nope. I just came to hand you this drink I definitely didn't spike."

I smiled at the cup he was handing me. "I love your subtlety." Then I patted his back, and headed towards where I last saw Zane.

"Wait!" He yelled after me. "I want to see you dance on a tabletop!"

I just laughed at his stupidity and continued in my search for Zane. I spotted him by a glass of eyeballs and walked up to him.

I raised one of the eyeballs and held it out to him. "Want one? I heard they're really chewy?"

He took it and dropped it back. "Where have you been?"

Well, someone's in a mood.

"Where have you been?"

"I asked you first."

I shrugged. "I asked you second, so what?"

He sighed. "Why are you being so difficult?"

"I'm not." I defended.

"I was with Wren."

My eyebrows creased. "No. I was with Wren. It's okay if you were with Serena, I get it. She's your celestial sister and I know that-"

He cut me off. "What are you going on about?"

"I left because you were with Serena. I don't see the problem. I gave you two time to catch up."

"I didn't say that was the problem."

He was cut off by the bunny that hopped in between us and grabbed the bowl of eyeballs. I smiled at him/her. "I heard it's very chewy." He/she just nodded and continued off.

"Can we talk somewhere private?"

Before I could reply, he dragged me with him all the way upstairs and into an empty room.

"Why are you being so ominous?"

"I'm not. It's just that-"

"What?" I urged him to go on.

"It's Wren."

"What about Wren?"

"Well, right now he's mad drunk and he never drinks."

What's the big deal? I shrugged. "Well, maybe someone spiked his drink."

"No. No one spiked his drink. I think he drank willingly."

"Why?"

"Because of you."

"Me? What did I do?"

"More like Avery. He kept rambling on and on about the loss of the love of his life. Cherry, you have to put an end to this."

Put an end to it?

It seemed he could read my mind. "You have to tell him the truth."

I looked down. "I can't."

"What do you mean you can't, Cherry? You're playing with his feelings. He's in love with a girl that doesn't exist!" He practically yelled at me.

"Why are you so angry?"

He huffed. "Because I am watching my best friend wallow in sadness over a girl I'm dating and I am not doing anything to stop it. I can't tell him you're Avery because I love you and I respect your decisions, Cherry, but you have to tell him."

He's right.

I know that, and I know I'm being selfish, but-

"He'll hate me." I mumbled as I sat on the bed. "He's going to hate me for playing with his feelings when I didn't even mean to."

Zane sat next to me and put his arm around my shoulder. I leaned into him. "He'll understand."

"Will he? Cos I'm pretty sure I hate myself."

He played with strands on my hair. "Cherry, you did what you felt was right and Wren so happened to fall for you, so just explain it to him. I'm sure he'll get it."

I nodded, not having anything else to say.

"I'm sorry for yelling at you."

I nodded again.

He stood up. "Well, I'll leave you to think about it." And with a kiss on my head, he left the room.

I already knew what I had to do, but bringing myself to do it was the hard part. Oh God! Please don't let him hate me. I actually like him. Apart from how he acted recently. Maybe it's the drinks that Zane said he's been taking.

I just don't get why Zane would lie that he was with Wren when he was with Serena. Won't that mean there's something going on?

I evaded that stupid thought from my head and got up to look for Wren. I walked out of the room and headed downstairs. I looked around until I saw him passed out on the couch. He had his helmet off.

So much for getting into character.

I walked up to him and nudged his shoulder to wake him up, but he didn't budge.

Then again, I don't think you should be talking to a drunk person about sensitive matters.

I was just getting up when I saw a very familiar face in the crowd, eyes scanning until they landed on me.

Jayden.

What on earth was he doing here? I hadn't seen or heard from him or his brother in a while, and I was very pleased about that fact.

He started towards me very speedily. I kept still on my sit until he was standing right in front of me.

"There might be a problem."

*

I hope you enjoyed it. Please vote, comment and share, if you did, and even if you didn't.

Thanks and Toodles ;)