Sunnydale High School, Sunnydale

October 30, 1997

During lunch, Xander sat with Buffy and Willow at a table, constantly muttering about his upcoming fate.

"I can't believe that troll wants us to take some brats trick or treating tomorrow night. I was looking forward to watching some really bad B movies!" He sighed before continuing to eat his lunch.

"Do you remember that, ah, bet, Xander?" Buffy asked sweetly.

Harris rolled his eyes and said "Yeah, yeah…"

"Do you want to come with us to get our costumes at the new Halloween store that just opened this week?" Willow said.

Xander shrugged. "I don't have anything better to do."

Buffy turned to Willow and asked, "What are you going to go as, Will?"

"I'm not sure yet," she replied with a sigh. "What about you, Xander?"

"Soldier Guy, if it wasn't for that bet," he said with a frown on his face. "Or else Tyler Durden from Fight Club. I have the red leather jacket and everything! But I guess that has to wait for next year..."

Suddenly, Xander felt burning pain on his arm. He had no idea that Ethan was incanting a curse upon him; all he knew was that his right arm suddenly felt like it was on fire. { CRAP! AGHHH! OWWW! } He grabbed his arm, trying to hide the agony so as not to worry Willow and Buffy. And even though he couldn't see it, the Dark Mark slowly appeared on his arm.

After the burning pain had faded away, Harris managed to get himself back under control. { What the hell was that?! } he asked himself.

"Are you alright, Xander?" Buffy asked with a worried look on her face. She had seen his expression, despite his attempt to hide it.

"I'm fine, don't worry about it."

"Are you sure?" Willow asked, with the same worried look.

"It's nothing to worry about," Xander said coldly, looking at his girls. "Don't. Ask. Again."

"Fine," Buffy scowled, assuming it was some dumb 'guy' thing.

"We can help pick a costume for you, Xander." Willow said with a smile, wanting to change the subject.

Xander gulped, not liking this at all. { I hope Willow doesn't show Buffy those pictures... }

No such luck. "I have some great pictures of Xander from a few years back. So we can pick something out for him that's - appropriate.

"That sounds great, Willow!"

Naturally, Willow then showed Buffy the pictures. One of the pictures was of Xander dressed up as Elvira. Not only that, he was wearing make-up and fake breasts. Also in the picture was the real Elvira, standing next to him.

"Wow, Xander, I didn't know you were into drag..." Buffy said, while laughing.

Xander groaned and rolled his eyes. "I'm not, it was all Cordelia's idea!" Harris said in a tone that indicated how he was wishing this wasn't happening.

"Would you believe he also got the photo signed and framed?" Willow said with a grin.

"I didn't. You did!" Xander groaned.

Ignoring that, Willow showed Buffy some other photos. The two female teens laughed at pretty much all of them. "How many bets did you lose since Junior High?" Buffy gasped.

"You really don't want to know, Buffy. And this will be the last bet I make, like ever!" Xander said, using air quotes.

Willow rolled her eyes. Xander knew that she got a big kick out of seeing him in a dress…

...and for a moment, that made him wonder whether Willow was secretly gay?

Nah...