Wow. This chappy is shoooort...sorry 'bout that. Next one is longer. Waaait...no, it's definitely gonna be longer.
"So..." I said. "You don't want me to come shopping with you today."
"Nope," chorused the twins. "We've put you through sooo much lately..."
Then they giggled. "We thought we'd give you a break," finished Lacey.
I sighed and plopped onto the couch. There was this nagging suspicion in the back of my head, but I ignored it forcefully.
Besides, I had a painting due the upcoming Tuesday; I was glad to get some time to work on it.
"We're going now," the twins called on their way out.
"Have fun!" I called back.
Sigh.
"Okay, where's the paints and crup...?" I murmured.
And so I set to painting.
0o0o0
Johnny was walking around town with Mercedes, letting his mind drift away from the beasty painting for a little while.
"Not much goin' on around here in October, is there?" She stated.
Johnny shrugged. "Things'll pick up towards the week of Hallowe'en, but other than that, no, not really."
"Are you lookin' forward to Hallowe'en?"
He grimaced. "Not...really," he admitted. "I think Hallowe'en's more enjoyable for kids. For me it's just...tedious."
Mercedes gave him a look. "Laura's heart would break if she heard you say that," she said good-naturedly.
He snorted. "Laura is a kid, though. More so than you." She nodded in return.
"Yeah, even she admits to that. I've known her for what, five, maybe six years now? She'd claim otherwise, but I think she hasn't matured at all over all those years." She paused for a moment. "Then again, Lace and Tahn will go on and on about how much of a nuisance she used to be." She shrugged. "Maybe she has matured some."
Johnny shook his head. "You are aware that you just talked yourself around in a circle, right?"
She stuck her tongue out at him. "Yeah, and?"
He sighed. "Nothing, I guess."
Then Mercedes' head shot around. "What is it?" Asked Johnny. She narrowed her eyes.
"I could've sworn I just heard one of the twins talking..." Then she dashed off. Johnny heard a triumphant "AHA!", then followed her at a much slower pace.
Around the corner of a large building stood Mercedes and the twins. The had been shopping (Johnny was surprisingly surprised) and had two large bags apiece from some store he'd never heard of.
"Are those more costumes?" He heard Mercedes ask.
"Yep," said Tanya, the neon twin. "We've got all six costumes. Now we have all we need for the 13 days."
"Laura'll be thrilled," added Lacey. "We even got stuff to decorate the apartment."
"Oh-ho," giggled Mercedes. "I though we only needed five more costumes, though."
"Oops. Our mistake." Then the twins saw Johnny.
The grins they gave him sent small shivers up his spine.
"I think this Hallowe'en will be extra fun, right, Tanya?" Asked Lacey.
"Oh, I couldn't agree more, Lacey," Tanya replied.
Johnny resisted the strong urge to get as far away from them as possible.
Barely.
0o0o0
"Oh yay! I'm done!"
The oil painting on my easel was finally done. It kind of reminded me of Johnny's Harajrha painting, except that this was blue...
"Ah, what should I call you, beasty?" I asked quietly. "Anna...no...boring..."
The painting said nothing.
"Maybe...Terrian? No, that's like a dog's name..." I chuckled. "Sheesh, it's not like I have to name it or anything...that's not required. But you look like you need a name... "
I sighed. Then something clicked in my head. "Anatarian?"
The painting seemed brighter. "Ah, cool! You're Anatarian! I like it!" I smiled. Then...
Mercedes and the twins crashed into the apartment.
"TAHN! YOU CAN'T MAKE HIM!"
"IT'LL BE MORE FUN FOR HIM!"
"Admit it; you'd love to see him in costume!"
"True. But that's beside the point!"
My head started to ache, then I stood up.
Grabbed a hardcover book from the table.
And threw it.
I dunno who it hit, but it shut them up.
"Okay, what the HELL is going on here?" I yelled. "You guys are waaaaay too loud!"
Lacey scowled at me. "Laura...?" she asked.
I (tried) to hold her gaze. "Yes, Lacey?"
The twins giggled. "How would you like to see Johnny dressed up on Hallowe'en?"
