The school is having a Halloween party... and unfortunately all staff members attendance is mandatory.

I do great in big groups- apparently I'm very charming, or so I've been told multiple colleagues- but despite this quality, being around a bunch people irks me. I have been trying to ignore the feeling, because Emily Lake is extremely social- I'm extremely social.

My old self, however, did not enjoy parties. Something about social gatherings made her skin crawl.

But I'm not her, I'm Emily Lake and I'm determined to enjoy this Halloween... thing. Because it's not in mine or Emily's nature to go down without a fight.


I may not have been to many Halloween events, at least not that i remember, but i do know they went all out for this. They have fog, strobe lights, music, crazy foods, those giant decorated fake walls- the whole shebang. And that not even including these kids costumes, I've seen them dressed as everything from vampires to coke cans. If they were this creative during class...

"How long have you been standing here?" Chrissy asks, coming up to stand on my right.

I turn my head quickly to glance at the refreshment table next to me. How long have I been standing here?

"No idea" I say.

Chrissy's costume, as expected, is phenomenal. First off she has on a beautiful, light pink, nineteenth century dress, then her hair is pinned up in an old timey fashion matching the era of her outfit perfectly. I finnish my once over and smile "Victorian girl- very nice"

She curtseys and says with a British accent, "Why, thank you madam."

I laugh, "And your accent sounds very authentic."

"I practiced" she grins, before reaching behind me to pour some fruit punch. She hands me a cup, "Your costume looks great by the way."

I shake my head, remembering how hard it was to think of something to wear. I ended up going with a scarecrow, stupid I know- but hey this is my first Halloween.

We talk for a while before I tell Chrissy to go mingle. She rolls her eyes at the suggestion and mumbles something about being a loner. Then I make it clear that it's not up for debate and she goes towards a group of students her age.

Soon after she leaves some other teachers start walking towards me, Here we go. I almost head after Chrissy, but I've been trying to be more social. So I stay put and let Jessica, Susan (science teacher), and Taylor (a fellow English teacher) approach me.

Taylor is the first to greet me, "Emily, How are you enjoying the party?"

"It's been great" I say. "The committee did a wonderful job Susan" I add, remembering she overlooks the student decoration team.

"They work hard." She agrees.

I don't have anything else to say and I'm pretty sure they don't ether... Well actually I do have a couple of things I could ask but that would lead to us having an actual conversation and I'm not there yet, this whole social thing is a process ok... And here comes the expected, awkward silence.

I turn my head from the awkwardness to glance around the room. Of course the first thing I see is Chrissy. She's standing with a group girls in the same situation I'm in.

I catch her gaze and wave, and she just gives me the "This is what we get for being 'social'" look.

"Be quite" I glare back.

She rolls her eyes, "Yes ma'am"

"Now get back to your conversation"

"Do I have too?" She whines.

"Yes"

"Fine." She turns back to the group.

With a quick satisfied nod, I do the same. But instead of talking amongst themselves, I find them staring at me.

"So what's the story?" Taylor asks.

"I'm sorry?"

"You and Chrissy Charles, are you her aunt or something"

"No" I say.

"Your cousin's daughter?" Susan tries.

"No were friends"

"Friends?" Taylor repeats not believing me.

"Told you" Jessica whispers.

"Yes- friends", I say again. It does sound weird now that I'm saying it aloud...

"Are you positive?" Oh my goodness.

What is it with these people! Would I really lie about something like that? I'm not having this conversation again, I already went through this with Jessica. "I'm positive, were not related- just friends"

"Her only friend" Susan mutters.

I open my mouth to comment on the statement when, out of know where, there's an ear-piercing scream from across the room. "Ghost!" We all immediately turn our heads towards the sound.

"What on earth" I mumble.

"Is this apart of the party?" Taylor asks Susan.

"Not that I know of" she says straining her neck for a better look.

"You think the students went rogue?" Jessica asks squinting her eyes to see through the flashing lights.

I barely hear what they say next and soon their voices fade all together. The music is getting louder, fog is starting to fill the room making it impossible to see anything but shapes and flurries of movement, and, just to add to the madness, tables are being flipped over, splattering themed foods across the floor.

Everyone is yelling now, so I, as a responsible chaperone, walk towards the source of the chaos. On my way I pass terrified teenagers running for the exits, and teachers just standing there frozen in the midst of confusion and disarray.

Then I see it, an actual ghost. A stereotype, see through, white sheet covered, two black holes for eyes, real, ghost.

This is impossible. Ghosts aren't real. They're fictional- things of haunted houses and campfire storys...

I'm still heading for the other side of the room, when I feel something, probably a kid, slam into my side. I stumble and my feet tangle in fallen decorations making it impossible to gain my balance. I'm going to fall. I reach my arms out to catch myself, but before I hit the ground there's a thud next to my ear and a sharp pain shoots through my head. Then suddenly the music and screams begin to fade, and everything goes black.


I'm really sorry about all the grammar mistakes, but hope you enjoyed it anyway. :)