Hallow's Eve Festival

BY: Lucifer136

Hellsalem's Lot, everything always seems so much more chaotic than usual around Halloween. But it has also hyped up the festivities, from homes to offices, and yes. That would include schools. But none seem to feel it more than a school located within Ghetto Heights, Rosewood Academy as it's known. The best school in all of Hellsalem's Lot. Or so it claims.

After the Great Collapse, Ghetto Heights became secluded, creating a dome around the neighborhood in New York City that managed to stay intact and still come off as "normal." Residents claim the dome acts as a way to give a sense of life before the collapse, but those who reside outside of it have other reasons. Some not so great, but seeming to be closer to the truth. The climate in the dome is regulated by state-of-the-art weather technology, allowing it to mimic real-world weather outside the dome. Though once more, this tech was made using knowledge from the beyond.

The academy has been around since 1883, making it one of the oldest schools in Hellsalem's Lot, which is perhaps why it was included in the dome. An interesting aspect of this school is that it follows the days of school according to the U.S.A., but has a Japanese system of learning, odd for a school. Yet, it's hard to get in; typically you have to be a resident of the dome in order to qualify but given the right grades and/or wealth. Anyone can attend. However, the students who can attend, much like those who can enter the dome. Must be humans, this has given rise to the youth in the school to rebel against the policy and much of the dome's existence.

As such, Alex was able to attend the prestigious school from kindergarten because of his parents. But his heritage is classified, to those in school. He's believed to be a regular human but to the headmaster, nurse, and his two best friends. It's known he's anything but human, a werewolf. He has to strictly follow school code and act human in order to get by, but when he's out. He lets out his true nature. The one thing he still struggles to get by is the uniforms.

The school colors consist of black, gray, and red. A little edgy, but the colors changed soon after the Great Collapse for unknown reasons not disclosed to the public. For both parties, they wear a gray blazer and a white dress shirt. For boys, they wear a red tie, girls have to wear some sort of red bow, they also have to wear black skirts while boys wear black pants, but it's been getting loose with its rules and so some girls have begun wearing pants too. As for shoes, students must wear the shoes they use to get home and then switch out for the school shoes they have at their own lockers as soon as they arrive on school grounds.

Since the early years of the school, they have always hosted some Hallow's Eve Ball or festival, depending on what the students choose. However, a ball hasn't been held in years and has been made an official night event the same day the festival is held on school grounds during the day until the evening. Since early October, students and staff have been busy not just with their own work, but tasks to get the festival and by extension, the ball organized for the 30th of October. Promising it'll be better than the previous year, however, something is different this time around.

Located in a classroom labeled "A-1", students bustle around trying to get their tasks done for the festival and the ball. Within the hustle of students, there lies one sitting down and reading a Pathfinder rulebook. He stood at 5'10", but looked shorter when sitting down. He seemed to have a good growth spurt during the summer. His hair was black, parted to the left in order to hide his white forelock. Eyes maroon like age-old wine and his skin fair, He wore his school uniform of a cardigan with his blazer golden neatly into his backpack - no tie.

Two girls approached him. One had tan skin with white hair and silver eyes, she may appear all nice, but get in her bad mood; don't say anyone warned you and stood at 5'8". The other stood at 5'7" with black hair and brown eyes, skin as smooth and ivory as can be. Both wore the whole school uniform for females, a surprise for the first one as she is the rebel within the trio. The black-haired girl gently placed her finger on top of the book and lowered it. Grabbing Alex's attention.

"Yes." He spoke.

"Did you already forget what we're supposed to be doing today?"

"Nothing?"

"Alex!"

Alex dropped the book, not once bookmarking the page and covering his ears.

"Okay, okay." He chuckled before he continued. "Remind me again, please? I was too busy reading up on something."

Ruby let out a sigh. She knew he was going to say that Alex has an obsession with dice and TTRPGs as well as anime and manga. But he can always be found with at least one TTRPG book. It never bothered her, but it always made her concerned for him at times.

"We're supposed to be collecting signatures to see if we can get approval for a haunted house."

"Oh, right. I did joke about that one time I made you and Valerie go into a haunted house in-game and somehow you both got through it."

"You're recalling now?"

"Yes, it's all coming back to me." He picked up the book and opened to the page he left off at and began to read as he spoke. "How many do we have?"

"Right now, only ten."

"Not bad. We can get more in a few."

Valerie spoke up at this point. "Not if I take your book from you, we won't."

Alex looked up at her. "You wouldn't dare."

"Try me."

Alex thought for a hard bit before he bookmarked it and placed it inside his backpack, where Kuro would have had been he not chosen to stay home for the day. Sipping back up, he stood up and brushed himself off.

"Okay, lead the way." He gestured with his hands for Ruby and Valerie to lead the way as he stood behind and kept an eye open for them.

The trio walked for some time, asking for signatures here and there. Alex on the other hand was carrying the signed documents while having on his earbuds and listening to a Call Of Cthulhu podcast. Stoic as usual, but his eyes showed joy and laughter. While he wasn't able to hear, he was able to read lips. It really did seem like they were doing a fine job so far, eventually, they took a seat on the second-floor stands.

Ruby took out from her pocket three small onigiris, one for each of them. Alex and Valerie each took their own respected one and began to munch on them, Alex pausing his podcast, but keeping his earbuds on. Ruby is the first one to speak.

"Looks like we're halfway there, so long as we reach the 110 signatures. We should be good."

Valerie let out a sight before she herself spoke. "I'm starting to understand why Alex doesn't talk much. It's exhausting."

Alex shrugged. "It is what it is." Taking another bite of his onigiri and chewing away at the bite.

It's a little intimidating how much he is like his mother at times while looking like both his parents. His usual silence is simply a trait of his own. Valerie let out a soft laugh, before getting up and taking the clipboard. Taking the final bite from the onigiri and throwing away the wrapper.

"You two rest up, I'll go gather a few more signatures."

Before they could protest, she was gone. Typical of her, much like Zapp. Alex looked towards Ruby like a lost puppy, asking her to choose a topic to talk about. Ruby felt his gaze and let out a sigh.

"We'll need to work on that."

"I'm working on it with my therapist."

"I believe you, but this is an issue for us three to help solve."

The two went on to discuss the podcast Alex was listening to and then onto their own games. Eventually, they landed on the topic of the festival and what they might do. If they plan to attend together like in previous years. When their attention was caught by a class practicing basketball for the basketball competition next week.

Ruby was quick to get up and walk over to the railing, looking down at one of the boys. Alex followed after throwing away the wrappers. He leaned on the railing via his right side, looking down and then at her. His gaze going back down once more as he spoke,

"Why not ask him to go with you?"

"I thought about it, but we've always attended together."

"You might not get another chance."

"What about you and Valerie?"

"We'll go together and cheer you on from behind your back. We'll stalk you."

Ruby let out a laugh. Alex may have said it in a stoic and monotone voice, but if one knew him at his true personality. They would know it was a joke.

"What if Valerie doesn't go with you?"

"I'll go with Kuro. I could convince him as long as there's food."

"I doubt it would feel the same and you might be lonely."

"I always feel lonely. I think that's just a reality I'll have to face soon. Much better now, than later."

"Hey, Alex? Is there anyone you like?"

Alex thought for a good bit, in truth. Not once has he thought about it and truth be told, he never once has said how he identifies in terms of sexual orientation.

"N-no, but I'm Aromantic-Asexual. So it's not like it matters."

Ruby stopped and looked at him.

"You could have done it any other way, but you've chosen to come out so casually?"

She smiled. He's always honest, but sometimes he gives too much info to a simple question.

"Not a secret, I just don't like people that way."

He looked at her. A smile on his face.

"Besides, it's not important right now, and yes. I have come out to my parents, but that's beside the point."

Ruby looked back at him, looking in his red eyes knowing full well he's staring anywhere but her own.

"What is the point?"

"Who you want to go with to the festival. Valerie and I or," he points down with his left hand, "pretty boy down there."

Ruby looked back down at her crush. Wondering her decision and which one would be right. At the moment, neither seemed right to her. On one hand, she wants to go with her friends. On the other hand, Alex might have a point. He doesn't mind being alone, even if she dislikes him being so. But she also might not get another chance to tell her crush she likes him.

Alex stood up straight and went back to grab the second clipboard and the signed documents. Adjusting them all onto the board and speaking as he did.

"Well, I'm going to go help Valerie get more signatures while you deal with this teenage life crisis."

"Hahahaha."

Alex let out a soft chuckle before he too left. Leaving behind Ruby to think over her own words and thoughts. The young werewolf on the other hand was going around asking for signatures, rather he gave his sweet smile and held out the board. Most people know he's a silent person, so they tend to do most of the work for him whenever Alex is forced to speak. Allowing the boy to listen to his podcast.

Truth be told, Alex has abused this power several times. Likely because he doesn't talk much, to begin with, and most people know him as the quiet kid in class who seems to hold some talent but chooses to ignore it. To some degree, Alex lives a very lavish school life it seems. He soon caught up to Valerie.

"Val!"

Valerie turned around and smiled at Alex as he once more paused his podcast.

"I got ten more signatures."

"Tell me how, as I've got twelve."

"I just held out the board and gave my signature sweet smile."

"The Starpahse smile, of course."

Alex laughed at her comment. Composing himself as he spoke. "If you have it, put it to good use. Besides, it seems to scare people for some unknown reason. Odd, since I'm not my dad."

"That smile can give anyone nightmares, Alex. I've seen you use it on several people whenever they make too much noise. You definitely got it from your dad."

"I guess I did." He shrugged. "But that isn't important right now, what is that we got twenty-two signatures to add to the 80 that we've got. We're almost there."

"Hey, where's Ruby?"

"She's back in-"

Before Alex could finish he was hugged from behind, allowing him to freeze and starting stating the fact.

"Hug, hug, hug, hug. Let go, let go."

Ruby let out and bowed as an apology but spoke with a grin on her face.

"I have chosen to go to the festival with you two. Like years prior."

Valerie looked on with confusion. "Wasn't that the plan, to begin with?"

Alex spoke up. "It's a long story and doesn't worry. We'll catch you up."

The trio went on talking, getting signatures for the remainder of the day and talking. Speaking with joy and excitement when the festival comes around. Hopefully this time, Kuro won't go on to get all the food before they even have fun. Alex will need to keep a close eye on him, but for now. All that mattered was that they were smiling and laughing. That's what friends are for, to lend a shoulder, to make you laugh, and most of all. To remind you you're not alone.