Halloween - Part 2

Halloween Night…

The dorm hall was buzzing with people. Some were crisscrossing, trying to meet up with friends for a night of plans. Others were scrambling for last minutes items for their costumes. A few were making mad dashes to find or put together costumes at the last minute.

But the VKs and their friends were fully prepared and gathered in the common room…well most of them. Right now, only Jay, Audrey, and Doug were waiting. Doug was sitting on the arms of one of the chairs, his foot tapping nervously.

"Calm down, man," Jay told him. "You're getting on my nerves."

"Sorry," Doug said as he forced his foot to stop moving. "This is just the first time I've seen Evie's costume."

"And you are going to love it," Audrey said as she walked in, catching Doug's last words.

"Hello, Foxy," Jay said in a perfect imitation of the day he met Audrey. His smile was practically predatory as he gazed at his girlfriend dressed as what looked to him as Princess Jasmine.

"You like, baby?" she asked playfully as she spun to give him a full view. He nodded as he took in the outfit. I can definitely see why Aladdin wanted to move up in the world, he thought. Even Doug was momentarily mesmerized by the sight of Audrey. At least until the sound of heels broke up the reverie. He turned and suddenly felt like his whole body had been hit with a huge electric shock.

Evie had walked in wearing a witch costume that took his breath away. She was wearing a sparkly blue dress with starry black side panels and see-through puffy short sleeves. There was a blue stand-up collar a little higher than the one that was on her coronation dress. She'd made the dress with a high-low skirt and petticoat, and a decorative lace-up front that pulled the black side panels in at her waist, accentuating her slim figure. She'd also made a black witch hat accented with a sheer blue and gold star printed hatband. She finished off the outfit with a pair of black stockings, a pair of gold star printed fingerless gloves, the aforementioned high heels and a broom she "borrowed" from one of the dorm hall's decorations.

"Happy Halloween, everyone," Evie said cheerfully. "Well, what do you think?" she asked, as she spun around much like Audrey had. Doug stood motionless along with speechless. "Doug?"

"Heigh-ho," he said under his breath, getting a giggle from Audrey and Evie, and a grumbled "it's like our first day all over again" from Jay.

"Thank you, baby," she said walking over to him and giving him a quick kiss. She looked around and saw Jay wearing the full costume that Audrey had gotten him. "I see you got him to wear the mask?" Audrey nodded. "It looks good," she complimented.

She looked around the room and took stock that it was only them.

"Where's everyone else?"

"On their way," Jay told her. "Mal just texted me that she and Ben are already walking over and Carlos says that he and Jane are just finishing up."

"I can't wait for you guys to see Jane and Carlos," Evie smiled.

"Just tell us what they're gonna be," Jay demanded. All week long he had to hear from Carlos that he couldn't say what Jane had talked him into wearing and he was growing impatient.

"Who's going to be what?" came Mal's voice. Everyone turned to look and their eyes widened and their jaws dropped.

"Oh my God," Audrey gasped as she looked at Ben and Mal.

Mal had chosen skeleton costumes for them. Ben was wearing a full body suit, though it was loose enough that it looked more like he was wearing some coveralls, that had the bones of the body painted on it. Even the black gloves he was wearing had the bones of the hands on them. He was also wearing a black tailcoat with red lapels and red cuffs with black skulls for buttons. On his head was a black and red top hat. But the most eye-catching part of him was the skull face paint he had on that looked eerily real.

For her part, Mal was wearing a female version of Ben's costume. Her costume however consisted of black heels and black leggings with painted on bones and a tight black spaghetti tank top with painted on torso bones. She also had on a long-sleeved black waistcoat with the same red trim, but without the long tails that Ben's coat had so that it didn't interfere with her short black and red petticoat skirt. She also had a more feminine style top hat on, perched off center on her hair, which everyone was surprised to see temporarily dyed black. Her face make-up, while not as striking as Ben's, was still rather pronounced.

"You two look sick," Jay smirked. "Now why couldn't we have done something that?" he asked Audrey.

"Could you really see me wearing that make-up?" Audrey asked dryly.

"I can see that we still need to loosen you up a little," he said. He grunted in surprise when Audrey gave him a quick slap to the arm. "Sorry."

"Seriously, M, how did you come up with this?" Evie asked as she looked her friends over.

"I just wanted to get Ben to embrace his evil side for a night," Mal answered, a wicked tone to her voice.

"So, Ben, how does it feel?" Evie asked him.

"Not that bad," he smiled, the make-up causing it look positively garish. Mal smiled evily at the sight. "I definitely think we'll win best couples costume," he told her.

"I don't think it'll be that easy," Evie said in sing-song.

"Why?" Mal asked skeptically.

"Hey guys," came Carlos' voice as he and Jane walked in. Immediately jaws dropped again, this time however, they began to turn into smiles as they tried not to laugh at the irony of what they were seeing.

Jane and Carlos were dressed as…Mal and Ben. Carlos was wearing a suit almost identical to the one that Ben wore at his coronation. But the part that everyone found themselves trying to not break out laughing from was the blonde wig on top of his head.

"Nice hair, buddy," Jay snickered.

"I think so," Jane said.

Everyone began to look over the younger fairy, taking in the dark purple pants with black studded accents that led down to the big, black, chunky combat boots. Up on top she had on a very convincing replica of Mal's purple and green leather jacket. And in all their opinions, minus Evie's, she even managed to find a fairly accurate color to her own wig.

"Really?" Mal asked in Jane's direction.

"Don't you like it?" Jane asked snidely.

"It's a good look," Mal mused. "Love the wig," she said curling a strand around her finger.

"Not a wig," Jane smirked while raising an eyebrow.

"This is real?"

"Bibbiped it myself."

Suddenly Mal became very suspicious. She moved her hand down to the jacket lapel. She turned it over and then, to everyone's surprise, turned Jane around and started trying to see inside the collar. Jane started complaining as Mal forced her head forward enough to try and get a glimpse of whatever it was she was looking for.

"Stop that," Jane hissed.

"I knew it," Mal said as she let Jane go. "This is my jacket. Then that means that those are my pants?"

"Maybe," Jane smiled. There was snickering as a couple of them realized that she was smiling just like Mal.

"And my boots?" Jane shrugged. Mal gasped when it dawned on her. "You went into my closet and stole my clothes? How could you?"

Jane grinned and chuckled. "Have you met me? Hi, I'm Mal, I'm from the Isle of the Lost," she said in an almost prefect impersonation.

No one tried to hold back their laughter at Jane's action. There were even a few snickers at the sight.

"You think this is funny?" Mal questioned. "First, your steal my clothes, and now you think that can just impersonate me?"

Jane draped an arm around Carlos' shoulders, turned his face toward hers, leaned in, and kissed him. "Seems that way from where I'm standing."

"She does you really well," Evie offered.

"You know, Mal, they say impersonation is the sincerest form of flattery," Audrey tried.

Mal took in a deep breath and then calmed herself. "Enjoy tonight, because you know what: I'm telling Mom," she warned Jane as she stormed off.

"Have fun with that…Fairy God-whiner," Jane shouted after her. They heard Mal screech in frustration from the hallway and suddenly Jane burst out laughing hysterically. "Oh my God, that so much fun," Jane raved as she broke character with Mal out of the room.

"Jane, you look amazing," Evie complimented. There was a chorus of agreement.

"You don't look too bad either, Carlos," Ben said.

"Thanks."

"Is your hair…?" Doug asked.

"No, mine's a wig," he revealed.

"Is it weird…her looking like Mal?" Audrey blurted.

"Seriously?" Jay looked at her. "That's your question about their costumes?"

"So, it wouldn't be weird if I was dressed like her? Or Evie?"

"I'm not answering that."

"It's a little weird," Carlos answered her. "I mean I know it's still Jane, but she does a convincing enough Mal that when she holds my hand, or kisses me, I have to remind myself that it isn't Mal."

"You don't think she's really gonna tell Mom, do you?" Jane asked, her normal apprehensiveness suddenly kicking in.

"No," Ben shook his head. "But I'm still gonna go check on her," he added, immediately making his way out of the room.

"So, who's up for getting to the party?" Jay asked.

"Yeah, I definitely want to see which of them wins best couples costume," Audrey smirked.

The Auradon Royal Halloween Ball was in full swing. The walls, tables, and even the ceiling were decorated in orange and black, skulls, ghosts, witches, cobwebs, and tombstones. While not going for a completely terrifying motif as they were used to on the Isle, even the VKs were mpressed by the way Auradon embraced the darker side of the holiday while still holding on to the spirit of fun of the day.

The music was pumping, people were dancing, others were eating, and everyone was looking around, seeing what everyone else was dressed as so they could vote on the different costume categories. To make it easy, people were using their phones to cast their vote. Soon enough, the time came to start announcing the winners. While they applauded Chad and Lonnie each winning best guy and girl costume, everyone was waiting to see who won best couples costume since everyone was completely in awe of Ben and Mal, and of Jane and Carlos.

"Alright everybody," said Ally, who was dressed as the Mad-hatter, "it's time for the award we've all been waiting for tonight – best couples costume."

The audience cheered.

"I need the two top nominees to come on up on stage. So, as if we didn't already know who they are, will King Ben and Mal, and Jane and Carlos get up here."

The two couples made their way up to the stage, each one posing for the audience. Ally pulled the envelope with the results from her coat pocket and tore it open. The crowd watched, with bated breath, as she read the names of the winners silently. She made a face that said while something in the results did shock her, she wasn't too surprised.

"I must say, that this is the closest vote I've ever seen for one of these costume contests," she began. "But, without further ado…that's such a funny word, isn't it? Ado," she said, sounding the word out, stretching it for her own amusement.

"Get on with it, Ally," Mal and Jane said in unison, and to the amusement of the crowd, in exactly the same tone. Both girls looked over at each other. Mal looked slightly annoyed, but still smiled. Jane just winked and cocked her head cheekily.

"Oh alright," Ally acquiesced. "Without further ado, the winners of best couple's costume are…Jane and Carlos as Mal and King Ben."

The crowd burst into loud cheers, a few boos from those who voted for Mal and Ben, but otherwise everyone seemed to be okay with the results. After Jane and Carlos had taken their prize, the four teens made their way off stage.

"Congratulations, guys," Ben told them as they made it to the floor and the band took back over.

"Thanks," Carlos said.

"Yeah, thank you, Ben," Jane said. She then turned toward Mal. "Are you okay with this? I mean I know you didn't seem too happy when you saw me."

Mal looked at Jane, and suddenly Jane felt very uneasy. The make-up was making Mal's face difficult to read, so she didn't know if Mal was upset, stoic, or annoyed.

"Next time, ask to borrow my clothes…and my hair," Mal told Jane firmly. "Other than that, I suppose I can be happy you won," she laughed. Jane started laughing too, and soon the two of them were hugging it out, Mal surprising herself with how easy this act was becoming.