Chapter 8: Costume shopping
Serena ran as quickly as she could to her dormitory. She burst into the room a little short of breath, "Ami…guess what?"
Ami was sitting at the computer desk, concentrating intently on her studies when she was interrupted and startled by the sound of Serena's voice, "What?" she shouted back.
Serena paused, grinning from ear to ear as she put her things down -- looking extremely jumpy, "A guy asked me to a Halloween party," she squealed excitedly.
Ami smiled at her bubbly friend, "Congratulations, Serena."
Serena returned the smile, but then her expression changed, replaced by a frown, "I don't have a Halloween costume," she said in a panicked tone, "Wait… you do wear a Halloween costume to a Halloween party, don't you?" she asked, seemingly confused.
"Um, I guess it depends on what kind of party it is, just ask the guy tomorrow," Ami suggested, "So, what's his name?"
Serena smiled, "His name is Brett Stanley. He's in my graphic design class. He's cute! He has hazel eyes and dirty blonde hair," she reminisced as she sat down on the couch. Ami nodded her approval.
Serena stood up abruptly and rushed to fetch her backpack. She shuffled through her things and pulled out a book, "Better get to work," she said absently, but I am so excited about the party!"
-----------------------
Serena was on her way to class the next morning, books in hand. Her hair styled differently today, not in its usual 'meatball' form. Instead, it was worn down -- with gentle curls here and there, altogether softening her look.
"Hey Serena," someone yelled from afar.
Serena turned to see Brett jogging in her direction, "What's up?" she asked, holding her books in her arms as she waited patiently on him.
He smiled as he came to a stop before her. Serena noticed he was looking particularly cute at that moment. His hair was tousled -- this way and that – and his hazel eyes seemed more of a golden color today. "Off to class," he answered her, "The reason I came over was because I got some more information about the party. It's on a Saturday and will start around 8," he finished.
Serena nodded, smiling politely, "It's a costume party, correct?"
"Yeah…it'll be fun. And don't worry, there's no drinking or anything," he added.
"Good," Serena responded. Crap, now I have to buy a costume! she thought to herself.
They soon entered class, and took their usual seats, "Good morning, everyone!" Professor Lansing said enthusiastically as all his students poured into the room, "Today, we're learning how to animate things on the computer," he told them enthusiastically and started the lecture.
----------------------------
As Darien walked to the first class of the morning, he heard someone behind him say in a sweet melodic tone, "Hey Darien."
He turned quickly to find Mina standing before him smiling. She was one of his closest friends. He smiled and nodded, "Morning Mina, how are you?"
She smiled radiantly, her golden hair swirling about her curvaceous form as she walked beside him, "I'm good. Hey, I was wondering if you'd like to come to my party! It's a Halloween party. It's gonna be next week, on Saturday…around 8 p.m."
"Oh, sure, I don't have any plans, I'll go," Darien said as they entered an anatomy class.
"Okay…great! It's a costume party too, so be sure to come as something," she added, as she sat next to Darien. Darien nodded in response as he took out his things. Costume party…crap; I need to go find a costume.
------------------------------
Yes, class is finally over! Serena thought, gathering her stuff before taking off down the corridor. I'm hungry.
Serena headed towards the café, her stomach growling loudly as if it were a fierce beast about to devour her. When she entered, she noticed that the place was crowded. Okay...never mind, she told herself as she turned to leave.
just as she was about to step across the threshold, she noticed Darien making his way towards her, "Oh, hey Meatball head!" he greeted her with a grin, his beautiful face lighting up.
"Yeah, hi Darien," Serena replied, "You might not want to go in there, it's way crowded." She explained as she snuck past him.
Darien acknowledged her with a nod and frowned. He turned towards her and noticed she was wearing a bohemian peasant skirt, with a pink sequenced tank top. Wow,… he thought as he stared, "So what's up?" she asked, standing there awkwardly as he ogled her.
"Er...nothing, I'm just hungry," Darien replied, turning away from her once realizing he'd been gawking at her.
Serena was about to agree, but her stomach spoke for her. Looking down, blushing with embarrassment, "I am too…obviously."
"Would you like to go someplace else then?" Darien asked, chuckling.
Serena smiled at the very idea of food before answering a little too quickly, "Yes!"
"I know a great place up the street," Darien suggested with a grin as he led the way.
"Fantastic," Serena said, smiling, "Lord knows my stomach needs food."
-------------------------
The little restaurant was called -- Happy Days-- its floor tiles alternating between the colors black and white. Off to one side, in the far corner, sat an antique jukebox -- the sound of Elvis's voice flowing from it – small booths were set around the interior -- the restaurant's theme obvious.
"This place is so cute! It reminds me of those 60's diners," Serena supplied as she glanced around admiringly.
Darien nodded as he picked up his burgers, "Yeah, it's cool."
Serena stuck a fry in her mouth, then remembered something, "Hey," she mumbled while chewing, "Where can I buy a Halloween costume?"
"Party Galaxy, they have a plethora of amazing costumes to choose from," Darien answered, shoving some fries into his mouth as well.
"Um, could you possibly take me there one day? I need to find a costume for a Halloween party," Serena said, dipping her fries in some ketchup.
Darien swallowed and waved his hand before her, "Sure," he answered, " I need one too anyways. I was actually invited to one today," he confessed with little enthusiasm.
Serena took another bite of her burger, "That's cool." Darien looked at her, smiling as she thought about food, "How about I take you tomorrow?"
"Tomorrow sounds good," she answered as she took a swig from her coke.
--------------------------
After school the next day, Darien took Serena to Party Galaxy as agreed.
Party Galaxy, this time of year was always filled with Halloween stuff. Costumes of all sorts filled three different aisles. Haunting effects and screams reverberated throughout the store, setting the mood, "Wow…" Serena cried, taking in the sight of the many costumes for hire, "I have no idea which one to pick!" she told him as her eyes roamed the never-ending display of the cosmopolitan, fantastic, beautiful to the truly bizarre range of items on display.
"Me neither," Darien said, sticking his hands in his pockets. He smiled before casually looking at the -- mafia looking costumes. Hmm, this looks cool, he thought.
Serena looked at the women's adult section -- all these costumes look so…sluttish, she thought, frowning disapprovingly.
Darien soon joined her to offer his assistance, "Huh…" He murmured as he gave her section the once over, "What?" Serena questioned.
Darien shrugged, "I didn't think you'd be looking at this section," he said, sounding a little surprised.
"What's wrong with this section?" Serena asked, her eyebrows raising.
"It's a little too…risqué for you," he replied, smiling at her contently.
"It is not," Serena retorted defensively, grabbing a costume at random. She looked down and realized it was a nurse's outfit -- a skimpy nurse's outfit at that. Whoa, this hardly covers anything! She thought, surprised at her random choice.
Darien noticed her eyes grow ever wide. "Yeah, that's what I thought," he whispered conceitedly.
Serena looked up and glared at him. She stuck her tongue out at him, and went into a dressing room to try it on. I'll show you, she thought inwardly.
She looked at her reflection in the mirror, looking herself up and down -- Oh my god… I look like a freakin' tramp, she thought, horrified.
Suddenly, she heard a knock on the door, "Someone's in here!" she raised her voice automatically, sliding the nurse's outfit down over herself.
"How's it coming along?" Darien's disembodied voice enquired.
"It's coming along fine … I think I might wear it to my wedding," she said, sarcastically.
"Come out…lemme see it," he urged plaintively.
"NO!" she cried loudly, sounding disgusted.
"Aw, why not, Meatball head?"
"Er…because it has a hole in it…" she lied, spinning around to look at the back of the garment.
"Aha, just what I thought. You're too conservative for those kind of costumes," he replied. The way he said this conjured up a picture of Darien with a challenging grin on his handsome face. Serena frowned.
Darien heard the door click, and it swung open to reveal a most unexpected -- and to his mind -- amazing sight. His eyes doubled in size, she looked… hot. She had taken down her buns, and her hair was so long and beautiful. The costume suited her to a tee. It was a perfect fit, and showed off Serena's long, slender legs, and her fabulous body. Darien's eyes traveled from her legs, up to her breasts…and stayed there, Oh my gosh! she thought, as she instinctively placed her hands over herself, slamming the door in his face.
"You pervert!" Darien heard her scream from behind the door.
He smiled. She looked amazing, "I couldn't help it, Meatball head," he said, jokingly. After a few minutes, she stumbled out of the change room wearing her own clothes -- costume in hand, "You're not gonna buy that…are you?" Darien asked, following her quickly to the counter.
She spun around to face him, "And why not?"
"Did you look in the mirror? You look like a prostitute," Darien said, seriously.
"Is that why you were staring at my boobs?" Serena questioned, angrily.
"Look, that's just a natural instinct… If you wear that, nobody will see anything BUT boobs," he explained, trying to take the costume bag away from her.
"Stop it," she snapped, slapping his hand away, "I'm going to buy it."
"You're what…" he repeated in a quieter tone.
"I'm gonna buy it. I'm not afraid to wear it," Serena declared defiantly, for a moment looking a little unsure of herself.
"In public…you're going to wear THAT in public?" Darien questioned, his eyebrows lifting -- a slight smirk forming on his lips.
"Yes," Serena answered, without much thought.
"All right, suit yourself," Darien said, walking away.
"Fine," Serena said, snidely.
"Fine," he shrugged, still walking away.
