Chapter 8: Halloween Mania

The month of October flew by and before everyone knew it, it was Halloween. Luckily, Halloween was on a Saturday night so the students of JC high had all day and all night to prepare for the city's annual Halloween bash that happened every year.

The Jump City Halloween bash took place at the Jenner Mansion, a mansion that was built over a hundred years ago. It was known to be haunted but it was a great place to throw a party.

The mansion stood on over twenty acres of land and had a giant cornfield. Every year at the Halloween bash, the people who throw the event always do a haunted hayride in the cornfields. That's probably the best part.

It was 6 pm and Richard and Kori, who have been growing closer and closer everyday, were inside of Vanilla Spice Cupcake Cafe enjoying some dessert before they headed over to the Halloween bash. All of their friends were already there but Richard had stolen Kori away long enough to get her one of her favorite kind of cupcakes: Strawberry shortcake.

"This place rocks." She moaned with delight as she tasted the fresh strawberries on her tongue.

"I know right. Bruce used to take me here every Friday when I was a kid." Richard had settled for his usual chocolate fudge brownie cupcake.

"Oh really... Why not anymore?"

He shrugged his shoulders. "His business is really...well, busy." He laughed a little and stared down at his cupcake.

Kori saw some sort of sorrow in his gorgeous blue eyes and felt bad for asking. She quickly changed the subject. "Our costumes are great."

Richard looked down at his pirate looking costume as laughed. "I still can't get over them. We fit the parts so well."

Kori smiled and nodded happily. "That's why I chose them!"

Kori and Richard decided to be Prince Eric and Ariel for Halloween. Well, actually Kori decided it but Richard didn't argue. Over the past few weeks, he came to find out that whatever made her happy, made him happy.

"I actually kind of like the whole couple idea." Richard said and Kori looked at him suddenly serious.

'Shit. She thinks I meant us. As in...real boyfriend as girlfriend.'

He coughed awkwardly and quickly implied, "Well, Ariel and Eric. It's, uh, cute. Heh..."

Kori raised an eyebrow and felt a little sad when he corrected himself. But nonetheless she smiled at him and stared down at we shimmery green, fitted tail. Her costume was well done and made by her mother, Luan. Alongside with her amazing tail, Kori had on a purple strapless corset that showed just enough cleavage. Her red hair was perfectly wavy with a purple and white-pearled shell placed on the left side of her head. No one could have worn the costume better than her.

"You ready? The party is upbeat and lively as Vic says." Richard pointed to his phone for emphasis.

Kori nodded and stood up. "Jade already there?"

He nodded. Jade had went with Roy as his date but did not have a couple costume. She was a sexy geisha where as he was a ninja. So in some way, they matched.

Jade and Roy had also become very close. They'd been out on a few dates since homecoming and no matter how many times Jade denied it, Kori knew she like Roy. He liked her a lot too, maybe more than he should. Richard was keeping an eye out for Jade because he knew Roy's player ways. But all was good so far.

"Ah crap." Richard stopped just outside the door and looked around for another exit. There was none.

"Paparazzi?" Kori asked, already knowing the answer.

He nodded and took her hand tightly. Lately, the paparazzi were all over them. It was almost every week that they somehow made it into JC magazine. Going places together had gotten harder for them.

"What about the back?" Kori asked.

Richard shook his head and pushed open the door. He wasn't going to let a couple of freaks with cameras keep him away from his car.

He pulled Kori in front of him and kept his hands firmly on both of her shoulders. There were at least 20 photographers surrounding them and he wished he'd brought his sunglasses with him to block all the flashing lights. But then again, it was night time.

"Ouch!" Kori yelped and clutched her foot. A paparazzi had stepped on it.

"Kori! Over here!"

"Kori, smile for the camera!"

"Richard, is it true you and Kori plan to get married when you graduate!?"

"Are you two taking a trip to Hawaii this summer?"

"Is Babs Gordon really as mad as people say she is!?"

Questions were flying at them from left and right. Richard was at least ten feet away from his camero and was getting pissed that this maniacs were holding him back.

"Kori! Say cheese doll face!" A giant light flashed right in front of her eyes and she covered them stepping back slightly.

Richard wrapped an arm around her and pushed his way through the crowd, eager to get to his car.

Finally, they made it. Richard quickly put the key in and sped off.

"They're horrible...do they not know what privacy is?" Kori said patting down her hair.

Richard one handed the steering wheel and took a left. "Obviously not. Maybe it's time for a body guard."

"Mmmm...are you sure?"

He laughed. "I'm sure of one thing."

"And what is that Mr. Grayson?"

He smirked mockingly at her and said, "That you definitely can't handle bright lights."

TT

When they arrived at the Halloween bash, they snuck around back to avoid the paparazzi. Luckily, Vic had opened the gate for them thanks to Richard texting him.

"It's bout time y'all made it." Vic said as he closed the gate.

"Well the papas wouldn't let us get to my car. I was tempted to punch one."

Vic looked at Richard surprisingly and laughed. "Where's a body guard when you need one?"

"Right."

They made their way through the large crowd and eventually met up with some of the group. Roy, Jade, Cassie, and Conner were over by the haunted house line that was actually going inside the house. Most of the party took place in the front and backyard.

"Oh my gosh!" Cassie squealed. "You two look freaking cute!"

Kori giggled. "Thanks Cas! So do you two!"

Cassie and Conner did a couple themed costume. She was a Greek goddess and he was a Greek god. They looked like they were angels considering how beautiful they were.

"I heard this house was supposed to be set up ten times more scarier than last years." Jade informed as they moved up.

"Gee I hope. Last years was a disappointment." Richard added. Conner agreed with him as did Cassie.

Kori rubbed her arm nervously and looked about ready to puke. Richard noticed this and excused them away from the group.

"Kor, are you okay?" He asked when they were out of earshot.

She nodded and refused to make eye contact. "I just...I...I don't like haunted houses. They scare me."

Richard's eye softened and he put a hand on her shoulder. "Hey, I understand. We don't have to go in if you don't want to."

She shook her head. "I don't want to ruin your fun. You go in. I'll go find some of our other friends." She smiled at him sweetly.

He smiled back and nodded. "Okay. I'll come find you when we're done."

"Okay. Have fun." She walked away and he turned back to meet up with the group.

"Where is Kori going?" Asked Jade.

"She is too scared. She's gonna find our other friends." Richard explained.

Meanwhile, Kori whisked her way through the crowd of dancing bodies. She looked around for any of her friends but couldn't lay eyes on one. It was even harder since they were in costume.

She wished she wasn't such a big baby. Kori suddenly regretted not going into the haunted houses with Richard. It was all fake anyway and plus, Richard would've protected her...

She smiled at the though of his hand holding hers. Every time their bodies came in contact, goosebumps were sent throughout her body. She knew it was a good feeling because ever since homecoming night, she'd been falling harder and harder for him.

Giving up on finding any friends, Kori made her way to the bathrooms that were outside of the gates near the parking lot. It was a little building that was probably the size of Kim Kardashian's closet.

On her way there, she hoped that none of the papas would see her. But it was dark so that was a plus.

She opened up the door to one of the family restrooms but her eyes went wide at what she saw.

Babs and Fang looked about ready to swallow each other at the way they were kissing.

Kori quickly tried to shut the door to avoid them seeing her but miserably failed because Babs shouted out, "Wait!" The red headed costumed nurse-and a slutty one at that-got up off the counter of the sink and walked over to Kori.

Kori stood her ground attempting to not look afraid. But wouldn't you be afraid if you were trapped inside of a bathroom with a girl who wanted to through you into a sea full of hungry sharks and a guy who wanted to sleep with you?

Yup.

"Well, I assume you came here with Richard?" Babs asked with a sneer.

Kori crossed her arms, no longer afraid of this bimbo. "Actually yes"

Babs laughed and crossed her arms like Kori. "I bet you're loving all the fame and publicity he's brought to you."

Kori shook her head. "No, I don't. But I do like him."

Babs scoffed and leaned on the wall. Fang wasn't too far away watching the scene. "You better watch it Anders. Because when someone takes something that was mine...well, lets just say I'll do anything to take it back." She winked at Kori and walked out of the bathroom. But when the door shut, she heard a click.

Kori almost fainted. Babs had locked her in with Fang. She set her up!

Kori yanked in the doorknob hard and began yelling. "Help!"

Fang laughed and crossed his arms. His muscled stretched through his black t shirt. Kori looked over at him with a look of disgust.

"Aren't you gonna try and get out!" She screamed.

He walked over to her and he became uneasy. "Nope." He walked so close to her that she was pressed up against the wall. "I like it being just is two."

Kori smelled the alcohol on his breath and she really wanted to spit in his face. She pushed him back hard and glared at him. "Stay away from me!"

Fang laughed and walked back over to her. He took her and threw her onto the ground. She let out a yelp and felt her arm get scraped.

Fang began walking back over to her with a look of delight on his face. "Lets have some fun."

TT

"Holy shit I think I just shit my pants." Roy said as they walked out of the house.

Everyone laughed and was happy yet made it out of the scary mansion. Roy was right, they made it ten times more scarier than last year's considering the way the guys screamed and the girls practically jumped in their arms.

Richard looked around the crowd to spot a beautiful redhead girl. It shouldn't be hard to find her.

Just then Vic, Karen, Alain, Gar, Rachel, and Wally walked up to all of them.

"Hey guys! Y'all look amazing!" Karen boasted. She was dressed as a sexy bumblebee.

They all said thanks and Richard ignored her suddenly growing worried. Kori was supposed to be with them.

"Where's lil red?" Asked Vic referring to Kori.

"She was supposed to be with you guys." Jade said, a look of fear washing over her face.

All was silent. Richard acted quickly and began to scan the crowd. "Where could she be!? It's Halloween night, it's not safe!"

Just them, Kole Weathers, who was with Jericho Wilson, walked passed them overhearing the last if their conversation.

"Are you looking for Kori?" Kole asked.

They all nodded.

"I saw her go into the girls bathroom. But she never came out. Only Babs Gordon did."

Shit.

Richard didn't take a second thought for he began running towards the bathroom. Cassie said a quick thank you to Kole and followed the others towards the bathroom.

Richard prayed that whatever was in the bathroom, was Kori. And he prayed that she wasn't the near bit hurt.