The apartment was abuzz with chaotic energy as Emily scrubbed the last of the breakfast dishes. Mindy paced the living room like a director on the verge of a premiere, her phone in hand and an excited gleam in her eye.

"Emily, hurry up!" Mindy called over her shoulder. "It's revenge time, and I'm ready to shine."

Emily rolled her eyes but smiled. "I'm coming, I'm coming. Good revenge needs clean plates."

"You know what else needs to be clean? My slate with Nicolas," Mindy retorted, tossing a dramatic glance toward the sink. "Let's get this show on the road."

Finally, Emily dried her hands and joined the group, who were all sitting around the coffee table. "Okay, let's get into the details. I've been thinking about the plan, and I've got an idea to make this unforgettable."

"Let's hear it," Camille said, leaning forward with interest.

Emily grinned. "We dress up as iconic horror characters. Think about it—he's not just going to see us as ex-friends reclaiming stuff; he's going to see us as his worst nightmare."

There was a pause before Alfie raised an eyebrow. "You've completely lost it."

Gabriel leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms. "So, you want us to... trick-or-treat our way into revenge? It's not even Halloween."

"Exactly!" Emily said, clapping her hands. "That's why it's genius. He'll never see it coming."

Camille burst out laughing. "I actually love this. It's ridiculous but kind of brilliant."

Mindy smirked. "I'm in. What's scarier than Pearl from Pearl showing up to ruin your day?"

"Everything about this is scary," Alfie muttered, but his resolve was wavering.

Gabriel sighed. "Fine. But only because I get to wear a mask."

"Great!" Emily said, her excitement bubbling over. "Let's get ready. I've got dibs on Jennifer Check from Jennifer's Body."

"Dibs on Dani Ardor from Midsommar," Camille added.

Gabriel shrugged. "Guess I'll go with Michael Myers."

"That leaves me with Ghostface," Alfie said begrudgingly. "Perfect."

The group dispersed to their rooms, each getting into character with exaggerated flair. When they reassembled in the living room, the sight was nothing short of spectacular.

Mindy twirled dramatically in her blood-splattered dress and braided hair. "Ladies and gentlemen, Pearl has arrived."

Emily adjusted her cheerleader skirt and grinned, baring fake bloody teeth. "Jennifer Check, at your service."

Camille, wearing a flower crown and flowing white dress, looked ethereal yet eerie. "Dani Ardor—post-ritual chic."

Gabriel stepped into the room, his Michael Myers mask on, wielding a fake knife. "Silent but deadly."

Finally, Alfie walked in, the Ghostface mask slightly askew. "Can we get this over with? I'm sweating already."

"You all look amazing," Mindy said, beaming. "Let's do this."

As they walked through the streets of Paris in full costume, passersby stared, some whispering, "It's not Halloween yet," while others laughed or snapped photos.

"This is the most fun I've had in ages," Camille said, adjusting her flower crown.

"Let's hope Nicolas thinks so too," Mindy muttered, the determination in her voice cutting through the humor.

When they reached Nicolas's apartment, they stood in formation outside his door. After a moment, the door opened, and Nicolas stepped out, blinking at the bizarre sight.

"What... the hell is this?" he asked, looking from one costumed figure to the next. "Why are you dressed like... Halloween rejects?"

"We're here to talk," Mindy said, stepping forward with a theatrical tilt of her head. "About the TV."

Nicolas groaned. "Mindy, I've already told you—"

"And I've told you," Mindy interrupted, her voice sharp, "that I'm not buying you a new TV. You broke this relationship with your infidelity, so maybe you can buy your own stuff now."

Nicolas looked taken aback. "Infidelity? What are you talking about?"

"Oh, please," Mindy scoffed. "Do I need to recount the scene? Me, naked and singing in your room, your girlfriend walking in? Ring any bells?"

Gabriel, still in his Michael Myers mask, muttered, "This is better than Netflix."

"I'm not here to argue," Mindy continued. "I'm here to take back what's mine—and yours, for that matter. Call it a clean break."

Nicolas folded his arms. "You're not taking my stuff."

"Oh, we are," Emily said, stepping forward, her blood-streaked cheerleader outfit gleaming in the sunlight. "Because it's what's fair."

Nicolas fumbled for his phone. "I'm calling the police."

Before he could dial, Alfie casually flicked the phone from his hand, sending it tumbling into a nearby sewer grate. Nicolas's jaw dropped. "Are you insane?"

"Maybe," Alfie said coolly, adjusting his Ghostface mask.

As Nicolas protested, the group pushed past him and began gathering items—anything Mindy had given him as gifts, along with a few extra items for good measure. Camille picked up a pair of boxers and dangled them between two fingers.

"Is this yours?" she asked Gabriel with mock seriousness. "Or Alfie's?"

"Definitely Alfie's," Gabriel replied without missing a beat.

Outside, Nicolas yelled at them from the doorway, his voice growing more desperate. "You can't do this! This is theft!"

"Call the police," Emily said sweetly. "Oh wait, you can't."

As the group hauled the last of the items out, Mindy paused and turned back to Nicolas, her expression shifting to one of calculated calm. She spotted his watch on the table and picked it up.

"You know," she said, holding the watch aloft, "you always thought you were the star of this relationship. But you weren't. I was."

She leaned in close, her voice dripping with mock sweetness. "And I'm taking my star power somewhere else."

With that, she turned and rejoined the group, leaving Nicolas sputtering on the doorstep. They walked down the street, their costumes fluttering in the breeze and their laughter ringing out like a battle cry.

"That," Camille said, wiping a tear of laughter from her eye, "was incredible."

"Agreed," Gabriel said, holding up a toaster he'd swiped. "I call dibs on this."

As they returned to their apartment, arms full of spoils and hearts full of triumph, it was clear that while their revenge might have been ridiculous, it was also perfect. Best friends, forever. Through everything—including vengeance.