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Andrea
Another bird hit my bedroom window and died today. I swear I’m cursed. Ever since I turned twenty-one three weeks ago, my life has been full of weird shit. If it started to rain fish every time I step outside, I wouldn’t be surprised.
Though, raining chocolate would be much nicer. But then everything would get sticky, and getting it out of hair and clothes would be nearly impossible…no, I’ll stick to the plague of fish.
Not that I want to cause a plague of anything.
I slick on some red lipstick as a tiny crack traces up the mirror. I thought dressing up as a witch for Halloween would be fun, but that was before things got weird. What if black cats start following me?
The crack blossoms into a central shatter and I wince. My friends think the weirdness is due to a thirteen-month dry spell the exact day I turned twenty-one, and it’s pent-up sexual frustration throwing the universe out of whack. Though, I’m not sure the universe cares that much about my love life or lack thereof.
It’s much more likely that someone has hexed me.
I smooth the tiny skirt and once again check that it covers my ass. It does, but only by about two inches. I’m not sure I can pull off “sexy witch,” and I don’t know if it’s the knee-high boots or the miniskirt. I had planned to wear a long, flowing purple dress, but I let Hannah and Cat talk me into something bolder so I can hook up and break the curse. Now I’m having regrets.
I step out of the bathroom. “I’m really not sure about this.”
“You look great,” Hannah says.
Cat nods. “You will definitely get laid looking like that.”
Hannah lifts an eyebrow. “Did you break anymore mirrors?”
I wish I hadn’t told them, but I didn’t know who else to turn to. “Sorry. It kind of just happened.”
Though, on the off chance I am causing this because I have been celibate since my last breakup, I intend on breaking my dry spell—and hopefully all spells—at the party tonight. Which is why I’m wearing the miniskirt. It’s not something I usually do, but I’m getting desperate.
I don’t want more birds to die. Nor do I want to have to replace any more mirrors.
We leave Hannah’s house and walk up the block to what will be the biggest party of the year. Hannah’s cousin always has a big party, regardless of the occasion.
We dart across the empty road when we get close to the house. I almost stop, sure that I’m about to run into something, but Cat turns and grabs my hand, dragging me on. From the sidewalk, I glance back, and for a heartbeat, I think I see something. A shadow of something big. But when I blink, there’s nothing there.
Laughter and shouts lead us to the most decorated house on the street. There are skeletons on the lawn and webs in the trees. A mini-graveyard by the letter box and jack-o'-lanterns everywhere else. As I walk closer, a breeze sweeps past us and the candles flare, swelling and spilling out of the hollow eyes and leering smiles. I step back, my heart beating fast.
Now I’m imagining weird shit is happening to me.
I force out a breath. I need to chill.
Behind me, someone huffs out a breath on the back of my neck. I jump, crashing into Cat.
“What?” she hisses.
My heart thumps against my ribs. There’s no one behind me in the line. I force a smile and shrug. “Sorry. I thought I heard something.”
“I don’t hear anything except music. Relax. Have some fun.”
I’m trying. I really am. But I feel like I’m being watched. Like something is about to happen. I hate surprises.
Hannah leads us up the stairs and into the party. A familiar song pumps through the speakers. Tables are covered in bowls of punch and beer and soda. Others have cake, and jelly cups filled with snakes. For a few moments, I can breathe.
I’m safe.
Nothing weird is going to happen. And if it does, well, it’s Halloween and no one will think it’s me and my curse.
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