"I look stupid, don't I?" I asked Alyssa as she took a step back, mascara brush in hand. It would have been more accurate to say that I hoped I looked stupid.

Alyssa chuckled to herself but kept any answers to my question to herself. She was finding the whole thing, especially my delusion quite entertaining. She knew as much as I did that my androgynous face would take to makeup quite well.

She'd told me as much on previous occasions. Not that I needed her to tell me. Society did a good enough job of that on its own. It was anyone's guess how a random stranger would gender me on an average day but tonight, I glanced down at my painted nails, there was no question.

"Hold still" Alyssa returned holding a lipstick in Harley Quinn's famous dark red. I obeyed. I'd already agreed to this whole deal, there was no use fussing at this point. That ship had sailed long ago.

Alyssa made the gesture for me to press my lips together after applying a generous amount and I quietly followed her lead. She took a step back to admire her handiwork. All that was left to complete the costume was the dyed blonde wig with red and blue tips. The wig would be doing a lot of the heavy lifting to identify who I was going as for Halloween.

"How's it coming?" Cole pocked his head through Alyssa's open room door just as she was stepping into the bathroom causing me to jump in surprise. The last he'd seen me, I had been regular, boring old me. Now well I was very different, or at least I thought I was because I still hadn't seen what I looked like — Alyssa's orders.

"Fuck, you scared me" I managed after a deep breath.

"Ooh-wee," Cole howled, "we got this in the bag bro!"

"You think?" I asked self-consciously.

"Yeah are you kidding, you look amazing!"

I blushed in the face of his excitement.

Right, why was I doing this in the first place? A free PS5. It was a funny story actually. A couple of weeks ago, he'd told me how his girlfriend Katie, now ex was really into dressing up for Halloween and had wanted them to do the couples contest together. I'd almost immediately put it out of my mind, just how I treated any information about her.

Katie had made it clear she wasn't very fond of me, something to do with always hanging out with her boyfriend, but in truth, she'd been pissy towards me since the day we first met so I would put much trust in her given reason.

Not that I cared anyway. Cole was never with any girl long anyway so I knew she'd be gone soon and it'd be on to the next. In the end, she'd been the one to break up with him, unusual but not unheard of.

The thing was Cole really had his mind set on that $750 cash price for the couples contest. He figured that was his ticket to pre-order the upcoming PS5 Pro. He wanted the prize money, with or without Katie. Preferably without her since she'd most likely have them spend it on some activity Cole didn't even enjoy.

That's where I came in.

At first, he'd had the audacity to ask me without offering anything in return.

"Yeah Casey, just humiliate yourself for my benefit for nothing in return" That was my impression of how dumb he sounded.

Eventually, he'd had the good sense to offer me his current PS5 when he upgraded in exchange for helping him. My aging PS4 had been begging me to let it rest so I'd reluctantly agreed.

After all, it wasn't that strange for boys to dress up as girls for Halloween. I figured if anyone found out it was me under all this, I'd play it off as a joke. Between the breast forms, the perfectly done makeup, and my unfortunately pretty face, I wondered whether I'd be able to convince anyone this was a joke.

When we'd begun listing everything we'd need to pull this off, I'd wondered whether he'd even be making much profit but his sister had been super helpful. She'd offered her makeup kit and expertise on the condition that she could take pictures for her makeup page on Instagram.

She'd even supplied her old breast forms and joked that I could keep them on account of not needing them anymore.

The outfit and blonde wig though, Cole had had to buy. I thought it was dumb he was spending money when he didn't even know we were going to win but he seemed confident.

"People don't go all out for these things. Trust me, we'll be the only ones that look good" That wasn't an impression. That's exactly what he'd said in his defense. What did I care though, I was getting a free console regardless.

"Well," I said finally, "You look pretty cool too"

His version of Jared Leto's Joker was really good. Better than I had been expecting for sure. I hadn't noticed it before but he really did look exceptionally like the actor. The suit was nice, and the green slicked-back hair could have been his regular style, but it was how the Joker makeup complimented his strong features perfectly that convinced me he'd be a big hit at the party.

I just hoped I didn't look like a caricature by comparison. Regardless of my objections, I really did want us to win. I'd feel better taking his console if he was getting another.

"Right?" Cole let out a sinister smile before closing the distance between us. Without warning, he reached over and placed his finger beneath my chin, lifting my head slightly, "Would you die for me?" he asked in a gruff voice.

I cleared my throat uncomfortably.

"Would you live for me?" he asked again in that same voice. Of course, I knew which scene he was referencing. He'd made us watch the movie last night to get into the headspace of the characters.

"AH! AH! AH! AH!" he laughed in the same way Leto did in the movie.

I pulled my head back away from his finger, "Been practicing have you?"

"Yeah, you better have been as well," he said as he stepped back.

"That wasn't part of our deal" I protested.

"Come on, you're going to ruin the whole thing by speaking" he complained.

"I can sound like a girl if I want, relax"

"Yeah, you can but can you sound like Harley?"

I was about to give it a shot when Alyssa returned, "You. Out." she ordered him away.

"Oh come on, why?" Cole complained again. He was being awfully whiny tonight.

"I need to be in the right headspace when I work and your face ruins it" she commented as she walked over to where the wig hung waiting.

"I'll be quiet" he promised.

"No. Out," she said again.

Cole threw his head back in frustration, "Can you at least hurry? The party's started. I need to give everyone enough time to take in all of this"

I rolled my eyes when he gave a slow twirl to accompany his words.

I had to admit, he looked really good. The black pants were nice enough but the way the white dress shirt sat on his toned body was something else entirely. Living in the gym as much as he did was really starting to pay off.

"It's just the wig left then I'll take pictures"

Cole groaned, "You take a million pictures"

"Do you realize how much makeup I used on both of you? Should I send you a bill?"

"AH! AH! AH! AH!" he laughed on his way out of the room.

I chuckled as he closed the door slowly behind him. He was such a goof.

=^..^=

"Is that really me?" I stared in disbelief at the reflection in the mirror. She was the most beautiful girl I'd ever seen, if a bit crazy-looking.

I held my mouth open as I watched her follow my every move. She was me.

"Oh my God" I voiced. There was nothing unconvincing about me.

I heard the camera shutter and then saw the flash. Out of the scores of pictures that would follow with different expressions and poses, the one that displayed my shock would be our favorite by a mile.

The wig must have completed the look because even Cole was stunned when we met again in the living room. I stood shyly as he took me in. The costume was mostly perfect. The wig, the makeup, my features, and even the fake breasts were the perfect size for Harley's athletic figure. The only compromise was the short jean skirt we'd settled on after deciding I probably couldn't pull off the mini shorts Harley Quinn wore. Well, that and the fact that I didn't have a bat. Slightly out of budget.

"Casey I gotta tell you, we got this in the bag," Cole said to me with a big smile.

"I have to admit, we do look really good"

Cole walked up to me and placed both hands on my shoulders, "Pumpkin Pie, we look better than good"

"You look like a million bucks, Mr. J" I finally did the voice.

He paused, closed his eyes, and let out a satisfied breath, "That awakened something in me. Do it again"

"Do what, Mr. J?" I did it again.

"Oh sweet baby Jesus" he playfully bit his knuckle.

"One more for the road?" he came closer to me.

"Shut up" I finally returned to my normal voice and pushed him away for good measure.

"Ready to hit the streets, Harley-girl?"

"Ready as I'll ever be"

"Hold on, let me get one with the couple together" Alyssa rushed into the living room with my camera. She took one look at us together and sighed, "This is really some of my best work"

"Pretend couple" I felt the need to correct her.

"Yeah whatever, just scoot closer" Alyssa hurried us along.

I shuffled closer to him but admittedly stood like I was taking a class photo.

"What are we, the founding fathers? Bring it in" Cole complained once again and before he even allowed me a moment to ponder what he'd said, he held me by the waist and drew me in.

"Good, stay" Alyssa ordered and so I stayed despite my compromising position of leaning entirely into him with a hand on his chest.

Flash. Yep, I knew that picture was going to haunt me one way or another. I'd have to find a way to destroy it before he showed it at my wedding in a PowerPoint.

"Okay we gotta go before we miss the entire contest" I hurried him along before Alyssa got the chance to take any more damning photographs.

"You kids have fun" Alyssa called out to us as I pulled Cole out the front door, "Don't do anything I wouldn't do"

"That is a very short list!" Cole called back with a raised voice.

I quickly shushed him before he got all the neighbors looking out the window.

=^..^=

The night was so beautiful with the stars in the sky and the creepy decorations on damn near every house we passed. It was such a nice night out for a drive but my mind was in such turmoil.

For one, I'd suddenly realized just how mini this mini skirt was. What had Alyssa been thinking? What had I been thinking?

Second, Cole had opened my door for me which was close to doing my head in but I could rationalize that he was just staying in character. He was the Joker and I was Harley Quinn. We were a couple entering a couples contest and he was just taking it seriously. No big deal.

Third, I was on my way to a party dressed as a girl. What if someone recognized me? Wouldn't I just straight up die from embarrassment if that happened?

"Who are we going to say I am when people ask?" I turned to Cole who drove us in his ageing Bronco.

"What do you mean?" he asked without taking his eyes off the road.

"What do you mean what do I mean?" I turned my whole body to face him, "It's a couples thing. Everyone knows we're not a couple"

"It's a couples costume contest, not a 'couples' costume contest" he stressed the words to show the difference.

"No, I'm pretty sure it's a 'couples' costume content"

"What are they going to do, check? Are they going to have us kiss before we enter?"

The color almost immediately drained from my face, "Can they do that?"

"Casey no they can't" he turned to me briefly before turning his attention back to the road, "It's not that serious"

"Fuck, anyway I can't have anyone knowing it's me. I need a secret identity" I explained.

"Secret identity, are you a superhero now?"

"Cole, you're not taking this seriously. I swear if anyone finds out it's me, I'm actually going to kill you"

"Say that last part again but do it in the voice" I could just make out his pleased smile in the dark.

"Cole!"

"Fine! Okay. We can introduce you as Susan C. Anthony"

I gave him a tired look, "You're not funny, you know that right?"

"No, I don't know that because it's wrong," he said as he made a turn at the roundabout, "Fine what do you want?"

"I don't know--" I turned to look down at my sneakers, "I was thinking maybe Cassandra?"

"That's pretty" he turned to look at me for a brief moment, "Did you just come up with that?"

"Yeah," I shrugged quickly, "Why?"

"Nothing, it suits you"

Somehow, things grew awkward after that and neither of us said much the rest of the way to the hotel.

=^..^=

Imperial Hotel was a staple of the community. A lot of us kids had even gotten summer jobs at the hotel when they were usually the busiest.

Last year, they'd held their first-ever Halloween party and accompanying costume content. Kids were welcome but being a notoriously alcohol-free event, very few were interested and opted to run their own keggers.

Not us though, Cole had his eyes set on that PS5 Pro and so we were pulling into the driveway with the rest of the non-alcoholics.

"Welcome miss" The valet helped me open my door and I couldn't help but notice his gaze lingering extra long on me. I'd contemplated ignoring his offered hand for support but decided to keep from drawing any unwanted attention.

"Thank you," I said using my girl voice when my hands met his. I squirmed a bit when I felt him rub the back of my hands and let go as soon as my feet touched the floor.

"Take good care of her for me," Cole said after he came around to the passenger side and tossed the keys to the valet. "That's my baby right there"

He kissed his fingertips and pressed them on the hood of the car then mouthed the words, "I'll miss you"

"You're so embarrassing, oh my God" I turned away from him and made my way through the hotel doors.

"Oh you love me" I heard him say from behind me.

"Sure, about as much as I love as I love diarrhoea" I turned only long enough to say.

"That's nasty. Get help"

=^..^=

I wasn't prepared for just how many stares we would get when we stepped into the lobby. Even crazier because we weren't the only ones in costume.

"People are staring" I whispered to him and retreated behind him without thinking. Up till that point, I'd been protected by the darkness of the night and Cole's shenanigans had helped get my mind off things but now, I was faced with the fact that I was dressed as a girl and wearing a mini skirt no less.

"Well of course they're staring, have you seen yourself?" Cole whispered back, "Casey I don't know if you know this but you're kind of a babe"

I stared back at him with a face full of emotions, "I can't do this, I'm sorry. I need to leave"

I turned for the door but Cole was quicker, he had already wrapped his fingers around mine.

"Breathe" he looked me in the eyes.

I looked back into his.

"I mean it, breathe. In, out, chop chop" he followed up.

I was going to argue but didn't. I breathed in and out. We stood at the entrance arguably drawing more attention than if we'd just kept moving.

"Feel better?" he asked me.

"Not really" I confessed.

"Well, that's all I got--" he paused, "Nah I'm kidding. Okay, listen to me. We're not here okay? Casey and Cole are at home watching old episodes of Top Gear"

God I wish we were lying in bed watching old episodes of Top Gear right now.

"Standing here are Mr. J and Harley. Look around--" he urged me and I followed his lead, glancing around the room. They were still staring. "Everyone here is looking at the best-looking Joker ever and the second-best Harley just behind Margot Robbie"

I laughed.

"So let's go be Joker and Harley, okay?"

"Okay"

=^..^=

"Can't let you in with that costume" the doorman to the event hall dashed our dreams, "This is a family-friendly event. I'm afraid you're dressed too-- scantily"

"What?" I asked confused, "That's crazy"

"Let me handle this babe" Cole stepped up and so I crossed my hands and let him. I watched him lean closely toward the young man who looked only a couple of years older than us. "What do you say I scratch your back, you scratch mine?"

I looked at my friend, confused about where he was going with this.

"What if I were to, you know, make a donation? 10? Maybe 20?"

That idiot. I pulled him back to my side as quickly as I could manage.

"I'm so sorry, forgive my idiot boyfriend" I shot him an angry look, "He was dropped as a baby"

The doorman wasn't amused.

"Isn't there a way you could help us out? We have come a long way for this. I know it's a bit short but that's only in the interest of character accuracy"

He still wasn't amused.

"Come on dude, you don't really care, just let us in" I pleaded.

"Fine" he relented after relatively little pressure.

I squealed happily, "Thank you so much"

"I'll take the 20 though" he added, "Just you know, pull the skirt down a little bit"

I turned to look at Cole who only shrugged, reached into his pocket, and handed the guy a 20. As the exchange happened, all I could think of was how much we needed to win this thing to recoup our expenses.

"Enjoy the party" he eventually waved us through.

As we walked through the hall doors, Cole laughed at me, "Character accuracy? Are you serious?"

"I got us in, didn't I?"

"My 20 got us in" he laughed some more.

"After I loosened him up with my irresistible charm, sure" I argued.

"Whatever you say"

=^..^=

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Hiya, would love to hear what you think about this story so far. It's done in my head so just need to find time to put it on paper. Hope you'll stick around.

Cole was in heaven as soon as we stepped through the doors. The entrance was brightly illuminated to showcase the attendees' costumes as they walked through. I hadn't even had the chance to properly take in the scene when a cameraman took one look and almost immediately accosted us, ushering us to the side where pictures were being taken.
 
"Okay I guess we're going this way now" I muttered to my friend.
 
"Just go with the flow" he replied.
 
Before long, we were standing together in front of a wall of spiders, pumpkins, and cobwebs. Going with the flow, Cole wrapped his arm around my waist and pulled me close. Our bodies had already been pressed together more times tonight than in all the other times in our history put together.
 
I flashed an awkward smile and waited for the camera flash which followed a moment later. I breathed a short sigh of relief.
 
The cameraman clicked his teeth audibly, "Can we take it again?" He asked us after a pause.
 
"What's wrong, babe? Loosen up," he said, bringing his arm up to my shoulder. "You're not still mad about earlier, are you?"
 
I forced a smile, "I'm not. I'm sorry."
 
"Alright, go ahead boss" Cole rubbed my shoulders after turning back to the cameraman, "We're ready"
 
I closed my eyes and prepared myself. Casey and Cole weren't here. They were at home. I was Harley Quinn. I was Harley Quinn, Joker's girlfriend. And Cole was the Joker, my boyfriend.
 
His arm returned to rest on my waist and sent shivers down my spine. The hem of my shirt had moved slightly out of place, leaving just enough room to expose my skin to his.
 
"Lady, you good?" The cameraman called out to me and I had to imagine I was starting to get on his nerves.
 
"Uh yeah," I quickly composed myself, put on the best smile I could manage and even rested my head on Cole's shoulder for good measure, "Let's get this over with"
 
"Beautiful" the man exclaimed following a bright flash.
 
"Thank God" I whispered underneath my breath.
 
"Can we get some poses now?" he continued, "Really bring your characters to life"
 
"Oh, can we ever?" Cole beamed me a bright smile, "Check this out"
 
I watched my pretend boyfriend bring his left hand up to cover his mouth, on the back of which he'd drawn a crooked smile with a marker, "This good?" A muffled sound came through his covered lips.
 
"Yeah just like that, you too lady" he turned to me.
 
"Uh--" I quickly thought back to one of the reference photos, brought my right hand to my hip, and threw the other around Cole's shoulder. Cole quickly caught my drift and supported me with his free hand. We both equipped our most mischievous expressions and with one final flash, we were done.
 
Going with the flow was going to be the death of me.
 
"Would you like a drink?" Cole asked noticing my exhausted expression. I could only find enough strength to nod. He looked like he wanted to say something funny but didn't, "Be right back, don't move"
 
Before I could even protest, he'd already walked off in the direction of the refreshments table.
 
"You idiot, don't leave me here alone," I said quietly to myself.
 
Who was I kidding? I couldn't just leave Casey at home and become someone else. I had to find a way to make Casey fun to be with. I realized I was less bothered at how overwhelmed I was feeling and was a lot more concerned with how my being overwhelmed might have been putting a damper on Cole's evening.
 
I wasn't like him. He was the social one and I was his awkward childhood friend. I couldn't keep up with him in the way Harley was supposed to be able to keep up with the Joker. He should have been here with someone like Katie, not me.
 
I was sure there were a million other girls he could have asked to play this role, why'd he have to drag me into this?
 
I turned my gaze to my feet the way I always did when in stressful social situations. I studied my fishnet stockings that covered every inch of my legs and eventually disappeared under my skirt.
 
I was jarring to realise that somewhere along the line I'd started wanting to make tonight a fun experience for him. Why would I ever put so much thought into something as ridiculous as that? It was just same old, dumb Cole. Why would I care what he thought?
 
I was lost in thought staring at my feet when I noticed a pair of black trousers arrive to join me.
 
"Great job leaving me here alone" I started before even looking up, "Real nic--"
 
"If it isn't Harley Quinn?" I looked up to find a boy that decidedly wasn't Cole. He was showing a small smile following his cheesy opening line.
 
"Uh hi," I muttered.
 
"Care to guess who I am?" He leaned in to ask.
 
"No idea" I answered. The guy was only wearing a suit. It could have been anyone.
 
"Come on, you should know this" he leaned in closer and pressed on, "He's really popular"
 
I shook my head in confusion before taking a step back. It wasn't that loud in here for him to be getting so close to me to talk.
 
"I'm John Wick!" he exclaimed excitedly.
 
"Oh," I forced on an expression of realization. I guess I could see him being John Wick, with the longish black hair and everything.
 
"So what's your name?" he asked when my excitement didn't match his.
 
"I'm actually here with my friend" I finally revealed, "He's getting us drinks"
 
"A friend?"
 
"Yeah"
 
"Right well, I don't know, I was hoping I could get your number?" his voice was loose and uncertain, "I just saw you and thought you were really pretty"
 
It was kind of refreshing when he finally got to the point. I was sympathetic knowing it probably wasn't easy to approach a stranger, or at least I guessed it would have been since it was something I never did, but he was barking up the wrong tree here.
 
"Thanks, but I'm not interested"
 
"Snapchat?"
 
I shook my head.
 
"Email?" he asked again with a forced chuckle, "I'm kidding. I'll get out of your hair. I'm Mario by the way. You know, like Super Mario, the game?"
 
He wasn't getting out of my hair.
 
I forced a laugh of my own, "Yeah, I know it"
 
He stood expectantly waiting for me to proceed. I'd intended to stay quiet but it didn't seem like he had any plans of leaving without at least hearing my name so I gave it to him.
 
"I'm Cassandra"
 
He nodded repeatedly, "Noice. Are you Greek by any chance?"
 
I shook my head in response once again.
 
"I've been there," he told me, "Pretty cool place"
 
"Right" was all I had left to say.
 
"Well it was nice meeting you, Cassie," he said finally before taking a step back.
 
"It was nice to meet you too"
 
I flung my head back when he had finally retreated and disappeared into the crowd. I hadn't signed up for any of that. Where the hell was Cole, I wondered.
 
Well, he showed up with two cups in hand almost immediately after I'd successfully rid myself of Mario's incessant questions.
 
"I thought that guy would never leave" he smiled at me.
 
"Were you--" I paused and turned to look at him, "Were you watching the whole time?"
 
"Yeah, it was hilarious"
 
"Ass!" I let my face show my disapproval before turning away from him.
 
"What, did you want me to come to rescue you?" He asked after coming around to face me again, "You looked like you had it handled"
 
I didn't respond. I just crossed my arms and kept to myself.
 
"Come on, the guy was harmless" Cole added.
 
"Cole, I don't want random guys approaching me and trying to hit on me" I explained, "I'm here with you, the least you could do is step in"
 
"Alright, I'm sorry" he acquiesced. "I'll protect you"
 
I rolled my eyes and looked away. He didn't have to say it like that. It's not like I wanted him to protect me or anything.
 
"For real though--" he stepped forward toward me and I reluctantly looked back at him, "It won't happen again"
 
"Yeah," I said quietly.
 
"Eyeball juice?" he asked while holding out one of the cups to me and lo and behold, there was indeed an eyeball inside the cup floating on a green liquid.
 
"Thanks"

=^..^=
 
"Are you a couple?" A girl holding a clipboard walked up to us after we'd been talking for some time.
 
Cole quickly threw his arm around my shoulder and pulled me closer, "We sure are" he answered.
 
"Would you like to join the couples' costume contest?" she asked us.
 
"What do you think, babe?" he turned to me trying to seem all nonchalant about the whole thing. I played along.
 
"Sure, I guess we can if you want"
 
"Can I just say, you are actually so pretty" clipboard girl told me, "I love both your costumes"
 
"So what do you think, do we have a shot?" Cole took the opportunity to ask.
 
"That's up to the judges" she answered, "But if it was up to me, you'd certainly have my vote"
 
I noticed her eyeing Cole and checking him out but didn't say anything. I couldn't believe she was being so obvious in front of me.
 
"I'm sure you're underestimating your ability" Cole smiled back at her, "Maybe you can put in a good word for us"
 
"Maybe"
 
Cole laughed, "But yeah, go ahead and put us down on your clipboard"
 
"Okay," she giggled, "I'm Vanessa by the way, what's your name?"
 
'Nobody asked' I thought to myself.
 
"I'm Cole and she's Cassandra" he answered for the both of us.
 
We watched her scribble something down before turning her attention over to us, "Good luck 'Cole' and Cassandra" she said finally.
 
Something about the way she said his name irked me.

=^..^=
 
The music had begun to ramp up as the party reached full swing. Groups of people that had just been socializing were now dancing. We'd found our way to one of the corners of the room where I was most comfortable but I could tell Cole wanted to be in the midst of all that dancing.
 
I'd noticed his eyes flit around the room multiple times as more and more couples left their perches and began swaying to the music. I however was putting off dancing with conversation.
 
"So I noticed you were really into Vanessa" I commented, "She seems like your type"
 
"I feel like dancing, don't you feel like dancing?" Cole quickly changed the subject. I wasn't going to let him off that easily.
 
"Don't change the subject" I stepped toward him, "There's no need to hide it, you can tell me"
 
"I'm sure I have no idea what you're talking about"
 
"Liar" I pouted, "You know exactly what I'm talking about. I saw the way you both went at it"
 
"Casey, Casey, Casey," I watched his face light up, "You're not-- jealous, are you?"
 
"Don't be ridiculous" I laughed, "Why would I ever be jealous? Of what?"
 
"Well, you tell me" The cheeky smile on his face was proof he knew he'd successfully turned the tide.
 
I reached over with my index finger and pushed his forehead, "Wipe that smug look off your face".
 
When his head fell backward in an exaggerated manner, I giggled. Thankfully he didn't press his advance and neither of us spoke more about it.
 
There was silence between us only for a few seconds before Cole spoke again, "Episode 8 came out today"
 
"Oh my God, I totally forgot with all the preparations" I replied excitedly, "We have to watch it tonight"
 
Neither of us ever needed to specify. On this, we were on the same page. We'd started a new show seven weeks ago and made it a thing to watch the new episode every week, whether at his house or mine.
 
Today I was at his-- and tonight as well.
 
"Woah, slow down. We'll probably get home pretty late" he informed me, "Don't want you falling asleep halfway through" he gave me a knowing look.
 
"I won't" I protested.
 
I'll admit he had cause to be skeptical. I was known to fall asleep as soon as it got too late but I won't apologize for getting a good night's rest every night. This clear skin wasn't by accident, you know?
 
"We can just watch it tomorrow," he told me.
 
"I'm leaving early tomorrow remember? I have that thing with my mum"
 
"Right, right" he nodded, "Well, I guess--"
 
I watched Cole's face light up immediately we heard the Goo Goo Muck song come through the speakers. It was pretty cute how his face twisted, possibly involuntarily, into the most precious smile.
 
"No," I said preemptively but it was too late, Cole's shoulders were already moving to the beat.
 
"No" I whined as he reached over and took my hands in his, pulling me to the dance floor. "Stop, I don't want to"
 
"I can't control my body" he yelled loud enough to turn some heads around us.
 
"You're a liar!" I yelled as well then tried to hide from the embarrassment.
 
He made a show of pulling my hands back and forth to the beat.
 
"One dance" he begged before letting go of my hands and getting into a groove.
 
"I don't know how to dance" My voice was just loud enough to be audible over the music.
 
"It doesn't matter, just do whatever"
 
After a few moments, I realized Cole wasn't taking his own advice. He in fact wasn't just doing whatever, he was putting together the most impressive choreography. What a show-off.
 
In contrast, I just shimmied and swayed to the beat as best as I could.
 
"I hate it here!" I called out to him as he danced.
 
"I can't hear you" he called back.
 
"I said I hate it here!"
 
"What?!"
 
"Your fly is open!"
 
"Really?"
 
I couldn't help but giggle when he bent down to inspect his pants, "Oh ha-ha"
 
"Where did your Joker impression go?" I leaned close to him to ask.
 
It was his turn to lean in close to me. "I am a professional. I require an audience to perform" So close in fact that I could feel like warm breath on my ear.
 
"You have me, puddin" I chose that moment to revive my Harley voice.
 
"Oh, the humanity!" he screamed at the top of his lungs drawing the attention of many.
 
"Cole!" I slapped his arm, "What are you doing?"
 
"Hey, that was your fault. You did that" he pointed accusingly at me, "Shame on you."
 
"Cole?" I heard a familiar voice call his name but it couldn't be, could it?
 
"Katie, hi!" Cole clearly forced a show of excitement when his ex-girlfriend emerged dressed as Daenerys with a guy I didn't recognize. It would have been an understatement to say my heart was beating a lot quicker than it had been a moment ago.
 
"I thought that was you" she replied, "What are you doing here?"
 
"You know, just chilling" he answered. I wasn't entirely sure but it seemed to me that he'd grown stiff all of a sudden, "Just chilling" he repeated.
 
"I really didn't think you'd come to be honest" Katie commented, "I remember how much I had to beg you to do this with me"
 
"I was just bored, I guess"
 
"This is Jason by the way" she gestured to the dude beside her dressed as Khal Drogo. Not to speak ill but I thought the age gap of their characters might have been appropriate.
 
"Sup, dude" Jason nodded at Cole.
 
"Sup" Cole nodded back.
 
"Hi," I managed.
 
"Well, aren't you going to introduce us?" Katie asked with her gaze locked on me.
 
"Oh yeah of course" Cole fumbled along, "This is Cassandra, Cassandra that's Katie"
 
I cleared my throat then put on my best smile, "Nice to meet you"
 
"Are you guys like dating?"
 
"Uh--" Cole looked to be at a loss for words so I had to step in.
 
"We're figuring things out"
 
"Are you?" Katie asked with a raised eyebrow.
 
What business was it of hers anyway? They broke up. In fact, she had broken up with him.
 
"Yeahhh" Cole slurred his words, "Doing a lot of figuring out"
 
"Right," Katie said. She glanced in my direction for a brief moment before turning fully to face me, "Don't I know you from somewhere?"
 
My heart skipped a beat and I was forced to swallow nervously, "Uh, I don't think so"
 
"She has one of those faces" Cole stepped in, "I thought the same thing when we first met"
 
"And was that--" she paused briefly, "recently?"
 
Nosey much? Keep in mind all of this was happening over the music so we were all straining to have this pointless conversation. What was her problem? She seemed to have a new man, why did she even care?
 
"Yeah. Recent," Cole answered after glancing over to me, "You could say I met her pretty recently"
 
"I assume you guys are doing the couples thing then?"
 
Oh my fucking God, again with the questions. What was it with everyone interrogating me tonight? I just wanted to hang out with Cole and no one else. Where were these people coming from?
 
"Um sorry--" I stepped in before Cole could answer, "I don't wanna be rude but we were kinda dancing"
 
"Oh my God, totally my bad" I watched her visibly snap herself out of it, "Come on, baby" She turned back to her quiet, older boyfriend.
 
And just as quickly as she'd appeared, she'd disappeared into the crowd.

I glanced back over to Cole who looked visibly tense after the interaction. For a brief moment, I thought to touch his arm to help him relax but thought that might have been going too far. Instead, I settled only for a comment, "You know, I'd have loved to see you as Drogo"

"Oh you would have, would you?" he turned over to me amused.

"I bet you'd have looked really stupid with that fake beard"

"We both know I pull anything off" he showed me a cocky smile. It had worked, he was calm again.

"I know no such thing"

=^..^=

"Stop, I can't" I shook my head vigorously as I stepped away from him.

"One dance" he promised.

"You said that before!" I laughed as I backed away.

"I mean it this time" he stepped forward toward me, "I promise"

"I don't believe you," I said through a smile. At what point do your cheeks start hurting from smiling so much?

A few seconds ago, the music had slowed down and I'd preemptively refused because I knew what was coming.

"Come on! So what are you going to do then?" he asked, "Just stand in the corner of the room like some-- corner girl?"

It was so absurd I laughed harder than I had all night and even snorted which caused him to laugh.

"What does that even mean?" I said through tears.

"I don't know," he was laughing as well and we were drawing so much attention, "It just came out"

For a few seconds, we just stood in the middle of all those slow-dancing couples laughing. They must have hated our guts.

"Well," I started when I finally regained my composure, "It is Lana Del Rey," I said in reference to the slow song.

"It is. We kind of have to" he agreed and outstretched his hand to me, "I don't make the rules"

I let out a big sigh followed by a smile that told him he'd won. I reached over and placed my hand in his. Forget the compromising photo in Alyssa's photo, I had to make sure the events of the entire night never came to light.

It was like dressing this way had made me start acting differently around him, and even worse had made him start treating me differently. Were we really going to slow dance? Cole and I?

The answer was yes. Slowly but surely, he pulled me in until we were both right there, within breathing range. The world seemed to fade away, leaving just the two of us.

"I have no idea what I'm doing" I whispered softly to him.

"Follow my lead" he whispered back.

I felt his hand on my back adjust ever so slightly and settle lower.

"Watch the hand, mister" I whispered.

"Sorry"

"It's okay"

He started swaying gently to the music and so did I. There were so many things we could have been doing together on a Thursday night, I could never have guessed we'd be doing this. I could never have guessed it would feel so nice either.

"Ow!" I heard Cole yelp.

"Oh come on, that didn't hurt" I looked up at him and frowned. I'd stepped on his feet but how much damage could I really have done?

"I have fragile feet"

"You have 'Fee Fi Fo Fum' feet if anything," I said and listened to the cute short laugh he let out. "Say that five times fast, huh?" I added.

"Yeah," he chuckled, "This is nice" he added which caused me to freeze for a second. It was one thing to think it, another thing entirely for us to admit it out loud.

How could I admit that I was having more fun like this than I had in all of recent memory?

"It's a'ight" I replied nervously.

"'It's a'ight'?" he laughed as we kept swaying to the music, "What are you, a pimp?"

"It just came out, shut up"

"It really is alright though, isn't it?" he asked me and I noticed he was looking deep into my eyes.

"It is" I admitted while looking back in his eyes. Fuck, it really was.

Cole and I switched positions, he let go of my left hand and a moment later, I felt his now free hand join the other on my waist. I threw both of my arms around his shoulder and held on tight.

It was all so very terrifying. I couldn't shake the feeling in the back of my mind that everything would be different now.

=^..^=

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Thanks for reading as always. Leave a comment and let me know what you think :)

I was lost in his arms and dazed by the music, which had switched into a more somber piece halfway through our dance. At this point, we weren't even swaying anymore; we just stood there, holding each other.

I had long since closed my eyes and buried my head in his chest. If I listened hard enough, I could just make out the soft beating of his heart-- or was that mine? I couldn't be sure. I couldn't be sure of that, or anything else for that matter.

What did all of this mean for us? Was there any chance to pass this off as some sort of joke? Could we move forward and think of tonight only as that night when we took our pretend roles a bit too seriously? Did I even want that? Did Cole?

I couldn't tell what he wanted. This wasn't as out of the ordinary for him as it was for me. He wasn't the one wearing the skirt. And it wasn't like it was entirely out of character for him to be weird with me either.

He would always hold my hand or pull my hair without a second thought. He was very secure like that. Holding on to my waist was beyond anything he'd ever done sure, but not inconceivable.

Wrapping my arm around his shoulder and listening to his heartbeat like I was doing would have been totally inconceivable just a day ago.

Like a jolt of electricity passing through my body, the lights coming on as the music faded to nothing shocked me back to reality.

I quickly retreated from my compromising position and stepped away from him. I couldn't even bring myself to look up at him. I looked down at my shoes to hide from the look on his face, whatever it was.

"Is everyone having fun?" A booming voice came through the speakers drawing our attention to the stage for the first time that night. Its owner was a man dressed as Frankenstein-- or I guess, Igor if you were a stickler for accuracy.

"I can't hear you" He called out again excitedly, "Are we having fun?"

"Yes!" the crowd let out a lingering roar followed by whoops and cheers.

"Alright, alright, that's better" Igor continued, "As some of you may know, keeping in good ol' Imperial Hotel fashion, we have prizes for those of you that have put together the best costumes. We have prizes for the best male costume, best female, the best couple--"

Some of the crowd erupted in cheers.

"I see you lovebirds are particularly excited for that one" he commented, "But we have some other categories this year so be on the lookout. We have 'best pop culture reference and meme' costumes and a lot more so you have plenty of chances to win something. Don't blame me if you go home empty-handed, just go home, do better, and better luck next year".

He had all of our attention at that point which was for the best. I still hadn't worked up the courage to look at Cole and was still ignoring him.

"Alright party people," he continued, "Without further ado, let's get to it so we can all get back to dancing"

"While you were busy socializing, we were putting in the work to scout all your costumes" he explained, "And I must say we found some absolute bangers. Unfortunately, there can be only one winner in each category so I will now announce the contestants for best male costume"

"Dylan dressed as the Silver Surfer, where are you?" he called out.

"Whoo!" A loud sound cut through the noise.

"There he is! Get up here, let's get a good look at you" Igor's voice once again came through the speakers.

My heart sank as the realization suddenly hit me. Would I have to go up on stage to be paraded in front of everyone? What if someone recognized me? I had been so close to voicing my complaints to Cole when I froze once again. I still wasn't ready.

I watched Dylan get on stage and stared in disbelief when it turned out, he had actually painted every inch of his body silver and wore nothing else except the tiniest briefs, also painted silver.

That was it. That was the one thing that overcame my reservations about speaking to Cole.

"Oh really, my outfit is inappropriate but his isn't?" I turned angrily to Cole.

"You do make a good point" Cole smiled at me as though nothing had even happened, "Do you think we got scammed?"

"Honestly, maybe"

"I'm getting my 20 back" he announced.

"I'll back you up" I nodded, "We'll beat his ass if we have to"

"Okay calm down, Ali" I watched his smile closely and could tell it was genuine. I wanted to always be able to see it just like that "Although, that sounds like something Harley would say"

"Yeah, just getting into character since apparently, we'll be going up on stage," I told him, "Thanks for that by the way" My words were accompanied by a disapproving but playful look.

"Good idea. Check this out" Cole stepped back and gave me a menacing stare. In his Joker voice, he said, "I can't wait to show you my toys"

"My turn, my turn" I took a deep breath and then covered my face with my hands to center myself, then when I was ready I gave my best Harley impression, "We're bad guys. It's what we do".

"Oh that was really good," he told me.

"I know, right?"

=^..^=

That interaction convinced me that I needed to take a step back. My longlasting friendship with Cole was one of the most precious things to me and I didn't know what exactly everything I was feeling tonight was, but I knew it was a complication. I knew I couldn't let it fester and ruin things between me and Cole.

I would focus my attention on getting him the win, then we'd go home and everything would return back to normal. There was to be no more going with the flow. That was the plan and so I turned my mind to the contest.

In the end, the best male costumes came down to two guys dressed as The Mandalorian and Kratos. I really liked the Kratos costume being a fan of the games but I couldn't have complained when the Mandalorian guy was crowned the winner.

His costume really was exquisite and you could tell he'd put a ton of work into it.

The best female costumes came down to a younger girl dressed as Maleficient and get this, Katie dressed as Daenerys. As it would turn out, Jason's depiction of Drogo wasn't impressive enough to get them on the couples ballot but Katie's had been more than good enough to win Best Female costume although the prize pool wasn't as hefty as that of the couples.

As much as you'd want the little Maleficient girl to win, she just couldn't compete with Katie's depiction of the Mother of Dragons.

A girl that had to have been around our age dressed as the Hit or Miss girl took the prize for Best Reference from a couple dressed as Barbie and Oppenheimer. I thought it was quite clever for a couple's costume but apparently, the showrunners didn't think so. Some guy was dressed in a freaking Kermit suit, he didn't win but that was fun to see.

Those of us who felt bad for the little Maleficient girl were very pleased to see her come back on stage and take the Best Villain costume. I thought either Cole or I could have had a chance in the Villain category but we knew we were destined elsewhere.

With each contest that wrapped up, I grew more and more tense. I was nervous about being called on stage in front of all those people but also, I was nervous because I really wanted to help Cole win this thing.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, we've saved the best for last" Igor stepped up again and my heart began beating in anticipation, "It's time for Imperial Hotel's best couple's costume. There are three, but there can only be one"

"Give a warm welcome to Bucky and Gina, dressed as Mario and Princess Peach!" Igor exclaimed, "Get up here, you guys"

I watched the couple climb the stairs that led up to the stage and immediately realized this wasn't going to be easy. I couldn't help but admit that they did look pretty cute together.

"Give an Imperial Hotel welcome to Bucky and Gina!"

My heart was beating quicker and quicker. This was what all of this effort was leading up to. Hell, I was wearing a skirt and makeup for this, I couldn't have it all be for nothing.

It had taken a whole second to place the feeling of Cole's hand wrapped around mine. It felt warm. I turned my attention from the stage over to him. My apprehension must have been written on my face.

"Relax, we got this," he told me as he squeezed my fingers gently. It felt nice. I hated that it felt nice.

"Next, we have Ben and Sarah as Han Solo and Leia Organa" Igor's booming voice came through once again turning my attention to the front of the room, "Give them a round of applause, shall we?"

This couple turned out to be much older which I thought was really sweet. They would have actually grown up with Star Wars and were still dressing up at their age. The more I thought about it, the more the excited looks on their faces as they took to the stage made my heart melt.

I found myself hoping Cole and I could still dress up when we were their age.

"And last but certainly not least, give it up for Cole and Cassandra coming on as Joker and Harley Quinn!"

Oh my God, it was happening. My poor little heart was threatening to beat out of my chest. I couldn't do this. All those people looking at me, it would have been hard enough even if I wasn't dressed as a girl and pretending to be Cole's girlfriend.

Cole squeezed my hand, "Casey, you've got this okay?"

I couldn't move.

"Cole and Cassandra? Are you there?" Igor called out again.

"Case, look at me" Igor stepped up and took my other hand in his, "Just focus on me, okay? I've got you"

I nodded.

"Just follow my lead" he smiled at me.

I took a deep breath and began walking. I took one step after another until we neared the steps that led up to the stage.

"There they are!" Igor laughed, "What took you so long?"

"Stage fright" I heard Cole yell.

"What's that?" Igor asked.

"Stage fright" he repeated as we made our way up the stairs and I tried not to trip. Walking up a set of stairs in a mini-skirt was not as easy as you'd think.

"Stage fright?" Igor asked, his voice booming throughout the room.

"Yeah," Cole answered as we made our way onto solid ground.

Igor laughed, "You?"

"No, her" Cole called out.

"Her?" Igor laughed again, "Girl, I think you chose the wrong costume"

The crowd laughed, everyone except me.

My eyes were glued to the floor, I didn't dare look out over the crowd.

"What made you sign for this then?" Igor asked.

"She did it for me"

"Awww" A wave of heartfelt noises washed over the crowd.

"Are you always pushing her to do things she doesn't want to do?" Igor asked lightheartedly. I could hear the joy in his voice. He was having a good time with Cole-- like everyone always did.

"Not always" Cole laughed.

"Not always?" Igor repeated it for the crowd and everyone laughed with him.

The words left my lips before I could stop them, "Always" I said.

"What's that?" Igor stepped up to me and put the mic to my lips. What had I done? With the spotlight on me and everyone watching, I was forced to look up. It was terrifying. Almost as terrifying as how perfect my painted fingers looked intertwined in his.

"I was just--" I started and froze, "He's always making me do things I don't want to do"

"Oh does he?" Igor laughed along with the crowd, "Cole, you're evil"

"She's setting me up, I promise" he replied after Igor brought the microphone up to his lips.

"Are you setting him?" Igor turned his attention to me.

"No" I shook my head with a small smile, "But he does a lot of things for me too so it evens out"

"Awww" Another wave passed over the crowd.

"Aren't these two precious?" Igor stepped away and back to center stage, "Cole and Cassandra everybody!"

The crowd cheered for us and for the first time I had the courage to look at them. It was so surreal.

"I wish we had time for more but we have to get back on track" Igor managed after the noise had died down, "As usual, we'll give our judges a moment to inspect our contestants' costumes and give us a winner"

The room went silent as the moment of truth came. I don't think I breathed for the duration, I could only count the seconds until the clipboard girl from earlier walked up and passed Igor a piece of paper.

43 seconds in total.

"Alright everybody, I have in my hand the winner of Imperial Hotel's best couples costume of 2024. Our judges have done their due diligence and the moment of truth has arrived"

Silence.

Igor snuck a look at the piece of paper and a small smile crossed his lips after. I couldn't breathe. I hoped I didn't pass out on stage.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, please give it up for--"

Unbearable silence.

"Cole and Cassandra!"

The crowd erupted in cheers. I lost control of my body for a moment and jumped in Cole's arms squealing frantically. We'd done it.

I hugged him tightly, fueled by all the excitement, and didn't even notice when my feet left the floor.

"Kiss! Kiss! Kiss! Kiss!" The sound was coming from somewhere in the crowd.

What?

What?!

Cole let me down slowly, I looked up at him with pure horror.

"Kiss! Kiss! Kiss!" Igor joined in amplifying their voices and before long every last person in the audience was chanting.

I looked up at Cole and could tell that he didn't mind giving the people what they wanted. It was clear if either of us was going to disappoint our fans, it would have to be me.

"Go with the flow" he whispered to me.

Fuck. I closed my eyes. The plan was to get back to normal. This wasn't just going against the plan, this was shoving the plan into a tiny rocket and shooting it into space.

Cole's lips met mine and for a brief moment, my mind was totally blank except for the feeling of our bodies pressed together.

It was a small kiss but I would never forget what it was like to kiss him that first time.

=^..^=

As soon as we got off the stage and walked back into the crowd, I didn't stop. I just kept walking even as Cole called out behind me.

I pushed the hall doors open, went past all the partygoers standing outside, and just kept walking.

Eventually, I found myself back in the Hotel lobby and sitting on one of the empty sofas. I needed to get away for a bit, away from everyone, especially Cole.

I buried my head deep in my hands and just breathed in and out in a drastic effort to calm down.

"Casey?" I heard a voice in front of me that immediately threw me right back into panic mode. I threw my head up to face her. "I figured out where I know you from," Katie said to me.

I had no response. What could I have said in that situation? Deny it? No, she knew. I could tell. And I had all but confirmed it by acknowledging her.

"Couldn't you have picked a name a bit more distinct? May I?" she asked, gesturing to a spot next to me on the sofa. Despite my lack of affirmation, she sat down anyway.

"You know, I always knew something was off about you"

What now? Was she going to tell everyone? Humiliate me? We never got along so this was the perfect opportunity for her to ruin my life.

"I always said no guy is that close with his friends--" she continued, "Well friend because you know, Cole wasn't like that with any other of his friends. Just you"

"God, I always knew something was going on between you two," she said to me.

"Nothing was going on between us" I finally said something back.

"The way he was always touching you, talking about you literally all the fucking time." she frowned as though recalling an unpleasant memory, "Ugh I couldn't stand it"

I only listened because what could I say to that?

"I guess it makes perfect sense now"

"I didn't mean for any of that to happen," I told her. It was the truth. I hadn't even noticed any of it was happening.

"Of course you didn't. It's not your fault you always came first. Doesn't matter now."

I really didn't know. From my side of the table, she just rolled her eyes whenever I walked into the room. It's not like she ever said anything.

"If you had said something, I would have given you guys some space" I tried to explain.

"And be the jealous bitch that doesn't let her boyfriend have friends? No" she shook her head slightly, "Besides, I could have never kept him away from you, and he could have never loved me. Not with you in the picture"

I understood what she was saying but I couldn't let myself believe it. Because if I did, it would mean that I had been blind all along.

"Like I said, it doesn't matter anymore," she said as she rose to her feet, "I'm with Jason now so it's whatever"

Was that it? No torture? No laughing in my face? Wasn't she going to humiliate me for dressing like a girl and for kissing my best friend? I remained quiet until she started to make her exit.

"Are you going to tell everyone?" I asked her, "About me-- and him"

"I'm not a monster"

=^..^=

I sat on that chair for God knows how long. I was too afraid to go inside, too afraid to see him again.

Like some kind of cruel joke that the universe was playing on me, I looked up and found him across the room, near the door that led back to the party.

He was just watching me. How long had he been standing there?

I composed myself and waved to him and only after that did he approach.

"You looked like you needed some space," he told me when he was close enough.

"Can we go?" I asked him. I was over all of it.

"Sure" he didn't argue. Not even an attempt at being funny.

"Did you get your winnings?" I asked him after struggling to my feet.

"Our winnings" he corrected, "I'll come back for it tomorrow. It's not going anywhere"

=^..^=

We were quiet on the drive home. It was the polar opposite of the drive to the hotel. There was just so much going through my head.

The dance, the contest, the kiss, and my conversation with Katie. It had been a night.

I'd wanted to keep things between us from getting complicated but it was safe to say that I'd failed miserably.

I watched the houses that we passed, I studied the night sky, I basked in the chilly October breeze, anything to keep from speaking to him for fear that my mouth would betray my thoughts.

But Cole wouldn't just leave well enough alone.

"Are you okay?" he'd asked.

"I'm fine" I'd replied simply.

"Come on, I know that's girl code for 'I'm not fine'"

He should have just let things be. Maybe after a good night's rest, I might have had my thoughts properly sorted.

"Is it the kiss?" he asked, "I'm sorry if it made you uncomfortable"

At first, I wasn't going to say anything but that's not how it turned out.

"I talked to Katie" I informed him.

"Oh?" that piqued his interest, "As Casey or Cassandra"

"She seems to think you might have feelings for me" I turned to face him for the first time since getting into the car with him, "For Casey"

I didn't know what to think when what looked to me like a whole lot of guilt crossed his face.

"How long?" I asked.

"A while" he answered.

I sat back in the passenger seat, still reeling from his admission. He had feelings for me?

"Casey, I don't want you to feel weird or anything," he turned to me briefly before turning his attention back to the road, "but I didn't want to lie to you"

My mind raced back and forth, scrutinizing every moment we'd shared in recent memory. I found something I hadn't expected. I loved how carefree life was when I was with him. I never had to pretend with him.

"I'm so sorry if I went too far today, I just--" he'd continued talking but I'd quickly cut him off.

"You didn't"

I studied his features illuminated by the moonlight. It was almost like I was seeing him for the first time.

"I think maybe--" I began to say something but my thoughts were all jumbled in my head, "Fuck, I don't know what I'm feeling"

"That's okay" he glanced again in my direction, "We don't have to talk about this now, or ever. Nothing has to change"

"I think maybe I have feelings for you too" I blurted out.

You should have heard the silence that followed. I thought it was quite cruel of him to leave me to my thoughts after I'd just opened my heart to him, but neither of us said a word after that.

I could have really used one of his funny quips but it seemed the stores were running low.

=^..^=

The car slowed to a halt in front of his house. The darkness within told us the house was empty and that it would just be the two of us.

That normally wouldn't have been a problem but nothing about this situation was normal.

"I--" I'd turned to say something but only found him watching me with a warm expression on his face.

He leaned in.

"I--" This time, the sound that left my lips was no more than the faintest of whispers.

I closed my eyes. It was terrifying but oh so very exciting.

=^..^=

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Thank you so much for reading. Hope you enjoyed it.