I sprinted down the hallway as soon as the chanting started, my heart pounding in my chest. Fear clawed at my mind i had left him alone too long? I darted ahead of the other yelling teens, pushing open the cafeteria door to chaos. A crowd had formed, a wall of bodies I struggled to break through, desperate to see who was at the center. A taller guy stepped aside just as a body was slide towards my side. Blood streaked from his nose, and his broken glasses dangled from his face. The crowd, sensing the escalation, began to thin.

  I stood at the front of the crowd, hesitating and hating myself for it as the crowd cheered. I locked eyes with Elliot for a moment as he got kicked again, and my body just moved on its own.

  I ran forward and punched the other boy on the side of the face.

  "The fuck is your problem, Luke?" I shouted, my voice shaking with anger.

  Luke sneered, "Tell that to your friend, fuckface."

  And there goes my Halloween.

  ■

  I sit in the office listening to the clock tick forward Occasionally glancing at it It was 2:00 my Mom would probably be here soon. I rub my knuckles, red and raw, as I place the ice pack back on them. I look over as the door next to me opens and the dean walks out.

  "So, do you wanna sit out here and keep moping, or do you wanna talk?"

  "Talk," I choked out.

  I get up and follow him into his room. It was covered in knickknacks and posters. I sit in front of him and read his nameplate in my head.

  "Mr. Scott."

  "So, Jacob, I think I've got a good gist of what happened today, but I wanna hear your side of the story," he said.

  I stay quiet.

  Mr. Scott sighed, closing his eyes. "Jacob, I promise you're not gonna get in any... well, anymore trouble..."

  "That guy's been bothering Elliot all year so far," I retorted.

  "So, you just kicked his ass?" Mr. Scott joked.

  "Yeah, he deserved it," I spat, glaring at Mr. Scott.

  Mr. Scott paused for a moment and responded defensively, "I'm not saying he didn't deserve it, but what someone deserves and what's right are a little different."

  I stay silent and stare at him.

  "If you're done talking, all three of you have fairly clean records. A week suspension should be more than enough."

  I bit back a retort, knowing it wouldn't change anything. Mr. Scott's phone buzzed, and he picked it up. "Your mom's here to pick you up."

  I get up quickly and turn to leave, but Mr. Scott stops me.

  "Jacob, you're a good kid, but your actions have consequences. Remember that."

  ■

  The drive was silent as we cruised down the road to our apartment, apart from Mom tapping the steering wheel. She always did that when she was nervous or upset, and she was certainly upset. She continued to tap slowly as the pressure continued to build.

  "I... I won the fight?" I choked out, trying anything to break the silence.

  "Ti gason sa a! Do you really think I care about that?"

  I gave a half-committal shrug. "Maybe."

  "Jacob, you beat up another boy. It's not even November yet! Take this seriously."

  "Was I supposed to just let him beat up Elliot?"

  "No, but you call a teacher."

  "He did that. The teachers don't do anything."

  "Even still, this type of stuff follows you." She paused for a second and sighed. "I never should have let you take those karate classes."

  I wanted to protest or even correct her on how I actually did MMA, but I'm already on thin ice, so i kept my mouth shut.

  "Am I in trouble?"

  "You're not going to that party."

  "Mom, please."

  "Don't 'Mom, please' me, Jacob. You're lucky that's all that's happening to you."

  Before I could keep arguing, she parked the car and turned to me. "Jacob, I know your heart was in the right place, but your actions need consequences."

  I stay quiet, not wanting to continue arguing. She sighs, and we get out of the car and into our building. We lived on the 7th floor of the building in the corner. The apartment wasn't big but wasn't small either, enough space where we never got in each other's way. After she opened the door, I walked in, expecting her to follow me, but she stood in the doorway.

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  "Jacob, I'm gonna be working late today. There's money for pizza on the table."

  "Ok, Mom. Love you."

  "Love you too. And Jacob, don't sneak out," she said, closing the door behind her.

  Having the apartment to myself, I walk into the living room and check the table. There were 25 dollars and some loose change on the table, and as I thought about what I was gonna order, my phone went off.

  Elliot (Today at 2:52 P.M.):

  Are you good?

  Jacob (Today at 2:52 P.M.):

  Weren't you the one who got their ass kicked? I should be asking you that.

  Elliot (Today at 2:52 P.M.):

  Fuck you 🖕 but seriously.

  Jacob (Today at 2:52 P.M.):

  Yeah, I'm fine.

  Elliot (Today at 2:52 P.M.):

  So are you still going to that Halloween party?

  Jacob (Today at 2:52 P.M.):

  My mom grounded me.

  Elliot (Today at 2:52 P.M.):

  Lol couldn't be me.

  Jacob (Today at 2:53 P.M.):

  This is why you're single.

  Elliot (Today at 2:52 P.M.):

  You're single too, dipshit.

  Jacob (Today at 2:53 P.M.):

  :]

  Elliot (Today at 2:53 P.M.):

  Are you coming or not, man?

  Jacob (Today at 2:53 P.M.):

  Idk, maybe. What time should I get there?

  Elliot (Today at 2:54 P.M.):

  Like 9:00. That's when I'mma be there.

  Jacob (Today at 2:54 P.M.):

  K.

  Jacob (Today at 2:54 P.M.):

  Are you actually good though?

  Elliot (Today at 2:54 P.M.):

  Yeah, I'm fine.

  I put my phone down and sighed.

  "Guess I'm sneaking out."

  ■

  I look at my "costume" in the mirror. If you can even call it that. Mom never liked halloween. she said it was demonic, but this was a costume party, and I had to wear something. So, I got a skeleton print hoodie and sweat pants. They weren't very good, and they just exuded laziness, poor planning, and a lack of funds all at once, but that was all I could afford, so they was good enough. I glance at my phone

  8:50

  The party wasn't very far away, only a few blocks, but I was already done changing, so I opened my window and stepped out onto the fire escape. Climbing down to the bottom, I jumped off onto the payment and started walking

  There were trick or treaters out running past me as I walked. After a short walk, I made it to the house it was pretty big for the area it was still near the apartment, and alleys were blocked off by a fence. In the middle of my gazing, someone tap my shoulder. I turn to seeing Elliot wearing a denim vest, adorned with pins and patches, Underneath the vest, a dark red hood the sleeves rolled up with black jeans and Black high-top sneakers to finish it off a red beanie I rub my head confused at his Costume

  "Are you supposed to be a skater"

  "Wait, look at the back"

  He turns around, and on the back of the vest is a bird skull surrounded by red feathers

  "Did you spray paint this you're self"

  "Yep"

  "It's really cool, mam, but I have no idea who you are?"

  "I Put all this effort," Elliot sighs. "It doesn't even matter, man, let's just go inside."

  I shrug and follow him. We knock on the door, and it opens to blaring music and dancing teens. I walk around the dance floor with Elliot, and we make it to the kitchen. The table is covered in food, mostly doughnut and cupcakes with some punch off to the side. I grabbed one scarfed it down and went to the dance floor

  ■

  The once crowded dance floor now had a few stragglers, swaying gently to the slower tunes as the night wore on.

  I moved off to the side. I hadn't seen Elliot in almost 40 minutes. I look around, and locked eyes with a girl. She was standing in the corner around my age, a not that much shorter than me, maybe 5'8, with long, curly brown hair cascading down her back like a waterfall. Her skin had a warm, honeyed tone, and she had a round nose with a slightly plump figure that made her curves all the more noticeable under the wrapped white bandages of her mummy costume. The costume was simple yet somehow striking on her, the contrast of the white fabric against her skin. As our eyes locked, I felt a jolt run through me. Her dark eyes were deep and expressive. And I couldn't help but walk over to her

  "Hi."

  "Hi, are you new here?"

  "How'd you know?"

  "I've never seen you around before."

  "Yeah, I just moved."

  "Wait, let me guess?"

  She laughs, and I feel my cheeks get hot. Her laugh is deep and genuine, almost a snort.

  "Sure, why not."

  "Somewhere in the Caribbean?"

  She giggles.

  "Is that good or bad?"

  "Stoooop."

  "Okay... um, Trinidad?"

  "You're hot."

  "...Dominica?"

  "Warmer."

  "Puerto Rico?"

  "Warmer."

  "Dominican Republic?"

  "You're on fire."

  "You're from Haiti."

  "Ding ding ding, that's correct."

  "No way! I'm from there, too."

  "Reyèlman? Fòm ou Ayiti tou? La tankou pèsonn lòt isit la san konte nou?"

  I look at her dumbfounded, not expecting her to switch languages so suddenly and with no problem.

  She laughs again, hard, at my expense. I can't even be upset. I just like listening to her laugh.

  "How are you, Haitian, and can't speak Creole?"

  "I was born here. Never really needed to learn."

  "It's no big deal. It's still cool."

  Before I can say anything else, I feel someone bump into me. I turn around, and it's Elliot, terrified.

  He whispers to me, "Yo, we got to go, like now."

  "Why?"

  "Just hurry up, and let's dip, man."

  I roll my eyes and turn away from him.

  "So, I got to go."

  "Oh, okay."

  "I-i never got your name?"

  "Lovelie."

  "Jacob. See you later, Lov-"

  I feel Elliot yanking me away as I talk. I can hear her laugh as I get pulled away and wish I could hear it more. I wait until we're out of earshot before I start talking.

  "I think I'm in love."

  "I just saw Luke pull up with like four other people, and they look pissed."

  All the butterflies in my stomach died instantly as panic started to set in.

  "We're so boned."

  We hear the doorbell ring, and I start scanning for exits. Luke, on his own, was one thing. A 5v2 was another story.

  "Let's go out through the back."

  Elliot just nods as we start walking towards the back, going through the kitchen, pushing past other partygoers as we hear the front door chime open. Making it to the back, we open the door, starting to rush.

  "Hey, there they are!"

  I turn back and see Luke and his friends, Luke sporting a mean black eye thete all dressed up as the same thing a warewolf. That was our cue to start running. We shoot down the back steps two at a time and jump the fence into an alley. I don't risk turning around, but I hear five pairs of footsteps thundering behind us. I look over at Elliot. He already looks like he's dying.

  "If you gas out, man, I will leave you."

  "Fuck you, man."

  We keep running, and Elliot pushes over a trashcan in their way. I hear a crash and yelling. I turn back and see one fall and trip up the others, buying us a couple of seconds.

  Elliot stops running, panting like an animal, hands on his knees.

  "Yo, come on, they're gonna catch up."

  "Let's... split up."

  "What? Why? Let's just keep running."

  "It'll be easier to lose them. And which sounds better, a 2v5 or a 1v3?"

  I guess—a trash can flies in between us, cutting me off.

  "Fuck, I missed." One of them yells

  Elliot gets his bearings before me and yells, "Just go, man, trust me," pointing towards another alley

  I just nod at him and start running down the alley as Luke and his friends start to catch up. I turn my head and see them split up, Luke following Elliot while the rest keep running after me.

  "Could you guys fuckoff!?"

  They only respond with a stream of curses and insults. I make it to the end of the alley, blocked off by a tall metal fence with barbed wire on top. I slam my fist on the fence and curse, turning around as they catch up with me.

  "Come on, guys, do we really have to do this?"

  "Shut up and fight."

  I take my hoodie off and feel the cool autumn breeze on my skin. At least I'm warmed up from all the running. I plant my feet under me, leading with my right side and putting my hands up

  "Let's get this over with,"

  They start to circle like wolves, and i keep my back with the fence so they can't blind side me. the lead boy comes first, swinging heavy with his right. rolling under it, i slam my fist into his chest, his legs turn to spaghetti. I push him hard into his friends. turning to my side as my head explodes with pain. blinking the spots out of my eyes and jab hearing his nose crunch. I follow up a right hook, and he stumbles back i tunnel vision on him rushing forward to pile on more hits. Suddenly, i feel my arms go up the 3rd boy full Nelsoned me before I can do anything a fist smashs into my gut and then my face I feel my breakfast fly up and I barely keep it down

  "You hit like a gir-"

  He gut checks me again, and this time, I can't keep it down. My ears are ringing, and I can barely make out something about the boy hitting me shoes as I the concrete. My chest and lungs burn as i'm barely able to breathe. black spots form in my vision as The first kick comes for the chest shaking through my whole body. And I start to cough as the stomps rain on my body. Deep heavy coughs rack through my body. I open my eyes my breath visible in the air turning black as the cough continue the boys start to notice the smoke but its too late as smoke starts to pour out of every pore and I keep coughing as they join in unable to breath in the smoke dropping one after another. as soon as it started, it stopped the smoke clears and all that was left was me wheezing on the floor.

  I lay there for a moment, my body screaming at me to stay down as i slowly get up. grabbing my hoodie off the floor using the fence as support adrenaline, leaving me. My body feels heavy. As I learn against the fence, I look at Luke's Posse and start to panic.

  "What the fuck was that"

  "Are they even breathing"

  "Did I...kill them?"

  I move over to one of them. Kneeling over him and placing my hand on his chest feeling it rise and fall sighing In Relief. Then he shudder in his sleep and i get startled losing my balance and a stumbling towards and fence And when I expect to hit the fence I don't feel anything. the fence is In front of me like I just slipped through it. I raise my hand to rub my eye cause I must be seeing things, but in place of my hand, smoke in the shape of it streaking up upwards. I scream shakeing my hand Desperately, and it turns back. My heart feels like it's about a burst.I turn and run down the alley to the street. I look around and see the street name

  "Maplewood, that's only a couple of blocks away from the apartment."

  I walk there slowly, trying to get myself to calm down. Thankfully, most of the Trick or treater had gone home. On occasion, my hand turned back to smoke for a moment, and I'd have to shake it back to normal.

  Finally making it to the side of my building, I climb back up the fire escape and pry open my window and hobble in. I peel off my hoodie and shirt off and look at myself in the mirror my upper body had turned into 1 big bruise already, starting to swell up it hurt just to touch. My face was pretty messed up, too, with scrapes and bruise on my cheeks. I knew it would be impossible to hide this from mom, but it didn't even matter at this point. I just wanted to sleep. I fell back into my bed and passed out