Erin sat a small table at her favorite coffee shop, Above Bean, facing the door. She looked up from her laptop, watching the wind sift through the trees, blowing the yellow and brown leaves off the sidewalk. Her hand picked up the beige coffee cup in front of her and she lifted it to her lips, draining the last dregs as she opened up her email.
The door opened letting in a cool draft, Erin turned her head, grimacing and pulling her orange turtleneck tighter to her throat. Her lips lifted into a smirk as she saw her best friend Derrick walking towards her. The brown haired boy raised a hand in greeting, pulling his green coat tighter to him from the chill.
"Hey." He put his bag down on the chair next to her, looking around at the bustling coffee shop around them. "I'm going to get a latte, need a refill?" He gestured to the empty cup in front of her.
"Mmm, a chai tea would be great, thanks!" She beamed, her fingers clicking at the keys of her laptop.
She vaguely noticed him walk away, her eyes focused on the new mail icon on her computer. Her eyebrow lifting in surprise as she read the email.
"You've been invited to the hottest party of the year. Halloween Horror, hosted by Theta Phi, this Saturday, 9:00 pm. Wear a costume and forget the semester for a few hours, if you dare. Please sign attached waiver."
"Here you go." Derrick set the coffee down next to her, the sound of the cup slamming onto the table startling and causing her to gasp.
"Shesh!" She squealed.
"Sorry." He smiled sheepishly. "Whats got your attention?"
"I just got an invitation."
"To?" He asked, taking a sip of his coffee.
"Halloween Horror."
"What?" Derrick choked, barely managing to keep from spewing his coffee over the table. He sidled his chair over to look at her screen. "Fuck! You always get lucky. I heard they are really limiting the number of people they invite this year. I guess there was some incident last year. Must be why they want you to sign a waiver." He snorted, scooting his chair back.
"Really? Do you know what happened?" Her eyes widened, she took a sip of her tea, breathing in the smell of cloves and cinnamon.
"No, not really. I don't really know what went on at that party. No one does really. Theta Phi is really strict about not talking about it."
"Yea, but didn't you pledge there?"
"I am pledging there. It's a little late considering we are juniors now, but so far so good. They don't invite us to the party though." He pouted, Erin giggling at the face.
"You look so funny when you make that face."
"Bitch!" He laughed, taking another sip.
"So where's Lauren? I thought she would have come with you."
"Lauren, yea. We kinda broke up."
"What!? When did that happen?" Erin shut her computer, her eyes wide as she looked at him.
"Oh nothing major. She just wants to take a break." He looked down at his coffee, swirling the cup around.
"I'm sorry Derrick." Erin reached out, patting the back of his left hand.
"I'm sure we'll be back together soon. But I don't really want to talk about that now."
"Ok then, want to help me come up with a costume then?"
"Sure, but first..." He pulled out a small flash from his pocket, pouring a generous portion of brown liquid into his coffee. "Want some?" He held it up to her, glancing around to make sure no one was watching.
"What is it?"
"Just some whiskey. You look like you could use some warming up."
"Thanks." She sighed, pouring a few drops in. She took a sip, her nose wrinkling at the taste as it burned down her throat. A gentle warmth spread through her stomach. "That feels a little better actually."
"What were you thinking? Maybe a sexy cheerleader?"
"I don't know, that's not really that scary. What about a zombie bride?" She giggled, taking another big sip. "Can I have some more of that?"
"You trying to get drunk already?" He smirked, handing her the flask.
"Maybe. It is Friday and I don't have class, why not have some fun?" She poured a generous portion in, stirring the cup around in her hand.
"True, big plans tonight?"
"I'm actually going to see Johnny soon." She raised an eyebrow as Derrick snickered. "What's so funny?"
"Why do you call him Johnny?"
"Because it bugs him." She smirked.
"Well, have fun, I've got to get some studying done though. So let's take a break from the chatter." He grinned back.
"Fine, you go ahead. Actually, I should be going anyway." She picked her cup up, draining the last of the tea, which was mostly whiskey at this point. She closed her eyes at the burn, a dizzying feeling coming over her when she opened them back up.
"Ok, are you good to make it back?"
"Yea. I walked here anyway. See ya later."
Erin stepped out of the warm confines of the coffee shop and out onto the sidewalk, the wind picked up her black hair and blew it into her eyes. She huffed, smoothing her hair back, jumping at the sound of her phone as it rang shrilly in her purse. She reached inside and grabbed it, hastily bringing it up to her ear.
"Hello?"
"Erin? It's John." She rolled her eyes, she had seen his name when she'd answered.
"Johnny!" She cackled, loving the sigh on his end.
"When are you coming over?"
"Right now?" She stepped down the sidewalk, watching a stray leaf blowing away in front of her.
"Ok. See ya you in a little bit then."
Erin slipped her phone back in her purse and headed down the sidewalk faster, quickly moving down the three blocks to John's apartment building. "I wish I could live here." She muttered to herself as she stepped into the lobby. She buzzed his room number, waiting impatiently for the click.
"Come on up." His voice warbled through the crackling intercom.
She headed into the lobby, sighing in frustration at the out of order sign on the elevator and headed towards the stairs. As she reached for the handle the door flew open, a red faced demon jumping towards her. She squealed dropping her bag, her hands flung up in a defensive position.
"Sorry, I didn't see you there." A hand reached up, pulling off the red devil mask. "Hey Erin."
