Martha handed out the halloween outfits. If this was us being hazed, it didn't seem like that big of a deal. They were a little scandalous, sure, but nothing less than what half of us would have already worn. She pulled out handcuffs too, which would strap us along with any dude that wandered in for the night. Not a big deal, I had my plan.
Derek was visiting from my hometown up by Medway. We grew up with each other and were practically siblings. Our families would spend so many holidays away together, so we'd be piled along together for the trip. We weren't the best at getting along and controlling our emotions at first, but as we grew up, we got closer and could share in some laughs.
The night started off pretty smoothly. I made sure to drift around just right so Sarah and Lacey at the door didn't catch me at the wrong moment. Derek texted when he arrived and I just so happened to be chatting it up with an awkward chained up pairing by the front. Lacey 'introduced' us, and soon Derek was with me for the long haul. They even gave him a costume, though honestly most of the men's looked pretty drab.
"So, you've been up there doing what exactly?", I asked over some drinks.
"Well, mostly bumming around if I'm honest. I got into the PT program at Tufts, but that won't start till next year. In the meantime I'm just hanging around, helping out where I can. You seem like you're doing well for yourself."
Ah right - my outfit. "Yah yah. Black cat wasn't my choice. What are you supposed to be, some sort of traffic cone?"
"Ha! I was thinking it was some sort of astronaut, but I'll take cone. You're dodging the question."
"Fine...It's going fine... it just can be a lot you know? I haven't had a lot of chances to unwind. It's not like I'm stuck-in somewhere studying all day, but things have been feeling off."
"I getcha. I've been-"
Derek got cut off, as did the speakers playing "I Don't Wanna Be Cool" by Kate Fagan, and Martha took to the mic, "Alright everyone! Sparklers are ready! Every newly found couple takes one, and by the time it runs out you gotta find your own spots in the dorms! If you get found with another pairing, I'll be sticking you all together.
With that, folks played along for the most part and found dorms to weather out the party in. Some groups did end up staying together, not caring if they'd have to make night long company. We found some bedroom that was pretty cornered off, coming with the full set of fairy lights, fuzzy sheets, and record store posters.
"Sorry about the odd show and dance. They're a lot but they usually have good intentions."
Derek smiled, always so easy going,"Nah it's chill. Like you said, not a lot of chances to unwind. Here's a good time to do so."
Martha was calling everyone out again. I wish she'd make up her mind. Our sparklers wern't even through. Everyone was inching out standing near to their doors. I looked down the stairwell and saw her frizzled hair and dollar store loudspeaker. She was holding her own sparkler.
"Now it's time to get comfortable!"
What was she doing?
The sparkler was raised up... towards the smoke detector. Oh god no Martha don't do this...
Water started spraying throughout the dorm hallways, and before visitors had a chance to run outside or into the dry rooms, something started melting away.
The costumes were dripping. Everything started falling off. Martha was cackling, seemingly wearing one of her own costumes. Oh shit, her chest was showing and everything. I looked down. So was mine. Something yanked me into the bedroom, and before I knew it I was laying down drying in a target faux fur blanket.
...
There were no clothes in the closet, but the blanket provided us with some cover. There was only one for the bed, but some boujie kid bought in on a queen mattress. It filled up most of the space, but we were fine on the floor, and a good distance apart (aside from our hands keeping the one inch pull that they could manage).