Alliyah

“Hand on heart, this is your best job yet.”

She looked at herself in the hairstylist’s mirror. The woman had turned her short afro curls into dreadlocks that resembled snakes, for her Halloween costume: Medusa.

“I think so too. You’re going on my wall.” The tall, black woman with a deep voice smiled, looking down at the excellent job she did on Aliyah's hair.

She grabbed her phone and took a few pictures. Alliyah stood up and smoothed down her hoodie of mixed bright neon colors, that had various edgy looking fonts that were incapable of being read.

“Can you post that just tomorrow? I want everyone to see it for the first time live, tonight.”

“Sure thing. Enjoy your party.” She said stiffly but smiled.

Alliyah’s apartment buzzed with excitement for the most awaited night of the year. Lamar had gone out with his friends earlier, wearing a Spider-man costume, and would be staying at a sleepover.

“Seriously, Ocean? You put zero effort into your costume.”

Alliyah pretended to be mad at her friend, whose glasses were nowhere to be seen, and whose costume was a black t-shirt with the words ‘Error 404 Costume Not Found’.

“But last year-”

“That’s the past!”

“Yours was worse!”

“I learned and grew from that experience! I’m wiser now.” She glared, holding in her laughter. “You’re way too old for such a lame costume.”

“Ugh!” Ocean stormed out of the house.

Alliyah loved being able to get under his skin. It was just so easy for her! He clearly cared about her opinion, but more importantly, he never knew when she was joking.

Following Ocean's retreat, Blue walked in.

“I love your Medusa!”

He exclaimed with a huge grin, looking at Alliyah wearing her regular clothes, making a cool, modern, tomboy Medusa.

“And I love your Prince!” They hugged. “That’s gotta be custom made.”

Alliyah eyed his long purple coat, notably similar to the real one worn by singer Prince. He also had a white electric guitar that looked expensive. Well, all guitars are expensive.

Blue looked around, seeing only Z, whose costume was as simple as a vampire, and Malcolm, who was wearing a Snow White costume.

“Where’s Rayne?”

Alliyah bit the inside of her cheek:

“Ummh, I don’t know. She’s been kinda off since our drawing session at my house yesterday. I don’t even know why.”

She looked down, and Blue crooked his head:

“I’m sure it’s nothing, or whatever it is, you’ll be alright.” He offered a sympathetic smile, before changing the subject. ”Hey, how’s the job hunt?

“Oh, actually, I swung by an art gallery yesterday and got a job interview for tomorrow.”

“An art gallery, uh? Awesome.”

She agreed and then excused herself to go talk to Z:

“Hey, what was that about your news Ocean mentioned yesterday on the phone?”

Z’s eyes gleamed as she smiled:

“I’ll be spending Christmas traveling with Mariam!”

“Awesome! So you told her you liked her?”

“What? No! Are you bonkers!?” She looked around to make sure no one heard the professed words.

Alliyah blinked, not quite knowing how to verbalize her thoughts.

“So…”

“So, we’ll be on sort of a mall tour where she will be selling her jewelry across some states.”

“What will you be doing? As far I know, the only thing you do well with your hands is punching.”

Z hit her arm.

“Some people happen to enjoy my company.”

“Really…? She invited you just because she wanted to be with you?”

“Yes. Then, I offered to drive. So, I will be contributing.”

“Doesn’t that sound… Like mayhaps she does like you or anything?”

“Y-you think so?” Z braced herself on the kitchen island behind her.”

“Ask her. Well, don’t ask, tell her how you feel! You’ve known each other for ages.”

“Yeah, but I’m me. I don’t do that stuff.”

“You didn’t ‘do’ piercings, you didn’t ‘do’ going on private jets rides, you didn’t ‘do’ going on road trips with the girl you like…” Alliyah laid a hand on Z’s shoulder. “Don’t limit yourself.”

Z smiled, taking her hand:

“Thank you. I’ll… I’ll think about it.”

She hugged Alliyah and left the apartment. After Z had disappeared, Alliyah looked around, searching for Malcolm. He was scaring the dogs with the iguana.

“Hey.”

“I wasn’t doing anything!” He jumped.

“First of all, yes you were; but secondly, that’s not why I called you.”

“What’s up, sis?” He composed himself.

“Can you tell me now what you do in that building?”

He rolled his eyes and slumped his shoulders.

“No.” He blew a bubble with gum.

“Why not?!” It was Alliyah's turn to nearly yell.

“I’ve told you, it’s none of your business. You don’t need to know everything about everyone!”

The raised volumes had caught the attention of Blue, who was still in the house. Malcolm lowered his voice:

“Just drop it, bro. It’s personal, and I don’t wanna tell anyone. And I hope that you, as my friend, don't tell anyone either.”

He was adjusting his long dreadlocks as he marched out through the door.

“What was that about?” Blue questioned as he made his way to her.

Alliyah was going to reply, but looked over his shoulder and saw:

“Rayne…” The name slipped out of her mouth.

She stood by the door, wearing an Angel Of Darkness costume. It could almost pass as a regular outfit worn by her on an ordinary day, but it had black wings and aura.

Alliyah stared at her, mouth agape.

“I’ll leave you two to catch up.” The boy exited the apartment, closing the door behind him.

“Hey…” Rayne greeted softly. “You look wonderful.”

Alliyah walked in her direction and held her face in her hands, drinking in all of her girlfriend’s divinity:

“You look like you belong in an art gallery.”

She saw the shorter girl rolling her eyes but still blushing. She kissed her deeply however gently, then stopped and looked into her warm brown eyes.

“What?” Her girlfriend asked.

She stroked her cheek and pushed away some stray hairs. In reply, she simply planted a kiss on her cheek, then her jaw. Rayne leaned further into her touch, motivating her to keep going, so she kissed the girl's throat too, earning a low moan from her.