Happy Thanksgiving! So just real quick before you read the chapter. I wanna give thanks to my family, who although they can be a pain in the butt, I still love them. I want to give thanks to my friends for being supportive and helping me through highschool. And last I want to thank you fans that are patient with me and you keep reading on. Thanks guys :) Ok the end! Noooww you may begin the chapter....mwahaha.

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Tori's POV

It was amazing how time could move so fast. It was too soon when I was walking down the halls with the rumors about the Trips Halloween party tonight. All the Freshman's were feeling left out. Sophomores were furious but not as mad as the Juniors who thought they were invited. The only people attending were the Seniors.

I had already been watching the boys these last few days. Cole had a checklist and each of the boys would pick three or four things on the list then go off and buy the items. When they came home they'd put whatever they bought in the basement before checking it off the list. I had made the mistake on asking Blake if he wanted help in retrieving something on their list. I got bad looks that turned to words, which turned to me saying things, then he would shout back. Lets just say I ended up throwing the remote control at him causing his shoulder to get a small bruise. Whoops.

I shut my locker after grabbing my lunch and started heading to the lunch room.

"Tori!" I heard someone yell behind me. I turned around and smiled at Cali.

"What's up?" I asked as she caught up and walked beside me.

"Today's Halloween!" She squealed as she grabbed my forearm and shook me.

"I know! Now let go." I took my arm out of her grasp and we continued walking down the hall. "So what were you planning on doing?"

Cali shrugged, "Pass out candy to kids. You?"

"Probably going to Mark's house. How are you so excited if your only passing out candy?" I asked.

"Because the little kids are adorable!"

"Makes sense." As we went by the lockers I saw the small decorations of bats or pumpkins. A few teachers had ghosts on their doors. It made me wonder if we were in high school or elementary school.

"Boo!" Two hands grabbed my hips and I yelled. Mark kept his hands on my hips while he laughed, "Your face. Priceless."

I hit his shoulder and dropped his hands from my waist, "Rude."

Cali just shook her head, "You two are really something."

"What something are we hmm?" Mark asked Cali. She just frowmed and glared at him and for a second Mark held her glare before pulling his head down. "Um..." He coughed to regain his voice and looked back up at me, "So were you going to come over or do you want to go somewhere else?"

It wasn't right the way I saw Cali glare at Mark. It was easy to tell he was trying to change subject, I wouldn't have let it slide if it weren't for the fact I didn't understand what just happened. So I looked towards Mark, "What do you mean something else?"

He grinned, "Well you are a soccer star."

"I don't get it." I said clueless.

Cali rolled her eyes, "He means since your so buddy-buddy with the Parris brothers if you were going to their party?"

"I am not 'buddy-buddy' with the Parris brothers." I replied hastily.

"Well everyone thinks one of them is interested in you. If not all." Cali didn't look at me and Mark just stared at the floor.

"So everyone thinks that-" Mark cut me off.

"They're just rumors Tori. If you don't have interest in them, we believe you. It's just weird. You talk to them way more and how-how did Cole even bring you up on suggestions?" He had been talking so fast I couldn't even answer his question before he started talking again. "Surely you've been hanging around with them before right? Or he wouldn't have thought of suggestion right? So...it would be safe to say you and the Parris brothers have never been closer. How'd you guys meet?"

At this time we had already entered the cafeteria taking our seats. I tried to think of something to say. Instead I tried to casually take my lunch out. "We um...you see it all started..." I took a pause to try and think. Blake would kill me. Worse he'd be right. Mark and Cali would hate me. They'd never trust me again.

"What?" Cali said with one of her looks. "What all started!? Tori tell me now!" Mark and I shushed her yelling and she whispered back, "Did you and one of the brothers date or something? Was it Blake? He seems to hate-love you...more hate than love but he did stand up for you at tryouts."

"Blake just hates me period alright. And I hate him. No I didn't date any of the brothers over the summer. That's disgusting. Revolting actually!"

"Then why won't you tell us? Is it that bad or do you just not want to tell us?" Mark accused.

I had to come up with something. Already I was glancing at the table that had my three step brothers. Shawn had Em beside him, sometimes she'd come and sit with us but most likely she sat with Shawn. He kept talking making people around the table laugh. Cole just kept adding little details to the story and Blake looked like he was trying not to laugh.

"Ok the reason I don't like talking about it is because I never wanted them in my lives." I said to Mark and Cali. I tried to think of a cover story that I could later tell the guys. "Their mom is a lawyer. Dad was looking for a lawyer over the summer and stumbled across her. So he invited them to dinner and she invited us. So yeah...we talked. I just never wanted them in our lives you know? You two especially know how much I hated them. Cole and Shawn are fine. But Blake hates my guts. That's it. That's the story."

I didn't watch their reactions instead I watched the drops fall off my cold water bottle. "Well why didn't you tell us!?" Cali broke out. "Honestly Tori out of all the things to hide you choose that because what? That's not half as bad as I thought it would be."

Mark chuckled, "Yeah Tori. For a minute thought it was an arraigned marrige or something."

He and Cali laughed so I joined in to make it look natural. If only they knew it was a marriage that bonded us together. I just didn't know how to tell them.

"So should I just pick you up from the Trips house?" Mark asked. "Then we can walk around thier neighborhood?"

"Sounds great." I smiled to myself. Now I wouldn't have to ride my bike. I need to get a car soon. I'm saving up but I really want a car so I don't have to ride that rusty bike around anymore.

"So what are y'all gonna be?" Cali asked taking a bite from her sandwich.

"It's a surprise." Mark grinned. Made me curious as to what Mark was going to be. Usually he would tell us and we'd tell him if it's a good idea or not. He seemed determined on this costume though so I just decided to go with it.

"Well a guy chose my outfit so as you can imagine..." I shrugged.

"You let Hayden chose your costume?!" Mark looked so bewildered I thought it would make a perfect April Fool's card.

I laughed, "I chose his. He returned the favor. But don't worry its not revieling or anything."

Cali giggled, "I wanna be a cat. Meow."

Mark slightly choked on his coke and I just looked up at Cali. Her wardrobe has already been changing. It made me slightly sad that possibly...maybe...Cali was turning into a slut. A good one too. I've already caught her talking and laughing with some of the whores of the school. I wasn't jealous. I was simply worried that my bestfriend be turning into something else.

Now don't get me wrong. I had a cat costume when I was five. I let mom pick the costume and I ended up being a white Barbie cat with pink glitter and sparkles. So not all costumes are bad. It's just the fact that Mark and I have been talking and we both agreed that after Jerry, Cali has been going through some drastic changes.

"Well you have fun with that." I muttered under my breath. She's my bestfriend I was suppose to support her. Be there for her. So that's what I'm trying to do.

Mark looked towards me. "So I'll go by around nine?"

"Sounds great."

"Awesome."

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"Hey guys what are you-" I had simply walked into our house when this ghost flew over threatening to behead me.

"Duck!" Shawn shouted just as I fell down to my knees.

Cole smiled, "Good reflexes." He and Shawn were on some steps trying to hang the string that allowed the ghost to zip line across the ceiling of the hall.

"Guys don't you find this unnecessary?" I asked walking towards them to get a clear view of how they were attaching everything.

"No. This is our best part yet. We wasted like over five thousand dollars." Shawn said with an evil laugh.

"Five thousand..." I looked around the living room and kitchen. Everything had decorations placed up. Spider webs, jack o' lanterns, bats handing from the roof. "Yeah ok wow. Five grand that your gonna put to waste."

"It's not put to waste." Cole said playing with a remote control that maneuvered the ghost. "We rented half the equipment. We'll get about half the money back."

Blake came up from the basement carrying some boxes. "Guys where are we putting the fog machine? In the kitchen or porch?" He asked setting the boxes down and tinkering with some wires.

"Porch sounds better." Cole said and Shawn agreed.

"Cool I'll get the cauldron set up." Blake picked up the boxes and headed towards the backdoor.

I shook my head in disapproval. "Did you guys go to that Halloween store that was having that giant sale?"

"Yup." Shawn looked down at me giving me a reporter face and speaking with a announcer voice. "We have a all you need! Masks, paints, and accessories all seventy-five percent off with your next purchase. Happy Halloween folks stay spooky!" He then laughed like an evil witch and I stared at Cole who was staring at Shawn and his evil laugh.

"Am I the only normal one in this family?" Cole asked.

I laughed, "The other day you ran out of the shower asking who took your expensive mango shampoo."

Shawn laughed while Cole turned a small red. "It's not my fault I like mangos." Cole muttered.

Shawn kept laughing, "Dude that was hilarious I wish I got it on tape! You were running around yelling 'Where's the mango shampoo! I can't shampoo without my mangos!'"

I tried not to laugh but it was true. "Then Suzie was like, 'What? I thought that was dog shampoo so I let the neighbors use it.' I thought you were going to die Cole."

"I just don't see how she thought it was dog shampoo. It smells really good." I could tell he was trying to shrug it off but it was still embarrassing for him.

"There's a shadow of a golden retriever on the bottle Cole." Shawn smirked.

"Ok fine I get it I'm not the normal one. Neither are you Tori." Cole started to move the ghost around and it would zip on the invisible string.

"I never said I was the normal one." Of course it would depend on your definition of normal. Someone like Shawn might seem normal to someone. To me I just think he's crazy. Maybe a bit insane.

"I mean," Cole continued, "What kind of girl only wears pants? I've never seen you in a skirt Much less a dress. It's like your scared to show everyone your legs."

"Are you part gorilla?" Shawn asked. "I can speak gorilla if you are. Don't worry I could be your translator. Ooh-aaahh. Ooooh ooh ahhhh ohh ah."

I laughed, "No I'm not part gorilla. I like wearing shorts."

"I don't get it then," Cole said, "Why is it you don't wear-"

"Because I've always been a daddy's girl. Mom dressed me up in dresses and skirts before I could talk. I guess when I got to the age I didn't want them anymore. Pants were more comfortable too. I mean do you know how many times I'd go to the park and sit upside-down on the monkey bars and boys like you would come and be like, 'I see your underwear.' Yeah no thanks but I've like shorts for a long time."

Shawn chuckled, "I used to do that all the time."

Cole laughed along with Shawn while I rolled my eyes and started walking to my room. "Call me if you need me." I said as I climbed the stairs.

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It was insanely loud at this point. I mean the party has only been going on for about half hour but so many people were already here. I did have to give credit to the boys. The house looked awesome.

The lights had thin tissue paper covering over so the place was illuminated in different colors. Red, orange, and black. It was pretty cool because I had never seen the house like this. The majority of the people were outside with the tubs of candy and food.

Ghosts, goblins, spiders, and bats were hanging from the ceiling and some were electronic. Then some random girl walked into the bathroom and the Trips all gathered around causing everyone to want to do the same. They counted to five and just as they hit the last number the girl in the bathroom screamed and ran out the door. The guys laughed and now no one wanted to go to the bathroom.

As for the guys they had planned their outfits very carefully. Blake was the king. Cole was a prince. Shawn was the little kings joker with the hat that held bells at the end. When I saw them I just kept thinking how this proved my theory.

Our kitchen counter was piled with chips and drinks. Outside they had buckets, the size of paint buckets, that were each piled with a certain brand of candy. With all the leftovers we may have, Suzie will have a field day.

"So what do you think Tori?" Cole asked sipping from his drink. He had to slightly yell over the music but that was alright.

"I think I'm glad I locked my room." I shouted.

He laughed, "And the decorations?"

I shrugged, "Kinda over board. You have a future telling witch in the living room. And a giant fog machine in the backyard. Not to mention there's some sort of werewolf thing in the bathroom but I'd rather not find out. To top it all off you have people dressed up as skeletons and make them hide in corners to scare people as they walk by."

Cole only smiled more and more whenever I'd add something. "Don't forget the candy."

Some of his friends came over and washed him away. I sat in one of the chairs at the counter and drank from my coke. Shawn was in the living room entertaining a bunch of people I didn't even know. Em sat on the couch laughing at her boyfriend as he made a complete fool of himself.

"Linean." I heard behind me. That voice I knew all to well. The same voice that said would get revenge on me.

I turned to face him. "What Trent?"

He was dressed as a cop which I found most ironic. "Just wanted to thank you." He pointed at his police belt that contained all sorts of pockets. "I still have the handcuffs. It really adds a nice realistic sense to the costume."

I forced a smile, "Your welcome."

I turned my back to him but he put his hand on shoulder. "I don't know what you did with the Parris brothers but I do know it's your fault. Shawn already humiliated me because of you."

"So your going to get your revenge on me? I'm not scared of you Trent." I knew he couldn't see me but I smiled keeping my eyes on Shawn as he told another story.

"Don't worry I'm not here for you." His hand came off my shoulder and I frowned. When I turned around to face him he was gone. Halloween was always spooky.

I went back to watching Shawn. When he finished his story he sat beside Em giving her a peck on the lips. I was about to go to him, to tell him what Trent had just said. But I was cut off.

"Hey." Hayden said as he blocked my view. He wore his Robin Hood outfit with the bow in one hand. "I thought I recognized those horns."

I smiled, "Did you just get here? I was searching around but couldn't find any guy with tights."

"Ha ha very funny." He chuckled taking a seat beside me. "So are you having fun?"

"No not really." It was the truth. I never liked parties. I much rather have preferred to be with Mark and Cali but Mark hadn't arrived and Cali was at home.

"You aren't?" Hayden frowned in confusion. "Didn't you come here with your friend Cali?"

I stared at him. Now I was confused. "No she said she was going to stay home. To pass out candy."

Hayden shook his head, "She's in the backyard."

I stood up walking towards the sink and looking out the window. Sure enough she was there with her cat costume. What bothered me was she wasn't the only one. All of Blake's play toys were dressed up as cats. He was at the end of porch watching them as the girls laughed and drank god knows what.

Cali looked up and she must have seen me because she looked directly at me. She looked confused, sad, possibly regretful but in all she had a smile on her face.

I turned away from the window and faced Hayden. He rubbed his neck awkwardly like he didn't know what to say. "Just thought you should know." He finally said.

"Yeah thank you. I just thought she would be at home but it explains a lot." I sighed.

"Want a drink?" Hayden asked. I chuckled and held up my half empty cup of coke.

"Or you already have a drink." He turned as little red but it was hardly noticeable with the change of lights. "Would you like a refill then? Maybe some candy?"

I nodded, "Sure. Coke and Laffy-Taffys. But not banana flavor. I hate that kind."

Hayden smiled and walked towards the back door to get everything. I checked the clock on the wall. Even that was decorated. It was a skull with skeleton arms being the clock arms. It was a quarter after nine. Mark would be here soon. If he was going to come at all.

Hayden came back with the drinks and candy. His little Robin Hood pouch was filled with candy and chocolates.

"I might just change Robin Hood to theif of candy. Passing out candy to all the children around the world." He waved his arm in front of us like he was setting a picture.

I laughed, "Like the Easter bunny. Or Santa. You'll be a national holiday."

"I like your thinking. Now I have to go home and plan this out. Make t-shirts and stuff." He added.

I shook my head, "Let's be realistic now. You're going have to make mugs too."

"And then I'll be rich!"

"Yeah with candy." I rolled my eyes.

"Then I shall build a candy castle. And I shall live there with sugar plums and gum drops."

"Do you realize how much of a child you sound just now?"

"Sugar rush." He added quietly as he held his head.

I shook my head and looked back too Shawn and his friends. In the corner of my eye I saw something familiar and turned to look.

I almost dropped my soda. I had seen that camouflage suit to often. The name tag read Bennett. For a second I thought it was Mr. Bennett that was his army suit. But then I relaized this person was walking, had a more built body, and when I looked at the face I saw my best friend.

When Mark saw me he smiled. I didn't feel like smiling. Sure to anyone else he'd just look like a kid that is very patriotic. But he told me he wanted to join the army, seeing him like this. Looking like he was ready, it made me unsure. I didn't want him to leave.

"Hey Tori." He said walking over. He smiled to Hayden and I and they both said their hello's.

"Why-why are you wearing that?" I asked Mark.

Mark frowned, "It was dad's. He said I could use it."