^^Mr. Forbes and Darla's costume

"I think we should get going." I cleared my throat, letting go of Nate. "Miss Grace must be waiting for the list."

"Right..." He mumbled and extended his hand. "Keys?" I gave it to him and he walked to the back of the car and opened the trunk. "She forgot to tell you where to check."

I stood next to him and saw many files and folders in there. He grabbed the first one, which had the tag 'Donors' data', and closed the trunk. Quietly, we walked back inside. When we reached, I saw another group performing on the stage.

"I'll go give this to Miss Grace," Nate said, stepping backward. I nodded my head and descend the stairs. Standing at the bottom, I searched for my friends.

"Excuse me?" I twisted my head to my right to see a woman dressed like a ghost bride in a white gown. "I'm sorry, but can you move a little?" She pointed down. "You are kind of standing on my veil."

I hopped back, panicking. "I-I am so sorry. I-I didn't see it there-"

"It's alright my dear." She gave me a sheepish smile. "It's actually my fault to wear such a big veil in a crowd like this." She struggled to gather it in her hands but failed. "This is a mess."

"Uh..." I trailed off, looking around. She looked like someone's parent.

"My husband told me not to wear this, but I was stubborn and now I can't even walk. I'm too embarrassed to call my son." She huffed, crossing her arms. "It's the curse of not listening to your husband."

"I have safety pins. Do you want me to fold and pin it for you?" I offered, taking out a few pins I had in my pocket.

Her lips spread in a huge grin. "Yes, please!" I folded the veil and pinned it.

"It's really beautiful," I said, observing the embroidered flowers on it.

"It's my wedding veil. I was feeling nostalgic and wanted to wear it again so that's why I chose this costume." She answered as I finished pinning it. "Thank you so much for helping me or else I would have ruined it." She smiled at me.

"It's not a big deal." I ducked my head, feeling shy.

She giggled, patting my shoulder. "You're an adorable girl."

"Thank you," I whispered, playing with my fingers.

It's not every day I get praised by people except my parents.

"Now I'm going to enjoy this event." She grinned and waved, walking into the sea of people. "I'll see you around!"

I didn't know why, but she sounded familiar. I couldn't recognize her because of the heavy ghost makeup.

Looking around, I saw Ben and Toby standing near the pillar in the corner, and walked toward them.

"Have you guys seen Chloe?" I asked when I reached them.

"She was with Maddie, I think," Ben replied.

"They seem to have hit well." Toby snickered.

"Even though they are opposite." Ben wondered and looked at me. "How the hell did that happen?"

"It's better that you don't know," I mumbled, adjusting my glasses.

Frowning, he opened his mouth to say something, but when his eyes flickered behind me, he cursed. "F**k."

"What?" I tilted my head in confusion as I watched both their faces turn irked.

"Behind you," Toby grumbled, and I turned around to look for what caused their sour mood to see Mr. Forbes entering the ballroom with a young woman by his side.

I've seen him in the news and magazines, so I knew what he looked like. Mr. Forbes in his mid-forties looked younger than his age with his hair dyed jet black. He looked similar to the twins and had Ben's eyes. I observed him as he walked down the stairs. He was wearing a red vest with black pants and a long velvet coat and the woman with him wore a tight, sleek black dress with a slit showing off her long legs.

I watched him as he observed the ballroom impressed and grinned when his eyes landed on Ben.

"And f**k he's coming here." Ben groaned when he saw Mr. Forbes walk towards us.

"There's my son!" He exclaimed when he reached us and put his hand on Ben's shoulder. "Doesn't he look fine even dead?" He laughed, and so did the woman with him while Toby and I awkwardly stood there side glancing at each other.

"Hey, Dad," Ben said in a monotone and darted his eyes to the woman. "And who is this?"

"This gorgeous is Darla." He gestured towards the brunette woman and she gave him a smirk.

"Girlfriend of the month?" Ben muttered.

Either his father didn't hear or he ignored Ben and continued introducing him. "And Darla, this is my son Benjamin."

"It's nice to finally meet you, Ben." The woman shook Ben's hand and gave him a flirty smile. "I've heard a lot about you."

Ben's brows shot up in surprise, and he darted his gaze to his father. "Really?"

"Aren't you going to introduce your date?" His father changed the topic and scanned me.

Uh-oh.

"Eh..." Ben hesitated and looked between me and Toby. "This is um...Lillian." He coughed. "And Toby...my friends."

I saw Toby's jaw clenched, but he remained silent.

"So you do date girls." His father chuckled and gave me a once-over.

"You can do better than this," Darla said with a grimace. "You're handsome as your father I'm sure girls would die to date you."

"Actually... This is the first girl I met because he never brought a girl home. I thought the boy lost his game, but glad to know you haven't." His father's eyes darted to me. "Even if she's dead, at least it's a girl." They both laughed like it was something funny.

Now I know why he hates his father.

"Excuse me," Toby growled and walked away. Ben's shoulders slumped as he watched Toby.

"What's with that kid?" Darla said, watching him.

"None of your concern." Ben snapped.

"Don't talk to her like that, Ben." His father said calmly, but his eyes were burning in anger. "Or have you forgotten your manners?"

"It's alright, Darling." She giggled. "He's just a teenager and they have a fire in them."

This woman is flirting with Ben.

"Let's go find my daughter." He put his arm around Darla's waist and dragged her.

I watched as they walk away and Darla turned around one more time and winked at Ben.

"That woman is sick." Ben scowled.

"Is he always like that?" I asked Ben, and he snorted.

"This was him being nice because of all the people around." He said sarcastically. "He's much worse when we're alone."

Toby already told me the story, so I didn't ask him further.

"I think we should go look for Toby-"

"No need for that." He growled and crossed his arms around his face. The deep frown on his forehead and the way his nostrils flared as he shot daggers to where his father left showed that he was mad. "My a**hole of a father has ruined the mood."

"But we should still-"

"It's no use." He rolled his eyes. "We've been in enough fights because of my father. I know he's mad and he won't listen to anything you'll say."

"What are we supposed to do?"

"Nothing." He sighed. "Just leave him alone for a while. I'll talk to him later."

The agonized look on Ben's face made my heart pang. "No, we will not leave him alone," I said firmly.

"What?" Ben frowned.

"We are supposed to enjoy tonight and your father will not ruin the mood."

"If you haven't noticed, he already did." He scoffed.

"And we'll make up for it."

"How?" Ben gave me a skeptical look.

"How about you go find somewhere quiet to talk and I'll bring Toby to you." Ben opened his mouth, but I held my finger. "He will come, just let me convince him."

Ben pondered on my suggestion and after a few seconds, he nodded. "Fine. I'll text you."

I gave him a grin, and he walked out of the ballroom. I wandered around to look for Toby when my eyes went to the food section and I saw Mr. Forbes with Andrew and Brittany and they looked annoyed.

I averted my gaze from them and found Toby in the front, leaning to the pillar as he absently watched the stage.

"Toby..." I got his attention when I reached him. "What are you doing?"

"Uh..." He rotated his head to me and his brows furrowed. "I uh... Nothing." He said, looking behind me.

"Ben is outside," I answered, and he gave me a nervous chuckle.

"Who said I was looking for him?"

"Of course." I gave him a small smile. "His father is really..." I trailed off.

"A douchbag?" He finished for me and I nodded. "I hate him. He's been the reason Ben isn't ready to come out."

"Can I ask why?" I tilted my head.

"He's been strict with the twins since their mother left. He doesn't let them do anything on their own because he doesn't want his so-called reputation ruined again." Toby sighed. "Ben isn't coming out because he wants to graduate and he won't be able to do that without his money. He tried to get a job, but everyone here knows him and they don't give him a job. I'm sure his father must have a hand in that."

I nodded, getting his point. "That means you're not mad at him," I asked. "Since you know he has no control over it."

Toby blinked his eyes at me. "You're right. I'm not mad but... It's irritating." He sighed.

My phone pinged, and I took it out to see a message from Ben saying he was in the boy's restroom and I sighed.

He couldn't find a better place to be alone than that.

"Let's go." I wrapped my arm around Toby's.

"Where?" He frowned but willingly came with me.

"Someplace where you can spend time with your boyfriend." I wiggled my brows, teasing him, and he burst out laughing.

"May I have your attention, everyone?" We turned towards the stage where Miss Grace stood.

"Are you sure you don't want to stay for this?" Toby jerked his thumb towards the stage.

"This isn't important right now." I grinned and dragged him out.

Now I can never look at Miss Grace without thinking of her and Nate's secret.

I looked around, confused about where to go since Ben didn't mention the specific restroom. There were a lot of restrooms in our high school.

Toby chuckled, seeing my worried expression, and walked towards our left corridor. "It's this way."

"How do you know where to go?" I frowned.

"He's in the washroom, isn't he."

"Yeah..."

"He's predictable," Toby smirked.

"You two really know each other." I smiled, and he bit his lip, trying to hide his grin. I giggled, and we walked to the restroom.

"Let's go." I halted in my steps when he opened the door.

"I'm not going in there." I pointed at the sign. "It's boys."

"Just for a minute. I want to show him I'm mad." Toby pleaded.

"Fine." I sighed, and we entered.

Ben was leaning against the sink, and he straightened up when he saw us. Toby crossed his arms around his chest and narrowed his eyes at Ben. I stepped aside and watched them.

"Toby..." Ben sighed.

"Friends?" Toby raised his brows.

Ben groaned and rubbed his hands on his face. "Dude... I'm sorry, but what was I supposed to say?"

"I don't know 'dude'... But if you want to be friends, then let me know-"

"No!" Ben cut him off. "I don't want that and you know it."

My eyes darted between them as they stood staring at each other.

"I'm going to go now," I whispered, walking backward. When they didn't respond, I got the clue. I cracked the door quietly not to disturb them and stepped out.

A little smile played on my lips and I turned around, but it faltered when I heard a familiar voice.

"What the f**k were you doing in the guys' restroom?" I squeezed my eyes shut.

Oh God, why him?

"Woah babe, slow down." I sipped the blood-red drink and peeked from the rim of the glass as David tried to stop Tiana. "You're eating a lot these days, if you continue like this, you'll gain weight."

Tiana scowled and swallow the big bite that was in her mouth. "I'm hungry, okay? You can not stop me from eating and for your concern, I'm a cheerleader I'll burn the fat later."

David puts his hands in surrender. "As you wish."

Darting my eyes away from them, I picked a finger fry. We were in the food section eating the hideous-looking food. I chuckled at the thought of Lillian when she told me about Ben's reaction.

"What's funny?" I snapped my head to my left and saw Brittany narrowing her eyes at me.

"Nothing." I shrugged.

"Drew..." She gave me a blank look. "You were smiling by yourself."

"Well..." I trailed off and was saved from explaining the detail by my mom's voice.

"Andrew!" I looked up and saw her coming toward us.

She was dressed like a ghost bride because of her voice, I recognized her otherwise the heavy makeup on her face made it hard to tell who it was.

"Finally, you're here. Abigail said you left hours ago."

Abigail didn't come because kids aren't allowed and dad stayed at home with her, also he hated wearing costumes.

"Yeah. I was here earlier but got held up because of this." She pointed at her veil, which was folded.

"What happened to it?" Brittany eyed it.

"It was too long and everyone was stepping on it." She sighed.

"Dad told you not to wear it." I pointed, and she scowled.

"Don't remind me that."

"You could have called me."

She sighed. "I was getting embarrassed, so that's why I didn't call you." She sighed, then her lips stretched into a grin. "But a nice girl helped me with it."

"Whu wus shw?" Tiana asked with her mouth filled.

"Oh my God." Mom let out a gasp. "I forgot to ask her name! She was a Zombie nurse..." She continued to tell her story, but I zoned out when she said Zombie nurse.

Is she talking about Lillian?

"I have seen a lot of Zombie nurses today," David mumbled beside me.

Maybe not her.

"Is that Mrs. Russell?" My mom said, looking at the woman in the black dress. "Yup that's her. I'm going now to have fun kids!"

"Bye Mrs. Pierce!" Brittany waved, then smirked at me. "Your mom is so cute."

I rolled my eyes and turned around to get something to eat that's when my eyes landed on the wolf that Louis made. I stared into its eyes and it reminded me of Lillian's. Speaking of her, I didn't see her after our encounter earlier. I wondered where she was.

"Louis is a great artist, isn't he." Brittany praised and stepped beside me with a smile then glared at me. "Don't tell him I said that."

"Don't tell him you got impressed by his painting?" I teased.

"No..." She rolled her eyes. "I just like it because of the eye color." She beamed and stepped in front of me. "Don't they look exactly like mine?!" she squealed.

My stomach clenched at the sight of Brittany's smile. How can I forget that my childhood best friend also got the same eye color and my mind went to the girl I just met?

F**k, I'm worse.

"Yeah..." I swallowed the drink and cleared my throat. "They look the same." She smiled, but it faltered when her eyes darted behind me.

"F**k."

I frowned. "What?" She signaled behind me and I turned to see her father coming toward us.

"And f**k he's coming here." She growled and ducked her head.

"Brittany my darling!" Her father pulled her into a hug. "You look magnificent, my dear." From the corner of my eye, I saw David and Tiana sneaking away.

"Thank you, Dad." She plastered a smile on her face and darted her eyes to the woman with him.

"Meet Darla." Her father gestured toward the woman beside him and she gave her a wave.

"It's nice to meet you, Darla." Brittany greeted her in a honeyed tone.

"Andrew, my boy!" He patted the shoulder. "You've grown into a handsome boy. How's everything going?"

"Thanks, Mr. Forbes." I forced a smile. "And everything is perfect."

"Aren't we all a good-looking vampire family?" He said, observing Brittany and my costume then smirked. "Have you two made it official yet?" He wiggled his brows suggestively.

"Ew! No!" Brittany and I shrieked simultaneously and stepped away. "We are just friends."

"That's what they all say," Darla smirked, and Mr. Forbes laughed.

"Anyway. Why don't you show Darla around?" Her father asked Brittany, taking a drink from the table. "I have to meet some people at the wine tasting."

"Sure, Dad." Brittany gritted through her smile.

I watched as Brittany walked away with Darla and Mr. Forbes the other way.

"May I have your attention, everyone?" I turned towards the stage where Miss Grace stood. "It's time to announce the first award of the night." Everyone got excited and stepped closer to the stage. "The category I'm about to announce is for the loner costume of the night."

I watched as everyone cheered, and anticipation was written all over their faces. Miss Grace took a card out of the envelope and smiled. "The award goes to none other than Louis Young!"

A surprised gasp echoed the hall and everyone applauded for Louis as he bounced up to the stage.

"Go, Louis!" Maddie's voice came from the crowd, along with whistles. I chuckled and clapped as I watched Louis take the white ghost-shaped trophy and the mic from Miss Grace.

"My fellow wolves, zombies, vampires, and all the other creatures present here, thank you all for this!" He pumped the trophy in the air, and everyone laughed and clapped for him. "It's an honor to stand here with this award and this award is not only for me... It's for all the singles out there this is for all of us!"

The crowd hooted, and I put my two fingers in my mouth to whistle for him. I was about to go near the stage to congratulate Louis when someone bumped into me and spill their drink on me.

"Oh my God!" Fiona gasped, and I snapped my eyes at her. "Andrew I didn't mean to-"

"Of course you didn't," I growled.

"Well... It wasn't my fault, you were standing in my way." She flipped her hair. "You should be careful."

"Who do you think you are?" I glared at her.

"Someone who doesn't give a shit about you anymore." She smirked and strode away.

I stood there clenching my fist as my blood boiled. If she was a boy, I would have taught her a lesson. I glanced down at the stain on my vest. It was red, so the drink wasn't visible, but it felt sticky.

Bit*h just ruined my costume.

I walked out of the ballroom towards the washroom near it but it was full, so turned to my left corridor. Reaching it, I slowed in my steps when I saw Lillian coming out of the boys' restroom with a grin on her face, and somehow that made me more furious.

"What the f**k were you doing in the guys' restroom?"