Submission

Chapter Two

          Christiene came bursting into the room with a grin of excitement plastered upon her cheeks. "Sam! Our tails, fangs and colored contacts were finally delivered!" Samantha, or Sam as she was often called by, squealed rushing over to her friend.

          They both broke eagerly into the box containing the three accessories they ordered a week prior for Halloween. The two of them were both going as werewolves, Samantha and Christiene had been working effortlessly on the body portion of the costumes and just needed the fang molds, tail, and yellow colored contacts to complete the costume. The tail would attach to the back of the costume via a snap-on button, the fangs clipped into a homemade moveable wolf jaw that could also be worn over their own teeth, and the contacts, well you can guess where those went obviously. "Sis, are you sure making a semi-face covering mask was a good idea? I mean will it look more realistic?" Christiene questioned. Samantha gave a confident nod. "Yes, I'm sure!"

          Halloween was just three days away. Sadly, this year, the puppies would have to sit out their first Halloween at home instead of going with Samantha and Christiene. The friends decided it would be best since Damon and Hinto would be too energetic and they didn't want to risk them knocking someone over or spilling another person's candy bucket. Or worse, stealing a fellow trick-or-treater's candy.

          As the girls tried on their costume and practiced adding the face paint to the parts of their faces that weren't covered, which was only their forehead and around their eyes, they both gossiped about boys and relationships. As teens their age commonly do. "Oh my god. Samantha! Did you hear about the new hot face that moved into the neighborhood a few days ago? I saw him and he's like, totes smokealishous it's unreal." Samantha snickered, carefully applying the grey into her friends face, adding the black into the grey to make it look slightly darker in order to make it look like real fur. "You know I don't pay attention to many things that go on around here. I barely noticed when the neighbors across the street moved in." Sam said, now beginning to add the major details. "Now stay still dipshit. I don't want to f**k it up."

          Christiene rolled her eyes. "Alright fine little miss 'I need a boyfriend already'. When you see him let me know what you think at least." - "Okay, okay I will. And I do not need a boyfriend..." A grumble left Samantha's lips. Finally finished with her friends makeup.

          Now it was Samantha's turn for a little touch up on her. Her wolf was black with some grey coloring in a half circle over her eyes, as well as on her ears mane, down her back, chest and belly, then to her tail and on her fingers. Her wolf wasn't completely black either but rather various different shades of blacks and dark greys. Christiene, her friends wolf, was a common grey coat. The main body was a light grey, the fur on her right eye and left ear were a golden brown and the left eye and right ear were a light cocoa brown. But, that wasn't all, her muzzle, belly, front paws and the tip of her tail were white in color, her mane was brownish grey and her back was a darker grey than the rest of her body. Their costumes were amazing. They would be the two most unique costumes on the streets this spooky 31st.

          "Okay, I'm all done Samantha. Let's go look together!" Christiene and Samantha both practically ran over to the big full body mirror on the other side of the room. A squeal rang out through the house. They loved the costumes as you could guess. And now an idea of mischief circled in the bestie's heads, the smile Sam and Christiene gave each other a clear sign that they were thinking the exact same thing. "Let's go scare people!" They shouted in unison.

          Thirty funny scare pranks on neighbors adults and children later, the girls were taking a break in a Magnolia tree about five houses away from home. Samantha sighed "We're going to have so much fun on Halloween day.." - "Yeah, sure 'nuff." Christiene sat back on the truck of the tree. They were so high up in the tree nobody below was any the wiser of their presence. "Oh, oh! Look Sam, over there at the house across the street." Samantha looked at where her friend was pointing when her eyes finally spotted what she was pointing at Samantha quickly covered her mouth, or muzzle in this instance. "Holy s**t you were right! A hot hunk did move in just a few doors down." Samantha blushed. "Why don't we go scare a few more people? Then we can hit up Waffle House for dinner before heading back home to change. I bet that'll be fun, to walk into Waffle House and see the looks on the employees faces as we walk in." Samantha suggested. Christiene just shrugged. "Sure why not."

          Samantha and Christiene finally got to the local Waffle House. Their stomachs yelled in sink as soon as the smell of coffee and breakfast food hit their noses. The employees reaction when they finally took notice of the duo was hilarious. "Oh my goodness! Ahhh!" screamed one of the girls followed by squeals and surprised laughs from the rest of the work crew. Sam and Christiene both died laughing, taking a seat, removing their wolf snouts before the waitress asked what they wanted to drink.

          "You two sure surprised us. This is the first we've ever seen for sure." The girls smiled. "We made these costumes for Halloween and figured we would get a good laugh and test them out before we went door to door for candy in a few days." Christiene explained. The waitress gave a nod. "Well, you gave us a fright. I love the detail you both put into it." She complimented. "Anyways, what would you girls like to drink?" Both asked for a glass of milk. Then the waitress left, giving them time to look at the menu, but it didn't take long to decide on what they wanted to eat. Two peanut butter waffles each with a side of sunny-side-up eggs, bacon, grits and a plain helping of hashbrowns. The usual.

          Their milk had already come, now Samantha and Christiene waited patiently for their food to come to the table. As most people do in restaurants as they wait for their plate, small talk was made between the two. They spoke of casual topics. Topics such as music, anime, and the upcoming Winter Festival that takes place every year for two weeks before Christmas. When their meal came to the table is when the talking died down a bit, though not completely. The waitress had come by a few times to check on them and ask general questions about what they had in store this Halloween, which Sam and Christiene answered, easing the nice lady's curiosity.

          "Thanks for the meal. It was great as always." Sam said after paying the bill. "You guys make the best peanut butter waffles." Complemented Christiene. With that, they waved goodbye, leaving the establishment to head home. The dogs were probably hungry. By now it was already dark, but for the two best friends, it was a fun walk home, the darkness of the neighborhood streets didn't bother them in the slightest. It made it easier to sneak up on people to get a few more scares and laughs in before getting home.

          Once they were home, Damon and Hinto were fed. The costumes Sam and her friend were wearing had been taken off and the makeup washed away only to be replaced by long warm pajama pants and t-shirts. Hot Chocolate was in order now. They both needed to warm their hands and feet, and, well, they needed to be warmed up in general after being out in the bitter sweet fall air. It's hard loving the cold because of how long it takes to get warm after being in it for a long period of time.

          Samantha made the Hot Chocolate for them both while Christiene picked out the show they would be watching for the night. She wound up picking the english made show WolfBlood. It just so happened to be Samantha's favorite show of all time. "Oh yay!" Samantha eaped happily as she handed her friend her cup of Hot Cocoa. "I figured you would like to watch this. It's the perfect show too considering what day is coming up." - "Yeah it is Christiene." Agreed Samantha. They sat up watching the entirety of season one, deciding to play the Halloween version of Minecraft. Once again they lost track of time and didn't get to bed till half past one in the morning. It's become normal for the pair to lose track of what time it was and go to bed late. Once again, however, that was just a natural thing for a couple of teenagers their age. But who's to stop them? They both don't have any elders around to tell them otherwise and I doubt, if they did, that it would make a difference since it was Samantha's house afterall.

          Three days later. October 31st. It was time to get dressed up and go out for free candy. Honestly who couldn't love this holiday? You get buttloads of free candy just for dressing up in a costume and going door to door saying "Trick or Treat!" and holding out a candy bucket or pillow case. For people young and old who have a sweet tooth, this day is Heaven. The only other holidays that could beat this one is Christmas and The 4th of July, one you get to give and receive gifts and make people happy and the other you get to blow up s**t I mean c'mon.

          Samantha and Christiene were no different from the children excited running house to house for treats, landing a few tricks on people who were rude or grumpy along the way. That's the number one rule after all. If you're rude or grumpy, you get the age old Trick Treatment. The key for the tricksters is to not get caught. Not good.

          The werewolf friend duo had already been dressed and makeup put on. Ready and raring to go like children. Sam looked at her friend. "Costumes and makeup?" - "Check." Christiene responded. "Okay. Pillow cases? Wagon?" - "Check and check." They went back and forth again, making sure they had what they needed. "We're going to hit up so many houses and ring so many doorbells by the end of the night; we'll have an entire year's supply of candy each." Christiene said, only half exaggerating on the amount of candy they would have by the night's end. "Yeah, totally."

          Christiene checked to make sure Damon and Hinto had everything while Samantha grabbed her house keys that she stuck in the pillow case. "Alright all set, let's grab the wagon and roll out!" Cheered Sam and out the door they went. Wagon and pillow cases in hand.

          It was now 9:45 pm. Samantha and Christiene had been down five streets since they left Sam's house at 7:30. They decided to comb over their street last since it was always active till late in the night by both trick-or-treater's and those giving out candy. It would be the sixth street and the last street they went down before ending this Halloween with a wagon filled to the brim with candy. As they went house to house getting generous handfuls of sweets at a time, they came upon the handsome new neighbor. The inside lights were off but a pretty big bucket had been set out and still had enough candy in it for more treat seekers to grab a handful. "Hey." Christiene tapped on Sam's shoulder after getting a handful of the open candy bucket on the mans porch. "I dare you to ring the doorbell and run. I'll wait at the end of the drive and make a getaway with you." Sam shook her head, waving her hands vigorously. "Hah, hell no. He might be cute and all but he doesn't seem like the type to take bullshit lightly. You know, like he's some kind of stone face hard core kind of guy." Christiene sighed. "Plus he did leave candy out so it's not like we can prank him for no reason. Right?" Samantha added questioningly. Christiene groaned. "Uuuugh! You're such a chicken. Just do it. If you don't I'll make chicken noises at you the rest of the week." Her friend taunted her. Sam rolled her eyes giving into the dare not wanting her friend to make that god awful, annoying noise all week. Christiene would do it too, Samantha knew it. "Okay fine. But I get caught and you owe me big time. Now go wait for me."

          Christiene giggled as she hurried and waited behind the man's car. Samantha, though hesitant, rang the doorbell, making a hasty retreat, hiding behind some bushes with Christiene, waiting to see the reaction, that is, if he ever comes to the door. When the door finally opened, he was calm, seemingly uncaring. Samantha could see his face now. He was handsome, but not overly beautiful, his features were soft yet they showed no emotion. The way he stood suggested confidence, power, and strong but relaxed. Then, he just shut the door without a word. That's when Sam realized she had been staring. "Snap out of it you idiot.." she whispered to herself. "I saw you staring you know. I told you he was hot." Sam jumped as she didn't notice her friend move next to her. "Eh. I give him a seven out of ten." She said nonshalontly.

          Samantha and Christiene arrived back at the house, counted their candy, and traded with each other for the things that one liked but not the other. No sleep was had at all. Christiene yawned and stretched as the sunshine shone onto the floor through the blinds in the living room. "Nap time." Yawned out Christiene. "Dude its seven in the morning." Samantha commented raising an eyebrow. "I know sis." Samantha just shrugged and made her way to the kitchen to make coffee while her friend curled up on the loveseat.

          Deciding it would be a good idea, Samantha put Damon and Hinto on their leashed and took them for a morning walk. She didn't want to bother Christiene with it, instead, she left her to sleep. Didn't need a grumpy best friend for the rest of the day.

          As they walked down the road, candy wrappers and unopened candies could be seen from where children had lost or dropped them during the excitement last night. The puppies were paying more attention to that rather than walking or going potty, and, as you could guess, that provided a special task for Samantha. Keep the dogs away from the candy. What fun.

          When they finally stopped to go to the bathroom, Samantha saw her new neighbor. She had an admirer. He was looking at her. Not the creepy kind of look or stare, no, not like she was doing to him last night. The type of look she gave him was much like a fangirl, or something close to that at least, and that was embarrassing even though nobody saw it. He seemed to be interested. Taking a short glance at her every now and then, as if he didn't want Sam to notice him looking at her. Sorry buddy, too late for that. Samantha gave a nervous wave, not sure what else to do before turning back towards home before anything else was done. Meeting new people was always hard for her. Meeting new guys she found attractive? Now that. That, was paralyzing. It made Samantha feel vulnerable. So, as a result, she avoided it, hid herself away from it. Who has time for all that anyways? Samantha didn't. She had her own life to live, a life that was and will remain boy free. At least that was her plan. No boys. No relationships. No commitments. No problems. Just her, her dog, and her best friend.

          In the back of Samantha's mind there was still something missing from her life. She didn't like it, didn't understand it or why she felt that way, all she knew was it was causing her to be pulled more towards the comforting arms of a strong man. It didn't make sense. The way she felt wasn't normal for her. So, why now? Of all the times she could've had the chance to meet a nice guy, why was it now that she began to have these feelings? Too many questions yet not an answer in the world.

          Back at the house, Christiene had woken up. The smell of coffee must've gotten to her nose. Like Samantha, Christiene couldn't resist coffee, like a bear couldn't resist honey. Coffee was the sweet nectar that the two needed every morning. "I wonder where Samantha is." Christiene asked to herself. Just as she questioned her friends whereabouts the door opened to reveal Samantha and the puppies. "I was just wondering where you went." Said Christiene, taking a sip of the freshly made brew in her cup. "I just took Damon and Hinto for a walk is all. I didn't want to wake you so I didn't say anything." Sam responded. "You didn't have to do that." Samantha shrugged, reaching for her red penguin mug for her own coffee. "I know, but I was bored anyways. Plus I know you're like me when someone wakes you up." Christiene made a pssh noise, slapping the air with her hand. "Whaaaat? No, I would never be such a way." This made the two laugh. "Yeah right." Sam retorted as the laughter died down, adding a straw to her coffee before taking a sip. "Deny it..." She paused for a second, taking another sip. "..all you want. But you can't hide from the truth."

~

          A couple of days had gone by since Samantha's awkward encounter with the new neighbor. Since then nothing quite as awkward has happened again, although she has seen him sitting on his porch and grabbing his mail a few times. The most she's done is send a polite wave. Not like she gets one back half the time, it didn't bother Samantha though.

          Samantha was painting during her free time when her cell phone rang. It was her mom. "I really don't want to talk to her right now." Samantha sighed though reluctantly answered. "Hi mom!" She greeted. "Hi sweetie. I heard you had a fun Halloween. Get a lot of candy?" Samantha nodded though nobody was around. "Yeah mom. A whole years worth. Me and Christiene both had a blast, traded candy, ate that candy, you know the usual for Halloween." Samantha heard a sigh on the other end. Great. Her mother never liked Christiene for some reason. "You know I don't want you to see her. You need to find better friends and-" - "Alright mom, I'm gonna stop you right there. Christiene and me have been friends for years, and she's a damn good friend. Whether you like it or not she's my best friend and she's the sister I never had. I will hang out with her if I please. This is why I moved out and got my own house." There was silence for a while on the other end. "Alright fine. You're right, you're eighteen and it's house and your life. Just be careful. I worry about you is all." Sam sighed, a small smile appearing on her face. "Yes mom, I know you do. I'll be fine I promise." Samantha looked at her phone. 6 o'clock. Dinner time. "Hey mom I have to go make dinner for me and Damon. Love you." - "I love you too sweetheart. Go eat." A click was heard indicating that her mother had hung up. Samantha shook her head, time to make dinner.

          Damon followed close behind Samantha as she made her way to the kitchen. "Ugh, I really don't feel like cooking." She grumbled, a finger tapped her chin while she thought about what she should get to eat or if she should go out. Ah ha! Perfect idea. "I haven't went out to eat in a while. Guess you'll be dining alone tonight buddy." Sam said giving Damon a soft pat on the head. Samantha whipped up a quick chicken and rice dinner for the pup before getting ready. Dressed in a casual pair of jeans, a black Stranger Things t-shirt, and a purple hoodie with her black and white Converse and she headed out the door.

          As she drove she thought about where to go, ultimately deciding to go to Applebee's. Of course, parking spaces were limited, so it took a minute to find a place to park. 'Great I'm parked all the way on the farthest end of the restaurant. And it's dark over here.' Samantha thought to herself. It wasn't exactly a bad area of town, she just didn't like being parked far from any building in the dark when she was by herself. Oh well, guess she'd have to deal with parking in B.F.E. for now seeing as how there aren't any other parking spaces available by the entrance. Samantha made sure to lock her car then made her way inside. It didn't take long after she went in for a waitress to direct her to a small table for two. Samantha insisted she didn't need a booth because she was alone so that's what she got. A sweet tea was brought to her, Samantha already knowing what she wanted to order. "I'll have the nine ounce house sirloin with mac n' cheese and a loaded baked potato please." The waitress nodded with a smile. Samantha sat on her phone while she waited for her food to come. Which took a good thirty minutes to come back to her. Samantha thanked the woman.

          As she ate she saw a familiar face across the room. A handsome, familiar face that is. It was her neighbor. He was alone just as she was. At least he didn't seem to notice her. Samantha wanted to enjoy her meal then go home and relax. Sam thought about going over to say hello but shook her head at the thought, rather content in finishing her food. Once done she left the waitress a generous tip and paid her bill. Little did she know she wasn't alone on her way to her car.

          Samantha got to her vehicle when she heard the scruffy voice of an older man. "Hey there pretty lady. I couldn't help but notice you were all alone." Samantha gasped. She turned around to see a man, older, possibly in his late fifties, early sixties. His breath reeked of alcohol, and he was way too close for Samantha's comfort. "Um yeah, well could you move, I need to get home." The old man chuckled making Samantha cringe. "I would, but I can't take no for an answer. C'mon show me a good time." This is exactly why Samantha doesn't like to park way out in B.F.E. "Excuse you?" The man grabbed her arm. "You heard me.." He growled out. "No! Leave me alone!" Samantha screamed, pushing him away the best she could, fumbling to press the unlock button on her keys.

          Before the man could grab her again, Samantha heard a loud "Ooph!" followed by a thud of someone, or something, hitting the ground hard. "She told you to leave her alone." A low voice said in an authoritative tone. "Who the f**k are you to tell me what to do pretty boy?" The old man spat back. "I suggest you get going now. You harm a hair on this young lady's head and I'll break every bone in your f*****g body. Get. Lost." Samantha looked up to see who had come to help her. Her eyes went wide in surprise when she saw her neighbor standing guard in front of her. The old man got up, grumbling to himself as he stumbled away, a black eye would be a reminder to him not to try harming a woman ever again, or at least hopefully.

          Her neighbor turned towards her. "Are you alright?" He asked Samantha. "I um...y-yeah I'm fine, my wrist hurts a little is all. Thank you." Samantha gave a shy yet grateful smile. "My pleasure. Names Christopher by the way." Samantha held out her hand. "Samantha. Nice to meet you Christopher." She said back, peering down at her phone. "I should be heading home. It was nice to finally meet you." Christopher gave a nod. "Same to you. Be safe." Samantha got in her car, slumping into the driver's seat. That was completely unexpected. She was just glad he was here and saw what was going on in time to help her. Christopher doesn't seem like a bad guy now that Samantha thought about it. He seemed pretty nice. 'Maybe I could get to know him more. What harm could be done by doing so..?'