I let out a loud sigh as fiddle with the purple Alice headband sitting on top of my head. I have to throw my hats off to Scarlett, she pulled these costumes out of the bag. I was wearing a bright purple long-sleeved dress, underneath this was sheer pale pink tights. The outfit was also paired with a silky green scarf tied around my neck, lilac heeled boots.

At first, I was apprehensive about wearing a dress. Okay, apprehensive is an understatement, I was terrified, but it was a modest length and I feel as if my tights gave me extra protection from anyone's wandering hands.

The pink-haired girl wolf-whistles when I re-enter her room, 'Autie! You look so beautiful! I can't cope!'

My cheeks warm at her compliment, as I scan her attire, she was wearing a tight-cropped, bright orange turtleneck, with a red pleated skirt paired with orange knee high socks, black rimmed glasses and red heels.

'Says you! You look amazing, Scar!'

I watch as her eyes light up with glee, a bright grin taking over her entire face. She rushes over to tackle me into a hug before she stops herself, with an apologetic look.

I sigh slightly, 'It's okay, you can hug me.'

Her eyebrows raise, 'Are you sure?'

'Yeah, go for it.'

My body tenses as her small arms wrap around my frame, I relax slightly as I wrap mine around her. She rocks me side to side causing laughter to escape from my lips.

'Sorry!' She squeaks as she pulls away from me, 'I'm just so excited! I love dressing up!'

A knock on her bedroom door makes me startle slightly, before it swings open. I nearly swoon at the sight, Lucas is wearing a white shirt which made his body look somehow even better, around his neck he had an orange scarf, paired with blue jeans and his usual trainers.

How the fuck, does someone look so good being dressed as a cartoon character?

Scarlett frowns at him, 'Where is your blonde wig?'

'I've already dressed up, don't push it.'

My heart stops when I notice his gaze turn to me, I didn't feel uncomfortable or disgusted like I usually do, when I can see someone blatantly checking me out. Instead, I felt shy like a school-girl with a crush.

Fuck, why is this happening?

'I was right.' He murmurs as his eyes meet mine.

My eyebrows knit together, 'About what?'

He gives me a boyish grin, that nearly sends me into cardiac arrest, 'You do look great in purple.'

And there goes that fucking stomach churn, I need this to stop. And I need it to stop right now.

'T-Thanks.' I manage out.

Way to play it cool, Autumn.

...

By the time, we arrive at the party it was in full swing. I feel my hands begin to clam up, as my breathing becomes slightly un-even. Scarlett turns to me a soft smile before gesturing for me to hold her hand, I nod and quickly grab it.

Despite my heart pounding at a million-miles-an hour, a burst of laughter erupts from my lips when I see Toby wearing a full-on Scooby Doo costume with a bottle of beer in his hands.

'Tobes!' Scarlett squeals, 'You look amazing! I love it!'

He rolls his eyes playfully with a soft smile, 'Thanks Scar.'

I turn my attention to Sammy who is sporting a green t-shirt and brown jeans, his face falls slightly. My heart aches for him.

Oh, Sammy. I promise the right guy is out there for you.

I blink slightly as a bottle of wine is placed in-front of my face, 'This is yours.'

'Thanks Luke.' I murmur as I hesitantly twist the cap of the bottle.

I look down at the pink liquid placed in-front of me, can I really do this? Am I ready to drink again?

What if something bad happens?

What if someone tries to touch me?

What if someone tries to force me into something that I don't want to do?

I look up at the group of people around me, a warm feeling rushes to my stomach. And I know, as long as I'm with them. I'm safe.

I never thought I'd actually be able to say that.

I actually feel safe.

I place the bottle to my lips before taking five large gulps, I gag slightly at the taste before coughing. Lucas laughs to himself as he watches me with a raise eyebrow.

I narrow my eyes at him, 'Something funny?'

He holds his hands up, 'I've just never known someone to gag at wine before.'

I scoff, 'Well, I've just not drank in a while. So, I've forgot how shit it tastes.'

'Whatever you say, princess.'

Scarlett tugs on my hand pulling me away from the group with a nervous expression, 'I-I'm going to go and meet that boy now, are you sure that you are okay here?'

I turn to look at the three boys behind me who have started laughing between themselves, 'Y-Yeah, I'll be just fine.'

'Please, if you aren't okay. Ring me.'

I roll my eyes but give her a reassuring smile, 'I'll be okay, just go and have fun!'

The pink-haired bites her bottom lip before nodding, 'O-Okay, wish me luck!'

'You don't need any!'

I watch as she trails off into another room of the house, I turn on my heel and make my way over to the rest of the scooby-gang, taking more sips of my wine as I do.

Toby gasps loudly, 'Daphne, come quick!'

I snort, 'What is it, Scooby?'

'There has been a murder!'

Lucas looks around with a playful smile on his lips, 'A murder, you say?'

'And I have reason to suspect it's the janitor.'

The dark-haired boy nods as he strokes his chin, 'Well yes, whenever we solve a crime it's either always the janitor or the groundskeeper.'

'Exactly, young Fred. We need to investigate!'

I watch his amusement at the interaction between the two idiots in-front of me, a faint smile on my lips.

Sammy rolls his eyes, 'Well Shaggy needs another beer, anyone want to come with?'

Toby nods excitedly, 'That I do, maybe we will find our first clue!'

Lucas turns to look at me before he pulls out a cigarette, 'Want to come for a smoke?'

'Sure.'

I trail behind me, as we try to avoid the drunken teenagers dancing around us until we reach the back door. I let out a breath of relief, as the cold air hits me. Lucas turns to me and offers me one of his cigarettes, I gingerly take it.

I stumble slightly as I try to grab his lighter, okay I think drinking half a bottle of wine, in twenty minutes is a bad idea, after not drinking for months.

'Be careful, princess. You don't need another broken hand.'

I roll my eyes as I hold out my cigarette, 'Light it for me?'

'As you wish, your majesty'

I snort, 'You are such a dick.'

'I'm intrigued to see what kind of drunk you are going to be.'

I flip my hair, 'I am the best kind of drunk.'

'I highly doubt that, you are either a talker or a crier.'

I wince, 'Okay, I may be both. And an over-sharer, if I end up telling you my entire life story, please forget it.'

'I don't forget anything you say, princess.'

My breath hitches slightly as his eyes bore into my eyes, 'S-Stalker, much?'

'You are just an interesting person, so I like to remember it.'

I raise an eyebrow, 'Interesting, how?'

He gives me a lazy smile, 'Well for starters, you actually aren't the massive bitch, I thought you were.'

I falter, 'W-What?'

'I admit it, I really didn't like you when we first met, mostly because of the shit you used to say to Scarlett. But now, I know that's actually not who you are.'

'R-Really?'

He inhales his cigarette before exhaling, 'I think you were just pretending to be someone; you weren't. And by the way, I much prefer this version of you.'

I snort, 'You mean the girl, who doesn't let anyone touch her or gets panicked over stupid shit?'

'I think if something makes you panicked then it isn't stupid. And so, what if you don't like people touching you? You are still...pretty great.'

A sentimental feeling washes over me as I bite my lip down to try and stop this massive grin from bursting onto my lips.

'I-I thought I was a pain in your ass.'

'Oh no, don't worry. You are, that will never change.'

I roll my eyes playfully, 'Well, don't worry. You are still a pain in my ass too.'

His grin widens, 'Good.'

'Oh my god!' A high-pitched voice slurs, I turn my head around to see a tall dark-haired girl dressed as little red riding hood.

I frown slightly when I notice how beautiful she was. And for some reason, all I can think is that I don't want her to take Lucas away from this moment.

'You two are so cute!' She chirps, 'I wish my boyfriend would do a couples costume with me!'

I choke on my own spit as my entire body turns a deep shade of crimson.

Lucas flashes me a cheeky smile before turning to the girl, 'I know, she's very lucky to have me. Aren't you love?'

'Very.' I murmur dryly.

'I-I'm going to find my boyfriend and show him what a real boyfriend is like!' She says as she wiggles her finger at us, before stumbling away.

'Love?'

He shrugs, 'Do you prefer that or princess?'

'Neither.'

'Shall we try out love for a bit?'

I roll my eyes, 'I think we should try out my name.'

'Nope, that is never going to happen.'

A:N

Autumn's character is slowly developing, but it's important to remember that she has been through a lot of trauma, but she's trying!

Who is everyone's favourite character?

Thank you so so much, for all the love you've given this book, it makes me so happy!