MAYA

"I still have no idea how you convinced aunt Gloria to let you host this party but why am I stuck with the decorating responsibilities?"I grunted struggling with the fake skeletons we were hanging around the house.

"Because I'm your favorite cousin and you love me. I can also be very persuasive when I want to."Violet smiled proudly.

"Lucky you, halloween fell in place with the weekend auntie and uncle are away for their wedding anniversary."I commented.

"Call it luck or whatever you want but I'm not the one who asked them to get married on Halloween."Violet reasoned.

"Yes you did. You were going through your goth phase and asked them to have a halloween wedding."I reminded her.

"Oh yeah, so glad I got over that phase fast but the pictures were epic and we are guaranteed parties at this time of the year for the rest of our lives."Violet declared cutting into a pumpkin.

"At least its on a Saturday so we don't have school."I grunted reaching for more fake spider webs.

"Everyone will be arriving soon to help, don't worry."Violet consoled.

That gave me some relief because I had no idea how I could do everything Violet had in mind all on my own as she was barely helping. She was throwing the party yet I was doing all the work. How was that fair? She was lucky about one thing though, she could be very persuasive and I loved her so she had won me over that way.

I didn't care for american holidays like halloween but to Violet they were a big deal so I supported her the best way I could. After I was done with the skeletons and the cobwebs, I checked up on the boys who were busy playing some game in their room. They were supposed to go tricker treating later so either Violet and I would take them. Somehow I knew I was the one who would be stuck with that responsibility.

"Hey boys, do you need anything?"I asked popping my head in their room to find both of them with their headsets on shooting at their laptops.

"Snacks."

"Drinks."

They replied simultaneously.

"Coming right up your Highnesses."I replied leaving the room.

I headed back downstairs to get them what they had asked for. I rolled my eyes when I found the pumpkin Violet had been working on abandoned on the kitchen counter. The girl was lazy and had the attention span of a sparrow. I saw her and Wade making out in the living room but did nothing to pry them away from each other. It was none of my business what they got up to. If the party was half assed then it wasn't my problem because I wasn't the host.

I got the boys what they wanted and took it up to them before going back to the kitchen to get the snacks ready and lock away anything that my aunt would kill us if it was broken or misplaced.

Everyone started arriving one by one which I was grateful for because I got more help and it forced Violet and Wade to stop snogging and do their part.

I was cutting up some lemon slices for the lemonade when a brutal force hit me hard at the back of my head. I stumbled forward, lost control of my right hand and ended up cutting the palm of my left hand.

"Shit! Are you okay?"Finn asked running to my side.

"Yeah I'm fine."I muttered putting my bleeding hand under running water.

"What happened?"Violet asked walking into the kitchen and noticing all the blood.

"I have no idea, she was making the lemonade when she cut herself."Finn explained.

It had only been the both of us in the kitchen and he was in front of me so he couldn't have been the one who hit me. I touched the back of my head and there was nothing there, no blood or a bump, just a sore spot. The injury wasn't mine meaning only one thing. It was his but how bad must it have been for me to feel it.

"You're bleeding all over the kitchen. Go fix clean yourself up, we'll finish up here."Violet declared.

"Okay."I replied grabbing a couple of paper towels and placing them over my bleeding hand.

I ran upstairs to my bedroom and directly into my bathroom. The bleeding had reduced by my hand was still throbbing. I retrieved the first aid kit and started treating myself. All I did was pour some antiseptic on it and tie it off.

After cleaning up the mess I made in the bathroom, I decided to take a shower while I was already up there and get changed into my costume. It was difficult to do with one hand but I managed. Afterwards I had to redress the wound again because of the water.

My costume was simple but awesome because I'd made it myself with stuff from my wardrobe. I had to borrow make up from Violet to complete my look but once I was done, I was in love with myself.

I stood in front of the mirror to admire my handiwork and gave myself a mental pat on the back for a job well done. I was an igbo princess wearing a red off shoulder bodycon dress, couple of beaded necklaces, arms bands and a simple crown tied around my dreadlocks that were in a neat bun. I had struggled with my make up but I had refused to let Violet help. She would have overdone it and I wanted it simple.

I had a beaded irukere too which was horsetail-fly-whisk. I'd borrowed that from my aunt as she'd carried it for her traditional wedding to uncle Ted.

I was about to lace up my bandage toe sandals when there was a knock on my door.

"Come in."I called in.

The door opened softly revealing Elijah dressed in an all black suit, kind of like men in black. He stood frozen at the door staring at me and I had to give myself a once over to make sure I didn't have a hole in my dress or lipstick in my teeth.

"Are you okay?"I asked him.

My statement broke him out of his stare because he blinked a couple of times smiling as he walked further into the room.

"You look,.. Wow."He confessed looking at me approvingly.

"Thank you, I'm glad you like it."I beamed.

"Like it, no. I love it."He confessed leaning over to kiss my cheek.

I was so happy that he didn't go for my lips because the lipstick I had on wasn't smudge proof.

"What are you supposed to be?"I asked him looking at his leather gloves.

"Your bodyguard. The princess needs protection."Elijah replied bowing at me.

"I like your thinking."I grinned at him.

"Let me just lace up my shoes and we can go."I said taking a seat on my bed.

"Let me, please."Elijah requested kneeling at my feet.

He removed his gloves putting them in his pocket and lacing up my sandals for me.

It was such an innocent but intimate gesture that I found myself blushing. I looked at Elijah who's concentration was on the job he was doing. His hands felt soft on my skin and that sensation traveled all the way to my spine. Before my thoughts could take a dark turn, Elijah kissed my leg declaring that he was done.

He straightened up and put his gloves back on.

"Shall we?"He asked holding his hand out for me.

I put my hand in his and stood up, my feet wobbling a little but Elijah was quick to catch me.

"You look absolutely breathtaking."Elijah complimented kissing my temple.

I caught a glimpse of us on the mirror and even I had to admit that we looked good together.

"We look good and you look mighty fine in that suit mr bodyguard."I replied making him smirk.

"Only the best for the princess."He replied leading me out of the room.

Loud music was already playing in the house but it was still early so the party hadn't fully started yet. People were only starting to arrive.

The first one to see us was Wendy who was dressed as Mrs Incredible. She was dating Earl who was wearing a Mr incredible costume. They looked really cute together.

"Wow, girl you look like royalty."Wendy complimented making me smile.

"Thank you, you look awesome. You too Earl."I replied.

"Wish I'd thought of that but I wouldn't have pulled it off as well as you are. You look amazing."Wendy insisted making me blush.

I didn't get the chance to reply because Violet saw me and immediately started screaming in excitement. I had told her I was going as a princess but I hadn't elaborated further.

"Now you are just trying to show off. We already know you're beautiful but you still go ahead and do that."She scolded playfully.

"Thank you, your Highness."I replied bowing to her because she was dressed as Queen Mera Narius and Wade complimented her by going as aquaman.

"What's with all the royalty in the house? Wow, Maya you look great."Finn commented joining us.

He was dressed as as cowboy complete with boots, a hat and and a fake gun.

"Thank you Finn, you don't look so bad yourself."I replied even if I'd already seen his costume earlier and commented on it.

Everyone kept commenting on my outfit which was great because I'd worked really hard on it but I didn't like being the center of attention.

I was saved by the twins walking down the stairs dressed as Harry and Ron from Harry Potter carrying pillow cases with them which only meant one thing.

"Trick or treat time."They yelled simultaneously when they saw us.

Violet and I looked at each other and she immediately gave me the puppy eyes before I had the chance to say anything.

"Okay boys lets go get all the candy."I sighed giving in without a fight.

"You're the best."Violet clapped happily.

"Anything to get out of this party. You coming?"I asked Elijah.

I wouldn't force him to come with me but it would be nice to have the company.

"Of course, you never leave your bodyguard behind."He replied making me smile.

Elijah and I helped the boys put on their shoes and cloaks before the four of us left the house.

"Up or down?"I asked the boys once we got to the road leading to the rest of the houses.

"Up."Dylan declared just as Cole yelled "Down."

They rarely disagreed but this was one of those times when they did. They solved it like they did all their other disputes, with rock, paper, scissors. Cole won so we all went down the road.

"How's your head?"I asked Elijah as we walked down the street with the boys in front of us.

"Hurt like hell when I got hit but it's fine now."He replied automatically.

"Wait I didn't tell you I got hurt, how did you know?"He asked and I realized that I'd messed up.

Elijah still didn't know about how we were connected and I wasn't ready to tell him just yet.

"You winced when Dylan grabbed your head as you were tying his shoe laces."I replied.

I hadn't lied because he had winced but it was a far fetched reason. Thankfully he believed me saving me the need to lie to him which I did not want to.

"That was very observant of you. Alice accidentally slammed the door on me before I could get out completely. It knocked me down and I landed on my back, hitting my head on the concrete."He explained and I winced.

"Sorry."I mumbled looking at him.

"Wanna kiss it better?"He teased.

"I would but you're too tall."I remarked.

Elijah didn't say anything just stepped in front of me and bent over so I could reach the top of his head. I laughed but kissed him nonetheless.

"There all better."I declared kissing his forehead too for good measure.

"I do feel better."Elijah grinned as he took my hand and we resumed walking.

"What happened here?"Elijah asked noticed the brown band aid on my hand for the first time.

"I cut myself while slicing lemons."I replied.

It was kind of his fault but I couldn't tell him that because it was part of a longer story that I wasn't ready to tell him.

"I'm sorry."Elijah consoled lifting my hand to his lips and kissing my wound.

"All better now."I grinned echoing his words.

"Our kisses are magical with healing powers."Elijah exclaimed dramatically.

"You're such a child."I laughed.

"But you love me anyway."Elijah replied.

"True, just don't let it get into your head."I demanded softly.

"Never."He assured me with a serious face.

Seeing Elijah being so goofy around me when he had been so icy in the beginning warmed my heart. Fixing our relationship had been the best thing to happen to us and I couldn't be happier to have him as my best friend and my boyfriend.

"First house, be kind boys and say thank you."I yelled at their running backs as they rushed to the door.

Elijah and I stood on the driveway as the boys rang the door bell and waited for candy. We proceeded like that for the next few houses and in some we didn't even have to knock because the candy was in bowls outside the house.

Elijah and I got a few compliments for our costume choice which boosted my confidence. I got a few racist slurs but I was used to them and Elijah was quick to step in and defend me.

An hour later the boys had already collected enough candy that Elijah and I had to help them carry their bags.

When we got back to the house, the party was in full swing. The music was so loud it could be heard all the way from the driveway.

"I don't want to go in there."I sighed looking at all the people in the front lawn.

I definitely should have said no to the party. It was going to be a mess that I would have to clean up the next morning. I was fine with cleaning up but I didn't want to have to endure the whole noisy party and dealing with drunk teenagers because Violet had somehow managed to buy kegs and alcohol.

"Me either." Elijah agreed with me.

"I have an idea."He declared turning to the twins."Boys what do you say we go and get some pizza?"He asked them.

"Yes!"They both yelled excitedly.

"I didn't carry any money."I whisper yelled to Elijah.

"That's okay, it's my treat."He assured me.

Elijah's offer was way better than the noisy party so we followed him to where he had parked the car. We didn't have time to get the boys car seats from the house so we just strapped them in like that, hoping we wouldn't get pulled over.

Elijah got behind the wheel while I took my place next to him. I had no idea where we were going but I trusted Elijah.

"Maya can we have some candy?"Cole requested.

"Okay but only a piece each. I don't want you guys ruining your dinner or getting too hyper on me."I replied handing each of them a packet of skittles.

"Eli, can we get wings instead of pizza?"Dylan asked a few minutes into the drive.

"Okay, we'll get wings instead."Elijah replied looking at me with a knowing look.

The boys ended up changing their minds three more and ended up settling for burgers, fries and wings when they couldn't decide.

"I'm sorry about them."I apologized to Elijah as we waited for our food.

He had taken us to popeyes so we could fulfill every whim the boys had. We sat at a four person table seated across each other. The twins were facing each other while Elijah and I faced each other. We were seated this way so I could help the boys with their food.

"It's okay, I have nieces and nephews their age remember."He reassured me.

It was hard to forget that because only someone who had experience with young kids could deal with the twins.

Our food arrived and the boys excitedly dug in. Elijah really bad indulged them because he had ordered burgers, fries, wings, onion rings and milkshakes.

The boys appetite surprised me because they ended up eating more than I thought they would.

After dinner, instead of driving us back home Elijah took us to a trampoline park so the boys could burn off some of that excess energy. We ended up staying way long past the boys curfew but what my aunt didn't know wouldn't hurt her. Elijah and I got to play in the trampolines too and reminded ourselves what it felt like to be kids again.

The boys passed out on the drive over back home which was understandable because of the exciting evening they'd had. The party was winding down but there were still people in the house so Elijah and I used the back door to get in.

We took the boys to bed and Elijah left me to change them into their pajamas. They would have to skip