I was so stressed about Halloween, at first it sounded fun to wear a slutty costume with Abby but now all I can think about is how I might look in it. I have gone on a run every day this week, I even include a Chloe Ting ab workout daily. I think that every teenage girl has succumbed to Chloe Ting's workouts at one point in their life.

I knew I was getting worse, I had lost more weight that I didn't need to lose and some of my jeans weren't fitting as well. I told myself I would gain it back after Halloween since it would be sweater season and it wouldn't matter as much. But as long as I have to wear skimpy outfits I would need to keep up my workout routine. 

In University Halloween wasn't just one night it was multiple. Tonight we were going to a Halloween party co-hosted by the soccer and cheer team at Amy's house and we obviously had to go because we were members. Both teams had a theme to follow, Devils and Angels. I was excited to see the soccer guys all dressed up. I would love to see Warner in a tutu.

I am on my way to the last class of the day and then it is time to get ready with Sarah and Abby for tonight. Classes are a struggle when they never used to be. I used to have no trouble focusing when I was eating a solid ten meals a day but now with my juice cleansing I can barely stay awake in class. 

As I go and sit at my seat near the front waiting for the lecture to start, I notice Emily walk in and she makes a beeline straight for me. Hopefully, she isn't armed after the tailgate incident. She seems like the type to bring a knife to class just for me.

"Where is your bodyguard?" She seems pleased that I am alone, but she knows Warner and I don't sit together.

I ignore her, hoping that like a fly she will just shoo but she leans on my desk and keeps going "I'm still on the cheer team and If I can't have Warner maybe I'll take Adam instead. Then you will know how it feels to have a guy stolen from you."

"Emily, could you please take about ten to twenty steps away from us? My restraining order against you is being filed but we might as well start now."

I smile knowing my bodyguard has made it to class just in time.

Warner leans over the desk and I can see he is testing if Emily has the guts to talk back to him. It's priceless seeing her face drop when Warner has so blatantly insulted her. Her mouth flops open and shuts like a fish's as she struggles to come up with another biting remark for me. It's nice to see her being bullied for a change. I almost feel a sense of gratitude toward Warner.

Before either of them can go any further the bell rings and the teacher walks in clutching his briefcase. Everyone settles into their seats and I expect Warner to go to his in the back but imagine my surprise when the chair next to me gets pulled out and he sits down next to me.

"You can't sit here," I exclaim, trying to keep my voice down while the teacher calls out the attendance.

"Do you have some sort of contagious disease?"

"No!" I say looking around to make sure nobody is listening in on our conversation.

"Then I can totally sit here."

"Okay but when Emily murders you in your sleep don't come crying to me," I say dryly flipping my textbook open and turning to the chapter we were currently studying. I can feel Warner's gaze burning the side of my head but I can't look him in the eyes just yet. I might have said the words casually but I did not want a Sierra 2.0 situation and Warner sitting next to me is fueling the fire.

"Don't let her get to you, Jules." He says softly, so softly that I am not sure if he actually said them.

"It's not exactly easy to do that," I say avoiding eye contact but I hear him sigh and drop his head on the table.

"You let her walk all over you and that's got to stop. You did the same thing in high school but I am not letting you do it now." He sounds determined. I whirl my head around to look at him and there is genuine concern in his eyes.

"Only I get the honour of pissing you off! Not insecure girls like Emily." He winks and opens his textbook.

______________________

Warner and I walk back from class together, when we get into our dorm my room's door is wide open. I left it unlocked so that Sarah, Abby and I can all get ready together, I am shocked they are already starting. Normally I am the one who is early because I have to try on every outfit I own at least five times the day of any event.

I walk in and see that Abby and Sarah are all done up in their costumes already. Whereas I am still sporting my University student homeless chic look.

"You guys look amazing!" I gush giving them both a once over. Abby is wearing the latex devil costume we picked out the other day. Her brown hair's cascading down in thick waves, held back by cute little devil horns. She looks hot and I can't wait for Winston to see her in it. 

Sarah has gone the opposite way with her costume, she dressed up as her favourite marvel superhero Captain Marvel which suits her. I am glad she didn't let Abby influence her and instead wore something she is comfortable with. Sarah is also the only of us not on either team so she doesn't have to follow the costume theme. She looks beautiful, I have never seen her hair down before and she has even straightened it. 

I'm seriously impressed.

"You think?" Abby squeals and twirls in front of her full-length mirror.

"Now let's get you ready." Sarah smiles.

"I will take that as my cue to leave, I'll leave you ladies to it. Sarah, Abby you two look amazing." Warner smiles and I can practically see them melt, even Sarah whose breathing falters just a little bit.

"Oh My God" Abby plops down on my bed after Warner exits and stares dreamy-eyed at the ceiling.

"How have you not gotten with him by now?" Sarah sounds incredulous as she sits me down in front of my dressing table and begins working on my hair and makeup.

"Easy, he's arrogant and a bully," I say more to my image in the mirror than to Sarah but I see her reflection shake her head.

"He likes you, he really likes you, Juliet," she says seriously as she begins curling my hair using a thick wand.

I roll my eyes and snort, "We are not having this conversation again."

We had filled Sarah in on the tea of me knowing Warner my whole life and how he used to bully me so she was all caught up. But ever since we told her, she is convinced he likes me.

"I just can't believe that you don't see it, I mean I know your observation skills need serious help but this is just so obvious."

I am about to respond when Abby decides to help me out, "You can't blame her though Sarah. Warner was always mean to her, he was always picking on her as kids and it continued on into high school."

"That was then, something must have changed by the way he treats you, it's hard to think he could ever be mean to you." Sarah sighs dreamily.

"Trust me he was. If you were there you would get my disbelief."

 For example, if Sarah saw the time when we were 10 and Warner convinced me that we were doing a school trip to Florida when we weren't. I packed all my suitcases, put sunscreen on and everything. Imagine my disappointment and embarrassment showing up to elementary school in a beach outfit and a suitcase when it was a normal school day.

"I got it all trust me, but what I got the most was that Warner liked you and he showed it the best way he could which was by picking on you, its a classic boy maneuver."

"Yes, it's a classic boy maneuver for you when you're in kindergarten." I cross my arms,

"Think what you want, I know I can't convince you otherwise." She shrugs. 

Curse Sarah for being so level-headed and mature.

After Sarah finishes my hair, I start on my makeup. I am being an angel tonight which is fitting considering I am the only virgin on our floor. I was the angel to Abby's devil, she did a dark smokey eye for her makeup whereas I did light makeup. I did my eyeliner with white liner and only used lip gloss instead of lipstick, I even put on my Fenty highlighter which seemed to finish the look.

"Now put on your costume!" Abby claps her hands in excitement and I can't lie I am excited too. 

I put on my costume which consists of a white mini skirt with slits on the sides extenuating my legs I had toned from running so much recently, which I paired with white stockings. The top was not so much a top but a bombshell victoria secret bra we had bedazzled with silver and white jewels to look like a top. It gave my boobs a free boob job, I felt like a different person.

"Okay girls we all look hot as hell! Now, who is ready to start Halloween weekend off with a BANG?" Abby cheers and we cheer with her.

The guys were probably getting impatient in the common room, the soccer and cheer team needed to go to Amy's house early for pre-drinks before everyone else shows up. Adam is meeting us at the party so he doesn't even get to see a preview of my outfit.

I am glad to have Sarah and Abby by my side when walking out, suddenly I am self-conscious about how little clothing I am wearing. Dressing slutty on Halloween sounds like fun as a concept, but when you actually have to wear those clothes in front of other people it becomes a little scary.

I think about how I spent Halloween last year and that is all I need for the confidence to walk out into the common room. Winston is dressed as a superhero and immediately stands up and pretends to bow at Abby's feet making me laugh. I am too scared to look at the one person in the room whose opinion matters more than most.

When I do look at him I am not disappointed, He looks so good, so perfect that I shiver slightly. He of course chose to dress like a devil but it suits him. He is wearing devil horns and a red button-up long sleeve but it is unbuttoned, showing his defined stomach. There was no tutu in sight, unfortunately.

I am too busy checking him out that I don't notice that he is checking me out right back. His eyes unapologetically roam my face and body and he doesn't try to hide it. He mouths something like 'Jesus christ' but I can't be entirely sure.

"Ready to go?" I ask awkwardly clapping my hands together.

"Um, that's it? Does it not come with like a jacket?" Warner's tone of voice remains cool but I see how fidgety his hands are.

"Warner it's Halloween you're supposed to dress slutty." Abby laughs.

She is wearing something just as revealing as me, however, Warner didn't have a problem with her outfit when he saw it earlier?

Just like that my insecurities started to creep in. The voice in the back of my head tells me that Warner is fine with Abby wearing slutty costumes because she looks good whereas someone like me dressing like this might repulse people. Nobody wants to see Jiggly Juliet half-naked.

It seems like Warner knows exactly what I am thinking.

"Just because it's cold outside! Jules, you look- wow." He recovers quickly scratching his neck and I am thankful he complimented me as he did for Sarah and Abby earlier.

"I need a shot," Winston exclaims thankfully breaking the tension.

We walk to the door, Warner is the designated driver like always since he doesn't drink, except for his little 430am stunt. I have no idea what he did that night or who he did but I know that man was not sober.

_______

Amy opens the door for us and she is dressed as a devil too. She looks very hot. So hot that I am starting to feel much less sure of myself.

"Am I going to be the only girl at this party not dressed as the theme?" Sarah groans.

"No don't worry girl everyone who's not on the team can dress in whatever they want. Plus you look smoking as Captain Marvel." Amy eyes Sarah and I swear Sarah is blushing.

When we walk into Amy's house I notice that most people have chosen to dress as a devil. The cheer team was already mingling with the soccer team. Guests have already arrived for pre-drinks so Sarah and Winston aren't the only ones not on theme.

I then remember the bad part of going to the cheer team's party...Emily. And she has chosen to dress as a devil which is very fitting to her character.

She hasn't seen me yet because she is deep in conversation with one of the soccer guys. After about two seconds I realize that it isn't just any soccer guy, it is Adam. He doesn't even look disgusted or that he is telling her to back off, he looks...happy?

Emily did say she was going to take him but I didn't think he would actually entertain the idea. I can't really say anything considering my conflicting feelings for his best friend but it still hurts to see. Not because it is a girl, he can talk to whatever girls he wants but it is his choice in the girl that makes my chest tighten.

Adam does look good though I must admit, he also chose to dress as a devil and I am beginning to think that the theme is just devils at this point. I guess wearing white isn't the best choice for a party with drunk teenagers, especially around Emily since she seems to be sooo clumsy with her drinks around me. 

I don't bother saying hi because I know it won't end well so I walk over and fill myself a drink at the counter. No beer from the Kegs for me tonight, that stuff made me bloat like no other. The good part about not eating before a night out is it helps you get drunk quicker. I make myself a vodka cran at Amy's counter, which consists of 90% vodka and 10% cranberry juice.

I like it better like this, it isn't crowded because it is just the pre-drinks and besides a few people everyone here was on the soccer or cheer team which meant they were all familiar. Sure some of the soccer guys were complete creeps like Marko whose stare I can feel on me. Well, not so much me but on my cleavage, it makes me want to put on that jacket Warner talked about.

Speaking of Warner he has already been swarmed by a few girls from the cheer team. I notice he has also spared a few glances at Emily and Adam and he looks annoyed. I am glad I am not the only one who noticed the little display. They have gotten even closer and she is even whispering in his ear.

I want to gag

"Okay, how about some beer pong to get things started? Sarah and I against Juliet and Warner." Amy pulls a nervous-looking Sarah over to the table where cups are already stood up.

At the sound of my name I see Adam's head whip around, he had no idea I was here. His jaw drops at my costume and he scans my body. I make sure to avoid eye contact and just head to the Beer Bong table next to Warner.

I take a huge gulp of my drink which burns going down my throat but I know it will help me loosen up.

"Don't let her get to you, Adam's not that stupid I think he has just had a few too many." Is Warner actually trying to reassure me about Adam? This is new. And it means he doesn't like me because he wouldn't defend Adam if he did. Or maybe he would anyways because that is his best friend? God this was so confusing, I wish Sarah didn't put these stupid ideas into my head.

"I don't think we have ever been on the same team before." I change the topic smiling up at him.

The comment seems to work because he smiles wider than I have seen in a while. 

"I've always wanted to be." 

I guess he liked the idea of us being on the same team. Except what he fails to realize is I have never played a game of beer pong in my entire life. I have seen people play it in movies but that is where my experience ends.

I let Warner set up our cups and begin to play, it is distracting having Warner as a partner looking as hot as he does but at least he is beside me and not in my direct view. Instead, I get to look at Sarah and Amy who seem to be flirting? I have never seen Sarah like this around guys and suddenly it makes sense. I was definitely hoping for something to happen tonight between them.

When I glance over at Adam and Emily on the couch, Emily almost on his lap, I realize that Sarah and Amy might not be the only two hooking up tonight.