Death could be so unpredictable, am I right? You see I never really pictured how I'll die. My life was okay, or as okay as okay could be for me. Haunted from my past. Always pretending. Except with Adrian. My Adrian. With him I can be happy.
But t...
She's smiling, the wrinkles by her pale eyes creased. Happy, happy, happy, so, so, so, so happy. She was happy. And I killed that.
Sniffling, I place the picture back into the worn-out album, and then put it back on the shelf.
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Tonight I am not guilty, not guilty, not guilty, not guilty, not guilty, not guilty, not guilty, not guilty, not guilty, not guilty, not guilty, not guilty, not guilty, not guilty, not guilty, not guilty, not guilty, not guilty, not guilty, not guilty, not guilty, not guilty, not guilty, not guilty, not guilty, not guilty, not guilty, not guilty, not guilty, not guilty, not guilty, not guilty, not guilty, not guilty, not guilty, not guilty, not guilty, not guilty, not guilty, not guilty, not guilty, not guilty, not guilty, not guilty, not guilty, not guilty, not guilty, not guilty, not guilty, not guilty, not guilty, not guilty, not guilty, not guilty, not guilty, not guilty, not guilty, not guilty, not guilty, not guilty, not guilty, not guilty, not guilty, not guilty, not guilty, not guilty, not guilty, not guilty, not guilty, not guilty, not guilty.
And not crazy, not crazy, not crazy, not crazy, not crazy, not crazy, not crazy, not crazy, not crazy, not crazy, not crazy, not crazy, not crazy, not crazy, not crazy, not crazy, not crazy, not crazy, not crazy, not crazy, not crazy, not crazy, not crazy, not crazy, not crazy, not crazy, not crazy, not crazy, not crazy, not crazy, not crazy, not crazy, not crazy, not crazy, not crazy, not crazy, not crazy, not crazy, not crazy, not crazy, not crazy, not crazy, not crazy, not crazy, not crazy, not crazy, not crazy, not crazy, not crazy, not crazy, not crazy, not crazy, not crazy, not crazy, not crazy, not crazy, not crazy, not crazy, not crazy, not crazy, not crazy, not crazy, not crazy.
Tonight I am a new Shelby Morganstein. I am changed.
***
Adrian slides his hand in mine. 2 sweaty palms pressed together, 10 fingers interlaced.
Hand in hand we make our way through the school building toward the party. I can already hear the music, the freshly mopped floor vibrating below us.
"I better not bust my eardrums tonight."
Adrian laughs. "Here you can stuff your ears with this." He rips off some tin foil from his costume.
I can feel a smile making its way onto my face. "I'll pass on that offer, but thank you, Mr. Tin Man, for your generosity."
"Anytime Dorothy. I am always here to serve you."
"Oh, is that so?" I smirk. "Well, then I'm very tired and could really use a lift."
He actually surprises me by going along with my joke. "Climb on then."
"Ok."
With him crouching a bit, I hop onto his back, 2 arms wrapped around a broad neck, and 1 small pulse tapping against my skin. He then hooks my legs into the crook of his elbows.
"You good?"
"Yeah, I just can't believe you're going to piggyback me into the gym."
"You ask, I serve. Remember?"
And then we're off.
People watch us, judging the adorable-looking Tin Man carrying the sweet Dorothy on his back through the Halloween-themed hallways. Screw them all.
Adrian returns me to solid ground once we enter the gym. Now hand in hand again we make our way across the room toward the drink table.
"Punch?"
"Yeah, thanks."
While Adrian serves us, I allow my eyes to roam over the large room, drawing in everything through the thin layer of fog pumping out of the fog machine. Ghosts and bats are hanging from the ceiling, bloodspots staining the floor, and my friends who are enjoying themselves partying on the dance floor--- Sierra is a fairy princess, while Ellie and Robin are dressed as Bonnie and Clyde, they do make a beautiful power couple.
"Your drink."
I focus on Adrian, and taking the pumpkin orange cup from him, I say, "Thanks."
I then take a sip of the bloody red juice, the sweetness lighting up my tastebuds.
Once we finish off our drinks, Adrian turns to me with a huge smile plastered onto his breathtakingly handsome face. "Would you have this dance, oh fine gentlewoman?"
I laugh, just like I did back at Ron's farewell party. "I would love to."
And then we dance. Not like we danced so many times before, this--- this is different with his hands on my waist and my hands pressed against his chest. I can feel his heart racing along with mine.
His forehead now leans against mine, his big, beautiful evergreen eyes drawing me in. "Shelby," he murmurs.
"Yeah."
"I heard that they're having an afterparty at our clearing, you in?"
I smile. "Heck yeah."
I then take a step closer to him, removing my hands from his chest so I can rest my head there instead, ear pressed against a thumping heart. His chin buries itself in my hair and I feel his Adam's apple bob up and down as he speaks, "I can't believe I'm actually holding you like this."
Tilting my head back, I look into his eyes. "Like a couple."
He smiles. "Yeah."
"Me neither."
I swear a whole flock of 100 butterflies has just migrated into my stomach, as Adrian's eyes dart down to my lips. I can't wait any longer. Getting onto my tippytoes, I make our lips meet for the very first time. And it's perfect. So, so, so perfect, as our mouths move in sync.
I never want this moment to end.
But Adrian ruins it when he breaks away, his forehead resting against mine once again, our noses brushing. "Wow, Shelby."
All I do is giggle. "Oh shut up, Big A."
His hands slide down to the small of my back, setting my body ablaze. "What if I don't want to?"
"Then I'll make you," I smirk.
"Oh really?"
I nod.
"Show me..."
So I do by kissing him again with all that I have, proving to all those around us that Adrian Malik and Shelby Morganstein are not just best friends, but also boyfriend and girlfriend.
