Ace's Dare

Sheena Sparrows worked part-time at the college mini-mart in the bookstore at Cal State, Los Angeles.

She saved money on books her Sophomore year with her employee discount.

After her shift ended, she bought a cup of chocolate, frozen yogurt with orange sprinkles from the ice-cream freezer there and ate it at the picnic table outside.

Beautiful Fiona Jones and her handsome boyfriend Tristan George from Advertising class walked up to her holding hands.

"Hi, Sheena," said Fiona with a smile, tossing her long, black hair over her shoulder. "My mom's letting me have a Halloween party this Friday."

"And she's making chicken wings in bourbon . . . so good," said Tristan with anticipation in his gorgeous, blue eyes.

"Your dad didn't say anything?" asked Sheena, twisting her curly, brown hair around her finger anxiously.

"He'll be out of town and my mom's gonna eat and run like always," said Fiona. "She has to work late that night at the hospital. You should come. Nick and Xavier are gonna be there." She winked.

"Nick has a girlfriend," said Sheena.

"He's not married, Sheena," said Fiona with a grin.

"I know. He's fair game," said Sheena.  "I need a ride there though."

"Ask your roommate - Crazy Jane," said Fiona. "She can come."

"That's cool, but her car's run-down. I don't know if it'll make it."

"Mention Xavier and she'll fix it fast," said Fiona. Tristan nodded with a smirk.

On Friday night, Jane poured water into the coolant chamber of her black, pickup truck in the college parking lot and Sheena blasted "Hard Rock Life" by Red Rifles on the radio, sitting in the shotgun seat.

Sheena wore a glittery blouse and tight bell-bottoms with silver, platform shoes, reviving Disco. Jane dressed like Ace Ryder, the lead singer of Red Rifles, wearing a white bandana with a red skull on it over her light-brown hair. Her bony knees poked through her ripped jeans and she tightened the narrow laces on her black, army boots before she hopped in the truck. Her loose white, tank top barely covered her black, sports bra.

Fiona's parents lived in the Hollywood Hills and Sheena guided Jane through the maze of streets that twisted up higher and higher.

Finally, Jane drove to the last house on Skylight Road at the cul de sac and parked on the street. She beamed at Sheena. The black clunker made it after all.

The song "Black Wolf" by Red Rifles played loudly from the enormous, white house decorated with cobwebs, spiders and bats. Several fake gravestones stood up on the wide, front lawn.

Before Sheena and Jane knocked on the front door, Tristan jumped out from the shrubs, wearing a wolf-man mask.

"Errrrh!" he said, growling. Sheena covered her heart and Jane stepped back frightfully.

Tristan took his mask off and laughed.

"Uncool, dude!" said Jane, slugging his arm. "Way to scare the hell outta me!"

"It's Halloween," said Tristan. "You should've seen the look on your faces."

"Not funny, Tristan," said Sheena. "Wait 'till I'm drunk first."

Fiona opened the front door dressed like a vampire queen. "Play nice, Babe," she said. "Love the look, Sheena. Hi, Jane - Ace Ryder, right?"

"You know it," said Jane. "Best voice in Rock. Here for the beer!" Jane headed for the kitchen and Fiona smiled nervously.