A/N: this chapter is quite long, the others will be shorter, just wanted a long first chapter so you have something more to read before I get stuck with what happens next :)
The monster month was finally here. October. My favourite time of the year by far, where even the most alternative people get praised for their freaky behaviour and ghoulish make-up. I had done much preparation for the upcoming weeks, making sure everything would be perfect for Halloween night itself. There was still much more to do, with so little time and other people/companies competing to be the best parties in town, so I really did have to go all out. I had planned to hold the party in my place of work - London's Screaming. The store was decorated with spooky attire all year round. With glass displays filled to the brim with skulls pouring dry ice smog into the dimly lit room, crevices holding candle lit lanterns, and smeared bloody handprints filling the chipped stone walls, there was only a few things left to do.
"So, we still need a few people to promote the night in town. I mean, we've got 3 floors to this place, and only enough people to fill 2." I sighed and leaning on the glass counter. Today had been pure planning and I was starting to feel exhausted.
"Sure we do, but I'm sure people will turn up on the night, Acey. We'll be fine! Stop worrying!" She replied. She put both her hands on my shoulders and gave me a little comforting shake.
It's not good enough D, sales aren't great at the moment. We need to up the income before all of us are out of jobs. We'll have to do it ourselves, we don't have the money to employ someone purely to promote."
"Okay, so we will! We can make it fun, can't we? We'll dress up, have a few drinks, and go out with flyers and tell everyone what a great night it's going to be. It'll work out, I promise." She had such a twinkle in her eye, I could tell she honestly wasn't lying to me, she was up for this.
"Yeah, let's not forget we always look ready for Halloween. We got this." I said trying to convince myself this was going to work.
"That's the spirit! Right, so we'll close shop early, go home and get ready and meet back here for 7?" Dixie asked.
"See you then." I said as we both walked out with our bags and locked the doors to the shop.
"I'll bring flyers! She squeeled.
I got home in no more than 15 minutes after leaving the shop. I had most things I'd need to dress up. I walked into my bedroom, the room I took most pride in. I had decorated this room using all the skills I had. The feature wall, where my queen size coffin shaped bed sat against, had a hand painted Edward Scissorhands in black, against the cream. The rest of the walls were black, with white bats painted every so often. I call it my lair :D
I walked over to my closet, and pulled out every single piece of clothing I owned. I found some lacy suspender tights, and a pair of black and white striped hot pants. I paired those with a black lace Victorian shirt and a black blazer. I decided to wear my New Rocks, which I had attached heavy chains and a few spikey studs to. Proceeding to my make-up table, which I had custom made (old black Victorian style) and opened the drawer I kept my best make-up. I coated my skin with Kat Von D's palest foundation, and used a grey blush to outline my cheekbones a little higher than they actually were. I then outlined my eyes with a thick black liner and covered my lids with a matte black eyeshadow, and smudged to create a crying look. I also popped in my white contact lenses I wore quite often. Usually I would draw my eyebrows quite arched, but I decided to draw them higher than I usually would, then added Vampire Red lipstain to my lips. After I'd backcombed my hair and clipped in my black extensions, I was ready to leave. Looking in the mirror at the hot mess I'd just created all in under half an hour, I was pretty pleased with myself :) I was about to grab my keys and bag to head out, when I remembered I'd received my Mehron stage blood in the mail a while back. I grabbed the pot, and dabbed some of the stodgy crimson liquid onto around my face and neck to top off my vampy look then headed out.
"C'mon Dixie, it's freezing..." I muttered to myself. Speaking too soon, I heard a clomping sound coming towards me, a clomping only some really heavy boots would make. I smiled to myself and turned around to see a very pleased with herself Dixie standing with her hand on her hip.
"Girl, you lookin' fine!" She squealed in her best American accent.
"Shut up you goth" I let slip with a smile.
"C'mon!" Dixie said, linking her arm with mine and starting to walk.
We reached the nearest hotspot for tourist and locals, gaining a few stares on the way, by people who clearly thought it was too early for Halloween dress up. We got to the square where we'd be standing for a few hours in the cold.
"Here" D said, handing me a stack of flyers.
"Wow Dixie, these are something else!" I stared in awe, at the white and black sparkly flyers with all the information needed in my hand.
"Dear fellow creepers,
London's Screaming invites you to attend the Monstrous Ball on 31st October 2013 starting 9pm - late. Dress to impress, and no need to bring a thing, just your best scary faces! London's Screaming, as you've never seen before, you have no idea what we've got in store!
This is your ticket. One ticket per person. No ticket, no entry. ID may be required.
See you there!" It read.
"Kodi did them for me. He's so good with stuff like this. Anyway, I'm gonna go get us a few drinks, anything in particular?" She asked.
"Anything."
As she walked off, she handed out flyers to a group of people who she got chatting to. I admire her confidence, I'm nowhere near as outgoing as she is. Taking a different approach, I decided to scare people into taking a leaflet. In which they willingly took. Yay :) Dixie returned a few minutes later with bottles of Corona (She knows me too well), and by the time we had had about 4 bottles each I was feeling a bit merry. Groups and groups of teens were streaming past taking flyers, often asking about it and saying they'd be there. As I was getting more drunk, the more confident I was getting and before I knew it I only had a few flyers left. About 11:30pm we decided to call it a night, so we headed to the nearest pub for a drink. As we were walking, I spotted a group of gothed up guys headed our way.
"Target, 12 o'clock" I whispered and nudged Dixie with my shoulder.
"Oooh, fresh meat!" She exclaimed a little too loudly, and picked up her pace towards the group.
They stopped when she shouted "Boys! What are your plans for Halloween?!" I decided to hold back and let her do the work, she seemed to be liking the attention. I heard muffles, laughing and a couple of 'yes''. Sparking up a cigarette, I sipped on my Corona, but I noticed the shorter guy of the group had jumped up onto the barrier and was looking directly at me.
"Shit..." I whispered to myself. I looked down, and took a few steps back from the lit street. I could feel my cheeks burning. When I couldn't hear Dixie, I stepped in view and she was nowhere to be found. Starting to panic, I looked around aimlessly for any sign of where she might have gone, but nothing. She's just gone off with a group of men she barely knows! I noticed however, that the guy was still sitting on the barrier, smoking a cigarette. I knew I had no other option to approach him.
"Urh, did you see where my friend went?" I asked quietly, looking down.
"Maybe you should look up more often, instead of looking at your feet. I'm not sure, but you might be able to see a lot more." he said, deadly serious. In this American accent?
What? I asked myself. What an idiot.
"Very funny, but I have to find her".
"She's gone with the others to The Witches Cave. I'll.." He began to say, but I cut him off mid sentence.
"I know where I'm going" I rather rudely interrupted.
I crossed the road and saw him jump off the barrier, then he was walking beside me. He was a little taller than me, and his make-up was perfect. He was wearing black bondage skinny jeans dusted with white powder, and a black leather jacket and buckled boots, all dusted with the same white powder. It never crossed my mind until now why the men were dressed like they were. Maybe they were promoting too. I hate to admit it that he was outstandingly good looking.
"You know, I'm one of that group. I'm not to be left behind."
I stopped and looked at him. "You were already left behind.."
"Because I was waiting for you" He said, with a small smile. "Can I have one of those?" He reached out his hand for a flyer.
"Sure...why not" I mumbled miserably.
As he studied it, I stared at him until I realised he was looking straight back at me. Damn.
"I'll be there." He stuffed it into his pocket, starting to walk as I followed behind him.
We got to The Witches Cave and walked into the dimly lit and dingy pub. I heard laughing and spotted Dixie in the corner surrounded by the guys, chatting and talking, drink in hands. I stalked over and sat on the high back chair.
"Whose your friend?" One of them asked.
"Oh this is Acey! My best friend. Acey, meet Chris, Ricky, Ghost, Angelo, Ryan, and I see you've already met Balz" She said pointing to each one of them, and then looking at me with a cheesy grin.
I turned my head back, where balz was sitting on the arm of my chair, rather too close for my liking.
"Balz...?" I sarcastically questioned.
"Yes...?" He returned, just as sarcastic.
"Let's go Dixie, I'm tired." I stood up, and waited by the door as she said her goodbyes. Did I dare take one look at Balz before I left? Yes I did. And there he was, staring right back at me, arms crossed in front of him. I looked away quickly, my cheeks burning that sensation from before and walked out arm in arm with Dixie, wanting to get home and go to sleep.