Trick or Treat!

The following days went by without a hitch and as I let all my emotional baggages go, I found myself happier and more contented with my relationship with Raiden. Michelle was right all along. Raiden is a perfect boyfriend and he continues to surprise me with little things. He would set up a picnic at the school lawn, bring me homemade cookies that he baked (or so, he claims) and everyday, he would have little notes and cards for me as well. Not to mention the occasional flowers here and there. What more can a girl ask for?

When I asked him if we could go trick or treating with Michelle and Patrick, he readily said yes. I was quite surprised because he doesn't seem like the type to do kid stuff and I thought maybe he had plans with his friends already. We all decided to go as the Ghostbusters. I think it was cool, but I would have preferred a couple costume or something Tim Burton-y like Jack Skellington and Sally, but Raiden might not be up for something as complicated as that.

Halloween afternoon, he came by the house with some uncarved pumpkins for us, including mom and Jason. I thought that was sweet of him to think of them too. He also had a carved one with Jack and Sally kissing. "This is awesome!" I exclaimed. "I love Nightmare before Christmas!"

"I know!" he said smugly.

I looked at him quizzically and he pointed at Jason. "He told me it's your favorite halloween characters." It seems that Jason found his new best friend. It doesn't hurt that Raiden is the star player of Kennedy High and Jason can brag about him to his friends. It's nice how Raiden would sometimes take him to the park or invite us over to his house to play ball. He basically took over what Mark used to do. I'm just glad Jason didn't ask too many questions about why Mark does not come over anymore. Maybe they still talk and text each other, who knows. I've been to their house a few times, always with Jason though, but I have never met his parents. I guess what he was telling me before was true.

I decided to match his pumpkin with a Jack Skellington one but of course, I failed big time. My family has no artistic talent whatsoever. One thing I achieved though is a creepy and crumbly looking pumpkin with holes that do not make sense. We all ended up laughing at my ambitious try, even mom joined us in the fun.

After the pumpkin carving disaster I decided to excuse myself to change into my costume and Raiden said they're just gonna finish up Jason's (who wanted Minions but is making Raiden do most of the work), and then he'd also change into his too (in the bathroom, not with me in my room). As we were about to go, he invited Jason to come along to my dismay, I was hoping I could get some alone time with him. We never seem to get any these days though we are always together, especially at school.

It was kind of fun to go around with friends though and it also made me happy to see Jason having a blast too. He went as some anime character I don't recognize...Academia something, something. It seems like it's the in thing this year because I saw quite a few kids wearing the same costume. Around 8 pm, Michelle and I got a message that someone from school was having a party and told the guys that we wanted to check it out. I told Michelle we're going to meet them there because Raiden and I will take Jason home first, disregarding his protests that it's that it's still early and that he wanted to go to the party too. I told him to call his friends and his face lit up as if it was a brilliant idea. I told mom we're going to a party but she just dismissed us. She was having wine night with her friends from work and Mark's mom was there too. I felt awkward but she seemed fine, she even told us to have fun and if I see Mark there, to remind him that he's not allowed to drink. I guess she doesn't know that Mark and I barely speak to each other now. I was glad that Raiden stayed in the car.

His mom made me wonder if he's there but I'm sure he is. Taylor and her friends never miss a party and they always make sure they're always the center of attention of course. Since he's with Heather, I'm 100% sure he'll be there. I felt a knot in my stomach and I have this feeling I don't want to go anymore. 'Suck it up Cassie', I told myself, 'It's just Mark and you have nothing to do with each other anymore. He's just another person in the crowd'. I am not going to limit my social life because of him, so I put my gameface on and walked to the car where Raiden's waiting.