Excerpt: Costume Curse

The day of the party arrived and Tara and Christine went to Marissa’s apartment. Christine took pictures of Marissa modeling in her gown and posing with her bow while they waited for Tara to finally come out of the bathroom.

“You can’t hide in there all night, sis,” called Christine.

“Oh yes I can,” Tara called back. “I can’t believe you’re making me wear this. I look like a hooker.”

“Come out and we’ll be the judges on that,” said Marissa, putting the final touches on her makeup.

With a heavy dramatic sigh, Tara emerged from the bathroom wearing a black mini skirt, high boots, and a dark green, long sleeved top that was low cut and showed her stomach. Her long red hair was pulled up and curled and she wore deep red lipstick, green eye shadow and eye liner. It was more make up than she wore in her life and more skin than she ever cared to show.

“Wow!” exclaimed Christine. “That bass player is going to go non-verbal when he sees you.”

“Oh, shush,” said Tara, turning red. “He doesn’t even know I exist.”

“He will now,” said Christine.

“You’re a dish,” said Marissa, leading her friend to the full length mirror in her bedroom. “I mean really.”

“But, this isn’t me,” Tara said quietly. She grabbed her ghost costume and held it over her bare stomach.

Marissa smiled. “You’re missing the whole point of Halloween.”

“Free candy?” Tara jokingly asked.

“No,” said Marissa, rolling her eyes. “That’s just a perk. It’s Come As You Aren’t night. It’s the perfect opportunity for a girl to get sexy and wild with no repercussions.”

Tara shook her head. “Oh, no. I don’t get wild. Wild on me equals spaz.”

“Don’t underestimate yourself,” said Marissa. “You got it in you.”