Halloween <b>Special </b>– Memories of a Friend <b>(</b>Part 2<b>)</b>
“When you have a friend by your side that helps you to find the beauty <i>of </i>all when you’ll open your heart and believe in the gift of a friend.” – “Gift of a Friend by Demi Lovato
Kiya
Alesia’s thumb went to <b>wipe </b>the traitorous tears from my cheeks, catching them before they continued to <b>rain </b>on her mate’s thigh. “I hate remembering. It hurts all the <b>time</b><b>.</b>”
“Remembering can be a good <b>thing</b>, Little Bit.” Anthony’s fingers caressed my curls mindful of the silvered circlet resting underneath the <byers</b>. “It means you haven’t forgotten. And it shows just how much Nuria meant to you. I can tell that you loved her, and she loved you.”
Through my tears, another small smile surface on my face as another memory of Nuria’s presence ys; her small form in a <b>halo</b>. “She was always decked out in gold and orange. I remember her wings were <b>a </b>translucent yellow that always went crooked in the breeze because she ran too much. <b>She </b>was a trailzer on Halloween. night, hitting people with her fairy wand whenever they were disrespectful to anyone. Somehow, that always kept the peace<b>.</b>”
“Well, no one can go against the word of the Alpha’s daughter.” Alesia chuckled, rubbing her stomach lovingly. “Ximena would be the same. I can feel it.”
“I can too.” My hand went to her pregnant belly, my smile <b>widening </b>when I felt a little kick. I’m going to <b>love </b>that baby more than life itself. “Nuria was the pack angel, <b>and </b>now she’s a <b>real </b>one. Lost too soon.”
“Is that why you’re dressed as a Moon Fairy?” Anthony suddenly asked. “To honor her?”
My breath trapped itself at <b>the </b>base of my throat. Am I that easy to figure out? “Yes. I did. To deviate from our little tradition didn’t feel right. But…I didn’t know how hard it would be without my partner–in–crime.”
“Little Bit…”
“I should’ve hidden in my room as usual.” My hands balled into fists, shaking in the essence of <b>failure</b>. My failure. “<b>Goddess</b>, I’m so pathetic.”
“Hey!” Both our heads shot to Alesia, who’s ring at me with the force of a million suns. The Alpha’s re <b>has </b>nothing on his Luna. “Don’t talk that way about my favorite person in the world.”
“I thought I was your favorite person.” Anthony mocked hurt, his bottom lip quivering for emphasis. Jeez, what a goofball.
“You <b>are</b>, but you’re in a separate category.” Alesia shot him a wink before looking at me. “Anyway, back to you, youngdy.”
“Great.”
“<b>You’re </b><b>not </b>pathetic. Far from it. You’ve grown so much since you’ve been here, and I couldn’t be any prouder. Your parents would be so proud of you. This night stirs up a lot of emotion in you, and that’s okay. The fact that you’vee <b>out </b>of your room and tried to enjoy this night is a testament to your bravery. You wanted to have fun and be happy not just for yourself, but for yourte friend.”
Special–Memones of a Friend (Part 2)
“Few people dare to do that, you know?” Anthony added. “You came out, wear the costume that meant so much <b>to </b>you, and walked into our party. If Nuria was alive, she’d be proud of you.<b>”</b>
“You think so?”
“Yep.” My brother nodded in pride. “You never forgot about her. Maybe she’s celebrating Halloween in the heavens in her special way.”
Oddly, that thought brought mefort. My best friend is an angel alongside Angelika celebrating in heaven. I expected tears, but all I got are bubbles of happiness. “Knowing her<b>, </b>she’s probably zipping through the clouds bonking people on the head.”
The couple chuckled along with me.
“How are you feeling now?” Alesia asked, ying with my <b>hair</b>, mindful of the silver circlet underneath theyers. “If you want to go back to your room, I understand.”
“No, no…it’s fine.” I insisted. “I…I want to go back to the party.”
“Are you sure?” Anthony questioned.
“Yeah. Halloween happens once a year<b>, </b>right<b>? </b>I want to enjoy tonight, for myself and Nuria.”
My brother <b>and </b>sister–inw shared a <b>look </b>that expressed joy and warmth. In the middle between the trapped heat, I fell into a deep sense offort. I felt loved and <b>cared </b>for. Memories of Nuria still hurt. I still carry the guilt of her death deep in my heart. No matter how many times people tell me, I still feel that I yed a part in her passing.
ill ever po
I don’t think away.
But I want to have fun tonight. Ease the burden of the agony her memory brings.
Tonight, I want to party for her as if she were still alive with me.
Anthony and Alesia helped me up on my feet, although it turned to us helping Alesia up with her belly. <b>I </b>can’t imagine how hard it must be to carry children. I don’t think I’ll ever have children, although I love them a lot.
“Alright then.” My brother smiled. “Let’s go back.”
“What about the bottles?” I asked<b>, </b>pointing to the litter of ck at our <b>feet</b>.N?velDrama.Org holds ? this.
“Oh, don’t worry. You’ll be carrying your mess back home.”
I <b>should’ve </b>expected that.
The two of them went ahead while I picked up the empty bottles off the ground. Perched on a branch is Diana, my beloved owl. Her golden eyes look upon me with affection. I swear, there has to be a person underneath
that ruffle of feathers.
“Hi. Enjoying this Halloween night?” I asked her, expecting an answer. Diana merely stared at me before fluttering over, pressing her beak to my cheek, and fluttering back to her branch.
Did…Did she just kiss <b>me</b><b>? </b>I swear, there’s more to that nocturnal cotton–ball than <b>meets </b>the <b>eye</b>.
Halloween Special emories of a Friend (Part 2<b>)</b>
As I made my way back to <b>the </b>pack house<b>, </b>I tossed the empty bottles in the avable trash bin. I never got that alcoholic buzz, but that didn’t matter to me. I wanted to remember this night. Walking the path to the back of the house, the party is in full swing.
All members: young and old, light and dark, tall <b>and </b>short, <b>are </b>all dressed in various costumes. Frankenstein, deities, movie characters<b>, </b>cartoon characters, and more filled in the color on this night. Music boomed to a heavy beat that thumped with the rhythm of my heart, drawing me into its magic. Pack members moved their bodies to the music as the children yed with one another in between the spaces. It’s a night for everyone to be themselves and truly fall in love with what <b>this </b>annual night offered.
Despite the music drawing me in, the food table had a stronger pull.
Scampering over in my sandals, I immediately grabbed a te and filled with deviled eggs, warm sliders, chocte cake, and a candied apple. Had to add thest one in there for health reasons. It’s an apple!
“BAWK!”
“Goddamnit!” I whip my head to my side to see Galen, dressed in a bright yellow chicken costume<b>, </b>serving me a shit–eating grin. “<b>You’re </b>lucky I like you or else I’d sock you in the face.”
“Aww, she likes me! She really likes me!” Galen blubbered, fake wiping his tears. “d to <b>see </b>you back at the party. Got worried for <b>a </b><b>sec </b>there that you wouldn’te back.”
“Yeah, I needed <b>a </b>pep talk,” <b>I </b>admitted with a small <b>smile</b>. “Any <b>ns </b>for after the party?”
I <b>got </b>a date with a handsome young man.” He waggles his eyebrows suggestively. “This chicken costume works like magic, Kiki<b>. </b>Just as chickens pick up <b>seeds</b>, I picked up a good–looking one myself.”
“…You might pick up more seedster tonight, though.”
“The saltier the better. I like them sa
“<b>You’re </b>so filthy.” Darien, dressed as Leon Kennedy from Resident Evil, walked over with a grimace. “Don’t you have any decency, Gal?”
*Decency <b>is </b>overrated<b>,</b>” Galen smirked, wiggling a finger. “<b>In </b>my night of debauchery, such a term is dead until the morning of November First. Spot any women you like? You might get lucky tonight!”
“Fat chance. I’m saving myself for my mate; you know this.”
I wonder what Darien’s mate will be like. He deserves nothing but the best. From the corner of my eye, <b>a </b>trio of women walked over in a gaggle ofughter. Jackie is dressed as Wonder Woman, Abigail is dressed as Dorothy from The Wizard of Oz, and Sapphire is dressed as L Bunny. Waving them over, they practically <b>skipped </b>to me and our bickering friends.
“Hey<b>, </b>fancy seeing you again!” <b>Sapphire </b>pulled me into a hug. “How are you feeling?”
“I’m feeling better. Thank you.” I looked at the couple. “I see you both have been having fun<b>.</b>”
“Is it showing through my <b>sweat</b>?” Jackie asked with a smug smile.
“No. Abi’s lipstick is all over your cheek.”
“Oops.” Abigail giggled ‘innocently‘ as Jackle averted her eyes in embarrassment. I can’t tell if she’s blushing. but I’m sure she is. “Want me to get a napkin and wipe it off, my love?”
“No way!” The Beta rejected, protecting her cheek. “There’s no way I’d wipe away the lips from my mate!”
“Are you going to eat all of that?” <b>Sapphire </b>suddenly asked, pointing to my te full of various Halloween food. My answer was stuffing my mouth with three deviled eggs. “Why did I even bother to ask?”
I can’t help <b>that </b>I love food. Is that such a crime? Chuckling, the six of us delved into conversation whilst I ate my food, Grabbing a bottled juice and chugging it, I felt a renewed sense of energy. It’s boundless and overflowing. I never felt happier and greater.
Oddly enough, I know Nuria is with me. Watching me from the heavens. Part of me <b>wishes </b>that I could have seen her when I was in the Realm of the Moon Goddess. If I had, what would our meeting have been like? She has her wolf, so I assume she grew up. Then again, I don’t think she would’ve been happy to see how <b>much </b>my body had taken damage since she died.
It was for the best. One day, when my time is up on this earth, we’d be together again.
<b>She’s </b>my ride<b>–</b>or–die. Even in heaven.
The booming music of the ‘Spooky Scary Skeletons‘ remix knocked me hack into reality, filling my body up with the rhythm of fun and craziness. My friends and I pulled each other into the crowd where we bumped and grooved to the fast–paced beat of the <b>music</b>,ughing at our silliness. The full moon shone overhead, bright as a diamond–me. Moonlight danced across the worn–out grass as Selene, I’m <b>sure</b>, is watching us <b>with </b><b>a </b>smile on her face.
Her children <b>are </b>happy. Her children are having fun.
I’m having fun.
Π
After the party, I walked into a clearing in the woods where the moon shone the brightest. In my <b>palm </b>rested a monarch butterfly with wings fluttering gently in the breeze. It must have stopped by on its migrating journey down south. Its wings and orange color reminded <b>me </b>of Nuria in
rsun fairy costume. Brigh beautiful, <b>and </b><b>adventurous</b>. My gazended on the full moon with its glow cast above me.
<b>Silver </b>magic warmed <b>me </b>from head to toe. It made me smile.
“Hey, Nuria,” I whispered into the silent air. “I know you couldn’t join me today and I miss you. Every single day. I did it though.” <b>Tears </b>began welling up in my eyes. “I partied for you. I had fun for you. If you were here today, with me, I’m sure you’d <b>be </b>the life of the party. Would we still be our fairies? I’d like to think <b>so</b>.”
1 heaved a deep sigh. “I hope you’re resting easy up there. I hope you and your mother are doing alright. I miss <b>her </b>too. <b>One </b>day, we will meet again. I’m sure of it.”
Lifting my hand, I watched as the monarch butterfly in my palms flew <b>towards </b>the sky. Its tiny, fluttering body had the halo of silver <b>around </b>it, pping into the heavens.
“Happy Halloween, Nuria. I love you.”