All Hallow's Eve

"Give it up. What's with the you tonight." Katie asked.

I shrugged, which I'm apt to do, but all three could sense there was more to it. I have to give Lisa and Melina credit but Katie knew I why I was riding in my own world solo tonight.

"Just pondering this weekend and trying to figure out what I'm going to be doing and so far I'm coming up dry."

I turned my gaze down to the my plate and poked at the crust with an extended index figure as though trying to find it appealing once again.

"We're having a party Sunday if you'd like to come." Melina offered.

This revelation snapped my head up where I met her eyes looking for any sign of deceit. Any other time, my sister was spending weeks to talk up events at the sorority, trying to get me to commit. I was getting better about going now and I couldn't think of any reason why she wouldn't have mentioned it. I shot locked on her with a glance but it was her turn to exchange uneasy glances between her cohorts. Her eyes darted my way for a second before returning to her plate.

"I don't think he's . . . ready for our All Hollow's Eve party this year. Maybe next year."

I looked at all three but couldn't figure out what they were referring to.

"Ready?" I queried. "How exactly does one get ready for a Halloween party?"

Lisa's mouth opened, possibly getting ready to utter some clue but the only sound I heard was my sister verbally stepping in.

"The All Hollow Eve's party isn't your ordinary sorority affair. It's . . . intimate and by strict invitation only I might add." She said, as though admonishing our guests.

They both nodded, as though feeling guilty of some unseen indiscretion and became quiet, finishing off the food that was left on the table.

"You're joking, right?" I asked incredulously. "How exactly does one prepare for a Halloween party?"

"It's complicated." Lisa tried to explain, but it was clear that I wasn't going to let a perfect opportunity like this just slip away since I didn't already have a plan in place.