CH 25: October 31, 2013

I collapsed on a counter dramatically, between Chen, Chanyeol and Suho. “I need a drink.” I placed the back of my hand on my forehead. 

“No, you don't,” Chen answered amusedly. He moved his hand to ruffle my hair, from which I jerked away. 

“Don't touch my hair.” I scowled at Jongdae, who held his hands up as if in surrender. Chanyeol and Suho laughed at the interaction, encouraging him. 

“And here I was, thinking we were friends.”

I rolled my eyes. “Blackmailing is for ugly people,” I warned, picking myself up from the counter before jumping atop it to sit. 

“Fair enough,” Jongdae shrugged, and I kicked him with my heeled boots. “Aish, this kid…” I grinned cheekily as he glared at me. 

“Yah, why didn't you guys dress up?” I pouted, kicking Suho this time. He caught my leg, and answered me while holding it. 

“We didn't know,” he said, somewhat lamely. 

“It's a Halloween party, oppa,” I retorted, “what would you expect.”

Chanyeol responded in his place. “You seem to be dressed up enough for us.” I held my hands to frame my face, smiling sweetly. “What are you supposed to be, anyway?”

I dropped my mouth open in disbelief. “Seriously, Yeol? How do you not know?” I waved my arms around my body. “It's fairly obvious!”

“No, it's not!” He defended. “I don't know anyone that wears a red dress and tall black boots!”

“Okay, one,” I stated, holding up a finger, “these are called ‘thigh-highs’, not ‘tall’, and two-- seriously? A lot of red? A hood? How dumb do you have to be?”

“Well, since when is Little Red Riding Hood’s style this y?” My eyebrows raised at his implication. He said the adjective like a dirty word, the emphasis only worsening the impact. Chen and Suho were evidently as surprised as I. Junmyeon’s head snapped to Chanyeol, his eyes wide and bewildered. Jongdae made choking sounds, and turning away from us, coughed out a laugh. 

I heated up at Chanyeol’s word, remembering the dozens of antis calling me a , suddenly wishing that the hem of my dress was a bit lower, my stockings not dark, my boots not as high. I crumbled for a second, feeling defensive and losing the playful exterior I liked to hold. “What is that supposed to mean?”

“No, I mean, I'm just saying,” Chanyeol turned red. “You know, there's nothing wrong, of course-” I regained my composure, temporarily shutting down my building self pity. 

“Of course there's not. I can dress however I want to.” 

“Of course.” He waved his hands in his desperate agreement with me. I knew my award winning face was “on” as he stared at me, eyes wide and anxious. 

“Alright,” Jongdae walked around Suho, to me, and wrapped an arm around my shoulders. “Lani, did you see the galbi over there? Looks delicious, right? Let's get some. Yeah, yeah, let's go.” 

He all but dragged me, arm still around my shoulder. “Galbi is great, right?” He repeated as we walked. 

“Yeah, it's wonderful, Dae,” I muttered as he led me to the table. 

***

“Do you not know what a half is, Jongdae?” I rolled my eyes as he laughed, holding the two uneven pieces of cake out. 

“Yah, just take it! Be grateful!” He waved the piece of cake in front of