Luke's POV

"Luke, stop eating the candy! We have to save it for trick-or-treaters!" my dad says, slapping my hand out of the bowl. I toss a piece of candy into my mouth and shrug.

Halloween never really interested me. I always just stole a bag of candy from my mom and hid it in my room. It was easier than going through the hassle of finding a costume that I'd only wear once.

"Do you want to give out candy or have me do it?" my dad asks.

I point to him. I don't want to be standing here all night giving out candy. I'll probably watch some scary movies or sleep.

Calum stands beside me, flexing in the mirror.

"What are you doing?" I ask him, trying not to laugh.

"I'm punk rock, I do what I want," he yells.

I burst out into laughter, and Calum glares at me. "Putting on a fake tattoo sleeve and wearing eyeliner doesn't make you punk rock."

"Excuse me, it's called guyliner."

"Who are you even dressed as?" I ask him, still laughing.

"I've told you! Billie Joe Armstrong from Green Day!"

"Then you can walk a lonely road trick-or-treating down your Boulevard of broken dreams because no one will know who you are."

"Shut up. You're dressed as a penguin!"

"My penguin is cute," I pout. I cross my arms over my chest as best as I can since I'm in a full penguin suit. "And Delia is going as one too."

"How adorable," Calum says sarcastically.

"You're just jealous," I say, walking out of the room. I end up stepping on the fabric that's covering my foot and falling down.

"Looks like wittle Lucas has to learn to waddle," Calum says in a baby voice. He starts cracking up and holds onto his stomach as he laughs.

"I hate you," I mumble, my voice muffled since I'm face first in the carpet. Even I start to laugh at myself.

Delia walks in and sees me on the floor. "Did he fall again?" Even without seeing her, I can tell she's smiling.

Calum nods, still laughing.

"You'd think a 16 year old would be able to walk with ease," she says, laughing.

"I can't help it. I tripped on the fabric."

"You're such a dork," Delia says.

"But I'm your dork," I say, smiling cheesily.

That was last year when I was forced to go trick-or-treating. It ended up being a lot of fun, even though I was mistaken for a 12 year old boy in my costume.

Someone knocks on the door, so I grab a handful of candy since my dad is upstairs. It's still really early for kids to start coming, but maybe Americans start earlier.

I open the door to reveal a smiling Ashton and Delilah. I wasn't expecting them to be the ones here.

"Happy Halloween!" Ashton shouts, walking inside. He shoves a bag into my hands. "That's your costume. We guessed on the size, but it should fit."

What? They got me a costume?

I stare at the bag, not moving. I'm kind of shocked. I wasn't planning on going out tonight. I especially wasn't planning for them to show up with a costume for me.

"C'mon! Look at it!" Ashton says.

I look into the bag and pull out the costume. It's a giant bag of skittles. I hold it up in the air, holding back a smile. I bite on my lip ring and hold the costume tightly.

"Do you like it?" Delilah asks.

I nod very fast.

"We were so nervous you would hate it! Let's go get ready then!" Delilah says, a smile growing on her face.

She runs into the bathroom, Ashton goes downstairs, and I go into my room. I put the costumes over my clothes that I already have on. It fits perfectly. Calum would find this hilarious. I decide to take a picture and send it to him. He responds almost immediately, which I didn't expect. It's not Halloween in Australia, it's already early tomorrow morning.

Calum from da Hood: Hahahahahaha! LAD! Wish I was there to see it.

I smile and put my phone in my pocket, which is quite hard since I have the Skittles costume on.

I walk out of my room and Ashton is standing in the living room. He's dressed as a giant banana.

"We're going with the food thing," he says, referring to out costumes.

Delilah walks out dressed as a hot dog. She looks upset, and Ashton starts laughing.

"Ashton, you told me you got me an ice cream, not a hot dog," Delilah pouts.

"What's the fun in an ice cream? This way I can call you hot, dawg," Ashton tells her, laughing even more.

Delilah rolls her eyes, but I can tell she's trying not to laugh too. "You're so weird!" She slaps his arm, and he pretends it hurts.

I wonder if they're dating or just friends.

My dad walks into the room and smiles. "I thought you had no plans tonight, Luke?"

"We surprised him!" Ashton says, still rubbing his arm where Delilah hit him.

"Let me go get my camera! You all look great!" My dad runs off into his room, quickly returning with his camera. "Go stand over there, the lighting is good!" He pushes us all to one side of the room. "Luke, smile just a little, please."

I smile, not a teeth smile, but I smile. I notice Delilah quickly look up at me and back at the camera before the photo is taken. She puts her arm around me and her other arm around Ashton since she's in the middle. I look down at her, and she smiles. I hesitantly wrap my arm around her too.

"Perfect!" my dad says, taking the picture.

"Okay, let's go then!" Ashton says, grabbing three pillow cases and giving them to each of us.

We walk outside, the sun still slightly setting. We get some weird looks from younger kids that we pass.

"Are you a banana?" a boy dressed as a pirate asks Ashton.

"Yes."

"That's stupid."

"Actually, bananas are quite delicious. They are also high in potassium and magnesium. They'll help stop your poop too, young boy," Ashton says in all seriousness.

"You're weird," he says, walking away.

Delilah starts laughing and so does Ashton. I can't believe he just said that.

"Did you see the look he gave you?" Delilah says in between laughs.

"Just spreading my knowledge," Ashton says.

After two hours of trick-or-treating, we've gotten to every house in the neighborhood. It was really fun, surprisingly. The neighbors thought it was funny that we dressed up, and they loved our costumes. Some people gave us strange looks, but that's okay. There was also some of those annoying people that force you to say trick-or-treat. Thankfully, Ashton explained my situation so I got the candy.

We're heading back to my house now, and we're walking extremely slow. I forgot how much Halloween exhausts me. Ashton rummages through his pillow case, looking for some Twix.

It's weird how things have turned out with them and myself. Things are still slightly awkward with Delilah, but it's getting better. I'm getting closer with Ashton, I may even consider him a friend. I'm not sure yet though.

I hold up a piece of unfamiliar candy to Delilah. Most of this American candy isn't in Australia, and if it is, it's usually only in a few special candy stores.

"That's Reese's. There's peanut butter in the middle. They're really good," she tells me.

I open up the package, and there's two cup-like chocolates. I take one for myself and give one to Delilah. She smiles as she slowly takes it out of my hand.

I take a small bite at first. It's surprisingly very good.

"Do you like it?" Delilah asks, chewing on her Reese's.

I nod, taking another bite.

I can't help but think that Delia would have loved to be here. She always liked holidays, every single one. She would have loved trying all the American candy and dressing up as food.

I try to push the thoughts out of my mind and focus on Ashton and Delilah, not Delia.

"Hey, guys," Ashton says. "There's this haunted house starting at 10:00 tonight. It's 8:30 right now. Do you wanna go?"

Delilah says yes, and they both look at me, waiting for my answer.

The last time I went to a haunted house, I was 10 years old, and I ran out screaming. I haven't gone to one since. It was extremely traumatizing and embarrassing.

For some reason, I nod.

*

We're standing outside the haunted house, waiting in line. We're no longer in our costumes, we're just dressed normally.

It's pitch black outside, the only light is the green luminescence of the haunted house. I can hear groans and screams from inside. I have to admit that I'm nervous.

"If someone jumps out, you guys better protect me," Delilah says.

"I can't make any promises," Ashton says.

"Luke seems trustworthy. You won't get scared, right?" Delilah asks me.

I shake my head no, even though I know I will get scared.

Before I know it, it's our turn to go in. I hear Delilah take in a deep breath before we step inside.

At least this time I know I won't scream.

We walk through the path, nothing to scary yet. There's just some weird noises and pictures on the walls. All of a sudden, a giant, bloody zombie jumps out. Ashton screams like a girl and jumps at least a foot back. Delilah stops breathing for a second, and I do too. She starts laughing at Ashton afterwards.

"You're such a wimp!" she says.

"I can't help it! He attacked me!"

"He jumped out! He didn't even touch you!"

We continue walking extremely slow, all of us nervous for what will happen. My heart is racing, but not in a bad way. It's just the adrenaline, not real fear for once.

A man with a chain saw runs out in front of the path, standing in front of us.

"Ohmygod ohmygod ohmygod," Ashton screams, moving backwards. He crashes into me and screams before he realizes it's just me.

"Holy shit," Delilah mumbles. We've all ended up huddled together not moving.

I'm so nervous, I didn't expect it to be this life like.

Suddenly, a bloody woman jumps out, screaming. She quickly runs back and disappears.

Delilah screams and grabs my hand tightly, putting her head into my chest. I can feel her heart beating quickly and hear her fast breaths.

Ashton is continuously screaming swears and ohmygod's. It's actually kind of funny to see him this scared.

The chainsaw starts up, and I hug Delilah tightly out of fear.

"Why did we come here?" Delilah mumbles, still not letting go of my hand or moving away from me.

"I just peed myself!" Ashton announces.

I can hear Delilah laughing a little at Ashton.

"Guys, I really peed. This is bad. This is really bad."

The guy with the chainsaw keeps amping it up, and Ashton finally flips out.

"CAN YOU STOP THE FREAKING CHAINSAW AND GET OUT OF HERE? I JUST PEED MYSELF, AND I'M LOSING MY SHIT. JUST SHOW ME THE DAMN EXIT," Ashton screams.

The chainsaw stops, and the guy leaves slowly. Delilah awkwardly moves away from me and stops holding my hand. I wipe my sweaty palm on my pant leg.

"Luke's going in front from now on," Ashton mumbles, holding his hand in front of the wet spot on his pants. I can't believe he actually peed himself.

We make it out within the next five minutes, the rest not being too scary. Ashton still screamed occasionally whenever a hand popped out or someone walked by. Delilah kept making tiny shrieks and squeaking noises.

"I've never been so scared," Delilah says when we're out.

"I need a new pair of pants," Ashton whines.

Delilah laughs at Ashton, who is still covering the wet spot.

Tonight ended up being so much fun. Even though I was kind of scared in the haunted house, it was really great. I'm starting to feel like I may belong here.

I didn't proof read some of this so i'm sorry if there's mistakes.

ilysm and i hope you liked this

-ashley