I reached out for my energy drink as I wrote down some notes for the upcoming math test. As soon as I got home, I had kept myself occupied with my studies, wanting to be as ready as I could be to guarantee an outstanding score. 

I stretched my arms high in the air behind my back, feeling a bit sore from all the hours I had been sitting still on the black leather chair. I wasn’t planning to do anything else this weekend, until my phone buzzed in a familiar pattern. With no hesitation, I took it up and answered, taking another sip of my drink as I did.

- Hello?

- Yoo! Are you ready to get over here yet?

- ...What?

- Don’t tell me you already forgot! It’s Halloween today you idiot!

I took a moment to reflect on the situation, my anxiety creeping its way up, making my hair stand on edge. I had been too focused on studies that I had completely forgotten about the Halloween party. Last time we spoke about it I wasn't even sure I wanted to go, but Aria and Evelynn were practically begging me to come along and that we could even meet up at Evelynn's apartment before to get those negative thoughts away. However now I was unsure, my whole body screamed not to go and stay home where I felt safe and relaxed. 

But if I were to convince them to go without me what excuse would I even tell them? I swallowed hard, enough to probably make Aria hear it before getting back to our conversation. 

- I might have forgotten yes...

- But let me guess, you are having second thoughts about it?

- ...maybe.

- Eli for fucks sake! I know it’s hard for you to get out of that safety bubble of yours but if you want to make that dream of yours come true you are gonna have to!

- ...Promise me both of you won’t leave me at the party?

- Of course! Don’t worry! We got you babe!

In a way it felt more reassuring to hear those words from her, erasing all my reasons to stay behind.

- I will be at Evelynn's in about 10 minutes.

- YASSSSSS! See you soon!

With that I hung up, looking at the black dark screen before getting some other clothes on. It didn’t take long before I got to Evelynn’s place, ringing the buzzer by the entrance to the apartment building before hearing the satisfying sound of the door unlocking.

I didn’t waste any time getting into the elevator and reaching her front door. But before I could even knock, the door swung open and two hands took a hold of my arms, dragging me inside the fancy apartment.

- Finally! About time you got here!

- I-I got here as soon as I could!

They both took a step back from me, inspecting me as they gave me a disappointing look.

I knew what they were thinking, making me nervous as to what they would say.

- You...you are going like that? As yourself?

Called it. As I had forgotten about the whole party and all, I had as well forgotten to get a costume of any sort. Before leaving home I had just put on my black skinny jeans and a black ribbed tank top, as well as a black choker. I was hoping I was gonna get away with it if I went with the theme of darkness, but of course none of them were satisfied.

- I didn’t have the time to get a costume okay.

- Well this won’t do! Evelynn don’t you have something he can borrow?

- I can see what I have yes. Just give me a second.

Aria took my hand, leading me to the nearest sofa and gently made me sit there as we waited for Evelynn to go get something.

I could only hope that it wasn't anything that would make me ashamed of my appearance. It didn’t take long before she came back to us with a bunch of clothes under her arm. 

- Ooo! Let’s see what we have!

Aria dove into the pile, throwing the clothes around as she looked through it. Evelynn had joined me on the sofa, both of us waiting for whatever horror she would find.

- Not this one, Oh! Maybe this one! Oh.. nevermind it’s too small.

It was quite amusing seeing her make a mess, making me almost forget about all the reasons I didn’t want to come along in the first place.

- OHHHHHH MY GOD YES. I found it! This is soooo purrfect!

She said as she held the single piece of clothing in her hands, smirking big and bright. I could almost not see what it was until Evelynn took it from her and held it up instead. The red silk gave it away as I looked at them annoyed.

- Are you serious?

- What? It’s just perfect!

- RED RIDING HOOD.

- Yeah I actually like the idea.

- No way!

- Oh yes way! Come on!

- Do you guys even know who’s gonna be at the party?

- Well yeah of course, we invited them, remember?

- Well, If I wear this, going as the red riding hood, won’t that just scream “Hey Shawn! Why don’t you eat me?”

- OMG...I love that idea!

- Please stop. When did the two of you go from “helping me be more acceptable of alphas” to “shipping me with Shawn”?

They both paused, looking at each other before continuing to smirk teasingly at me.

- For me...since the start to be honest. But! Most of all we are doing this to not put you guys together, but to help you warm up to being friends.

- Well the shipping part is all Aria.

- Then let's stay like that cause there’s no way we'll ever be a thing.

Both of them agreed to stop interfering in mine and Shawn's business, Aria having it hard to let it go but agreed as well in the end. 

To be honest I don’t even know where they got the idea in the first place. He’s an Alpha and I’m a Beta, there’s nothing we have in common for us to take that kind of step towards each other. Plus my type is someone who’s dominant and takes charge, Shawn is the complete opposite of that.

We left the conversation at that, getting properly dressed and then heading towards the party where the others were waiting.