Later that day, students and staff were adding the last decorations in the school as it would be a Halloween Ball later that night since Halloween was on the weekend, so they had it this Friday. There were fake spider webs, ghosts, and ghouls scattered about in the halls and classrooms with real and faux pumpkins. The halls were booming with talk of the middle school ball and after-parties; it was the school's highlight, and everyone was excited about it, especially Dylan. 

Rulan couldn't help but chuckle at him as he listened to his friends talk about holiday fun. Rulan never understood it, even back then, but he enjoyed watching his friends' excitement. He wasn't a trick-or-treater, but he loved the movies that came out during the time. Without knowing, he was poking at his food as his thoughts went on over things that he could be doing after school for this year's Halloween...maybe, he could ask Dylan to come over this time just being them two compared to how it's always with a group of friends. The thought made him blush a bit. 

It didn't take long until he realized Jinx was staring at him, breaking his thoughts. "W-what?" He said, startled. "Whatcha thinking about over there?" She asked with a giggle when she poked at his shoulder. "Your girlfriend??" She teased, which made Dylan stop talking to Susie. "Girlfriend?" He asked. 

"Ah, no, nono! It's nothing like that!" He said, shocked by what was said, which made him blush more. Rulan wasn't emotional, so it caught them off guard, which could only mean one thing. The girls stared at him curiously and with mischievous smiles. "I'm serious. There's nothing! I'm not even interested in having one!" He said, trying to prove them, then glanced at Dylan and his hands. He felt overly stimulated. The poor boy was flushed. 

The girls glanced over to Dylan with raised brows. "No, you're not going to harass me as well," he said, then added. "Guys, leave him alone, and I think you broke him. " He flicked both their foreheads, which made Jinx laugh, and Susie made a startling noise. "Ow, that freaking hurt!" 

"Ah, you're okay," he said, then went over to Rulan. “Come on, Ru, the bell is about to ring. We need to get ready for class. " 

"...Eeeeehhhh," He said, groaning, still trying to process earlier as they walked away from the giggling girls. 

As the day went on, the school bell rang, and students ran out, ready to dress up for the ball for the night. The friends talked about where and when they should meet and agreed on a destination, and the four split up except for Rulan and Dylan, as they lived in the Susiee neighborhood. "Rulan, I know you don't really like parties and stuff, but it would be great if you went with us to the party. "Dylan said out of the blue when they stopped in front of Rulan's house. "Dylan, look, I- '' The other thought was interrupted by Dylan. 

"Before you turn it down I-" 

"I... want to…watch a movie with you..." He mumbled to himself.

"What?" 

Recently, Rulan was the type to stumble over his words and even have many emotions. "Ah...ah," he stuttered. “You could come over and help me get comfortable with all this...I feel uh overstimulated today." He said, changing what he said earlier, then ran into the house.

"O-oh, ok yeah….I... I understand." Dylan said as he trailed his words when Rulan ran to the house. The boy released a big sign as he realized he had been holding his breath this time and tapped his leg, "Ok, I'll see you later…shit.." before kicking a rock and walking to his own home. 

Dylan walked with a head full of thoughts while mumbling to himself, trying to figure out ways to express his emotions. Halfway to his home, Dylan heard a familiar voice call for his name.

"Ah, there he is…. little Romeo." A mischievous chuckle through the cold night air made Dylan look up, see the familiar face, clench his fists, and arch his brows. "What do you want?" 

--there is always something….