Alive
Chapter Thirteen
“Another project,” Professor Hiller announced.
The entire class groaned. Professor Hiller was one crazy teacher. He had them doing projects every two
weeks. It was getting tiring.“It’s on the Roaring Twenties. Every group will be given a certain aspect of the time. For an interesting
twist, since I’m sure everyone is sick of doing essays, you have to write a story based on the aspect.”He received blank stares from nearly everyone.
“For example, if you have to research the gangsters, you write a story based on them, incorporating all of
the facts you learned about them.”“That’s still an essay,” one person said.
“It’ll be more interesting.” He proceeded to hand out the papers to the groups. Like usual, Lance and Faith
were working together.“I don’t write very well,” Lance said, as they walked out of the room.
“I’m okay at writing. It’ll be hard incorporating all of the facts, though.”
“When do you want to start on the research?”
“Not today. I have a test to study for right now, and two essays due tomorrow. Day after tomorrow?”
“That’ll be Friday.” Lance thought for a moment. “Yeah, I can do that.”
“I work that day until two, so after that will be good for me.”
“I’m busy until four; how about we meet at the library at five.”
“See you then.”
*~*~*
Faith gathered the pile of papers they had accumulated in their two and a half hours of work. “This should
be enough.”“I hope so.” Lance rubbed his stomach. “I’m hungry and I don’t ever want to do anymore research.”
“In two weeks we’ll have to do more.”
Lance rolled his eyes. “Damn teacher.”
“I agree. Totally crazy.” Faith glanced at the clock, and then her stomach growled. “I’m hungry too, now
you mention it.”“Want to go to dinner?”
“Sure.”
They finished gathering their things and walked to their cars. “Where do you want to go?” Lance asked.
“Somewhere cheap and fast, because I don’t have much money on me and I have eaten all day.”
“A fast food place it is, then. Which is good, because I don’t have much money either. I don’t get paid
until the first.”“When is that?” Faith asked.
“Monday, why?”
“Then the thirty first is Sunday. I forgot about that.”
“Yeah, Sunday is Halloween. There are going to be tons of parties on Saturday.”
“Halloween,” Faith said. “I totally forgot about it.”
“Is there some importance to Halloween?”
“It’s the witch’s New Year Eve. It’s the best night for magic and there’s important rituals that we
perform.”“So you don’t do things like trick-or-treating or going to parities on Halloween?”
“No. I’ve actually never been trick-or-treating, my father wouldn’t let us go. He considered Halloween a
heathen holiday. And now, I’m to old to go and of course there’s the rituals.”“Would your father flip if he found out that you were a witch?”
“He’s already disowned me.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Not your fault.” Faith shivered. “I’m getting cold, standing out here. Where do you want to go?”
They decided to go to Burger King. After eating, they went home.
*~*~*
“Sunday is Halloween,” Faith said, walking inside the apartment. “I totally forgot about it.”
Sarah looked up. “It is?” She looked at the calendar on the wall. “Yeah, it is. Damn, the past few months
have gone by fast.”“I know. Lance said something about the first being Monday, and then I remembered that Halloween was
Sunday. I forgot all about it.”“Forgot about what?” Catriona asked, walking in.
“Halloween. It’s the Sunday.”
“You forgot about it? I remembered it.”
“I have to cancel all of my plans now,” Faith said. “Good thing I’m working during the day.”
Elona walked out of her room. “What are we talking about?” she asked, sitting down on the couch next to
Catriona.“Sunday,” Sarah told her.
“It’s Halloween. Chris is going to join us.”
“So he’s interested in becoming a witch?” Faith asked.
“He doesn’t mind the title?” Catriona asked.
“Yeah, he is. And he asked if even male Wiccans were called witches, and I told him that while most
males were called witches, and considered the term warlock an insult, he could call himself anything he wanted.
He said he liked the term witch.”“That’s Chris for you,” Sarah said, and they all laughed.
*~*~*
“Are you going to the party Saturday?” Wade asked JC Friday evening when they ran into each other.
“No. I’m going on a date.”
“With who?”
JC’s eyes narrowed as he watched Wade. “Why do you care?”
“Just curious man. After all, we are friends. Did you finally hook up with the little red-headed chick that
had her eye on you?”“Linese? No. I’m going out with Cat.”
“That little gothic slut?”
JC grabbed Wade by the collar of his shirt and pulled him close. “Don’t fucking call her a slut.” He let go
of Wade.“Chill man,” Wade said. “I didn’t mean it.” He rubbed his neck.
“See you around,” JC said, stalking away.
Wade watched him walk away with malice glittering in his brown eyes. “You fucked up man. You fucked
up bad.”