The costume shop on Fifth Street was a maze of sequins, fake fur, and questionable life choices. Ashley pulled another outfit from the rack while Luca kept his distance from the back corner and lounged in a nearby chair, launching into a story about his latest music discovery while occasionally eyeing the terrifying clown masks as if they would move or blink if he looked away.

"So this band played at The Lock and Key last night, and their sound was incredible. Like, imagine if—" He paused as Ashley's phone buzzed. Again. Her fingers were already flying across the screen, a small smile playing at her lips.

"Mm-hmm," she mumbled, clearly not listening.

"Anyway, they did this amazing cover of—" Another buzz. Another smile. "And then aliens abducted the lead singer..."

"That's nice."

Luca slumped in his chair, watching his best friend text. Three minutes ago, she'd pulled out a devil and angel costume set, asking his opinion. He hadn't even answered before her phone demanded her attention.

"Hey, what about this one?" He held up a hot dog and bun combo, deliberately ridiculous.

"Yeah, sure." She didn't even look up.

"Ashley."

"Hmm?"

"The store's on fire."

"Cool."

"I'm actually a secret government agent."

"That's great."

"I'm growing a third arm."

Her phone buzzed again. She laughed at whoever was texting her, completely missing Luca's increasingly absurd statements. Luca got up from the couch and tried to peek over her shoulder, barely getting a glimpse, seeing the name “Arek” at the top of her screen.

An elderly couple passed by, the woman pausing to smile at them. "Oh, aren't you two just adorable? Young love is so sweet."

This, finally, got Ashley's attention. "Oh, we're not—"

"Just friends," Luca finished, he looked away from Ashley.

The woman winked. "That's what my Harold said too, fifty years ago. Now look at us!"

After they left, Ashley laughed, but Luca couldn't join in. She was already back on her phone, typing away.

"That's the third person today," she said, eyes still on her screen. "What is it about costume shopping that makes everyone think we're dating?"

"Must be my irresistible charm." Luca's voice was flat. "Lucky for you I'm gay, otherwise you'd be stuck with me forever. Think about it – matching outfits would become our entire personality."

"The horror." She didn't even look up as she said it, thumbs tapping out another response to whatever artistic masterpiece Arek had shared this time.

"Okay, that's it." Luca stood up, planted himself directly in front of her, and waited.

It took her nearly thirty seconds to notice.

"What?" She glanced up briefly. "Did you find something?"

"When was the last time you actually looked at me today?"

"I'm looking at you right now."

"No, you're looking through me while thinking about your next text."

"That's not—" Her phone buzzed. Her eyes flickered to it automatically.

"Unbelievable." He grabbed his jacket. "I'm going home."

That got her attention. "What? Why?"

"Because I've spent the last hour talking to your forehead, and honestly? I'm tired of competing with your phone for my best friend's attention."

"Lu, come on. You're being dramatic."

"Am I? What was I just telling you about? Before the elderly couple?"

"Um..." She faltered.

"Exactly." He turned away, clenching his fist. "You know what? Keep shopping. I'm sure Arek will have plenty of artistic opinions about whatever you choose."

"Luca, wait!" She caught his arm. "I'm sorry. I'm being awful, aren't I?"

"Little bit, yeah."

She put her phone away – actually away, in her bag instead of her pocket. "You're right. I've been totally dismissive and I'm really, really sorry."

"It's just..." He ran a hand through his hair. "You used to get excited about spending time with me. Now it feels like I'm your backup entertainment for when Arek's not texting."

Ashley furrowed her brows and quickly shook her head, "You could never be backup to anything, Lu. You're my best friend. I love you more than my phone."

"Then prove it."

"How?"

A slow smile spread across his face – the kind that usually meant trouble. "Tomorrow. You and me. No phone, no Arek, no distractions."

"Done. Whatever you want to do."

"Anything?"

"Within reason. And legal limits."

His grin turned wicked. "Perfect. The Nightmare Factory just opened their Halloween season."

Ashley felt the blood drain from her face. "The... the haunted house? The one that made the senior quarterback cry last year?"

"The very same." His eyes gleamed. "They've added new sections this year. I heard the butcher's room is especially realistic."

"But... but you hate parties! How can you love haunted houses?"

"Parties mean awkward social interaction. Haunted houses mean watching you scream at teenagers in zombie makeup." He was practically bouncing with excitement. "Come on, Ash. You said anything I want."

She felt her blood run cold and she ran her fingers through her hair pulling it to one side of her head, "You actually love this stuff, don't you? All the scary movies and haunted attractions I've never been allowed to see?"

His expression softened. "Yeah. There's something freeing about being scared in a safe way, you know? Like, your heart's racing but you know nothing can really hurt you. Plus," he added with a grin, "the special effects are amazing."

Looking at him – really looking at him for the first time today – Ashley gave him a small smile. He looked better when he was excited rather than upset and disappointed. She would do anything to keep her best friend this happy. Even if it means she will have to suffer.

"Okay," she said finally.

"Okay?"

"I'll go to your house of horrors. No phone, no distractions. Just me, you, and apparently a very realistic butcher's room."

His whole face lit up. "Really?"

"Really. But I reserve the right to use you as a human shield."

"Deal!" He hugged her tight, then pulled back with renewed enthusiasm. "Now, about these costumes..."

They spent the next hour actually shopping together, sending ridiculous poses to each other over the changing room walls. More customers commented on what a cute couple they made, and they started making up increasingly elaborate stories about their fictional romance.

"...and then," Luca declared to a captivated saleswoman, "she saved me from a rampaging herd of alphabet stickers."

"They were coming right for him," Ashley added solemnly. "The letter 'Q' was particularly aggressive."

The saleswoman left laughing and Ashley and Luca went back to searching for costumes.

"Please tell me we're doing something funny. I saw a hot dog and bun combo that would be hilarious."

"Absolutely not." She pulled out another set of costumes. "We need something that'll catch people's attention."

"Why do I feel like by 'people' you mean 'cute boys'?"

"Because that's exactly what I mean." She held up a sleek vampire costume. "You'd look amazing in this."

Luca shifted uncomfortably. "I don't want to look amazing. I want to look unavailable."

"What?"

"Think about it." He leaned forward, lowering his voice. "If I match with you, everyone will assume we're together. No awkward conversations, no unwanted attention..."

"No chance of meeting someone special."

"I'm okay with that."

Ashley set down the vampire costume, studying her best friend. "Lu..."

"Don't 'Lu' me. Just... can we do something fun instead of sexy? Please?"

Her phone buzzed again. She reached for it automatically, then stopped herself at Luca's expression.

"What about these?" She pulled out a pair of costumes that made Luca's eyes light up. Sandy and Danny from Grease – classic, cute, and just the right balance of matching without being obvious.

"This could work." He examined the leather jacket. "Decent coverage, mild brooding potential..."

"And," she added with a grin, "you'd rock that hair gel."

"You know," he said, swinging their shopping bags, "for someone who's 'just friends' with Arek, you sure light up like a Christmas tree when he texts."

"I do not!"

"Please. You get the same look my sister gets when her favorite K-pop group posts new photos."

"I hate you."

"No, you don't. You love me enough to face the butcher's room tomorrow."

She groaned dramatically. "I'm already regretting this."

"Too late! No take-backs on best friend promises.”

“Uggghhh…”