True to her word, Ashley kept her phone muted and buried at the bottom of her bag all day. Every time it buzzed, she'd grip Luca's arm a little tighter instead of reaching for it, especially during the more terrifying moments at the haunted house.

"I can't believe you actually love this stuff," she gasped after another loud scream that echoed throughout the building sent her practically climbing onto his shoulders. "That chainsaw guy definitely broke some personal space laws."

"Says the girl currently attempting to become my backpack?" But he was grinning, more relaxed than she'd seen him in weeks. "Besides, the makeup artists here are incredible. Did you see the detail on that zombie's prosthetics?"

"I was too busy using you as a human shield to appreciate the artistry."

Up ahead there was a door that said ‘exit’ just like all the other false hope ones. However, this one was actually the exit. The sun hit her face as they left the building. She could finally breathe again! They were out and it was all over.

"I think I just aged ten years," Ashley declared, still shaking slightly. Her hair, usually perfectly styled, was disheveled from all the times she'd hidden her face in Luca's shoulder. "That clown with the accordion? Pure evil."

"He was my favorite part!" Luca was practically glowing with excitement. "The way he played 'Pop Goes the Weasel' while crawling across the ceiling?"

"Please stop."

"And when he dropped down right behind you—"

"I said please!"

"Your scream was impressive though. I think you hit notes only dogs can hear."

Ashley shoved him playfully, smiling despite herself. "You owe me ice cream. Like, expensive ice cream. With multiple toppings. My emotional damage requires sprinkles."

"Okay okay." He steered them toward their favorite ice cream shop. "Though technically, you owe me for being such a great human shield. I think you left permanent finger marks on my arm."

Inside Sweet Scoops, Ashley studied the menu like it contained the secrets of the universe. "I deserve at least three flavors for enduring that butcher's room."

"The sound effects were amazing, right?"

"I'm adding hot fudge to my trauma sundae."

Luca watched with amusement as she ordered what seemed like half the toppings available. "Feel better now?" he asked as she dug into her mountain of ice cream, sprinkles, chocolate sauce, and what appeared to be an entire cookie crumble.

"Getting there." She pointed her spoon at him accusingly. "I can't believe my best friend is secretly a horror fanatic. All this time I thought you were just a gay booknerd living in your moms basement, but no – you're actually a secret adrenaline junkie. Which is worse"

Luca chuckled, "Only for the good scares." He stole a bite of her ice cream, dodging her retaliatory spoon attack. "Besides, your face when that zombie bride came out of the ball pit? Priceless."

"There shouldn't even BE a ball pit in a haunted house!"

They spent the next hour trading favorite moments from the day, Ashley's elaborate ice cream creation slowly disappearing between them. It felt like old times, before art boys and text messages had started competing for her attention.

"Thanks for today," she said suddenly. "Not just for the ice cream, but for calling me out when I needed it. I've been kind of awful lately, haven't I?"

"Only a little awful." But his smile was warm. "Besides, I got to traumatize you with quality horror entertainment. I'd call that a win."

By the time evening rolled around, they were both exhausted from all the walking but happy, their friendship feeling more solid than it had in weeks. 

Ashley was dressed up and ready to go but Ashley's parents insisted on "pre-party photos" when Luca picked her up, cooing over their matching Grease costumes.

"You two just look so perfect together," her mother sighed, adjusting Ashley's Sandra Dee cardigan for the fifth time. "Are you sure you don't want to be more than friends?"

"Mom!" Ashley rolled her eyes. "We're just friends. Best friends."

"But you'd make such a lovely couple," her father added, taking another photo. "And Luca's such a nice young man..."

Luca caught Ashley's eye with a knowing look that only she could read, and she had to bite her lip to keep from laughing at the irony of it all. Nice young man, her butt. He tortured her today even if she did deserve it.

Luca held out his hand, “Shall we go, my lady?”

“Don’t” She muttered under her breath but took his hand anyway, hearing her mothers little squeal in the background.

Luca sucked in his lips. It was obvious he was trying to hold back. Once they left the house, they both let go of each others hand in sync.

“You’re gonna give my parents false hope.”

“That’s what I do best.” he opened the car door for her.

Once they were both in the car, Luca switched into what Ashley called his 'responsible mode.' "Okay, party rules."

"We're going to a high school Halloween party, not infiltrating a crime syndicate."

"Rule one," he continued, ignoring her, "we stick together."

"Obviously."

"Rule two: no accepting drinks from strangers."

"Lu..."

"Rule three: if anything feels wrong or unsafe, we leave immediately. No questions asked."

"Yes, dad."

"I'm serious, Ash." He glanced at her as they stopped at a red light. "This is your first party. I know you're excited, but we need to be smart."

She softened, reaching over to squeeze his hand. "I know. And I promise to be careful. But you need to promise me something too."

"What?"

"Try to have a little fun? Maybe talk to a cute boy or two?"

"Absolutely not."

They pulled up to Olivia Chen's house that was already pulsing with music and colored lights. As they walked in, Ashley noticed Olivia's expression shift from excited to disappointed when she eyed them both.

"Luca! You came!" Olivia's smile was a bit too bright. "And... Ashley. You two are... together?"

"Just friends," they said in unison, sharing a knowing look.

"Oh." Olivia perked up considerably. "Well, enjoy the party!"

As they moved deeper into the crowd, Ashley whispered, "Someone's got a crush."

"Shut up."

"I'm just saying, Olivia Chen is technically the most popular girl in school..."

"And technically not my type."

"Because she's not a sad boy with a guitar?"

"I will leave you here."

The party was in full swing, the house transformed with elaborate Halloween decorations that probably cost more than Luca’s car. She was taking it all in – the costumes, the music, the general chaos of it all – when she spotted him.

"Lu." She gripped his arm. "Three o'clock. Blue eyes, great smile, playing on a steam-decks in the corner like a total introvert."

"No."

"He's wearing a Kafka t-shirt under his costume!"

"Still no."

"Come on," she tugged him closer to get a better look. "He's literally your type. Cute, literary, and avoiding social interaction."

"I'm not here to meet anyone."

"What if..." She paused for dramatic effect. "What if I made it worth your while?"

He raised an eyebrow. "How?"

"If you go talk to him – just talk! – I'll go with you to every horror movie premiere for the next three months."

Luca's eyes widened. "Every premiere?"

"Every. Single. One." She knew she had him now. "Even the really gory ones mom would definitely not approve of."

"Including the four-hour director's cut of 'Zombie Apocalypse: The Musical' next month?"

"Even that." She shuddered slightly. "Though I reserve the right to hide behind my popcorn during the dance numbers."

Luca looked between her and the cute boy in the corner, clearly weighing his options. "No pressure to do anything but talk?"

"Scout's honor."

"You were never a scout."

"Minor detail." She grinned. "Come on, Lu. Three months of guaranteed horror movie buddy? When are you going to get a better deal than that?"

He straightened his leather jacket, a determined glint in his eye. "Fine. But if this goes horribly wrong, I'm picking the scariest movies I can find."

"Deal." She gave him a gentle push. "Now go get him, Danny Zuko."

"I hate you."

"No, you don't. You love me enough to face social interaction."

"Only because you're facing chainsaws for me." He took a deep breath. "Okay. I'm going in."

Ashley watched him walk over, pretending to be fascinated by the party décor while actually monitoring his progress. The cute boy looked up from his book, and even from here she could see his face light up as Luca approached..

Her phone buzzed in her bag, still on mute. For once, she didn't even think about checking it.