Chapter Text
“Can you stop being such a Betty for one second?!” Polly screams into the phone.
Josie exchanges a look with Alexandra as the blonde storms up the stairs to her room, the sound of her door slamming echoing through the apartment style dorm.
“Who's Betty?”
“Who knows?”
“She's your roommate,” Josie reminds her.
“Fine. Who cares?”
Josie shrugs, stepping away from the microwave as it starts to beep. Xandra walks forward and grabs her quinoa bowl.
“Have you got your costume yet?”
“Yes,” Xandra replies with a mouthful, “Reggie and I are going as Daisy and Gatsby.”
“Great couple to emulate. I'm rooting for you two. Really.”
“Okay, what costumes have you and my lesser half planned?”
“Your brother,” Josie purposely exaggerates the word, “and I are going as Lola and Bugs. Space Jam version.”
“You have some nerve. My date and I are going as people at least.”
“A poorly written couple from an outdated book. Yeah, I lucked out in the costume department.”
“Bunnies! You're going as bunnies.” Alexandra angrily points her spoon at her.
“Why does everything have to be an argument with you two?”
Josie looks over her shoulder to see Melody and Valerie standing on the staircase.
“Not everything is a fight.”
“Yeah,” Josie agrees, “we hardly fight as much as we used to.”
“Why are you two just standing there listening to our conversations? Creepers.”
Josie turns back to Alexandra with a ‘I know’ expression. She couldn't believe them sometimes.
-
Alexander places the skull punch bowl in the center of the snack table. His party was going to be epic.
It was his last Halloween party before he graduated. He wanted to go out with a literal and metaphorical bang.
The walls were covered with huge fake spiders and webs. He strung fairy lights from one side of the ceiling to the other, casting an orange glow over the room.
There was a small stage in the left corner for the DJ. Alex was on the fence about hiring Dilton Doiley, but Reggie vouched for him.
The party didn't start for another half hour, but he wanted to make sure everything was in its right place.
This was going to be part of his legacy.
“Where do you want this?” Moose asks as he carries a keg inside, resting it on his shoulder.
“Next to the chalk lineout.”
Alex checks his phone for any text. He had been very clear about the details on the flyer, but there was always one person who didn't read it in full.
There's just a text from Will asking if he could borrow his notes.
-
“In fair Carson, where lay our scene,” Melody narrates, following Nancy around the room as she tries on the helmet to her blue power rangers costume.
She, Nancy, Valerie, and Alan had decided on a group theme. She was the pink ranger, Valerie was the red ranger, and Alan was green.
“Come in,” Nancy says to the knock on the door.
Melody swivels, pointing the camera at Valerie as she opens their door.
“I thought you were joking about filming this.”
“I was not.”
Her midterm for her film studies class was to make a short film and have it analyzed by another student.
Melody was making a mockumentary about All Hallows’ Eve. Professor Castillo thought it was a great idea.
“Don't worry. Melody is going to cut some of this during editing. Right, babe?”
“Of course, babe.”
It was a college party. She wasn't stupid.
-
Alexandra twists the cap back on her tube of soft pink lipstick then sets it aside. She admires her reflection in the mirror.
Her dress was a shimmering red color with intricate designs in white lace, accompanied by a pair of sheer pantyhose that stopped at her knees.
A pearl bracelet and pearl necklace from Tiffany's adorned her neck and wrist. The black chandelier earrings shook slightly as she turned her head from left to right.
The feather on her headpiece was slightly bent and hurriedly smooths it back out.
Alexandra slips on her black gloves then picks up the cigarette holder.
Her date, her friends and their dates, and Polly are all gathered in the kitchen when she finally makes her way down.
She takes a moment to look over their costumes.
The tux Reggie picked out fitted him wonderfully.
It seems her roommates had settled on a group theme. Each wore a different colored Power Rangers costume.
Polly had on a red catsuit à la Britney Spears.
“You've all managed to impress me. Are we ready for take off?”
“We've been ready to go,” Melody replies. “Everyone was just waiting on you.”
“Well, wait no longer. Let's go.”
-
“Nice outfit, Starfire.”
“Thank you,” Josie pauses, not really sure what Midge's costume was. “A bee-bee gun?”
“Killer bee.”
“Ah.”
“Where's your Robin?” Midge pokes her playfully with the plastic gun.
“Right here,” she hears Alex's voice near her ear as he wraps his around her from behind.
Josie tilts her head back to look at him. His Nightwing mask was gone but she honestly didn't expect him to keep it on for the entire night.
“Hi.”
“Hey. Why did Xandra just text me a bunch of rabbit emojis?”
“I have no idea.” She turns to Midge again, not wanting her friend to feel like the awkward third wheel. “How are your classes going?”
Josie takes the cup from Alex's hand, brow arched as she waits for Midge to reply.
“Terrible. Remind me again why I'm doing this.”
“Can't be a teacher without a college degree.”
“Oh, right. Well,” Midge directs her attention to Alex, “I bet you're glad you're happy you're almost finished.”
Josie feels him stiffen. She gulps down what's left in the cup as Alex remains quiet.
“I need to go make a call. I'll be back.”
He presses a firm kiss to her cheek before walking off. Josie sighs, shoulder sagging.
“Was it something I said?”
“No, Midge, it's not you. We just haven't had the talk yet.”
The “what happens after graduation” talk. Alexander only had one semester left and she had an entire school year.
-
“I'm gonna ask her tonight. I can't wait any longer.”
“What's the rush?” Sierra asks skeptically.
Alexander paces back and forth, phone pressed to his ear. His original plan was to propose during Christmas when both their families were together.
“I don't want her to lose hope in us.”
“Well, I'm not going to rescind my blessing. Just do whatever feels right.”
“Thanks. I'll let you know how everything goes.” He hurriedly ends the call as he notices Reggie's car pulling up.
“You know there's a difference between fashionably late and just plain late, right?”
“Be glad we actually showed up,” Xandra snarks. “Wait. You're not Bugs Bunny.”
“Why would I be Bugs Bunny?”
“Because Josie–forget it. I'm going to get a drink.” His sister rolls her eyes as she passes him to get inside.
Alexander waves at the other in greeting as they disappear inside.
-
Alexandra leans against the wall for support as she kicks off her heels. That would teach her to dance in pumps for almost an hour straight.
Someone in a wolf mask howls loudly. Probably one of her brother's idiotic frat brothers.
Sweet dreams are made of this
Who am I to disagree?
She rubs her aching feet, looking around the party. Her brother may have outdone himself this time.
I've traveled the world and the seven seas
Everybody's lookin' for something
Josie joins her on the wall, lipstick smudged. “It's almost time. Is she ready?”
Some of them want to use you
Some of them want to get used by you
Alexandra shrugs. “Does it matter? Either she does it or she can find a new sorority.”
Some of them want to abuse you
Some of them want to be abused
Josie rolls her eyes, “Well, when you put it like that.”
“Where's my boyfriend?”
“Outside with Alex.”
“Is Alex sure leaving his own party is a good idea?”
“We're coming back,” Josie replies in a ‘duh’ tone. “Besides, Alan will make sure they don't start a fire.”
“Alright. Just let me go and find her.”
-
“Did you know that some civilizations sacrificed boys and not girls?”
Josie giggles, “Mel, why would I know something like that?”
“Hey. I have a question.” Valerie said from the backseat as she leaned forward, “How is this a virgin sacrifice when Polly isn't a virgin?”
“Dear lord, it's a metaphor!”
Melody points the camera at her, “A metaphor for what?”
“I'm with them,” Nancy chimes in. “Have we not progressed from the social construct that is virginity?”
Josie groans. Why couldn't stupid light change already?
“Green light.”
Josie takes her foot off the break and drives forward. They were going to be riding Xandra on the way back.
-
“I don't know about this, guys.”
Alexandra rolls her eyes, “We all had to do it. If you don't do it, you're out.”
Polly stands near the edge of the cliff, peering down at the water below. Every pledge had to do the Dead Man's Drop, it was a ZBZ tradition.
Alexandra warned her not to look down.
“Told you she couldn't do it,” Josie whispers in her ear.
She may have also made a bet with Josie. Loser had to do the other's laundry for a month.
“I can't believe I'm missing my own party for this,” her brother complains.
“You know you didn't have to come, right?” She returns pointedly.
“It doesn't look safe,” Polly's voice trembles.
Jesus. She was getting bored.
“Does this mean you officially resign your pledge to Zeta Beta Zeta?” Josie asks, humored.
A hush falls over everyone as they wait for Polly to make a decision.
Alexandra perks up as she hears Polly counting quietly, probably trying to psych herself up. “Get ready to eat your words, Josie McCoy.”
Polly takes a few steps back then breaks into a sprint before she leaps off the cliff.
Alexandra walks to the edge with the others, looking down and waiting with anticipation for Polly to pop back up to the surface.
“Oh, shit,” Reggie breathes as the blonde finally resurfaces. Face down and unmoving in the water.
Xandra shushes him, “She's probably just faking it to scare us.”
“I don't–I don't think she's faking,” Midge replies.
-
Alexander tramples over the sticks and fallen tree branches, following the tire tracks to where they were the previous night.
Xandra had called him this morning to tell him that Melody had dropped her camera. He couldn't risk anyone finding it.
The last thing he needed was to be involved in a murder investigation. None of them did.
Josie is quiet beside him, a somber expression on her face. She hasn't said much since he drove them home last night.
“I can't believe this is how I'm spending my Monday morning,” Alexandra grumbles.
Alex shushes her. “I don't want someone to hear us.”
“Someone like who? It's 8 AM and we're walking through the freaking woods.”
“Let's just hurry up and get this over with,” he responds.
Josie shakes her head and mutters something unintelligible under her breath as she quickens her pace.
“Are you sure she won't say anything?” Alexandra chances a look at him. “Her step dad is a police captain.”
“Josie's not going to say anything,” he reassures her.
They all decided on a plan last night. Reggie would call the police in a few hours and report seeing a dead body while he was jogging.
The police would find Polly and handle it from there. As long as there was nothing tying them to being there, they were fine. Which is why he needed to find that camera.
“Found it,” Josie exclaims as she walks back to them, holding the recording device.
“Good,” Alexandra replies steadfastly. “Now, let's get the hell out of here.”