Silas sighed. "Sorry it took us so long," he told the parents.

"Thank you both so much. Kids, say thank you."

They went to Camila, most of whom were calling her pretty and cute.

"Awnh, you're sweet," handing out as much as they could while keeping some left over for them.

Silas pondered deep in thought.

"Silas, where the hell were you?'

Startled, he and Camila turned around.

"Kiara, Khloe, Javier?"

"We were looking for you, then we saw you with some angel riding on our scooters?"

"I can explain!"

The trio of dark skinned women and male, each in a mermaid, witch, and jazz costume approached him before eyeing his classmate.

"Wait, who is this?'

All of them turned to visit Camila.

"Uh, hi, I'm-"

"You finally have a girlfriend?"

"Does Auntie know?"

Javier approached her before she could answer.

"Shame," raising his hand to his angel. "You're pretty cute. How about you come to my concert next weekend?"

"Uh could you guys give me some space?"

"Backup, all of you! You're overwhelming her!"

Silas got them to take a few steps back, huffing and weezing.

"She's my," thinking of the most neutral term to describe them, "classmate."

Kiara clenched her hips.

"So why are you so pink right now?"

Khloe nodded. "If you had a date and wanted us to cover, we would've said something."

"It's not like that!"

"Someone mistook me for their girlfriend so he stepped in to clear it up."

"Yeah, someone posted you all online," showing them the app.

Silas gave them the cliff notes. "You know them?"

"The cops asked us if we saw them but they could be anyone," spotting some kids from the other side of the street at the bodega. "Weird, they said they were running out."

Camila squinted. Could it be?

Seeing this, Silas touched her shoulder. "Relax, your aim's better than mine."

"I got lucky," smiling.

"Alright, come with us. A bunch of us are gonna have a small party in the park," seeing lights rise up. "Most of the neighborhood kids are gonna be there so nothing crazy's gonna happen. You in?"

Exchanging a why not shrug, both followed along, walking past their home to put back the scooters, though Javier latched his cousin by the shoulder, telling him to whisper.

"Seems more like you're her angel. Sure you're not lying?"

"We're friends. Also, you're seventeen, why are you hitting on her?"

"Just to mess with you. But one thing I know from music, your heartbeat doesn't lie."

Camila peered back to look but Kiara and Khloe pulled her in, complimenting her outfit.

"We'll keep it a secret, but just friends?"

"Yeah, I sorta had a rough breakup in the spring. I don't think I'm ready for that."

"That's so lame though, you gotta get out and hop on whoever comes."

"Kiara, be nice. Not everyone wants to jump in and rebound. It takes time to heal."

"Thanks," looking back at him quickly as their eyes caught wind of each other.

"You okay? Kiara, Khloe, don't tell her anything weird!"

The former sucked her teeth. "Want me to tell her how back in middle school how when everyone was watching, you hooked up in the library with that older-"

"Shush, ignore her!"

"Then be quiet."

Camila had several questions but Kiara just told her to brush it off.

"How is he at school?"

"Well people think he's annoying but he's been nothing but sweet."

"Yeah, that sums him up quite nicely. Alright, we're here."

Camila counted about forty people around there, listening to speakers, vibing with different drinks and candy they secured, some handing it out to the kids on the other side of the block.

People took pictures in front of horror graffiti, drinking soda and bear cups, and costume basketball provided intrigue and laughs.

They took a picture, but thirsty from their adventure, they got drinks while eating some chocolate.

"Wanna talk about middle school?"

"It's really dumb. Nice to me, cheered her up, one thing led to another, it was just nice to be happy...till everyone mocked us."

Khloe changed the music and people around them started grinding and twerking. He saw her gesturing to do the same with her, initially refusing until another guy approached her.

He wrapped his hands around her, leading her away for them to dance.

"Saved me from a rejection. What is your costume anyway?"

"Afro samurai. Guess I dressed as your boyfriend instead."

"More like acting," looking around.

"Yes, I've twerked with girls before. At prom. Story for another time. If you want-"

"Sure."

She spun around, grinding her hips against him while his hands kept steady, trying to ignore his family's teasing till the song changed.

"Proved me wrong," wrapping her hands around his head to fix his afro.

"Are you sure you're not an angel," he teased.

Two dudes in ghost outfits burst out, stealing candy and rushing through the crowd.

Silas turned over to cover her as they both got pushed down, not expecting her lips to press on his cheek. Shocked, his feet dragged, preventing them from following.

"A-are you okay? Did you get hurt?"

"Yeah, I-I'm fine, thanks," as they helped each other out with the same thought.

Was that a kiss?

Enough outrage and pursuers caused the party to die down and the cousins agreed it was best to leave, though not before keeping an eye on the two of them.

"Well we've got enough candy for lunch if I eat one a day."

"This was sweet, pun not intended. Been a while since I went trick or treating with friends."

"Nothing wrong with fun. I uhh, sorry about -"

"It's okay, a happy accident saved us from falling."

She gave him a quick hug and headed home. "See ya." 

Three hands crossed on his shoulder.

"Better not fumble her."

He covered his cheek.

"It's not like that. But I want to treat her to a year of fun."