Different

Spooky Season

    It was finally October and nobody was happier about it than Jayden.

     "Don't you just love Fall? Sweater weather, and Halloween movies, and pumpkin spice!" Jayden rambled. "Oh! And let's not forget about haunted houses!"

     Adrian paused. 

     "I didn't know you liked haunted houses," he stated. 

     "Of course I do! I might not seem like it, but I actually find them super fun. Maybe we should go to one!"

     "Yeah definitely, there's one open this weekend if you want to go. I think It's called 'Smith's Haunted Asylum' or something," said Adrian. 

     "Ooh that sounds like so much fun!" Jayden responded. The boys ended up making plans to go to the haunt on Friday night at 7:00. Jayden was really excited because he always loved spending time with Adrian, and although Jayden didn't know it, Adrian felt the same exact way about him. Friday night came super fast for the both of them, and Adrian pulled up at Jayden's house to pick him up. Jayden stumbled outside in a grey T-Shirt, with black shorts and knee-high skeleton socks. 

     "Oh my god, Jayden, those socks are giving my life right now," Adrian remarked. 

     "Oh yeah, they're my signature spooky socks," Jayden snapped. The boys laughed hysterically as they drove to the haunted house. When they pulled into the parking lot, they saw creatures roaming the parking lot covered in fake blood and bruises. They were scaring and chasing people who were walking from their cars to the queue lines. 

     "You sure you want to go through with this?" teased Adrian.

     "Oh I think I can take a couple high schoolers looking for a part-time Fall job," Jayden scoffed.

     "Alright, don't say I didn't warn you," Adrian continued with a grin, as they stepped out of the car. When they started walking to the queue lines, a bloody woman in a hospital gown holding a large, sharp hook jumped out from behind a car and jump scared them. Both boys jumped, and then continued on, until they were chased into the queue lines by another actor who was also covered in blood but was wielding a knife. There were fog machines everywhere, and the exterior of the building was illuminated by florescent purple and green lights. They could see the entrance to the haunted house from where they stood in line, but it was pitch black so they couldn't see much. They could, however, hear shrieks of teenage girls as they ventured into the black hole that was the entrance of the building. A disgusting, rotting smell filled the air as Adrian and Jayden slowly got closer and closer to the entrance.

     Soon enough, they were next in line. A brawny man wearing all black stepped forward and began to speak.

     "Before we begin the tour, I would like to remind you participants of a few rules and safety precautions that are in place when we enter the building. First, do not touch the actors and they will not touch you. Second, if you must leave, there are emergency exits located throughout the haunt, just ask a staff member and they'll point you towards one. And finally, please no food or drinks inside the asylum. Now, on with the tour. Follow me, victims...I mean...Honored guests," He said with a grin. The boys, along with a small group of girls and their boyfriends, ventured into the asylum. The first hallway was pitch black, with a few white strobe lights here and there. They turned a corner, and a man with his face peeling off ripped through the wall, making Jayden jump into Adrian.

     "Awww," Cooed one of the girls in the group behind them.

     "Shut it, Peppy," Snapped Jayden. She giggled and turned back to her friends. Jayden rolled his eyes and turned to Adrian, who had a slight smile on his face. They continued moving through the hallways, actors waiting to scare them around every corner. Eventually, they reached the final stretch of the haunted house. It was a hospital-like hallway that had a loud, red alarm going off. They walked down the hallway as dozens of actors ran in and out of all the doors, holding various weapons and making various strange noises. One actor got right up in Jayden's face, and Jayden instinctively grabbed Adrian's hand. Adrian looked down and smiled, and Jayden looked up and saw him smiling. He didn't say anything, though. They made their way through the hallway and back outside to a different end of the parking lot. 

     "Wow, that was awesome," said Adrian.

     "I'm so glad you decided to take me, I had a great time with you tonight," Jayden cheered.

     "Yeah, I-I had a great time with you tonight, t-too," Adrian stuttered, as he stepped a little closer to Jayden. Jayden took a step closer and leaned in, followed by Adrian leaning in further. Their lips were just about to touch, when one of the actors working in the parking lot ran in between them and screamed in Adrian's face. 

     "Wow, just what I needed. Spit in my face from a crazy lady," Said Adrian. Jayden chuckled as they made their way back to the car.

So close, yet so far, Jayden thought.