"The Last Halloween" by Odinaka O

October 2015, best friends Daijah and Mya were going to a Halloween party they had planned since mid-September. The party was Mya’s idea being that she had partied many times before and it was her senior year. Daijah, on the other hand, just a year younger than Mya, was a late bloomer and wasn't into the party scene, frankly because she has never been to one before. It took Mya a lot of persuading to convince her best friend that Halloween would be the best night of all nights to go to her first party. Daijah agreed, due to the fact that it was a Mya's final year in high school, and they wouldn't have this opportunity again next year and the few years to come but Daijah didn't know what kind of party they were going to.

The night finally came, Halloween. Daijah got dropped off at Mya’s house to get ready for the night. Mya was already in her costume, a fitted navy blue jumpsuit only coming a few inches below the thick, belt around her waist with a very deep V-cut neckline. She wore dark aviator sunglasses, a cheaply made gold plastic badge with the word “POLICE” engraved in thick black font, and carried pink fuzzy handcuffs she had found in her parents’ room. Daijah was taken back by the costume her friend was wearing, not by how revealing it was but because she had brought her flapper dress and accessories she wore two years ago on Roaring 20s day at school.  

“You can't wear that,” said Mya.

“Why not,” said Daijah.

Mya knew what kind of party that would go down tonight but didn’t tell Daijah in feared that her friend would back out.

“Because...”

“Because what?”

“Just because, I think I have something you can wear. Come on.”

Daijah unwillingly obliged. Mya put Daijah in one of her short, black dresses that hugged every inch around her body, drew a black circle on her nose followed by whiskers on each cheek and gave her cat ears. Daijah looked at herself in the mirror.

“Are you serious?” Daijah said unamused by her appearance.

“You look hot! Come on we have to go!” said Mya.

            It was around 9:15 pm. They got into Mya’s car and left.

            After about 30 minutes of driving, Daijah was confused; she thought the party was only two cities over. She trusted her friend and ended up falling asleep. Finally parked, Daijah woke up to loud music. “10:37 PM” she read from the car’s clock.

“10:37 PM?!?! WHERE ARE WE? WHAT CITY ARE WE IN?” she exclaimed.

“Chill, bro. There was a lot of traffic,” Mya lied.

Daijah noticed a smell. The smell became stronger and stronger. She turned to Daijah to ask.

“Do you sm--” She stopped.

She noticed Mya was rolling what appeared to be a blunt. She was shocked. She didn't know her friend smoked but she didn't question it because she didn't want to seem “uncool”. Mya lit the blunt and began smoking.

“Do you want to hit?” she said coughing.

“No, I'm good.”

“Come on just one hit, you won't even feel it.”

“Fine”

Daijah inhaled and instantly began coughing uncontrollably. Mya laughed.

Mya was done. They left the car and walk towards the house. There were many people standing outside, they were older. Daijah predicted about 3 to 5 years older than they were. They entered the house; the first room was as hot as an oven and as humid as a summer’s day in the south. Daijah didn't recognize any of the people, but Mya did. She said hi to about every other person. Daijah began to notice there was another side of her “best friend” she hadn’t realized.

They made their way into the kitchen. The counter was full of alcohol and Jell-O shots galore. Mya began to take a few shots of vodka, and then switch to harder liquor.

“Hey! You should slow down,” said Daijah loudly due to the loud music.

“I'm fine trust me,” said Mya shouting back.

“No, dude. You drove, remember?”

“Oh yeah. But I'll be fine, promise,” as she takes another shot

Daijah exasperates in disappointment in her friend.

Then all of a sudden.

There was a gunshot.

Everyone began running and screaming. There were two more shots. Mya ran feverishly to her car, and then shortly realize she was forgetting something. Daijah. She ran back into the house frantically looking for her best friend of ten years to find her on the floor lifeless with a gunshot wound to her neck.