"God... morning already?" Mandark mumbled as he huddled himself out of bed. "Talent show today, whoohoo..." he thought sarcastically. He knew he should be frightened, of course, as he might severley embarrass himself on that stage. He shook his head, saying: "Don't think about. Just do it and get it over with." The talent show was tonight, he had to think about the tests and homework he'll be doing in school today, instead. He could worry about tonight later.

"What's for breakfast?" the raven-haired teen asked.

"Toast," said his 13 year-old sister.

"Toast," he repeated, "really?"

"It's all we have, either that or leftover tofu from last night's supper," Lalalvava replied, shaking her head at her brother's antics.

"Anything but that tofu crap," Mandark then hesitantly walked out the door whithout any food. 'I'll just bribe Dexter to give me half his poptart or something..' he thought as he walked past tall autumn trees. Fall was his favorite season, although he didn't know why.

He sauntered to Huber High School, admiring the fall themes around him. Halloween decorations pranced and circled along with the swift wind arising.

As he was walking, enjoying the crisp, fall morning however, a familiar boy jumped out behind a tree wearing an old zombie mask you would usually see in cheesy- horror movies.

"BAH!" shouted the boy. Mandark jumped back, startled. Then scoffed, shaking his head as he noticed strands of red hair falling behind the mask.

"Screw you, Dexter," Mandark insulted. He had no time for games, as he was a very impatient person.

The red-head threw off the mask, laughing hysterically. "I can't help it, you're fun to scare," said the boy.

"Whatever, just get outta my way," Mandark said, mumbling angrily.

"Why, I thought you'd be the one to like all this creepy stuff. You're such a goth, after all," said Dexter.

Mandark whipped his head around, "I am in..." he began, trying to strengthen his voice, "no way a, "goth."

"Really? You sure act like it," Dexter teased. Mandark let out an exasperated sigh.

"Look, let's just get to school, or we'll be late," said Mandark. Dexter gave a curt nod.

The two walked in utter silence, "Sooo.. Aren't in the least bit exuberant for Halloween?" Dexter asked.

"No."

"Why?"

"I hate holidays," was Mandark's final answer until they got to Huber High.

"Even if you get candy?"

Mandakr at to chuckle a bit at that, "Okay, look, I'll come over tomorrow night and we can spend Halloween together," he said.

"Candy and monster movies?"

"Sure."

At that moment, Mandark's stomach growled.

"Hungry again?" Dexter asked.

"Yep.." The teen clutched his stomach.

"Here," Dexter said, handing him crackers from his back-pack.

"You know... I can think of a couple things besides candy and movies..." Dexter began.

"What?" Mandark asked, his voice muffled by the bag-full of crackers in his mouth. He swallowed after a few seconds.

"This..." Dexter's tone was seductive now, he moved closer to Mandark, his eyes half-lidded.

"Dexter..." Mandark breathed.

"Hmm?" Dexter hummed as he moved his lips even closer, a now small gap between them.

"Dexter..." Mandark breathed again.

"Yes, Mandark?"

"...... Go to Hell," Mandark cursed, and closed the gap with a bruising kiss.

To be continued. Up next: Ch. 3

Me: I don't own bla bla bla...