Chapter Thirteen — Pumpkins, Costumes, and Chaos
Lyra's POV
October in Lumera always smelled like cinnamon, smoke from tiny bonfires, and fallen leaves.
Saint Valley High's annual Halloween week was in full swing, and our friend group was in total overdrive.
Soraya was running around with a glue gun in one hand, glitter in the other. "We're going to win the costume contest this year. I feel it."
Saphira rolled her eyes, holding a stack of fake cobwebs. "Or we'll look ridiculous."
Cassian had decided to combine a vampire and a pirate. No one asked why.
"I call dibs on holding the candy bucket," Evan said casually, slipping an arm around my shoulders. "Someone's got to be practical."
I nudged him. "You mean you just want to hover next to me and get more candy?."
"Guilty," he admitted.
We started the weekend at the pumpkin patch, each of us picking the biggest, goofiest pumpkin we could carry.
I picked mine carefully, turning it over in my hands. "This one has… character."
"You mean it's wonky and perfect," Evan said, grinning. He picked a tall, thin one, muttering something about "perfect villain vibes."
Back at Soraya's house, we spent hours carving, painting, and attempting elaborate decorations.
Rina and Aveline quietly worked on spooky lanterns for the yard, while Saphira dramatically fainted over every tiny mistake.
"I cannot believe you cut off the pumpkin's nose," she wailed.
Cassian shrugged. "It's abstract art."
"Yeah," Soraya said, "we'll see if abstract art wins us first place."
Author's pov:
Later, we moved to costume prep.
Lyra + Evan brainstormed outfits together: she suggested something magical, he suggested matching outfits — maybe a wizard and his familiar.
Soraya tried on a vampire cape and kept twirling dramatically.
Saphira insisted she was a ghost, but with glitter — of course.
Cassian refused to explain his pirate-vampire hybrid.
The house smelled of pumpkin spice, paint, and glue — chaotic, warm, perfect.
Evening came, and we walked down the streets of Lumera. The air was crisp. Kids ran around in costumes, neighbors handed out candy, and the leaves crunched under our feet.
Lyra and Evan stayed close, sharing laughs and small touches: brushing a leaf from each other's hair, holding hands, leaning close to whisper jokes.
It felt ordinary. Safe. Fun.
Like nothing could ever go wrong here.