One Step at a Time

I don\'t know if hot is the word I\'d use, but he was noticing.

As far as other stories by me, I\'m actually working on another one, but it\'s kind of on the back burner. If you\'re at all interested just check my profile once in a while to see if it pops up.

Again, thanks for the reviews.

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Nearly two months passed and the days slowly turned into fall with a darkening blue sky and everything around turning bright reds, yellows, and oranges. The days remained warm, but ended with brisk, chilly nights that were cool enough to reveal the breath on the edge of lips. The time of year when people retired their iced tea and salads for hot chocolate and soup and breaking out their winter attire of sweaters and scarves.

Jake particularly enjoyed this time of year, though he didn’t care for the cold weather. He liked how everything was decorated by colored leaves on browning grass, like nature’s way of making up for it. Walking down the street and seeing pumpkins lining store windows, the smell of rubber Halloween masks on display, and the crisp, clear air that you didn’t get during the smoggy summer. It was hard for Jake to find something he didn’t like about this season.

He was even getting to know his friends better lately which he enjoyed. Getting together with Nick or Alice on the weekends for a movie or lunch, or just to talk. Seeing Will more often than usual to play a game of basketball or hit some balls at the batting cages. No matter what he was doing with them, they were growing closer. Then there was Liz. He hasn’t seen her as much as the others, but they made it a habit of meeting up at least once a week. Even though it has only been a few times he felt that there was a bond growing between them. She was loosening up more around him and he was warming up to her.

In fact, that’s who he was going to see right now. They had made plans to have lunch together and he was walking to the diner that was only a few blocks from where he lived. It was one of those fifties styled diners with the cars that appeared to have run right through the wall, but were actually booths on the inside. He always wanted to sit in the cars, he remembered, when he was younger and came with his parents, or even later when he was in high school with friends. When he got there he saw Liz sitting at a glitter booth by the window and he knocked on it to let her know he was there before going inside.

The startled way she spun her head around as a response to the tap amused him when he thought about it and put a smirk on his face. “That was mean.” She said quietly as Jake approached the table. She had her fingers intertwined with each other as she rested her elbows on the table, and her face was behind them almost as if she was trying to hide.

“I never pass up an opportunity to scare someone.” He said. They exchanged smiles and she put her hands down in a relaxed manner. Even though they have known each other for a couple months now, she would still get a little nervous every time they would make plans. A waiter came by with a couple drinks and straws and placed them between the two, before moving on to another table. “Expecting someone?” He asked jokingly. He picked up his glass and sniffed it before taking a sip. Dr. Pepper he realized. “Ah, you know my brand.”

Liz had to giggle as Jake swirled the soda around as if he was a sophisticated wine critique. “You seem to be in a good mood.”

Jake shrugged as he ripped the tip off of the straw’s wrapper and blew the rest like a dart towards Liz, causing her to laugh again. “I guess I just like this month.” He said. While that was true, it was only part of the reason. Since fate, also known as Will Ferguson, brought them together, his like for Liz has grown quite a bit. Though he still only was concentrating on the friendship he usually found himself enjoying time with her much more than with other people. It just made him wonder sometimes.

“So?” Liz started, smiling to Jake’s response. “Why’d you want to meet up today?”

He cleared his throat, something he usually did if he was going to be talking for any length of time. “Well, Will is friends with a guy whose father owns a hotel downtown. I can’t remember the name of it right now, I’ve never been to it, but they’re having a party on Halloween. He told Will that he could invite anyone he wanted and he asked me. The catch is that it’s a costume affair, so I’ll have to dress up if I want to go.”

“Are you going to do it?”

“Hell yeah. I’m too old for trick or treating, so any chance I get to do something like this I jump on it.” He said enthusiastically. “But, it’s not like it’s just going to be Will and me. There are going to be a lot of people there, so I don’t know how much I would be seeing him. He’ll be the only I’d know there, so… I was kind of wondering if you would want to go with me.”

Liz was quiet for a moment as if to contemplate on what to say. “Um, are you sure you want me to go?” She asked as reassurance. “I mean, I don’t even know what I would go as.

“We can shop around for something. I don’t even know how I’m going to dress up. I figured we could go out one of these days and find something. That is if you want to go.” He said, a hint of hope in his voice.

She sat back and crossed her arms, crooking her mouth some while looking off to the side before returning her eyes on Jake. “Okay. I’ll go.” There was a look of relief on his face as he smiled at the good news. “Um, when did you want to go looking?”

“I’m free today, but any time that’s good for you.” He said, drinking more of his soda.

“Today’s perfect.” She said with a smile. The waiter came back, this time asking if they were ready to order. Jake didn’t even have to look at the menu when he asked for a plain bacon cheeseburger with fries. After looking for a couple seconds Liz ended up ordering the same thing, but with everything on it. He shuddered and continued on to say that was disgusting. Saying that the onions and mustard and mayonnaise take away the flavor of the main ingredients that are meant to be tasted. Liz only laughed at his silly, passionate point of view of how diner food should be eaten.

After lunch the two of them grabbed a bus and headed to a party store Jake knew of downtown. It mostly had the usual party supplies like birthday candles, designed plates and cups, noise makers; that sort of thing, but in the back there was a warehouse-like room with almost every possible costume imaginable. When they first walked in there was a wall lined with all the kid’s costumes, but it wasn’t until they made their way in more when they came into the more detailed ones.

“Anything looking good to you yet?”

“Not yet…” She trailed off while she continued to eye the different display pictures.

“Hm, what about this?” Jake asked as he held up a skimpy French maid costume with a joking smile. She gasped a no and grabbed it from him, hitting him in the arm with it as she blushed. It was far too sexy for her to even consider wearing. In fact, that was her problem with deciding. Everything she looked at; devils, nurses, bees, and even harlots, were all too reveling for her taste. One finally stood out to her, though.

“You know what’s odd?” She asked, grabbing Jake’s attention. “I have never been a witch.” There were several different witch costumes to pick from, but like the others they were all scanty except for one.

“I don’t see what’s so strange about that.” He said, coming next to her and looking at the one she picked out.

“But isn’t it some kind of passage of rights for a little girl to be a witch at some point?”

“I guess it’s never too late.” He reassured her. “Is that what you want to go as?”

Liz thought about it for a while, looking up a few times at the other costumes again, but finally looking back down to the one she was holding. “Sure, why not?” She said with a smile. “So now you have to find something.”

“I already did.” Liz tilted her head with confusion and was going to ask about it when Jake continued. “But it’s a secret. I’ll come back and get it later.” She pouted in a way to say that’s not fair when Jake grabbed the costume from her hand. “Here, my treat.”

She tired to take it back from him in protest, but failed. “You don’t have to do that.” She whined. “I can pay for it.”

“Don’t worry about it. You’re my guest, remember?” He took it to the register and paid for it, the whole time Liz holding an expression of slight disapproval. Afterwards handing her the bag with her gift, which she accepted hesitantly.

They headed outside and while they were standing on the sidewalk looking for a bus or taxi to take them back, Jake heard a creak above him. Liz must have heard it too because he noticed her looking up just as he did, but the next thing he knew he was soaking wet, covered in muddy water and leaves. The only thing he could remember before that was the shriek Liz let out as everything poured on him. “What- what the hell was that?” He forced out. Wiping his face off as best he could while Liz picked of some of the soggy leaves.

“Oh my God, are you okay?” She asked sincerely, though the giggles she was trying to hold back would make you wonder.

“Yeah, I’m fine, but what the hell?” He repeated, the comical tone of his voice causing Liz to finally laugh out loud. She reached up and brushed some sludge from his hair and then tried to shake her hand clean.

She looked up again and found what had happened. “There.” She said, making him turn around and pointed towards the rooftops. “One of the awnings that line the buildings fell loose. It must have gotten too heavy from the rain water.” She finished, falling victim to her own laughter again.

Jake let out a groan and shook his arms, splattering the sidewalk with the mess he was covered with. A few people that were walking by stopped to ask if he was all right and he only nodded and gave thanks for their concern. He then turned back to Liz with a slightly awkward expression on his face. “Um, do you mind if we go back to my place so I can clean up?” He asked. “It won’t take long, I promise.”

***

After a while they were finally able to hail a taxi that drove them to Jake’s house and it was about as uncomfortable of a ride as it could be for him. His jeans were damp and sticking to his skin and the water dripping down the back of his neck was driving him crazy. At least his feet were dry, he thought, the only positive he could think of at the moment.

“I just happened to think.” Liz started as they climbed out of the taxi and headed up to the door. “This is the first time I’ve seen your house.”

“Well, don’t expect anything extravagant.” He mumbled, not meaning for the irritation of his situation to be evident in his voice. He fumbled for his keys before finding the right one and opened the door. They came into a small entrance hall that split a ways in. Straight on was the living room that was situated next to the dining and family rooms, to the right was the kitchen that flowed into a service porch and looped around to meet the family room. On the left were the hallways that lead to the three bedrooms and the bathroom.

“Hey, it is extravagant next to my dinky apartment.” She said. “I think it looks great.” She continued, looking around briefly at the rooms they were passing into the living room.

“Let’s see.” Jake started, kicking his shoes off in from of the couch. “Help yourself to anything in the kitchen if you want to, there’s a TV in the family if you get bored or the books here in the living room, but I don’t know if they’d interest you.” He offered. “I’ll only be a few minutes, so just make yourself at home.”

Liz nodded appreciatively as he left down the hall it was only a few second before she heard the faint sound of running water from the shower. Thinking about what he said she moved over to the ceiling-tall bookcase and looked over what he claimed she wouldn’t be interested in. He was right, partially. Everything seemed to be some sort of do-it-yourself home repair books. Plumbing, electrical, gardening, and so on. It did interest her in the way that she was finding out more about what he liked. The length of time that they had known each other he more or less remained a closed book, she thought, realizing the irony of her choice of words.

She started off to see another room while she waited when some pictures on the mantle of the fireplace grabbed her attention, three of them of a man, a woman, and one with them together. The woman had long, curling brown hair and green eyes, Jake’s eyes, she realized. These must be his parents she thought. The man was tall and had dark brown hair and his face was older, but there was a striking resemblance to Jake. Definitely his parents. Suddenly she heard footsteps and turned to see Jake quickly passing by the room into the kitchen, a moment later coming in from the family room with a shirt in hand. She had no choice but to notice that the only thing he was wearing were a pair of sweat pants. He was slender, like she already knew, but toned, the kind of shape she imagined him to be in.

Wait, imagined him? She blushed as she caught herself remembering a few times she happened to think of Jake a little more intimately than a friend normally would. Jake was in the middle of putting his shirt on and Liz tried to rub away her blush so he wouldn’t see, but it was no use. Instead she tried not to face him as he came closer to see what she was looking at. “A-are those your parents?” She asked, knowing full well the answer, but trying anything to distract from the subject her mind was set on.

Jake combed his fingers through his hair as he looked up at the mantle. “Yeah, that’s them.” He said, a tinge of regret in his voice. “So you weren’t too bored in here by yourself, were you?” He asked, blatantly changing the subject and walking towards the kitchen.

“Not at all.” She said simply, following Jake into the next room and wondering about his reaction to her earlier question. “Um, I really love this house.” She continued.

Jake smiled and pulled a couple cans of soda out of the refrigerator, asking if she wanted one with his eyes and she took it from his hand. “They don’t make them like this anymore.” He said. “Now they’re all cramped together and all look the same. Monotone and two stories to make up for the lack of land.”

“How long have you lived here?” She asked, snapping open her can.

“My whole life. I’m the third generation to own it, though.” He cleared his throat and sat down at the small table by the window and Liz followed, taking the seat across from him. “My grandparents bought this lot about sixty years ago and had this house built. Then later after they passed away they left it to my dad and when he finished college moved back in. He got married, had me, and… now I have it.”

Liz bit her lip nervously before asking the question that was pressing on her mind now. “Um, what happened to them?”

Jake looked down at his soda can and spun it around a few times in his hands before looking back up. “Died.” He said simply and quietly. “About five years ago my mom got cancer and, uh, and they couldn’t do anything about it.” His voice raising some. “Then around three years later, my dad…”

Liz looked back at him with sullen eyes. “I-I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to…”

“No, you didn’t do anything wrong.” He interrupted, shaking his head. He finished the rest of his drink and got up to toss the can away. “It’s all done and… well I guess ‘dead’ would be a poor choice of words here.” He said, giving a forced smile. Still, Liz felt bad for bringing something up that obviously bothered him. The only condolence she got was the fact that he actually opened up a little. “Well, anyway, I should probably get dressed again. We can talk some more about the Halloween thing after.”

“Okay.” After he left she let out a sigh and rested her head on her hand. She looked down at the soda she had barely touched and snapped the tab a few times. She couldn’t help but wonder if there was more than what he was telling her about his parents. Liz could understand him being upset, but he just acted different than she would expect. For now she wasn’t going to delve anymore into it and just look forward to the night they were planning.

***

It was finally Halloween night and Liz was all dressed up in her costume waiting in the lobby of her apartment for Jake to pick her up. It had been years since she last dressed up and she was growing more excited over the last week as the thirty-first neared. Her costume even fit perfectly too, she thought, as she was looking down at it again to make sure it looked all right on her.

“Hello, my angel of music.” A voice whispered in her ear. Liz jumped and spun around startled both from being snuck up on and feeling the warm breath on her neck. It was Jake, of course. As he said, any given chance to scare someone he did, and what better day to do so. His costume was one she wasn’t expecting either, the phantom of the opera. He was wearing a black suit with a wide collared white shirt and shrouding him was a long black cape that nearly hit the floor. Of course Liz couldn’t miss the trademark white mask that covered half of his face.

“Wow, you really went all out.” Liz giggled. Though she probably could have said it sucked and he wouldn’t have noticed. He could only think of how amazing she looked in her costume. It was a conservative black dress that hung down to her feet and had a shredded hem with loose, transparent arms and a traditional pointed hat, crooked to add character. She even added some details of her own by blackening her lips darkening her eyes, plus her naturally black hair fit perfectly.

“Um, not really actually. I decided all I needed after all was a mask. Everything else I already had.” He said. “You look great by the way.”

“Thanks.” She said with a blush and adjusting her hat some. “But wait, you already had a cape?” She asked, tilting her head curiously.

“Yeah, well, if I told you why I’d have to kill you.” He joked in the most pleasant tone possible. “So are you ready to go?” She nodded with a smile and he guided her to his truck.

The hotel was made up to be like a haunted house; the first thing noticed being the gravestones on the outside and the trees covered in thick cobwebs. The doors were held open and a fog machine was screening the inside as well as adding atmosphere to the entrance. The rooms inside were decorated beautifully too. Curtains were closed and had lights strung around the windows that flashed periodically to give the effect of lightning. All the lights were dimmed and different decorations like a smoking cauldron and glow in the dark skeletons guided people around. They even set up the front desk like a bar, with beer fountains and mixed drinks along with stools set up in front. The party itself was smaller than Jake was expecting, but there still a fair amount of people. Of course the party spread upstairs to higher levels, so that thinned the crowd some. Everything accompanied by music playing at a decently low level so not to drown out people’s voices.

Liz made sure to stay close to Jake, as she didn’t know anyone else here besides him and with the eerie environment she didn’t particularly feel like being separated. Jake was walking on ahead through the groups of people trying to search out Will and tell him they were there, looking back once in a while to see if Liz was still following.

“Hey, Jake! You made it!” Will called out ahead with drink in hand, and surprise-surprise he was dressed as a pimp, Jake thought. Decked out in a purple felt suit and a leopard pattern hat with a feather. “And I see you brought a guest.” He said, tilting his green tinted glassed to the tip of his nose and eying Liz. “Wait a minute… Liz? Wow, I barely recognize you!”

She came out from hiding behind Jake some. “Good or bad?” She asked a little timidly. The last time she had seen Will was the night at the bowling alley, so she wasn’t too sure about what he was like.

“Very good.” He answered slyly with a cocky grin, true to the character he was portraying.

“Yeah, yeah.” Jake cut in. “Don’t you have some hos to be gathering up or something.” He joked. “But seriously, I just wanted to let you know we were here.”

“Well I’m glad you could make it. There are a couple people Dillon, the owner’s son, wanted to introduce to me upstairs, so I’ll let you go right now.” He said. “Great costumes, by the way.” He called back as he started up the stairs. Jake nodded as thanks and turned back to Liz.

“Guess it’s just you and me for now.” He said. “Come on, I’ll treat you to a drink.”

Liz trotted along to catch up to Jake who already started moving towards the makeshift bar. “You’re going to spoil me if you keep buying my way through things.” She said.

He turned slightly to see where exactly she was. Even though he could see well enough through the mask, his peripheral vision was shot. “Relax. Everything here is complementary.” He smiled to her. She came along next to him so he wouldn’t have to strain so much to look back at her when he suddenly put his arm around her waist to guide her along. Jake didn’t seem to realize what he was doing, but the feeling of his arm wrapped around her sent a shiver down her spine and she was thankful the room was dark because she was sure her face was burning red from his touch.

Her mind was so distracted from this unexpected contact that she didn’t even realize that they made it to the bar. Jake asked what looked good to her and she was barely able to squeak out that anything was fine as long as it wasn’t alcoholic, though a good nip probably would have helped her now on edge nerves. He settled on some clear soda that was poured in plastic martini glasses, if that would be considered fancy, and gummy eyeballs floating in them to give them the look of an actual martini. When Jake handed one to her she looked over it and squirmed at the sight of a toothpick poked through an eye.

As the night went on Liz was able to unwind, even able to get into some of the activities they had going like the costume contest. Surprising to Jake she was the one that wanted to join in and pestered Jake to join her. She finally broke down his wall of refusals and entered himself as well. Unfortunately neither of them got into the top three, but Liz seemed to enjoy it anyway, so it didn’t matter. They even met up with Will again on one of the upper floors where it was lighter and a more relaxed atmosphere. Later they found themselves on the ground level again and Jake noticed that Liz was looking a little tired. She denied it at first when he asked her about it, but when he said he was getting a little tired himself she finally admitted that he could call it a night.

“Okay, then.” Jake started, taking off his mask, which he had worn all night long. “I’m going to run up stairs quickly to tell Will we’re leaving and I’ll be right back.” Liz nodded as she took a stool at the bar and figured she’d have one more of those eyeball drinks, as she called them, before heading home.

“Hey there.” A voice from the stool beside her startled her. It was some man dressed up in a very flamboyant Dracula costume, smiling at her with painted red lips and false fangs. “Are you here alone?” He asked.

Liz first looked towards the stairs to see if Jake was in sight, hopefully coming back, before she answered. “Um, no. I’m with someone.” She said quietly and she took a small sip from the drink she just got.

Dracula eyed her up and down with a desiring gaze that made her uncomfortable as she shifted in her seat to face the other way, but he only walked around and sat at the stool on the other side. “Must not be very good company, leaving a pretty little witch alone like this.” He took her free hand in his and began rubbing her thumb tenderly with his. Her eyes widened some with worry and she broke his touch by turning around again, but he only did the same thing as before and switched back to his original seat. “What’s the matter?” He asked with a soothing voice. “I was just thinking that we could have some fun together somewhere.”

The smile he gave her sent a chill up her spine. “Um, no thanks. I-I have to go…” She got up and started for the door, but was stopped when she felt her arm grabbed from behind. This time, however, he didn’t let go when she tried to pull away.

“Oh come on. I thought vampires were supposed to be irresistible.” He said with a smug look on his face. Taking his other hand and pulling her a little closer like he was reeling in a fish.

“I-I said I didn’t want to.” Her voice noticeably shaky now, but he didn’t seem to pay any mind as he pulled her a little closer still.

“The lady doesn’t want to go.” Jake said in a low, firm voice as he suddenly cut between the two, slamming his hand on the counter for effect and causing the man to loosen his grip so she could pull away. A sense of relief fell over Liz as she hid some behind him, lightly tugging on his cape to say she was ready to go.

The man only laughed and looked around cockily before looking back at Jake, whose eyes were cold and unwavering. “Okay buddy, this doesn’t concern you.” He said as he tried to pass by him and get to Liz again, but Jake put his hand on the man’s chest and held him away. “Don’t push me.” He said, sternly, the joking tone of his voice completely gone.

“Don’t go near her.” Jake retorted, his voice more forceful. Dracula laughed again and tried to pass him again only to be pushed back again. His eyes narrowed and he pushed Jake backwards, when he turned to see if Liz was alright from him bumping into her he turned back to see a tightened fist coming his way. Jake was luckily able to evade that attack, but when he straightened up again he was grabbed by the collar and punched twice, quickly in the face, causing him to keel over the bar. Liz let out a muffled scream from under her hands before rushing over to Jake to see if he was all right.

For just a second while his face rested on the cool wood of the counter he clenched a fist to hit back, but when he saw Will and Dillon grabbing the man from behind to drag him away his hand relaxed. He only turned around slowly and silently and leaned against the desk on his elbows feeling defeated. He just stared off without paying attention to his surroundings, but vaguely hearing Dillon apologizing to Will for his friend getting hurt.

Hurt, he thought. It didn’t hurt. Not physically, anyway, or at least not yet. He was just disappointed. Liz frantically took some ice from the cooler behind the desk, but when she attempted to apply it to his already bruising face he merely brushed her hand away. Will came back after making sure his attacker was long gone with Dillon following, both asking if he was alright and apologizing relentlessly, but Jake only told them not to worry about it. Attempting to crack a joke by saying he should sue the hotel, but failing. He finally said good night to them and thanked them for the invitation before leaving with Liz.

“I-I’m sorry…” Liz was finally able to force out, barely above a whisper. Most of the ride home was in silence with Jake resting his head on his hand while his arm was hanging out the window. The cool night air feeling good against his injured face, only interrupted by the stinging of his split lip.

“It’s not your fault.” He said plainly, not averting his eyes from the road.

Liz looked over at him for the first time in the car, feeling as though she was going to cry. “But, if I had gone with you or waited in the truck or something while you… you wouldn’t have…” She could feel herself breaking and turned away to look out the window, the store and traffic lights beginning to blur.

“It’s not your fault.” He repeated more harshly, but not meaning to, and not even realizing it otherwise he would have apologized. Liz didn’t say any more about it, not wanting to agitate him further. The rest of the drive back was just as it started, in silence. Liz wishing Jake would say something, anything, to let her know he was all right, but he just sat there staring straight ahead. Even after they reached her apartment, he had gotten out and walked her to her door without a single word.

She never remembered the walk to her room being so long, she thought. A mile between each apartment that they passed and an elevator ride that took hours to stop. She fumbled for her keys when they neared her room and she opened her door slowly, finally decided to speak up. “Um, thanks for tonight. It was… fun.” She said, hoping her voice was steady enough. Jake nodded with a slight grunt as if to say you’re welcome. “I guess I’ll see you later?” She ended up asking instead of stating.

“Yeah.” He finally said. “I’ll talk to you later.” His voice monotone and making an awkward smile, partly from being forced and part that it hurt some when he strained his muscles. He didn’t say another word, but nodded again as he turned around to leave. No wave, no good nights. Liz couldn’t even watch him turn the corner like she usually did. Instead she slid down the door inside to the floor and buried head in her arms and let the tears fall that she was holding back since the accident.