Not Everyone Can Pull It Off

Scowling in concentration, her tongue peeking pinkly, Kaylee fixed another scale in place. Tonight was the Halloween Dance. The whole school had been buzzing about it for weeks, and surely this costume would outshine every other.

Her face will stick like that, Mila thought. Oh, well. Can't look any worse.

"You're literally saving my life," she said aloud. Gratitude dripped off her tongue like honey, sickly sweet. "No way I could've done this by myself!"

Mila was slender, fine-boned, full-lipped, and with enough confidence not to hide the boobs that jutted out at a gravity-defying angle. She was especially vain about her pale hair. Every night she brushed it with a horse-hair brush until it shone, dampened it, rolled it in socks, and wrapped it all up in a silk scarf.

Everyone loved Mila. Teachers. Boys. Girls. Mila.

Kaylee shook her draping sleeves out of the way, impatience etched on her face. She'd been ready ages. All this time she'd been helping Kaylee with her costume. It'd taken weeks to finish.

Her own (Morticia Addams) was simple, suited her thin frame, and needed only a wig to complete the look. They mightn't have time to spend getting it on right.

It'd be worth it. Mila always turned heads. In this costume, she was going to break necks.

"Logan won't be able to keep his eyes off you," Kaylee said.

Less a dress, more a second skin: tight, shimmering, mesmerising. Not every body could pull off such an outfit. You had to be in good shape, and bleed confidence.

"What time's the limo?" Kaylee asked, thinking about that wig.

"Daddy booked it for seven," Mila replied faintly, tilting her head and admiring her reflection.

When they arrived at the school, every head turned. Mila relished it, her every motion a performance, each step a dance. Kaylee smiled under her crooked wig. Content, for now, to bask in Mila's long shadow.

Later, Mila tugged at Kaylee's enormous sleeve.

"I can't get it off!"

"Well, it's pretty tight..."

"No! I mean, it's, like... fused to my skin or something."

"Really?" Kaylee's eyes were round with surprised innocence. Inside those ridiculous sleeves, she gripped the amulet. She did not smile.

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Word count - 366

(NB. This excludes the title, subtitle, and authors note.)

Submitted on Tuesday 24th September at 23:55

The story behind the story: This is a story for Marie Sinadjan's Spooky Bingo, using the theme "Skin".

A Year of Stories: I'm writing (and submitting, here) a story every day this year. This continues my 268 daily microfiction story streak since 1st January. I can't believe I'm going to say this, but...

ONLY NINETY-EIGHT DAYS TO GO!

Please consider lending your support to the other creators on this madcap "a story every day" adventure. They're putting out excellent content every day!

Rachel Deeming

Gerard DiLeo

Thank you

Especially if you are one of the wonderful people who has been staunchly reading these daily scribbles since the start of the year. I see you, and appreciate you very much indeed! Thank you to those who leave feedback/comments. I will do my best to respond to each one and reciprocate the reads.

If you enjoyed this one, the very best compliment you can give me is to share it, or read another!

One week left on my dollar challenge!

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Thank you again!