SS Halloween Special Ch 6

Apple is not new, but she seems oblivious to the politics of the house. Approaching Kylie is an absurd idea. Kylie is literally, not figuratively, the most popular girl in CCL. She’s confident, she embodies all of the most rage-inducing characteristics of stupid beauty standards, and she’s from Australia. She talks about Australia like it’s a mess, but Elsa doesn’t want to hear it. Australia has healthcare.

Apple knocks, and Kylie opens her door. She is radiant in her white shorts and red Chiefs jersey. She’s straightened her golden hair, gone way over the top with eye shadow, and her lipstick is glossy red. It’s not the most original costume, but it works so well for her that it makes Elsa’s blood boil. She peers out at them curiously, her eyes lingering on Elsa. She holds two bottles of perfume.

“You look amazing,” Kylie says to Ying. She doesn’t comment on anyone else’s costume.

“Why aren’t you downstairs?” Elsa asks suspiciously.

“Getting there,” Kylie replies. Beautiful, perfect. Not a care in the world. Elsa wants to throw her out of a window and kill her with an axe.

Apple is doing that vaguely otter-like bouncing on her toes. “Want to help us summon a ghost?”

Ying looks offended. “I thought it was a demon.”

“Dunno. Says both things on different pages,” Apple replies, patting her cauldron.

“That doesn’t sound right,” Colby says.

Apple bristles. “You think you know more about the occult than ChatGPT?”

Colby backs down. “I didn’t say that.”

Apple looks expectantly at Kylie, who locks eyes with Ying for several seconds.

“Will it take long?” the blonde asks.

“Dunno!” Apple replies.

Kylie shrugs and frowns at her perfume, then gives herself a few puffs from the purple one. “All right, but someone put this on me.” She holds up a glittery eye pen. Ying takes it and gives her eyes a little extra sparkle. Kylie checks herself in the mirror, then smacks her lips. “Perfect. Thanks, babe.”

“You’re welcome,” Ying replies, cool as hell.

“Who are we summoning?” Kylie asks, joining them in the hall and locking her door. “Can we have Hendrix? Will he do Purple Haze for us?”

“I’ll try me best,” Apple says, starting off. “We have five!” she shouts in triumph, throwing up a fist.

“She can count now,” Elsa mutters. “She’s getting smarter. Pretty soon she’ll be able to open doors like the dinosaurs in that movie.”

“University of Florida. Only the best education,” Colby says.

“Is it weird that I sort of wanna slap your butt in that?” Kylie asks Elsa.

“Does it look good?”

“Your butt or the costume?”

“Either?”

“You know those leggings that lift it and spread it and that? Looks like you’re wearing those. It’s interesting,” Kylie says kindly.

Ying grabs Elsa’s hand and squeezes it.

“Can we stop and get a drink first?” Elsa asks miserably.

“God, yes,” Kylie moans.

“That might not be the best idea,” Apple tries to protest, but Ying speaks over her.

“I want a drink too. Simply majority,” she says.