It was Halloween, and the town was dressed for the occasion. The streets buzzed with eerie music, pumpkins with wicked grins lined the sidewalks, and fake fog curled around people's ankles like ghostly hands. Every corner had something creepy—a skeleton dangling from a tree, a clown lurking in the bushes, or motion-activated ghouls screaming when someone walked past.
"Guys, I feel bored," Steph said, stretching out lazily on the couch. "Can we go to that haunted house downtown? I heard it's so scary people cry before they get inside."
"Are you crazy?! What if there's an actual ghost there?" Erica clutched a pillow to her chest, her eyes wide with fake panic. "I still have a lot to live for!"
"I think it sounds fun. I'll go with you, Steph," Angel said with a mischievous smile.
"Then it's settled," Risha said with a shrug. "We're all going."
"Wait, Erica, are you coming too?" Kim raised an eyebrow.
"Yes, of course. If Angel's going, I'm going. I won't let my girlfriend walk into a horror story alone," Erica answered, dramatically flipping her hair.
"Awww, that's sweet," Risha grinned. "But I won't let you be the only one with a girlfriend around. Kim, call your girl. I'll call mine."
Moments later, the doorbell rang. In came Rhea Lee and Mary, greeted with bear hugs and overly dramatic squeals from Kim and Risha.
"Oh my god, you two act like you haven't seen them in ten years," Erica teased, crossing her arms.
"Let us enjoy our moment!" Risha fired back. "Besides, when you were hanging on Angel like a lovesick puppy, we didn't say a word."
Kim nodded. "Exactly. So you owe us this, freak!"
"Angel, back me up here," Erica pleaded, poking out her lips.
"Nope. I'm with them. You do cling a lot," Angel smirked, playfully tapping Erica's nose.
"Ugh. Betrayed by my own girlfriend," Erica huffed.
"Guys, stop flirting! Show some respect for us single people!" Steph whined.
After packing snacks, flashlights, and a few props "just in case," the group piled into Erica's SUV. Predictably, the four couples squeezed into the back, cuddling and teasing. Erica and Angel sat in front, sharing one earbud and softly singing along to a playlist. The single trio—Audrey, Steph, and Vinish—sat squashed in the middle, looking miserable.
[Steph]: This is torture. Everyone's in love and we're in hell.
[Vinish]: My eyes are burning from all the PDA.
[Audrey]: Don't worry. I've got a plan. We're gonna make this night unforgettable for them.
[Steph]: Ooooh. What's the plan?!
[Vinish]: Tell us. We're ready for war.
Back in the front, Angel leaned her head on Erica's shoulder. "You're cute when you drive."
"I'm always cute," Erica whispered, kissing the top of her hand.
"Guys, seriously, you're making me nauseous!" Audrey groaned from the middle seat.
"Is that heartbreak talking or jealousy?" Risha teased.
Audrey crossed her arms and muttered, "Please. I have options."
"Yeah? Options that actually text back?" Kim added with a laugh.
They all arrived just as the sun dipped below the skyline. The haunted house towered over them like something from a horror film—dark windows, creaking porch, cobwebs dancing in the wind.
"Why do I feel like this place eats people?" Rhea muttered, clinging to Kim.
Everyone was staring at the house, too entranced to notice that Steph, Audrey, and Vinish had disappeared.
"Guys?" Mary blinked. "Where's Steph? And Audrey? Vinish?"
"I swear if they already went inside—" Erica was cut off by a distant creepy laugh echoing from within the house.
Unaware of the prank brewing, the six lovebirds slowly stepped inside. Immediately, the air turned colder. The wooden floorboards creaked beneath their steps, and dim, flickering lights led them into a hallway.
"Stay close to me," Erica whispered, gripping Angel's hand so tightly her knuckles turned white.
"You're supposed to protect me, not the other way around," Angel said with a laugh.
"Too late. You're my emotional support now."
Suddenly, a loud clang echoed from the kitchen.
"What the hell was that?!" Kim yelped.
"Don't leave me!" Risha shrieked, grabbing Mary.
As they reached the stairs, another realization hit.
"Wait—Steph, Audrey, and Vinish are still gone," Erica said, wide-eyed.
In the attic above, the trio were setting up sound triggers, pulling strings to move fake ghost props and throwing white sheets over mannequins.
"Audrey, your ghost looks too real," Steph praised.
"That's not mine," Audrey replied, confused.
They turned to Vinish.
"Not mine either," Vinish whispered.
Behind them, a grotesque, pale figure hovered.
"OH. MY. GOD!" Steph screamed.
"RUNNNNNN!!!" Audrey yelled.
They sprinted out, nearly tumbling down the stairs.
Meanwhile, the lovebirds had barely made it up to the second floor when a ghastly shadow blocked the stairs.
"IS THAT A GHOST?!!" Rhea lee screamed.
They all shrieked, turning around—just in time to run smack into Audrey.
"WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN?!" Erica shouted.
"We were trying to scare you! We rigged the house with creepy stuff! But we didn't expect there were actual ghosts here!"
"What?!"
As if on cue, a translucent figure appeared near the front door, floating closer.
"IT'S A REAL GHOST!!" Kim screamed.
Everyone ran in circles, bumping into furniture, screaming over one another.
They all collided in the living room and huddled in a ball, closing their eyes.
Suddenly, laughter echoed.
Erica and Angel burst into giggles.
"Gotcha!"
"Wait—WHAT?!" Steph looked up, furious.
"We heard your plan in the car," Erica said. "So we called the owner. This isn't a real haunted house—it's a prop house for a Halloween party."
Angel grinned. "We asked them to help us prank you back. The ghost was an actor."
"YOU EVIL LITTLE—" Risha lunged at Erica, pinching her ears.
"We were scared to death!!" Audrey shouted.
"You deserved it for trying to traumatize us first," Rhea lee said with a smirk.
Everyone burst into laughter.
Then—
BANG!
A thunderous sound came from upstairs.
"Okay THAT wasn't part of the plan," Angel whispered.
They didn't wait to find out. In an instant, they all sprinted out, piling into Erica's car. Panting, sweating, and clutching their hearts.
"That… was AWESOME!!" Kim said between laughs.
They all agreed.
That night, the haunted house gave them more than just screams and laughs—it gave them a story they'd never forget.
And for once, even the single ones felt like they were part of something special.