Cave of Terror by Amber Dawn Bell

cold."
    "Doesn't help that you're half naked."
    She glared at me.
    Well, the genie costume didn't exactly cover much. But, every teen knows it's better to freeze than be unfashionable by covering up a cool outfit. I was glad I decided to wear the pirate costume. At least my arms and legs were covered. Texas weather was always so weird. One day you're wearing shorts, the next day it's snowing. Crazy.
    I knocked on the door, my knuckles stinging from the cold. Brad himself answered, wearing a Mark Anthony type costume that left most of his muscular legs on display. I never thought I'd think a guy looked good in a dress, but shazaam!
    Brad's face lit up when he saw Mandy. This was getting more interesting by the minute.
    "Hi! Y'all come on in. Great costumes by the way."
    I doubt he even saw mine, because he seemed to have eyes only for Mandy. We wound our way through the crowded house, checking out everyone's costumes and the spooky decorations.
    "Would y'all like a drink or something?” Brad asked.
    Mandy stared at Brad as if he'd grown horns or something. “Umm ... sure."
    He rushed off without bothering to find out if I wanted anything.
    A table was set up with snacks and drinks. Dry ice added to a black cauldron containing punch caused an eerie, heavy fog to slowly and silently slither across the table surface. Candy corn looking nachos, mini pumpkin cakes, marshmallow spiders, dirt pudding cups with worms, witchy fingers, witch's hats, skull sandwiches, and a bunch of other yummy but creepy snacks decorated the rest of the table. Someone had gone to a lot of trouble.
    Monster Mash played in the background as a few girls danced to the beat. Across the room, the door banged open and in walked Val and her entourage. And oh what an entrance she made. She walked through the middle of the group dancing, separating them like she was Moses parting the sea. And wouldn't you know it, she had on a pirate costume—the ‘ho’ version of course. The black dress barely met the top of her thighs. I bet she wouldn't be bending over much—or maybe she would. Sheer black sleeves covered her arms; red ribbons decorated her upper arms and wrists. The black leather bustier pushed her breasts up, threatening to spill them out with the slightest of movements.
    I glanced down at my nonexistent boobs and grimaced. Bustier or not, my boobs wouldn't be spilling out of anything.
    A black floppy pirate hat trimmed with lace along with a red sash around her waist completed the ensemble. Let's not forget the stiletto thigh-high black boots I noticed as she finished pushing her way through the rest of the party-goers and headed straight toward us.
    Mandy was too worried about Brad to notice Val's approach.
    Brad turned and handed Mandy the drink. “Here ya go."
    "Thank you,” she said as she awkwardly accepted it.
    I had never seen Mandy so flustered. It was rather cute to watch—a little disturbing, but cute.
    Val sauntered over and stood in front of me and Mandy, her hands firmly planted on her hips. She first looked Mandy up and down, studying every bit of her costume. Then, she turned and did the same to me, except she lingered on my costume and curled her lip in obvious distaste.
    "Who invited the two of you?” she snarled.
    Brad stepped up. “I did.” He raised his eyebrows in challenge.
    Val stuck her nose in the air. “Whatever.” She flicked her wrist in dismissal and left, her minions following close behind.
    Mandy looked at me. “What exactly is her problem?"
    "She has a big ole stick up her ass,” Brad said with a straight face.
    We all cracked up laughing. Brad was an okay guy.
    After drinking several rootbeers before leaving home and now having two cups of punch, I needed to empty my bladder in a big way.
    "Where's the bathroom?"
    Brad pointed down the hall. “First door on your left."
    "Thanks.” I glanced at Mandy. “I'll be right back."
    "And I'll be right here.” She turned her body slightly, so Brad couldn't see and