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"Something To Cry About" by sacados
"Halloween—the worst time of the year,” Screech muttered. The wraith Korbat flicked his tail in annoyance, thinking to himself that the sooner this holiday was over the better. “What are you talking about, Screech?” his friend Jewel asked, her eyes wide in surprise. “Halloween is probably the most fun holiday of the entire year!” Their other friend, Lacey, nodded in agreement. “Jewel is right! We get to dress up in costumes and go trick-or-treating for candy…what could be better?” Screech shook his head at his two friends. “It’s easy enough for you to say,” he said. “You aren’t painted like I am: wraith. I love my color, except for this time of the year. During the other months of the year, I am scary to other Neopians! And you two have known me for long enough to know what I enjoy doing the most. Spooking unsuspecting strangers is my type of fun!” “So wouldn’t Halloween be perfect for you?” Jewel asked. “I don’t understand why you never want to come out on Halloween with us if you enjoy being scary so much.” “Because everyone thinks I am wearing a costume!” Screech explained, feeling frustrated. “Look at me. My glowing swirls and purple spirals are normally creepy and fearsome. But on Halloween, nobody takes my spookiness seriously. They think I’m dressed up for the holiday and they laugh, not cry out in fright. I’m not dressed up in a scary Korbat costume…I AM a scary Korbat!” Lacey patted Screech on the back. “You’re the spookiest pet I know! Remember how afraid Jewel and I were when we first met you, before we became friends with you? You can still enjoy Halloween without being scary. It’s just one day.” “Yeah, there’s way more to Halloween than just being scary!” Jewel added. “That’s only one part of the holiday. Won’t you come trick-or-treating with us tomorrow night?” Screech hesitated. His friends were probably right, but he was still reluctant to participate. “Sorry,” he said sadly. “I would rather be myself than dress up as something else, and I don’t want anyone to think that my spooky color is ‘just’ a costume. I’ll see you two after the holiday instead.” “Alright, if you say so,” Jewel replied. “But if you change your mind, we will be trick-or-treating around the Market Square and we would be glad to have you join us!” “Thanks, but I won’t,” Screech said flatly, his mind made up. “Goodbye, and have fun.”

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