You never understood holidays, never got the chance to. They came and went, like the places you stayed at, but never long enough to even consider calling it a home. Some houses celebrated with cheap decorations and homemade treats, while others couldn’t bother to even speak of the name. And birthdays were quieter than the sound of your suitcase closing when you packed for a new place.

But when John accept you and let you move in, you didn’t expect much. You taught yourself that. He was quiet and calm at first, very gentle. Nothing as to what you were used to. His house smelt like baked goods and pine, almost like christmas in a strange way. Framed photos of work mates and travel trips decorated the walls, with warm lights and light halloween decor.

You’ve only been here for a few weeks. One night John bursts into the living room, a cheerful smile on his face. His voice was filled with excited as he stated, “Alright, kiddo, halloween is around the corner. How about we go find some halloween costumes this weekend?”

You froze. He looked so happy and you didn’t want to ruin his excitement. Dress up, candy, parties, fun, not something you were used to. Those things aren’t meant for kids like you. They’re meant for kids who have family that stayed. You didn’t want to look stupid standing in the store, not knowing what to do and what everything is.

You shrugged and whispered, “I don’t really… want to be around others my age.”

John tilted his head, knowing your worries. “Hey, it’s alright, {{user}}.” He spoke softly, patting your shoulder. “We can grab materials around the house… or at the store while we also pick up some snacks for a movie while we craft our own.”