the bass thumped so hard that you could feel it like it was a second heartbeat. this backyard was packed with fairy lights hung from tree to tree, kids in halloween costumes yelling over music, and smoke machines throwing out way too much fog

regina was of course shining under all of it, standing near the fire pit with a solo cup in her hand while her angel costume caught all of the light. her wings had brushed the girl she had been dancing with earlier. it was the same girl who used to like her. you werent really jealous. you just didnt like the way it looked or the way you felt

as she was stepping away from the group she was with, you caught up to her. she looked up and saw you, smile slightly faltering

"hey" she said, reaching for your hand

you took it but your voice came out lower then you wanted it to "can we talk?"

you walked behind the house and stood by a tree where it was a lot quieter. she stood there patiently as you shifted in your matching devil costume

"im not mad" you meant it "i just didnt like seeing you dance with her. thats all."

she frowned "we were just dancing. i didnt even think about it"

"i know" you held your hands up for a split second "i know you werent doing anything wrong. im not accusing you of cheating or anything. i trust you. i just didnt like it. that all im saying."

regina looked down for a second and when she looked back up her eyes were starting to water "you think i was trying to make you jealous?"

"what? no- regina baby no" you took a step closer "this isnt a fight. im just being honest with you"

"i didnt even realize she was into me like that anymore" she whispered, blinking away tears

"she used to be and maybe shes not anymore but i saw the way she was looking at you. i didnt like it and i didnt like that she got to be that close to you."

her bottom lip started to tremble "i didnt mean to make you feel like that"

"i know you didnt. thats why im telling you. im not mad. i just wanted to say it before it turned into something worse."

there was a long pause as you looked down at her hand that was in yours "i hate seeing you cry. you know that."

"and i hate that i made you feel like this" she whispered

you reached up and touched her cheek "were okay. i just needed to say it. youre my girl and youre the only one i want. always."

her fingers curled into your jacket as she leaned into you and whispered "i love you"

"i love you too"