I didn't wear the mask. There was an unwritten rule for the Halloween dance. Everyone had to wear a costume or a mask. At the time, I was 14 years old. I had never dressed like a superhero or a pirate. My family did not celebrate Halloween for religious reasons. So, I felt I could not put on a costume or even a mask just to go to a dance, so I went as myself.

Of course, everyone at the dance wore masks and dressed in costumes. I felt self-conscious, especially when a smart aleck complimented the mask I wasn't wearing. I asked a couple of girls to dance, but they refused because I was not wearing a mask. One girl called me a creep for not joining the dress-up fun.

At the end of the night, my friend Jimmy said he was having some kids over to his house. He invited me even though me I was not wearing a costume. Jim and I were buddies since first grade. In his basement, we sat around and drank cokes and scarfed down popcorn and chips. The kids took turns telling ghost stories and about their own past Halloween experiences. I sat there listening to everyone else talk. I felt like I didn't belong. I didn't have any stories because my parents' church didn't allow Halloween.

I went home that night feeling sad and alone. I could not understand why Halloween was wrong.

The next year, I wanted to dress for the Halloween dance. I told my parents about my experience last year. They said I was old enough to make my own decision about the Halloween rule. I thanked them for understanding.

 I didn't care if I looked silly. I just wanted to be part of the gang and have fun. And I did. I had a great time that year. My friends and I even went trick-or-treating before the dance. We laughed and talked; I felt I was part of the gang. And I loved my parents for respecting my decision and allowing me to dress, wear a mask, and have fun on Halloween.