When Charley saw Damion and Steve step onto the court, he laughed. "I know you guys liked that Halloween costume last year, but why are you wearing it again?"
Damion and Steve grinned but didn't say anything, just walked up to their friends.
"Wait a minute," said Charley, looking closer. "That's not the same costume..."
"Dude!" cried Rick. "That's NOT a costume!"
The rest of their friends crowded around, all talking at once.
"What on earth?"
"Are you serious?"
"Dude, they only have one body!"
"How is that even possible?"
"That ISN'T possible!"
"What happened to you guys?!"
Damion and Steve couldn't hold back any longer. "We got fused!" they chorused, excitedly.
"But HOW?!"
"Well, we were at home, playing games---" started Steve.
"---and my brother came in, running up to him room, acting real funny," explained Damion.
"So we go up to his room and listen through the door, and Dave's talkin' to some other guy!" Steve continued.
"About being two-headed!" added Damion.
"So we're waiting there, and suddenly the door opens..." said Steve, suspensefully.
"...and there's my brother, two-headed, fused with some other guy!" exclaimed Damion, his enthusiasm making him completely forget his solemn promise to Josh.
Damion and Steve turned their heads towards each other, grinning. "SO COOL!" they chorused.
"They took off after that," Steve went on, "but they left behind---"
"This!" said Damion, as he and Steve both held out the merged chain around their necks. "When two guys wear it, it fuses them together!"
Most of their friends were too shocked to speak.
"Dude..." muttered Casey.
"But... how do you come apart?" asked Rick.
"That's the best part!" cried Steve.
"We don't!" explained Damion. "It's permanent!"
"Which is awesome," added Steve, "because Damion's dad was pretty mad."
"But we don't have to worry about that," added Damion, "because he can't do anything about it!"
Damion and Steve high-fived. Their friends stared in awe.
"Dude..." muttered Casey.