“You’re gonna get lice,” Christine predicted re: Jessie wearing the headband, as she was leafing through outfits for herself on a rack.
“Ew.” Jessie squirmed, tearing off the headpiece.
The purpose of our venture into town was to get costumes for the Halloween party in the woods next week. There was a handful of shops that ran through the center of town, and this place was pretty well stocked when it came to carrying seasonal items—Santa hats in winter, bunnies and baskets at Easter, and they were known for having a good Halloween selection. But nothing had caught my eye yet. I usually went DIY for Halloween since I just stayed in and gave out candy with Isaac—and stock personas weren’t my thing. However, Larissa had insisted we come here together to look, so I went along with the group, since I was actually part of one. Smiley face.
My phone rang: Isaac.
I couldn’t quite fill him in with everyone around me, so I sent it straight to voice mail.
Mae and I hadn’t talked about what had gone on the other night with the rose thing. The next morning she’d seemed okay, like nothing had happened, and I didn’t know what to say, so I just went along pretending everything was fine.
My phone rang again.
Larissa glanced up at me. “You’re popular,” she smirked.
“Tell me about it,” I joked back flatly, switching the ringer to vibrate.
I fired off a quick text to Isaac.
busy now
The bubble of his texting back appeared immediately.
where are you?
shopping
—I responded quickly.
shopping?? You hate shopping!
I didn’t answer him. He was right—normally shopping was not one of my top ten favorite things to spend time on.
waited for you at bus
Crap. I didn’t want to deal with this right now. I slipped the phone into my pocket, leaving his text unanswered. I needed to focus on finding a good costume. I’d text him back later.
“What should I be?” Larissa mused. She picked an extremely short white dress off the rack, which had a little white nurse’s hat. I’d been to Mom’s hospital many times and had never seen a nurse dressed like that.
“You can give Travis a checkup,” Christine joked, applying lip gloss to her already glossed lips. “Jules, who are you going with?”
“What?” I had been distractedly pushing costumes around the rack, trying to ignore the fact that I felt guilty about blowing off Isaac.
“The party. Who’s your date?” Larissa pressed.
“Oh, I—no one yet.”
“You better hurry, everyone good is almost taken,” she warned.
My phone vibrated in my pocket. Isaac was not taking the hint. Maybe something was wrong. I quietly answered the call, ducking a few shopping racks away.
“What’s up?” I asked.
“What do you mean, ‘what’s up.’ What’s up with you?”
“What’s up with me?”
“Yeah, why are you totally avoiding me?”
“Oh, I’m not…” I trailed off, even though I kinda was.
“Where are you?”
“I’m shopping for a Halloween costume in town,” I explained quickly.
“Why? We always stay in.”
“Because.” I paused, bracing myself. “I’m going to the Halloween party in the woods.”
Dead silence emanated from the other end of the line.
I had never been invited to the Halloween woods party before. It was usually meant for, as with most parties, upperclassmen and cool underclassmen, of which I had been neither. And neither was Isaac.
“Let me guess,” Isaac started. “You’re going with Larissa and Jessie and Christine and—surprise, surprise—Mae.”
He knew the answer, so I didn’t reply.
“I didn’t think you’d want to go,” I defended.
“Did you even ask me?” he spat back.
I fiddled with the hanger of a Wonder Woman costume.
“Precisely. What’s happened to you, Jules?”
“What?”
“You used to be thoughtful, care about other people. Especially, um, your best friend,” he emphasized.
“Isaac—” I started.
“No. I’m done. I don’t need to be friends with a social climber who only cares about hanging out with the cool kids. Have fun with Mae.”
The other end of the line went dead.
Damn. I hadn’t meant to make Isaac feel bad. It really wasn’t intentional. I was mad at myself for letting that happen—again.
“What is this?” Mae asked, holding up a long black dress to me.
“Oh,” I said, shaking off the conversation with Isaac, “I think it’s supposed to be a witch. You wear it with a black pointy hat.”
“Why?” she asked.
“Because that’s what witches wear, I guess.”
Mae’s brow rose, signaling that she didn’t think that’s what witches wore at all—and maybe she actually knew. “I don’t really get it,” she admitted.
“The outfit?”
“The whole thing. Dressing up.” She surveyed the racks of potential ghosts and goblins.
“It’s just a tradition,” I attempted to explain. “Did you not dress up for Halloween where you grew up?”
Mae shook her head no.
“I don’t know where the tradition came from—probably to scare away evil spirits or something.”
Mae eyed me. “There are other ways of doing that.”
“Like how?” I probed.
“You know, rituals and things. Sacrifices.” Mae’s attention ticked toward the other girls and she stopped herself from saying more.
“So you dress up every year?” she asked, moving on.
“Yeah. When we were kids we’d go door-to-door trick-or-treating. But this party will be more about people getting drunk and hooking up.”
“Sounds … What did you say the other day? ‘Riveting.’”
I laughed. “Exactly. Excellent use of sarcasm.”
“Thanks,” she smiled.
I scanned the shop. Not wanting the other girls to hear, I whispered to Mae, “These all seem pretty basic, though. I want a costume that’s more original.”
“Yeah, definitely,” she agreed. “I want something original too.”
“Mae!” Larissa called, striding over. “Try this on.”
Larissa reached the red devil horns out to put them on Mae’s head. Mae whacked Larissa’s hand.
“Ow!” Larissa cried.
Larissa stared at Mae. No one pushed Larissa away. Christine and Jessie looked on.
“Sorry,” Mae apologized after a moment. “It’s just…” She didn’t finish her explanation.
Silence. No one moved.
“No, I get it,” Larissa finally replied. “You lived with devil worshippers, and these bring back bad memories. You probably have PTSD like my cousin Brad. He was in the Marines and he freaks every time he hears a car engine start.” Larissa then added for good measure, “Jessie’s the devil anyway, so she should wear it.”
Larissa selected another outfit to signal that the whole awkward exchange was over. “You should be a nun!”
“What’s a nun?” Mae wondered.
“What’s a nun?” Jessie repeated, unable to believe that Mae didn’t know.
“It’s someone who’s never had sex,” Christine explained.
“That’s not the only thing. They’re, like, married to God. My aunt is one,” Jessie added.
“I think I know people like that,” Mae considered.
“Ohmygod, you’re adorable.” Larissa grabbed Mae’s hand. “We’re trying it on.”
She led Mae toward the back of the store to a dressing room in which a curtain served as a door.
“Jessie, grab the hat!” Larissa ordered.
“It’s called a habit!” Jessie corrected, obeying regardless. Christine followed.
I was relieved that the headband horn incident had b
lown over quickly and hadn’t triggered Mae into another trance. I needed one day of normalcy this week.
A Princess Leia costume caught my eye, so I headed over toward the rack. I held it up, catching a glimpse out the window of the store behind it.
Sebastian was outside with Zeke, holding a fro-yo.
I shoved Princess Leia back onto the rack and practically raced out to the street.
“Sebastian!”
He turned toward me. “Jules!” he smiled. He was wearing his glasses today, and a cozy-looking plaid shirt. I wanted to hug him, but I didn’t.
I tried to play it cool. “What are you guys doing here?” I asked him and Zeke, in an effort to seem completely nonchalant.
Zeke held up his fro-yo. “New flavor—lychee mango. Not bad. What are you up to?”
“Just shopping for costumes for the woods party. Super-exciting stuff.” I could feel my face flush.
“Find anything good?” Zeke asked.
“Not yet. I’ll probably go the DIY route. I like making my own thing.”
“Good call,” Sebastian approved. “I’m doing the same.”
“What are you going to be?” I asked Sebastian.
“You’ll have to wait and see,” he grinned. If air could be electric, I think it was right then.
Zeke must have felt it too because he suddenly said he had somewhere to be and took off, leaving me and Sebastian alone.
I knew I had to seize the opportunity, and forced myself to say something. Or at least tried to. Deep breaths, Mathis.
“Yeah, I went last year. It was entertaining,” Sebastian went on. “Jason Kessler got so drunk he puked all over himself.”
I was freezing up. Shit, I couldn’t chicken out on this, it was the perfect opportunity. I had to ask I had to ask I had to ask.
“Would you—” I began.
Do it, Jules! Just say words!
I tried again. “Would you—want to go to the party? With me?” I clarified.
Boom. Confident Jules, that’s who I was now. The Jules who asked boys out to parties.
Sebastian adjusted his glasses. The wait for a response felt like an eternity.
“Umm—” he finally replied.
Suddenly I felt nauseous. This is why you keep your mouth shut, Jules!
“We can all go together!” Sebastian finished.
What? Who was “all”? Was he going with a group of people from the paper or something? I had imagined the two of us going together, but if we still went as a group that wouldn’t be all bad.
“I actually already asked someone to go with me,” Sebastian explained.
I tried to stop my expression from falling into Biggest Disappointment of My Life face. I was devastated. How could I not have known that Sebastian already had a date? I was mortified.
“It’s no big deal,” I said, trying to brush it off. “It was just an idea.”
“No, I’m glad you asked. I’m flattered.”
Awkward. Silence.
“Who are you going with?” I tried to stop myself from asking, but I had to know.
Sebastian looked behind me, a grin widening across his cheeks. I turned to see what he was looking at. Or more important, who.
And there, standing on the sidewalk, was the answer to my question.
Mae.
She had come out of the costume shop with Larissa and company, a few of them holding shopping bags.
“Hey.” Sebastian beamed at Mae.
“Hey.” She waved, a blush warming her pale skin.
This. Was. Not. Happening.
“I’m already going to the Halloween party with Mae,” Sebastian informed me, loud enough for the whole group to hear. Please let me disappear right now was all I could think.
“But we can all drive together! Although Mae gets shotgun,” he offered his future date.
I closed my eyes, hoping that by not seeing it, it would make it not real. I had to extricate myself from this situation immediately.
“Gotta go!” I exclaimed, giving absolutely no reason at all. I didn’t even know how I’d get home.
I started down the sidewalk before anyone could ask me questions. Hot tears hit my cheeks.
CHAPTER 31
I’D HITCHED A RIDE HOME WITH STACY AND her mother. It wasn’t ideal, but I was out of options and couldn’t ask Isaac. Stacy asked a lot of questions regarding my puffy cry-face, but I refused to answer and sat in stony silence.
As soon as I got home, I burrowed up in Dani’s room. I couldn’t believe Sebastian and Mae were going to the Halloween party together. I felt so stupid.
Like a movie montage, my mind raced through every interaction between the two of them I could remember. Sebastian had just seemed like he was being his usual nice self to her, but maybe there had always been something more going on. But how could it have all happened under my nose and I hadn’t seen it?
What was even worse was that she knew I liked him. I had been nothing but nice to her, and this was how she acted in return? I had offered her friendship, and she rewarded me by going behind my back and stealing the one guy I actually liked.
“Dinner,” Dani declared, lifting the headphone off my left ear.
Instinctively I threw a pillow at her.
“Jeez, chill out,” she snorted. She exited the room, grabbing some sheet music on her way.
I wasn’t feeling very hungry, but I knew family dinner was obligatory. Plus, something smelled good.
I paused the Carmen McRae album I was using to calm myself and pulled off my headphones.
Down in the kitchen, Mae was standing by the stove, wearing an apron.
Helen sauntered in, finishing off a text. “Smells good in here.” Her perfectly straight hair was pulled into a sleek ponytail, which swayed as she walked.
Mom put a hot plate in the center of the table. “Mae made us all dinner! Isn’t that sweet of her?”
Barf. Sweet, my ass. Mae was a two-faced, conniving traitor.
“I just wanted to do something nice for you,” Mae smiled. “You’ve all been so kind to me.”
The faux modesty was ridiculous. What was she trying to do, win points with my family after knowing she’d destroyed my life? They might have bought it, but I saw right through it. I’d watched Ingrid Bergman get duped in Gaslight; I knew exactly what Mae was doing.
“Have a seat, Jules,” Mom insisted.
“Where’s Dad?” I wanted to know, remaining standing. Maybe I could talk to him about Mae.
“Working late,” Mom returned, putting out some plates. Dad had been working late a lot these days because of the merger and his new responsibilities from his promotion. But I’d detected increased tension between my parents. The other morning when I’d come into the kitchen I thought I heard them arguing, and they fell into a steely silence when I entered. I could count on one hand the number of times I had seen them fight, so this was weird.
“Mae, would you do the honors?” Mom asked, regarding the hot plate on the set table. She was clearly impressed with whatever Mae had made.
Mae covered her hands with potholders, picked up a casserole dish from the oven, and set it on the table. She really was committing to this whole Martha Stewart act.
“Doesn’t that look delicious?” Mom beamed.
Mae shrugged modestly. “It’s just something I used to make. We called it a Farmer’s Pie.”
“It smells delish,” Dani complimented her, taking a whiff.
“Thanks, sis,” Mae replied. Then corrected quickly, “Dani.”
No one seemed to notice Mae’s slip.
“I’ll take a piece,” Helen said, pulling out a chair. Why was everyone buying Mae’s I’m So Perfect act?
“I’m not hungry.” I had to get out of this whole charade.
“Nonsense,” Mom returned. “Dani, would you get utensils for everyone?”
“I have a lot of work to do,” I tried again.
“Jules, you have to eat with us,” Mae said. “I think you’d really li
ke what I made.”
I stared her down. After betraying me by being Sebastian’s date, how dare she pretend she was my friend?
“What do you care about what I like anyway?” I challenged her.
Mom stared at me; so did Helen and Dani. They were surprised at my outburst, but I didn’t care. They didn’t know what Mae had done to me.
“Is something wrong?” Mom asked.
I glared at Mae, daring her to tell them what had happened. Mae looked back at me quizzically.
“Yeah, Jules, is there something wrong?” Mae inquired.
I was dumbstruck. I couldn’t believe she was doing this, especially in front of my family.
“Jules.” Mae stepped toward me, her voice saccharine. “We have to all eat together.”
“Why?” I demanded, crossing my arms.
“Because,” Mae smiled, “that’s what families do.”
My mom and sisters stared at me. Not wanting to completely rock the boat, I suffered my way through dinner. After I’d stuffed down Mae’s Stupid Farmer’s Pie, which I hated to admit was actually pretty good, I excused myself and hurried up to Dani’s room where I stayed for the rest of the evening.
When it was time to get ready for bed, I listened closely to make sure no one was in the hall so I didn’t have to run into anybody.
It didn’t work.
As I exited the bathroom, I nearly smacked right into Mae.
“Hey, Jules.”
“Are you serious?” I balked. “‘Hey, Jules’?”
She stared blankly. “I don’t understand.” She should win an Emmy for acting like she didn’t have a clue.
“That’s all you have to say to me?”
She didn’t answer.
“About Sebastian?” I pressed.
Mae’s eyes ticked to the floor. I folded my arms, awaiting her reply.
Finally, she returned, “What do you want me to say?”
I shook my head. “I seriously can’t believe you.”
Her forehead crinkled. “Really, Jules, I don’t understand why you’re upset.”
I was so consumed with anger I couldn’t speak. Didn’t she understand that she’d betrayed me by agreeing to go to the party with Sebastian? A) She hadn’t even told me herself, which was totally sketchy. And B) She knew I liked him!
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