Crystal Frost 4

by Alicia Rades

  “Oh, I didn’t realize we still had that one,” Diane said. She strolled down the aisle and pulled it off the rack. “It looks about your size. Go ahead and try it on.”

  I did, and it hugged me perfectly in all the right places as if it was tailor made for my body. When I stepped out of the dressing room, Diane and Sophie both whistled at me.

  “You like it?” I asked.

  “It’s perfect,” Diane raved.

  “It looks great,” Sophie agreed.

  I checked the price tag and breathed a sigh of relief that I had enough cash to buy it. “Thanks. I like it, too.”

  I retreated into the dressing room and placed the costume back on its hanger. When I exited the dressing room, I walked over to the checkout counter, and Sophie rang up my total. I left Divination that night both happy about my costume and comforted by the fun time I’d just had with the two women who were like the aunts I never had.

  After I arrived home, I called Robin. I’d already convinced Emma to take it easy and skip the festival, but just as reassurance, I didn’t want Robin there, either. If I was right and this was when it was supposed to happen, I didn’t want any of the three people I loved the most to be near each other.

  “What are your plans tomorrow?” I asked him.

  “I was going to come over early and head to the festival with you. You’re going to love my costume.”

  He still hadn’t told me what he was going to be, and I hadn’t bothered mentioning my costume idea, either. My eyes fell on it in my open closet, but I tore my gaze away so I could focus on the conversation Robin and I were having.

  “It’s not even going to be that fun,” I lied.

  “What do you mean? It’s Halloween. Of course it’ll be fun.”

  “Well, I’m going to be helping out with some of the booths, so you won’t even see me much.” It was a lie. I was going to help with the setup, but other than that, I’d be free to enjoy the rest of the night with him. But keeping everyone apart was the best option. Then nothing bad would happen to all of them at once.

  “What booths are you helping with?” he asked. “Maybe I can volunteer, too.”

  I tried to think of a booth that would be half believable. I couldn’t tell him I was working the kissing booth, but maybe he’d believe I was helping at the apple bobbing booth. “I’ll be all over the place,” I finally said. “I’m going to be pretty busy.”

  “Well, maybe I can meet up with Emma and Derek while you’re working. Surely you can take a break and spend some time with us for a bit.”

  I swallowed hard. This wasn’t working. “Emma and Derek broke up, remember?”

  “Right. Well, I mean, I’ll find someone to hang out with while you’re busy. And if all else fails, I’ll just listen to the band they’re getting to play.”

  I could only see one way out of this. It was the only way to be sure nothing would happen tomorrow.

  “Robin,” I said sternly. The tears were already rising to my eyes, but I kept my voice steady. I couldn’t risk him knowing how much the words would hurt me. I paused for a moment because I knew what I was going to say next would tear me apart, but I quickly worked up the courage. It was my only option to ensuring we’d all be safe, at least for now. “I don’t want you to come.”

  The words sounded like they were coming from someone else’s mouth. How could I possibly say something like that to him? Before he had a chance to speak, I reminded myself that if I could get past Saturday without anyone getting hurt, Robin and I would have plenty of time to make up.

  “You don’t want me to come?”

  His words felt like a punch to the gut, but I didn’t let my voice waver. “Please don’t come.”

  “Why not?” His voice was so small, so injured. “Is this about the fight we had recently? I thought we made up.”

  I pressed my lips together, hoping to hold back the tears. I couldn’t believe what I was saying to him, but I had to stick to my lie. “I’m not over it yet.”

  “I don’t get it. What happened since we last saw each other? Why are you mad at me again?” He spoke slowly, each word ripping open my heart even more.

  “I never stopped being mad at you.” My voice almost cracked, but I forced it to remain strong. I reminded myself that hurting him now was better than walking to my own death and leaving him. It would tear him apart, and maybe, just maybe, I could spare him the heartbreak while saving myself in the process.

  “Oh,” he said softly. “I didn’t realize. I guess I’ll give you your space.”

  I hung up without even saying goodbye and then threw myself into my pillow. My shoulders heaved as I drowned the pillow in sobs. At least it muffled the noise so my mom and Teddy wouldn’t hear.

  After getting ready for bed, I whispered to thin air, hoping my father would hear. If he had heard me before, I had faith that he’d hear me now. I asked him for a sign so I’d know if I was making the right choice. Was it supposed to happen at the festival anyway, or was I focusing on the wrong event? Did I do the right thing by convincing Emma and Robin to stay away, or was I only ruining my relationships with them?

  By the time I fell asleep, I still had no idea if I had made the right choice.

  Chapter 20

  The day of the festival arrived, and I couldn’t quite tell what I was feeling. It was neither good nor bad. I didn’t know what else to do about it all, so I figured I’d just take the situation as it came. To keep myself busy, I headed down to the park with my mom to help them set up. Volunteers hustled around the area, setting up the booths they were running while others headed into the neighboring woods to finish up the last touches on the haunted trail. A large stage stood as the highlight of it all, where a band would be playing later on in the night.

  I started by helping my mom set up her booth. It wasn’t much. We put up her tent together and then carried in her table, chairs, and props. I situated her tablecloth and electric candles on the table before adding her final center piece, a crystal ball. My mom didn’t do real crystal ball readings at the festival—that was just for show—but she did give real tarot card readings.

  “Is that it?” I asked, looking around the tent to see if we’d missed anything.

  “It looks like it,” she replied. “The only thing left is for me to get into my costume, but we have plenty of time. There are lots more booths we can help set up.” She pulled the tent flap aside for me.

  We spent the rest of the morning helping where we could. I spent some time assisting Sophie for a while before helping Diane. After lunch, which was provided for the volunteers, Mom and I took a short break to head home and get into our costumes.

  I didn’t apply any more makeup than normal, but when I looked into the mirror after putting on my costume, complete with black tights and Mary Jane heels, it felt like I’d been transformed. I never really thought black was my color, but in this outfit, with its blue accents that complemented my eyes, it suited me. The top was modest, but the tutu skirt supplied just enough of a sexy flare. I let my long hair fall over my shoulders and added the final touch: a black pointed hat.

  When I stepped into the doorway of my mom’s bathroom, where she was applying her makeup, she gasped. She paused and caught my eye in the mirror. “Where’d you get that costume?”

  I twirled around to show it off. “Sophie sold it to me. I think it suits me.” I also knew exactly what my mom thought about it, and she wasn’t pleased.

  She pressed her lips together and turned to me. “Why would you want to be a witch for Halloween?”

  I didn’t let her discomfort bother me. “I know you’ve been hurt by the term before, but I guess this is my way of embracing who I am.”

  “Crystal, you’re not a witch. You’re a psychic.”

  A shred of guilt eased its way into my heart. I didn’t choose the costume to hurt her. “But if this is the way other people see me, I don’t want it to bother me. I can do things that no one can explain. In some ways, it does seem like magic.
And this,” I gestured to my costume, “is me telling the world that it doesn’t matter what they say. I love myself for who I am.” Even if I may never get my abilities back, I thought to myself.

  My mother didn’t say anything as she pulled me into a hug. I stiffened in surprise before relaxing into it.

  After about a moment, she finally spoke. “Crystal, I am so proud of you.” She drew away to look me in the eyes. “I would have never acted the way you do when I was your age. You’re beyond your years. Don’t ever change.”

  I smiled at her in response.

  When we returned to the park, there weren’t many cars around since the festival hadn’t officially started yet.

  “Well, I’m going to go get situated in my tent,” my mother announced. “Things will get bustling here pretty quickly.”

  I glanced around. I didn’t have any volunteer ideas in mind, and it’s not like I had anyone to hang out with when I’d convinced my friends not to come.

  “I guess I’ll just wait around until I see someone I know,” I told her.

  “Okay, have fun.” She waved and then headed off toward her tent.

  I scanned the area for a moment and then decided to sit at the picnic tables by the food. On my way there, I spotted Teddy in his police uniform. He had just said goodbye to one of the volunteers he was talking to when I approached him from behind.

  “You’re not working at the station this year?” I asked to get his attention.

  He turned to me, a smile on his face. “Nope. Most of the town is going to be here tonight, and they wanted two of us patrolling the festival.”

  “So you got stuck on duty?”

  He shrugged. “I don’t mind.”

  “Well, have fun,” I told him before making my way to the picnic tables. He headed in the opposite direction.

  I took a seat and again glanced around. Without my friends here, it was going to be a boring night, but at least no one would get hurt. Since I didn’t have anything else to do, I pulled out my phone and scrolled through it mindlessly. After nearly 20 minutes of sitting there bored out of my mind, a shadow crossed my table. I looked up to find Justine and Kelli standing above me. Kelli wore a short red dress with a crimson hood over her head, and Justine was dressed as a sexy scarecrow.

  “Hey!” I greeted enthusiastically. I hopped up to give them both a hug. “How are you guys?”

  “We’re great,” Justine answered. “How have you been?”

  What could I say to that? “I’ve been fine,” I told her vaguely.

  “Your costume is so cute,” Kelli complimented.

  I glanced down at my dress. “Thanks. Yours are both cute, too. So, any plans for the night?”

  Justine elbowed Kelli playfully. “Kelli’s volunteering for the kissing booth this year. I’m starting at the apple bobbing booth, and then I’m helping with the ring toss. Then we have the rest of the night free.”

  “I’ve been here all day helping set up, but I didn’t volunteer to run any booths.” At the time they were taking volunteers, I’d thought my friends would be here to spend the night with me.

  Justine glanced around. “Where’s everyone else? Emma? Derek? Is your boyfriend coming?”

  I shook my head and opted for the easiest answer. “They were all busy tonight.”

  “Well, if you need some company, you can help me run my stations,” Justine offered.

  I smiled. “Thank you.”

  “Hey,” Kelli said, “maybe we can meet up after we’re done volunteering and we can go through the haunted trail together.”

  We all agreed that was a good idea, but eventually, Kelli went her own way while I trailed behind Justine and told her about Emma and Derek’s breakup.

  “That sucks,” she said. “They made a cute couple.”

  Throughout the next few hours, I hung by Justine. She seemed to know everyone around, even the people I didn’t know from neighboring towns. In the last 10 minutes of Justine’s scheduled time at the ring toss booth, I spotted red hair in the crowd.

  “I’ll be right back,” I told Justine before heading toward Sage. She wore an orange and white dress with matching pointed ears. “You made it! And as a fox. You look cute!” I pulled her into a hug.

  She drew away from me with a smile on her face. “Thanks! So, are you working?”

  I glanced back at Justine at the ring toss booth. She was smiling and handing out rings to small children. I turned back toward Sage. “No. I was just hanging out with a friend. She’s almost done.”

  “Oh. Where’s everyone else?”

  Again, I went with the easy answer. “They were all busy.”

  She tilted her head in question. “I thought Robin was coming.”

  “Something came up. Anyway, we’re headed down the haunted trail in a few minutes if you want to come.”

  “I’d love to!” Sage bounced on her toes in excitement.

  We made our way back to Justine’s booth and waited a few minutes for the next volunteer to come and take her spot.

  “I asked a few friends to come along with us,” Justine told me once she was done with her shift. “I hope you don’t mind.”

  “Not at all,” I answered as we walked toward Kelli’s booth.

  “It’s great seeing so many people from high school again. It seems a lot came back for the weekend.” Justine waved at another person she knew.

  “Well, you know, our town’s Halloween festival is kind of a big deal,” I joked.

  We met up with Kelli and then found a couple of Justine’s friends.

  “I’m scared,” Sage faked, grabbing my elbow on our way to the entrance of the haunted trail. We followed behind Justine and her friends, with Sage and me in the back of the group.

  “Oh, relax. It’s just volunteers in costumes,” I laughed.

  “Hey, sometimes you can’t tell the difference between zombies and kids in makeup. I’ve seen enough of those shows, and the effects are creepy.”

  “Don’t worry. I won’t let any zombies get you. I can’t make any promises about the vampires, though.”

  Sage giggled. “I’d take care of the vampires, but I left my stakes at home.”

  We made it through the haunted trail unscathed, though we all jumped a few times. When we emerged from the trees, our group split up. Sage and I headed toward the aisles of booths to explore the games. On our way, I spotted curly dark hair I recognized all too well.

  “Emma!” I practically shouted in surprise before we even met up with her. She was dressed in Gryffindor robes and noticed me making my way to her. “What are you doing here?” I asked as soon as I was close enough. “You’re supposed to be sick!”

  She shrugged. “I feel fine, honestly. I changed my mind about coming. I couldn’t sit around at home knowing all this fun stuff was going on without me.” She gestured around to the games around us. “I think it’s silly for me to shut down just because Derek broke up with me. I can’t let him control me like this. Besides, my mom and sister were coming anyway, and I figured, why not?”

  Honestly, I was proud of her for realizing that moving on was the best option, but why couldn’t she have figured this out tomorrow? At least if Robin stayed away, things should still turn out fine, I hoped.

  Except that before I had a chance to respond to Emma, my hopes were instantly shattered. Sage tapped me on the shoulder and pointed. I followed her gaze and noticed a pirate with a peg leg walking toward us.

  My face grew hot in worry. “Robin! You—you weren’t supposed to come.” My eyes shifted between Robin and Emma. Neither of them were supposed to be here. This couldn’t be happening.

  “I couldn’t stay away.” He stopped so close to me that I could feel the heat radiating off his body.

  I worried that perhaps he could hear my heart hammering against my rib cage. The muscles in my face twitched as I tried to force the worry out of my expression, but he showed no indication that he noticed my unease.

  Robin glanced between Sage and Emma. �
�Do you two ladies mind if I have a word alone with Crystal?”

  Sage and Emma both nodded and walked off together to a nearby booth.

  I looked up into Robin’s eyes, my own beginning to glisten with tears. “Robin, you shouldn’t be here.”

  His hands came up to rest on my biceps. “I couldn’t stand not talking to you. Whatever it is, we can work this out. I needed to see you in person. Plus, I couldn’t let my authentic peg leg go to waste.”

  I glanced down at his leg and almost laughed. He was right when he said I’d like his costume. When I looked back up into his eyes, though, my chest constricted, and my throat closed up. They shouldn’t all be here at the same time.

  “Robin,” I said quietly, “I told you I didn’t want you to come.”

  “I know, but I’m a stubborn guy. I want to talk about it, whatever it is.”

  “Robin, I—” I paused. It was going to happen one way or another. The three people I loved most were here in one spot, and as much as I wanted to stop it, I knew now that I couldn’t control the future. It was best to simply enjoy the present.

  I swallowed the lump in my throat before speaking. “I’m glad you’re here right now. Let’s just have fun, okay?”

  He pulled me into a hug and kissed the top of my head, which really ended up being a kiss on my pointed witch hat. “That sounds like a good idea. I love you, Crystal.”

  I had to force the tears back. “I love you, too, Robin.”

  He took my hand, which helped steady it, and led me over to Sage and Emma.

  “So.” Emma looked between us with bright eyes. “Where should we start?”

  Robin looked around before gesturing to the carnival game in front of us. “This looks like as good of place as any.”

  We spent the next half hour making our way down the aisle. I tried to let go and have fun, but my senses—all but my sixth one—were on full alert. I jumped when a balloon popped and tensed when a nearby child screamed in excitement.

  Robin gave my hand a gentle squeeze. “You okay?”

  I gazed up at him and gave a fake shrug. “Yeah. I’m fine.”