I’m so close to hanging up on him, my thumb practically hovers over the ‘end call’ swipe. Instead, I release a calming breath and say, “I didn’t tell her anything. I’m not even with her right now. Just went out to clear my head. To be alone for a little bit.”
“Whatever, emo kid,” he grumbles. “Get back here before Keziah finds out you’re gone and blames me for being a bad influence.”
“Any influence you had over me, bad or otherwise, would’ve already happened, and yet, I’m still me and you’re still you,” I jab back.
“Ah yes, the perfect son,” he mocks.
“And hanging up now. I’ll be back soon.” I swipe ‘end’ before he can respond and tuck my phone into my front pocket.
I take a few more deep breaths, making sure the me everyone knows is back in place. Then, bending at the knees, I leap up into the air, flapping hard until I’m high up and everything is nothing but dots of light underneath me.
A few more moments of peace before I go back to ‘Perfect Kaleb.’
Chapter 16
Callie
It’s been over a week since the whole ‘giant fire in my backyard’ incident, which somehow the entire school found out about within hours of the police being called-- and so didn’t help with the stupid rumors that I’m suicidal for attention, but now it’s time to forget all that, let loose, and try this whole party business again. It has to be better than last time, right?
“So what are you supposed to be?” I laugh, as Connor boosts me up into his Tahoe. I’ve given up on trying to get in his car on my own. If he wants to do it, I might as well let him.
We’re heading to Nolan’s Halloween/Birthday party, and Connor is dressed in what he wears every day: jeans, flannel, and boots. He points to the paperback lodged sideways into the two joint cup-holders in the center console.
“Student,” he answers, then closes the passenger door.
I roll my eyes, then take a closer look at the book. When he gets into the car, I accuse, “Don’t you have an English paper due next week on that book? Are you seriously going to do your homework at the party?”
He shrugs while he starts the car.
Honestly, what did I expect?I shake my head and laugh, happy to note my wig doesn’t move at all with all the bobby pins my aunt put in.
With the power of expedited everything, and okay a little begging while offering way over their asking price, I was able to get an amazing Wonder Woman costume from an online cosplay store. It’s made with real leather and has all the accessories. However, I underestimated how short the skirt was-- and when they said it came with leggings, they meant blue spandex booty shorts-- so pretty much all of my legs are showing outside what’s covered by the knee-high boots. Despite the major skin exposure, I still think I look pretty badass.
Just need to make sure I stay inside so I don’t freeze to death.
As if he reads my mind, Connor puts the heater on full blast, making sure to point the middle vent straight at me.
It’s a companionable silence as we make our way to the Campbell estate, an oldies rock station playing softly. Since the fire, both Connor and Felix have started to stay the night with me. I set up my laptop so Felix has something to watch, while Connor, always in his wolf form, takes up two-thirds of my bed. I’ve gotten creative with how I sleep, but thanks to all that fur, I’m never cold. Should consider getting a heavy duty lint roller, though.
Neither has said it outright, but I know it’s to keep an eye out to see if whoever started the bonfire returns. Fortunately or unfortunately, I don’t know, but no one has taken responsibility for what happened and there have been no new signs of the perpetrators.
When we arrive at Nolan’s place, we’re redirected to a clearing further down that’s been turned into a makeshift parking lot. The fact that we’re close friends with the birthday boy didn’t seem to matter to the guy at the gate. There are a ton of cars where we eventually park with a snaking trail of costumed individuals following a spooky decorated path leading up to the main house.
Holy crap, is the whole town here?
Once Connor parks, I leap out of the Tahoe before he can help me down, gripping the car door to keep from tipping over. The boots have a platform heel because clearly, that’s necessary for a demi-goddess to kick Nazi butt. As long as I don’t face-plant, being a few inches taller is nice.I will not fall down. I will not fall down. Crap, I’ll need to find a chair or a wall to lean on all night.
From the passenger seat, I grab the small gift bag that holds my present for Nolan. It’s a bracelet made up of shiny, round onyx beads sporadically broken up by stainless steel beads that have tiny bats carved into them. It’s strung on braided leather with a knot clasping it closed and drawstrings to tighten it. I made it in my Jewelry 1 class, because what do you get the guy that can and does buy himself literally everything he wants? It’s not very exciting, but it’s the thought that counts, right? At the very least, he might find the little bats funny.
Following the crowd and only one twisted ankle close call later, we find Kaleb and Donovan waiting for us at the entrance to the path.
I smile seeing Kaleb dressed as Captain America sans the helmet, and he offers up one in answer. The costume looks to be a dark denim jumpsuit made to look like Cap’s and is a snug fit, but definitely not skin tight spandex.
A fresh blush burns my cheeks remembering the way I put my foot in my mouth telling him about the many girls that would be disappointed he decided against spandex. After that night on the cliffside, I can’t determine if I’m one of them. Even as oblivious as I can be, I’m pretty sure he was going to kiss me, but maybe it’s better that he didn’t. What if it turned out like when Nolan and I kissed? What if he also thought it was a mistake?
Donovan has his black hair tousled like he just rolled out of bed-- only nice?—and is wearing heavy eyeliner that makes his aqua eyes glow, tight leather pants, black boots, and of course, no shirt. There’s a guitar strapped across his chest.
“And you are what exactly?” I tease.
