“Sal… can I ask you something?” I say in a low voice.
“I haven’t noticed any more symptoms,” she answers before I’ve even asked, and I exhale in relief. “Maybe you were right, and I was worrying for nothing.”
“Any ideas yet?” Tiffany crashes our private conversation.
“Nope,” says Salma, examining a shiny black dress with a square neckline that ends at mid-thigh. “Do we want to go with something modern or vintage?”
“As in,EuphoriaversusClueless?” asks Tiffany, rummaging through a basket of shawls and boas.
“That is the question,” says Salma. “What do you think, Lore?”
“I’m going… with William.”
I know she hears how flat my voice sounds. Even if the vampire doesn’t show, I plan to keep my end of the bargain. I’ll meet him at the ball, and if he joins me, he can feed.
If not… I’ll think about that later.
“You don’t sound too sure about that,” says Sal, her gaze now on me instead of the clothing. “And what was up in class today? I know it’s your favorite book, but you don’t really expect me to think you were arguing aboutPride and Prejudice,do you?”
“It’s nothing,” I say, pretending to be interested in a long, flowy skirt. “Shakespeare club issues.”
“Man, that Shakespeare is some kind of drug,” she says after a stretch of silence, and I can’t help but smirk.
“What about you and Trevor?” I noticed they haven’t been interacting with each other as much today, either.
It didn’t seem like the vampire was compelling Trevor last night, so I don’t understand why he’s pulling away from Salma. If anything, I would think that William telling him not to ask her to the dance would motivate him to do it.
Sal shrugs. “It was just a kiss. We agreed to keep things casual.”
The words sound like her, but what’s new is the longing way she looks at Trevor as he tries on some hats with Zach, Brooke, and Cat. Sal’s not usually friends with the guys she crushes on, but with him, there’s an emotional connection, too. Maybe that makes this different for her.
“Besides,” she goes on, “all this friction between you and William is just a reminder that dating could fuck up the group dynamic.” She turns to Tiffany. “No offense, if you and Zach are thinkingof— Imean, I’m sure it wouldn’t be like that with him. He’s sweet.”
“I told you already, we’re just friends,” says Tiffany, and the way she doesn’t look at us makes me suspect there’s more to it.
Everyone seems to be keeping secrets these days.
I amble away from them to continue searching through the clothes racks, not sure I’ll find anything I like. I have no clue what to dress up as, or why I’m pretending that the vampire and I are going as a duo. He’s already told me he’s not going to show.
A flash of gold catches my eye.
A box has been left open on the floor, like someone forgot to unpack it. Golden fabric is spilling out, and when I hold it up, a gown unfolds that looks like it could be from William’s time.
I feel a flash of inspiration, and I know exactly what to do.
TODAY ISHalloween, and tonight is the dance.
I’m with Salma and Tiffany in the grand hall, adding the final touches to our outfits. As I’m applying some rhinestones to my mask, Salma says, “I haven’t seen Will work on his costume all weekend.”
“He said he found something that doesn’t need adjustments, just like my dress.” By which I mean that today at lunch, I told him if he decides to show up, he should wear his suit from the 1700s.
“Is it just me, or are all the guys being weird?” asks Salma. “Will’s barely around, and Trevor and Zach have only been hanging out with us at meals.”
I follow her gaze to the other side of the room, where Trevor and Zach are working on their costumes while once again surrounded by girls.
“Maybe Trevor does want something more serious,” I say, “but he thinks you’d turn him down.”
Salma frowns at me. “He and I both said we’re not the relationship kind.”
