AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Sure,” I shrug with a smile. “Let’s go.”
We stop by a second-hand store on the way home to scour through the clothes for some sort of Halloween costumes. We have a blast digging through the racks and trying stuff on.
“Where is this party anyway?” I ask, as I try on a wig.
“This girl from school, Diana,” he replies, straightening the wig for me and planting a soft kiss on my lips. “Her parents are famous musicians. Very wealthy. She always throws these giant parties and makes everyone endure her own nasally performances. But I don’t think she’s going to be as successful as her parents.” He laughs.
“I’m sure they’ll just buy her fame,” I joke.
Emmett and I settle on some vintage clothes that can let us pass as hippies. To him, this is just a way to pass the time and get our minds off of things. But I’m excited for so many other reasons. In my entire time at WJ Prep so far, I have never been invited to a party.
He shoves a pint of liquor into my purse before we walk into the party. The only Halloween decorations to be found are an unlit string of pumpkin lights half-hanging from the edge of the staircase in the living room, where a makeshift stage had been built to accommodate each of the musicians taking turns singing slow, steady acoustic songs.
Emmett quickly gets caught up talking to a group of guys, and I am left standing on my own awkwardly, realizing maybe I hadn’t been missing out on much by not getting invited to these things. He finally turns back to me and says they’re going to go check out Diana’s brother’s new car.
I’m not on my own long before a familiar tall, slender figure approaches. Malcolm. He’s holding a PBR and his icy blue eyes light up with a kind smile as soon as he sees me. Everything seems to slow down a little.
“Didn’t expect to see you here,” he says coyly as he slides into a standing position next to me against the wall.
“Why’s that?” I shoot back.
“I never see you at parties,” he explains.
“I’m never invited,” I scoff.
“Well…glad you got invited this time.” He smiles, stumbling slightly as we both laugh.
“Somebody’s drunk,” I snort.
“No, I swear. Just hopelessly clumsy.” He flashes an adorably sly boyish grin. “Okay, and maybe a little drunk.”
“Hoping to join you soon,” I reply as I raise the pint from my purse in cheers before taking a big, long swig.
He’s standing too close with a light in his eyes that’s making me feel uneasy.
“I like your costume.” He points to my long-tasseled suede vest.
I peer at him from the corner of my eye, noting the way he’s looking me up and down. I don’t know if it’s the swigs of liquor I am taking every so often, or just the desperation of feeling awkward and alone at a party, but I don’t feel nearly as defensive towards him as I normally would. Which is dangerous, considering Emmett is right outside and could be back at any time.
“What are you supposed to be?” I ask, examining him and coming up empty at guesses.
“A computer hacker.” He grins.
“Oh, so yourself…” I laugh when he nods, realizing that’s why he’s wearing his regular clothes.
Silence falls and I can feel him staring at me again. “Hey, you got something…” His hand reaches up towards my face, “Just, uh…mind if I?...” I awkwardly flinch back. He licks his index finger before pressing it to my cheek to remove a lone eyelash. He holds it out before us. “Make a wish.”
Feeling a growing buzz from my drink and his suddenly handsome presence come over me, I press my fingers to the cold spot burning on my cheek. We both blow until the lash vanishes.
“Malcolm,” a voice booms out suddenly.
“Oh, hey, Emmett,” he replies innocently, rubbing his hand down the back of his neck.
“What’s going on here?” Emmett thunders back, looking between the two of us as if we’ve just committed some kind of horrid sin.
“Nothing.” I lower my head uncomfortably. “You left and Malcolm just came up to say hi.”
“Funny how you never seem to be around until I’m not,” he bites back, burning his eyes into Malcolm’s.
