Page 19 of Playing with the Heartbreaker

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“I still don’t understand why we’re doing this now. Halloween is still weeks away.” I flop onto Charlotte’s bed that night and cocoon myself in her plush white throw blanket. Our sleepover has been totally consumed by costume planning for Dionne Jenkins’ Halloween party.

“It’s never too early. Finding the right pieces takes time and effort. Plus, this party will be a good chance to solidify a Winter Formal date,” Charlotte says. “This is important to me, even if you two couldn’t care less. I can’t decide between librarian and schoolgirl.” She holds up the two costumes she pulled out of her massive closet.

I sigh, scrutinizing the outfits. “This feels like one of those Spot the Differences photo games, only it’s a trick because they’re exactly the same.”

“No. One has a plaid skirt, and the other doesn’t. Plus, for the librarian, I can wear these fab faux glasses.” She slips on a pair of black plastic frames.

“Right. Because schoolgirls definitely never wear glasses,” I say.

“They’re both great, Char. Whichever you choose will be exquisite.” Anita glances up from her phone, where she’s reading NFL highlights. “I can’t believe the Rockets traded their best tight end.” She grimaces as her hands work the rainbow yarn she’s crocheting. “That throws off my whole fantasy league plan. Well, Plan A, anyway.”

“I need something that drops jaws. If I’m going to snag a boyfriend before Winter Formal, I need to get in the game now.”

“I didn’t realize a boyfriend was mandatory to go to Winter Formal,” I say.

“You wouldn’t realize the sheer agony it is going alone.” Charlotte stands in front of the full-length mirror and holds each outfit up to her body. “You had a date last year and for Spring Formal, too.”

My stomach clenches. The vanilla candle burning on Charlotte’s white desk suddenly smells too strong. “Yeah. And remember how that turned out?”

Charlotte looks at me, horrified. “Oh, Chloe, I’m sorry. I wasn’t thinking.”

“It’s fine. I’m just saying that having a date might not live up to the hype.” She isn’t completely wrong, though. Formal dances do have a way of solidifying couples for at least a semester and sometimes into summer.

That, or dissolving them. I swallow the bitter taste in my mouth. “So, you think your soul mate will be at Dionne’s party?”

“I hope so.” Charlotte digs through her closet again. “Which is why I’m having such a hard time figuring out what to wear. It’s important to make the right impression.”

“Got anyone particular in mind?” Anita asks. “One of the options from your list?”

Charlotte tucks her hair behind her ears. “Maybe.” She sighs. “I don’t know.”

I unravel from the blanket and sit up, hugging a pillow to my chest. “Who’s your top contender? You’ve been surprisingly tight-lipped about it so far.”

“To be honest, the options are a bit underwhelming.” She takes much longer than necessary riffling through the shoes in the back of her walk-in closet. “That’s probably why I’ve been so focused on you and Rhoads. I’m sorry I’ve been pushing. It just seems so unfair that the three of us, as amazing as we are, are single.”

Anita sets down her crochet project and moves to the floor near Charlotte’s closet and looks through her shoe cast-outs. “What size are these?” She holds up a pair of red cowboy boots.

Charlotte assesses them. “I think they’d fit you. Try them on.”

“These would be great Scarecrow boots.” Anita slips off her black leather ankle booties and pulls on the red ones. “Chloe, want to go as my Dorothy? I know you still have the costume hanging in your closet from a few years ago.”

“If Charlotte goes as the lion, I’m in.” I flick the question to Charlotte with my eyes.

“What’s more jaw-dropping than a golden leotard, cat ears, and teased hair?” Anita asks. “That’s straight boy Kryptonite.”

Charlotte pauses, weighing her options. “Alright, fine. But we don’t have a Tin Man.”

“Eh, he’s nobody’s favorite anyway,” I say.

“Harsh.” Charlotte restocks her closet.

I smirk. “He’ll be fine. He doesn’t have a heart, remember?”

Seven

RHOADS