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My heart stutters a little. I didn’t expect a yes, at least not immediately, but the rejection still stings.

“Not because I don’t want to,” she murmurs, focusing on our joined hands. “I don’t know how your first year was, but I’m behind in most of my classes. All the hours on the ice, in the dance studio, and at the gym don’t leave me much time to study, and it’s affected my grades. I’m trying to catch up.”

Her explanation eases the knots in my muscles and gives me hope.

“Yeah, my first year was no joke, but my schedule is easier to manage now. Though that could be because I’m just doing what I need to do to get by for now, since I’m leaving after I finish this year.” I twine my fingers with hers, memorizing the feel of her long, slender fingers. “Are you going to the Halloween party at the frat house?”

“I think so. Blake mentioned it, and I’d love to.” She’s still zeroed in on our locked fingers. “I don’t think I ever went to a Halloween party back home.”

Her words are like tiny cuts with a sharp knife. I hate how little she experienced when we were teenagers. I hate even more that I played a role in taking away some of her opportunities. If we hadn’t fallen apart, if she hadn’t moved to Boston…if I hadn’t fucked it all up by letting that stupid dare play out and then hiding it from her, the last few years would’ve been so different.

I want to fix it.

“Then I promise you an amazing time at the party.” I drink her in, utterly mesmerized by her beauty. “What are you going to wear?”

“Nuh-uh. I’m not telling you.” She wags a finger. “And you don’t tell me what you’re wearing either. I want it to be a surprise.”

“Okay. But don’t think I won’t find you. I always will.”

We smile at each other, falling quiet. It’s comfortable, familiar. I soak it in, but when she eventually glances at her laptop, I sigh, knowing I should let her study.

“Do you mind if I stay here a bit longer?” I release her hand, instantly missing her warmth.

“Please do.” Her words are soft, barely audible, but they echo in my head as I pull a textbook from my backpack.

With the book propped open, I drape my arm over the back of her chair and draw circles on her shoulder as I start reading the notes I made.

When she doesn’t move away, I mentally high-five myself. She’s typing away, occasionally checking her textbook, when Blake returns. The girl with blue hair slides her laptop across the table and sits across from us, wearing a grin.

I can’t help but smile in return.

From the look of things, she doesn’t mind me spending time with Isla. More so, it seems like she approves.

Asher hands me a beer, taps his against it, takes off his Jason Voorhees-style hockey mask, and sets it on the counter. “Happy Halloween.”

“Happy Halloween.” I chuckle. The Ghostface mask is propped on the top of my head as I tip my beer back. “I still can’t believe you went with the Friday the 13th mask.”

“Oh, because you’re so original in your Scream mask?”

“Touché.”

Music reverberates through the walls of the house. The air is hot and humid, making me really consider whether I want to put my mask back on. So far, I’ve spent the night people-watching. It’s been interesting. The costumes alone are entertaining. A lot of people showed up in full-body costumes. Then, there were the usual masks, wings, and horns. In a black tee, black pants, and a Ghostface mask, I’m maybe a little underdressed, but the effort is what counts.

“Ready to go back in there?” Ash nods toward the living room.

“Yeah, I still need to find Isla.” I set my beer on the counter. “I have no idea what she’s dressed as.”

“I don’t know either. What’s with the pink wig and the drawings on her face? Who is she supposed to be?”

My spine snaps straight. “You saw her and didn’t tell me?”

He slaps a hand over his eyes and hangs his head. “Her IG. She posted a picture of her costume in her Stories.”

Defeat washes over me. Dammit. The profile I still don’t have access to.

But now, I know what to look for.

I put my mask in place, wandering out of the kitchen without waiting for Asher. Right away, I’m back to observing the crowd, and before long, a pink wig catches my attention. Beside it is someone dressed as Velma Dinkley. In this costume, her face is completely exposed, so it’s easy to tell it’s Blake.