Callan’s expression had tightened, his eyebrows furrowed. He put his hands on my arms, and I tried to focus on what he was asking me. “Are you okay? Did something happen?”
I shook my head. “No, I’m fine. I just… I’m not sure that I really like being here.”
“Then let’s go.”
I really looked at him then. “Wait, why are you here anyway?”
“Never been to a Halloween party. Decided to see what all the fuss is about. I can see the appeal because I get to see you with all this foliage in your hair.” He touched one of my curls gently, and I shivered at the proximity.
“Ha ha,” I said sarcastically, swatting his hand away to break whatever connection I was feeling toward him in that moment. This was Callan Rhodes, after all. Founder’s descendant. Most powerful magical botanist in school. I was sure there was a reason he was here, and I was equally sure that reason had nothing to do with me.
“But aside from your costume, I’m not sure what else it has going for it. The drinks are laughable. I think it’s more rubbing alcohol than plant distillation. I can’t imagine the headaches all these people are going to have tomorrow morning.”
“You’re not wrong about that.”
“Personally, I’ve seen enough. I need some food to wash down the sip of poison I just tried. Come with me?”
I glanced over at Maci. She was no longer yelling. Now, she was sitting on Jace’s lap. I had no idea where Alex was. I still wasn’t sure why Callan was asking me, but going with him suddenly felt infinitely better than the alternative.
Even if he was about to make me run some math drills or grill me on botanical trivia, maybe I would prefer it to spending the rest of the evening here. “Yeah, okay. Let me just say bye to my friend.”
I approached Maci and Jace. “Hey, Maci. Is everything okay?”
She stood up and hugged me. “Everything is fine. Did you see us arguing? Turned out to be nothing… I think.” She looked past me then and spotted Callan. “Oh my god, it’s the hottie who tutors you. Did you know he was going to be here? Do you have two dates? You little boy magnet!”
I tried to shush her, wondering how much she’d had to drink. “No, I didn’t know he was going to be here. I am ready to leave, though. Do you want to come with me? I can drive you home.”
“No, we’re all going to walk back to Jace’s place after this.”
I glanced at Jace and noticed that he seemed fairly sober, so I nodded. “Okay, but text me when you get there. If you end up needing a ride, call me.”
She hugged me again and whispered in my ear, “Be careful, B. Managing two boys is fun, but eventually you’re going to have to choose.”
“What? I’m not—” I began to defend myself, but she laughed and pushed me gently away.
“Ready?” Callan asked when I returned to his side.
“I have to get my backpack and say goodbye to one more person. I just need to find him.”
“Him?”
“A friend from SCC.”
“I’ll come with you.”
We searched the yard and house for Alex, and I’d almost given up on finding him when I saw him emerge from the hallway.
“Hey, Alex, I’m leaving. Thanks for inviting me.” I went to move past him, heading for the coat closet.
“Leaving so soon?”
“Yes,” I said, making to move for the coat closet again, but Alex blocked the way.
“But the party is just getting started. We can—” At that moment, he noticed Callan behind me, and his eyes narrowed ever so slightly. “What are you?—”
“See you later, Alex,” I insisted, taking his moment of distraction to push past him and snag my backpack from the closet. I couldn’t fault the guy for disappearing for a while and having fun at his own party. There was nothing official between us, anyway. We were just friends who hung out and did psychology homework together sometimes. I wasn’t sure why I’d felt like I was coming as his date when clearly that wasn’t the case.
Once I stepped outside into the crisp evening air, I took a deep breath, feeling ten pounds lighter already. I went to slip my backpack on my shoulders and frowned. It was halfway unzipped. I was sure it had been zipped all the way when I’d put it in the closet. Had it gotten jostled when I took it from the shelf?
