“Nope, not happening.” Callie wags her pitchfork at me. “You’re not here to work—you’re here to party with me and anyone else who interests you. I see what you’re doing and that’s a major no for tonight.”
“Ugh, okay, fine. I’m just impressed they managed this using city funding, that’s all,” I say, still getting lost in the dark magic garden surrounding us.
“Is that your way of complimenting the event staff? If yes, why thank you.” Callie mockingly bows. “I dipped all the flowers with my students this week, and we created the balloon arcs.”
“What?! You’ve been holding out on me! How much do you charge per hour?” I tease, punching her arm playfully. I’m not surprised she helped put this together—her artsy mind amazes me. As I take in the rest of the event’s decor and moody indie music, I get a better look at her costume: she’s sporting a short burgundy leather dress, black horns, and striking red eyeliner. She is the color red personified. The best part of her costume has to be the glitter-bombed pitchfork, though. She’s already having way too much fun with it. Callie, being the social butterfly she is, gets pulled away into a conversation with other teachers. So, I stand there alone momentarily before someone steps into my view.
“Iris, it’s been so long!” Jake bends down to hug me. “How have you been?” I haven’t seen him in ages. He and Kai used to be close friends. His short golden blond hair is styled with gel, complimenting his Ken costume. We haven't ever been too close, but I’m relieved to see a familiar face in a crowd of strangers.
“Ah, it’s so good to see you! I’m doing great! How has work been for you?” I ask excitedly as the music seems to grow louder.
“Oh, you know, same old, same old. What’s new with you? You look beautiful, by the way.” He shouts, his brown eyes look me up and down.
Electricity pulses through me as someone’s hand brushes against my back, delicately but deliberately. I turn slightly to see Mr. Alcott—Jasper.
“Just thought I’d say hi before the crowd sweeps you away,” he whispers into my ear, sending shivers down my spine. He’s wearing a charcoal sweater over a white collared button-down shirt with black jeans. A single streak of deep red liquid trailsdown from his lips, and when he grins, I catch a glimpse of gleaming fangs. Well,that’sunexpectedly attractive.
“We haven’t known each other long, Jasper, but you should know by now that I’m not exactly the life of the party.” I peer into his deep gray eyes. He’s staring intently into mine, and only for a moment, it feels as though the music halts. But surely, that can’t be the case.
“I don’t know about that, Iris. All I’ve been able to look at since arriving is you.”Am I hallucinating?Before I can respond, someone grabs his arm.
Oh, joy. It’s Joy, dressed up as a Powerpuff girl. “Jasper! Blake and Jess are just over there. They want to catch up.” He smiles politely at her and obliges, strolling away arm-in-arm with Joy. Jake asks who that was, and I attempt to explain, still at a loss for words after what he just said to me. Jake presses for more, then proceeds to ask if we’re dating. His question puzzles me—why would he ask that?
“C’mon, I feel like I’ve made it pretty obvious,” Jake says, leaning closer to me. “I’ve always liked you. I just didn’t want to break bro code when Kai was still here. Now that he’s not here, maybe we can give it a shot.”
“Givewhata shot, exactly?” My patience is wearing thin.
“Dating. Let me take you out on a date.” He pulls me in closer to him, and I scoff in his face, thinking he must be joking. His expression sombers—oh.He isn’t kidding.
“Jake, you’re like an extension of Kai in my eyes. We can’t date,” I affirm apologetically, pulling away from him.
“I don’t see why not—maybe I’m just what you need to get back on your feet.” He grins, pulling me back in.
His words pierce me like a dagger to my chest. “What the hell is that supposed to mean, Jake?”
“We all know you haven’t been the same since it happened, Irie,” he says.
I snap.
“Donotcall me that. You know he is the only person allowed to call me that.”
“Was, Iris.Was. He's gone. He isn't coming back. I mean, I'm sure he'd be thrilled if we got together.” He leans in even closer to me as my stomach twists.
“You can’t speak for him.”
“Let's go somewhere more quiet to talk this out.” He grabs my hand and pulls me away from the party, out into the hallway—where it's quiet. At first, I pull away from his hand tugging on mine, but I don't want to make a scene, so I follow him. I've known Jake for nearly a decade. He went to college with Kai, who warned me to steer clear of Jake years ago. Right now, he thinks I’m playing along, but really, I’m playing him.
Fourteen
Jasper
Iattended the party tonight, intending to see old friends from high school. I thought I’d drink a bit, catch up, maybe talk to some girls. And, of course, upon walking in, she was the first person I laid my eyes on. From that moment on, I have been unable to look away despite my best efforts.
Iris dressed up as an angel, which I couldn’t help but laugh at initially—the irony.As I study her more closely, even from afar, I notice flecks of gold glitter on her eyelids and gems resting on her olive skin. Her skin glows, nearly translucent under the strobing lights. A cream-colored silky slip dress drapes along her curves perfectly, and her full lips appearwet. No one in the roomcan deny it. Her ethereal beauty is otherworldly. Forget being an angel—Iris is the epitome of a damn goddess tonight.
“Okay, so when I encouraged you to get closer to Iris, I meant asfriends,” Kai shouts over the music. This is the twentieth time he’s reiterated this message to me. I'm over it at this point. I’m here to have fun. I’ve been too uptight since meeting this dude. A little flirting never hurt anybody.
“You know, I’m still confused about the nature of your relationship with her,” I mutter to Kai. I try to keep our conversation discreet, considering we’re out in public, and at any given moment, someone could spot me talking to myself. “You said you were no one to her, but she seems like a lot more than ‘no one’ to you.”
