I feel my face heat. “Okay, true. That one’s pretty awesome.”
“What the fuck is this?” I hear Graham yell.
Salem and I give each other an amused look.
He comes in shaking a box of tampons. “Who put this in my kitchen?”
“Don’t look at us.” I say.
“But you’re the only two with the baby holders.”
Salem busts out laughing. “You mean uteruses?”
“Whatever. Don’t keep these blood plugs in my kitchen.” He says, tossing the box at Salem which she catches easily.
“Was it you?” I ask.
She shakes her head no. “My money is on Emmet.” She says.
“What’s going on with him?”
“Ugh. I don’t know. He swears that Pierce is alive, and I want to believe him. We haven’t talked since he knocked me out with a fucking rock.”
“Have you had any more nightmares?”
“No. I haven’t been dreaming at all, which is weird. It’s nice to have a break from it though. I’ve had nightmares my whole life. Anyways, you want to practice the fancy dances we have to do this weekend?”
“Do I ever,” I say full of fake enthusiasm.
“Come on. I’m not looking like a moron again in front of the whole school.” She grabs me by the arms making me spin around the room with her.
ChapterSixty-Seven
WALKER
SONG: SMELLS LIKE TEEN SPIRIT BY EMBER TRIO
We all arrive together at the winter formal, the student body taking note of Salem and Skye especially, murmuring amongst each other.
Salem is tucked against me wearing a thin strapped black gown that’s cinched at the waist, then puffs out at her hips in a pile of see-through tulle. There are so many layers that it hides her underwear, but if you were to lift the layers, you’d find that you could see through each one.
I brush her curled hair off her shoulders, helping her take off her coat so we can hand them to the coat attendant at the door.
We walk through the vestibule and are greeted by a riot of winter wonderland decorations.
“Wow, this place looks like Elsa threw up all over it.” Salem says, looking at the multitude of glittery snowflake cut outs that hang from the ceiling. A smoke machine creates a fake fog that rolls along the floor, while another machine seems to be cutting ice and floating the shavings down on the guests.
“They really go all out for their dances here.” Skye says marveling at the ambience.
“Ah, the Hell House fraternity has finally arrived. So nice to see you here, finally.” My father says, with his fake smile firmly in place.
“How long do we have to stay here?” Salem asks, ignoring my dad.
“Not long, but I do want one dance with you.” I say into her ear.
“Good, I’d hate for all that practicing to go to waste.” She says, pulling us past my dad who looks like he’s about to lose his carefully crafted appearance of composure.
Salem wiggles her fingers at him as we go to the food table. She piles her plate full of appetizers and I snatch a few from her.
