As Melody took a few close-ups of our creation, I stood off to the side and reflected on today’s events. What started off as the world’s worst day had turned into a dream come true. Not only had I caught a glimpse of Chelsea Hirano, but I’d met and worked with my makeup hero.
“Indie, come here,” Xander said, waving me over. “You should be in this.”
“Yeah, okay.” I shook out my hair to make sure my waves were in order before stepping into the shot. Xander caught me off guard when he wrapped an arm around my shoulders. When I glanced at him, I actually had to tilt my head back to see his face. It was apleasant surprise. Most guys were either the same height as me or shorter.
“What?” Xander asked when he noticed me staring at him.
“What, what?”
“You’re looking at me funny. Do I have something on my face?” he asked.
I rolled my eyes but couldn’t hide my smile.
“Seriously, my forehead is super itchy. Feels like there’s something growing out of it.” He gestured at one of the spikes. “You sure there’s nothing in the general vicinity?”
“Hey, guys, I’m trying to take a picture over here,” Melody said. “These candid shots are cute and all, but are you two going to look at the camera or what?”
Snapping my head in Melody’s direction, I forced myself to ignore the warmth blooming on my cheeks. Xander’s gaze lingered on me for a second longer before he too focused his attention on her. A few pictures later, our photo shoot was finished, and I pulled away from Xander as if my side was on fire.
“So, Melody,” Xander said, sinking back onto his chair. He stretched out, draping his long legs over an armrest as he lounged against the opposite. “How does the rest of your day look?”
“I’m meeting up with another YouTuber in thirty minutes. We’re doing a collab video. You?”
“I was supposed to do a signing with theImmortal Nightscast after their panel, but they didn’t need me anymore,” he said. “Other than that, there are a few industry parties I was invited to, but I’m not in the mood.”
“What happened with your panel by the way?” Melody asked as she started cleaning up her equipment. “You never said.”
Because of the makeup, it was impossible to read Xander’s expression, but I noticed his hand clench before he tucked it out of view. “Nothing I’m not used to. It’s not a big deal.”
“You sure?”
His responding smile was small but sunny. “Yup, I’ll be fine.”
Melody let the subject drop. “Well, what’s the plan?” She grabbed a package of alcohol wipes from her makeup case and turned to me. “Should we help him get cleaned up?”
“Actually,” I said, “I have a better idea.”
Chapter 4
“This is crazy.You’recrazy.”
Xander and I were camped outside the exhibit hall next to a food cart. I’d convinced him to walk the convention floor with me since his makeup job was comparable to wearing a mask, but he was still nervous about being recognized.
“That’s a bit of an exaggeration, don’t you think?” I said, inching away from the food. The freshly baked soft pretzels were making my stomach growl, a reminder that I hadn’t eaten since breakfast.
“Indie, you don’t understand. If somebody realizes—”
“Nobody will know it’s you, I promise.” Xander’s own mother wouldn’t recognize him if she were standing directly in front of us.
“You can’t guarantee that.”
“Okay, you’re right, but when’s the next time you’ll get an opportunity like this? How often do you get to be just another alien in the crowd?”
Xander hesitated, his eyes cutting toward the doors of the exhibit floor. He considered my question for so long that my smile slipped. Any second now, he’d insist we head back upstairs to the green room. Worst case scenario, I could go without him. I didn’t wantto, but Violet’s career quickly taught me to be okay with doing things on my own.
Luckily for me, Xander caved. His eyes fluttered shut for a brief moment as he released a long sigh. “Oh, what the hell. Let’s do this.”
“Yes!” Bouncing forward, I clamped my fingers around Xander’s wrist in case he had any lingering thoughts of backing out and dragged him across the lobby. Whether he liked it or not, the two of us were going to have a full Comic Con experience.
