Page 85 of Cruel Abandon (Fallen Royals 5)
But… no Sky.
I circle the place twice, sure that I would’ve guessed correctly.
My phone rings, and Sky’s name is on my screen.
If she’s back at the apartment, finally caving and waiting for me to let her back in, I’ll kill her.
But when I answer, it isn’t her voice on the other end of the line.
23
Sky
Someone drops into the chair beside me.
“Hey,” Taryn says, grinning at me. “Happy Halloween.”
“Happy Halloween,” I echo. “What are you doing?”
“We saw you come up here.” Taryn motions behind us.
I follow her gaze to a girl and guy, immediately recognizing the latter. Jeff is in all silver, carrying a little can.
“Tin Man?” I ask Taryn.
“Indeed.” She frowns. “I think Nat was supposed to go as Dorothy.”
I wince. “That’s…”
“I feel bad for him,” she says. “He’s sort of lost without her. He’s smart, don’t get me wrong. But she gave him a good direction to go in.”
“Where are you guys going?” I have no desire to go to a party, but I’m curious. I twist around and focus more fully on the girl he’s with. She’s familiar—one of Whitney and Natalie’s friends, I’m sure—but I can’t recall her name. She wears her long dark hair in two braids, barely any makeup, and a black button-up dress with a white collar. Wednesday Addams.
It brings a smile to my face. Maybe not the most original costume, but Wednesday’s darkness speaks to my heart.
She glances over at us and waves.
Huh.
“See?” Taryn nudges me. “No one hates you or anything.”
I roll my eyes. “Right.”
“Anyway, I think it’s one of the parties over at Lenox Bluff University. Do you want to come?”
“No, thanks.”
She takes my hand. “Skylar.”
“Taryn,” I parrot.
“I realize that Halloween isn’t your thing, but no one would care that you’re not in a costume. I think we can hunt down some white paint and say you’re a zombie or ghost…” She grins. “What are you wearing under that?”
I pull at Liam’s sweatshirt. I can’t believe I picked this to go outside in. In public. On campus. The white lettering of Ashburn College Athletics stands out almost too brightly against the black fabric. Beneath it is a white tank top, and I’m pretty sure a black lace bralette.
When I tell Taryn that, she grins. “Perfect, you can go as a cheerleader. Can we mess with…” She motions to my face.
I frown, then nod.