Page 8

Fiona mirrored Emma’s smile, though she couldn’t stir up any enthusiasm for tonight’s activities. As soon as Emma reached her, she said, “You and Randy didn’t dance very long. Doesn’t he want to dance?”

“He had to run to the little boy’s room,” Emma explained to her. “We’re going to dance once he returns.”

Fiona motioned to the others on the dance floor. “I’m glad we’re wearing something original, and aren’t one of the undead, only?—”

“We stick out,” Emma said, lifting the cup of punch to her lips. She always seemed comfortable with the way she was, no matter the time or place. “Besides, wearing your ju-jitsu gi isn’t exactly original.” Giving Fiona one of her lopsided grins, she tucked a golden curl behind her ear. She tsked in a way that meant Fiona was her social project, and somehow, she would change her into a woman of confidence. “Next time we’ll do it right.”

Fiona folded her arms and raised her brows. “There won’t be a next time. We’ll have graduated by then. The truth is I would settle for good grades in school, getting through the rest of the year living with my eccentric great aunt, and leaving all this behind. I can barely wait to live in a dorm at the university where my older brother is now enrolled in Dallas.”

Emma’s eyes widened just a bit, then she quickly recovered. “You haven’t told your great aunt yet, have you?”

“No. There never seems to be any time to mention it.” The truth was Fiona feared her great aunt might object. There was no sense in making a scene when she was stuck living with her for the rest of the school year—seven more months, but who was counting?

“Don’t you think she might want you close by since you’re her only living relative? Maybe to go to the University of Portland?” Emma planned to go there, so Fiona was certain that’s why she wanted her to attend the same university.

But Fiona hadn’t seen her brother in eons, and she wanted to be close to him, like she’d been before their parents died. “Nah, she wasn’t close to my family when they were alive, so I don’t know what difference it would make now.”

Emma didn’t respond, just tugged at one of the tails of Fiona’s belt. “Showing off your black belt can only help to intimidate the guys, you know.”

Fiona sighed deeply. “I don’t have a date. I really didn’t plan on coming, except I needed the extra credit.”

“You could make a “c.” It’s not all that bad a grade.” Emma was smart, but she often didn’t apply herself. Her grades reflected it, but her actress mom didn’t seem to care.

Fiona shook her head. “You know, even when I work really hard to earn good grades, sometimes that’s not enough. If nothing else, my parents had instilled in me the importance of earning good grades in high school, especially when I plan to go to college.”

“No fun,” Emma teased.

“I guess I just have to wait until I go to college.”

“Then you’ll be busy trying to make good grades in college.”

“My mom would die if I made a…” Fiona said the words before she thought, and then she felt like the incredible shrinking teen with a heartache the size of Texas, her eyes filling with tears. She silently threatened them not to leak down her cheeks. She gritted her teeth. She didn’t think she would ever come to grips with the fact her parents were dead.

Emma patted Fiona’s shoulder ineffectually, seeing her discomfort but at a loss as to what to say.

Wanting to change the subject, Fiona said, “I didn’t have time to think about a costume.” Which wasn’t quite the truth. Deep in the recesses of her mind, Fiona had hoped Halloween would somehow just magically disappear, and she wouldn’t have to think about it. She’d never felt comfortable with Halloween, All Hallows Eve, as if something dark inside her stirred. More now than ever. The dreams, the nightmares, the visions… “Besides, you’re lucky you could wear your mother’s Little Theater gown.”

Emma nodded. “I am, but I could have dug through Mom’s costume wardrobe and found something for you too.”

“Right, her witch’s costume from Hansel and Gretel.”

“She has others. A sexy, fringed dress from the flapper era show she did, Thoroughly Modern Millie. I told you that you didn’t need a date. Lots of kids come to these things, mingle, and end up going steady.”

“Yeah, easy for you to say. Here comes the star quarterback.” Fiona hadn’t meant her words to come out sounding so… irritated, but now that Randy would whisk Emma away, Fiona definitely felt like a small spider hiding in the crack of a wall.

Blond like Emma, only Randy’s eyes were a sapphire blue and hers more of an aqua blue, the two seemed to have eyes only for each other in the crowded gym.

Emma’s smile returned. “Hmm, hey, Randy. I didn’t have a chance to tell you that I love your football costume.”

He smiled back at her and kissed her cheek. “I love your Cinderella dress.”

Fiona was about to tell him Emma was a southern belle, but Emma said, “I’ll be anything you want me to be.”

Fiona rolled her eyes.

Twirling around, Emma showed off her gown. The bodice dipped enough to entice the guys, but not too low to get her kicked out of school, unless she leaned over. The skirt billowed out and reached her ankles. She looked like a blond version of Scarlet O’Hara from Gone with the Wind.

Emma winked at Fiona, took Randy’s arm, and moved with him to the dance floor.