Page 21

Chapter 21

Julia

After a late night of girl talk, Chloe and Josie wake me up early to head out to the thrift store and protein bars are our quick breakfast on the run. Everyone knows the best witch garb is found in pre-owned stores. We spend two hours scouring the three closest stores and come up with some serious wins. Josie found a better witch’s hat, which means I can use hers. I found some awesome pointed-toe ankle boots that are just a half-size too big, and Chloe found a pair of black-and-purple torn tights that are going to look awesome under her little black dress and knee-high boots. We decide to run to the hair supply store to see if they have spray-in hair dye so we can each lean into our colors—purple for Chloe, orange for Josie, and green for me. When we get back to my house, we beg my mom to let us borrow her practically antique hair crimper and get to work. Thick eyeliner, fake lashes, black nails, clip-in colored and crimped hair, with hats, boots, and black dresses in varying lengths and necklines. We look awesome. It might’ve taken all day, but it was absolutely worth it.

“Sisters! Let’s fly!” Chloe says with a very convincing cackle. Her not being in the drama club was a serious waste of talent.

“She’s called us sisters a lot today.” Josie nods at Chloe.

I shrug. “I’m not sure, but I’d guess another 90s movie. Isn’t there one about sisters and eating children or something?”

“Hmm, who knows, but I can’t say I’m sold on that description.” Josie fixes her hair one last time before heading to the door.

“Yeah, my mom has told me before that descriptions aren’t my strong suit.” I laugh. “Let’s go; we are supposed to be at Miss Mabel’s in two minutes.” We head downstairs and see Graham and Nathan playing video games. Nathan has a plain white tee that says, This is my costume shirt, in plain black letters, and Graham is dressed as a pirate. Now, real pirates—gross teeth, stringy hair, no bathing—nasty. But Jack Sparrow—eyeliner, braids, an open shirt, and a cute accent? Yes, please. I stop on the stairs, and Josie bumps into me with a loud huff.

“What?” She looks over my shoulder and spots Graham. “Oooh. Never mind.”

“Nathan! Is that seriously what you are going to wear?” Chloe demands, disgust evident in her tone and face.

“Yep,” he says, not even looking up from the screen. Graham lets out a small chuckle and glances up, doing a double take when he sees me.

“Dang.” He lets out a low whistle. “Hottest witch ever.” He makes his way over to the stairs that I still haven’t moved from. He grabs my hand, holding it out and openly admiring me.

“Cut it out,” Dad barks from the top of the stairs. Graham drops my hand and jumps back, tripping down the stairs.

“Well, he certainly is committed to the role. He is a little unsteady, just like Jack.” Mom turns to us. “Girls, you look amazing!”

“Maybe a little too amazing,” Dad grumbles, walking down the stairs. When he reaches me, I put my hand on his arm, stopping him to kiss his cheek. “Thanks for letting us hand out candy with Miss Mabel.”

“She's a good woman, and you are a good girl, spending your time with her.” I told Dad about Mabel earlier this week, and it turns out he knows her. He went to high school with her daughter. Small world.

“Okay, we gotta go. We’re late, and I am anxious to meet her. She sounds awesome.” Chloe tries to shoo us out the door.

“Wait, can we come?” Graham asks.

“No, girls only. We’ll be back around 7:30 so we can get something to eat before the haunted house. And Nathan, I expect you to be in something more fitting for the day,” Chloe commands. And Nathan salutes her mockingly, but we all know that when we get back, he’ll be dressed up.

“Sisters!” Chloe starts.

“No, enough of that.” Josie walks past her, shaking her head.

We get to Miss Mabel’s house and have a hard time finding a place to park. There are cars everywhere, and where there aren’t cars, there are kids. So many kids. They are dressed as superheroes and witches, unicorns, fairies, monsters, and dragons. Kids are in homemade costumes, some in those inflatable ones, and others are store-bought. And all of them are having the best time.

“I love Halloween,” Chloe breathes.

“Here, jump out, and I’ll go find a place. You need to be there first so you can introduce us to Mabel,” Josie offers, ready to climb over the seat to take the wheel. We quickly get out of the car and run up to knock on Mabel’s door. After a second of waiting, Mabel swings her door open, and you’ll never guess what she’s dressed as. You got it. A witch.

“Sister!” Chloe yells.

Mabel’s eyes gleam. “Sister!”

And together, for reasons I can’t explain, they both start yelling, Amok! Amok!

“You must be Chloe!” Mabel declares. “Julia told me that I would love you, and she’s right; I do. Now, where is Josie? And those hunks, Graham and Nathan?” Chloe gives Mabel a huge hug, laughing in pure joy.

“Josie is parking the car. Nathan was a big stick in the mud, wearing a lame shirt, so he had to stay home to change. And we didn’t bring Graham because: (1) Nathan, and (2) he and Julia are way too distracting. They are so cute that we would just swoon at them all night instead of handing out any candy.”

“You’re a smart lady, Chloe. A girls’ night, it is!” We help Mabel get a folding table out of the storage closet at the back of her carport, and by the time it’s set up with a few chairs, Josie has found us.

“Success! I totally cut off another car, but I don’t even care. We got a parking spot.”

“Miss Mabel, this is Josie. Josie, Miss Mabel.” I wave to them in turn.

“Josie, my girl, I like your style, and your freckles are to die for. Come sit by me and tell me about yourself. I’ve heard all about Julia, and I’m pretty sure Chloe is me, seventy years younger.” Josie makes herself comfortable, and we spend the next two hours passing out so much candy, oohing and aahing over all the cute costumes, and being appropriately terrified by the monsters. Miss Mabel randomly makes some kids perform tricks for her in exchange for candy, and so we see a lot of somersaults and almost-there karate kicks. Overall, it is so much fun, and I am honestly a little sad when the community security drives around, asking people to leave the neighborhood. We all take turns hugging Miss Mabel after we clean up her driveway.

“Now, all three of you come back anytime. I wish my real granddaughter came to visit more, but she doesn’t have time for me. Don’t forget your sister!” Mabel laughs and hugs each of us. “Also, come watch Julia perform at the variety show in a few weeks.” Josie and Chloe’s eyes widen and they start squealing. “Squeal later, girls. It’s hard on my hearing aids. Anyway, she’ll be amazing, mostly because of her, but also a good chunk because I’ve been coaching her. See you later, girls. Have a great night full of frights and hopefully strong arms to hang on to.” Mabel waves over her shoulder as she shuffles into her house, locking her door behind her and turning off her lights. We pick up the leftover bag of candy she gave us and head to the car to pick up the boys for the haunted house.

“So, should we talk about the variety show now?” Chloe asks, getting into the car.

“Sure. Didn’t Graham tell you? I am going to sing at the variety show next month instead of trying out for the talent show.” I try to play it off casually, but I know it’s not working.

“Graham knows?! And not me?” Chloe gasps dramatically.

“Chloe.” Josie rolls her eyes, letting out a small laugh. “He already told us. Don’t scare her.”

I smile at Josie. I love how well she knows me already.

I don’t really want to keep talking about this so I say, “What do you think Nathan will be wearing now?”

“Mmm. Am I allowed to hope for Michael Phelps?” Josie pumps her eyebrows and I groan, wishing I had picked a different topic.

“Hmm.” Chloe considers. “Is there someone hot that doesn’t talk? That would be perfect.”