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Corey

SUN SHINES THROUGH THE OPEN WINDOW, FALLING ON COREY’S HANDS as he steers his car toward Penny’s house. The heat is dry and sleepy; it’s the last week of August, and these are the final gasps of summer before fall takes hold.

Corey is ready for the cold. It’ll be a welcome sign that they’re moving on from everything that’s happened.

He had tried to convince Aunt Helen to come with him. She was a frequent visitor as Mrs. Emberly recovered at the hospital over the last few days. But now that Penny’s mom has been discharged, Aunt Helen has started to withdraw again.

“I don’t want to risk it,” she told him as they sat in the library.

Corey was leaning forward, elbows on his knees. “The Council of Witches said Penny’s mom should be safe.”

Aunt Helen rested her head on her fingertips. The bright sunlight washed her in gold, but it also made the veins under her eyes appear darker. “I’m not sure I have it in me anymore. To love like that, and to lose it.”

Corey thought about arguing before he remembered his aunt had been through this twice already. What if the Council was wrong, and Mrs. Emberly got hurt again? Could Aunt Helen live with herself?

“I’ll tell her you said hi,” Corey said. It was weak, but it was the best he had.

Aunt Helen managed to smile at him. “Are the flowers for Penny?”

“Yeah.”

“What she did…” Aunt Helen shook her head. “What you all did was amazing.”

“Penny made it happen. I never would’ve worked with Alonso if she hadn’t convinced me.”

“I see.” Aunt Helen’s smile fell slightly. “I know how this sounds, but you might want to keep your distance.”

Since Mrs. Emberly’s recovery, Corey has felt light. Weightless, almost. The curse—no, the bargain, that’s what Penny called it—they’ll find a way to beat it. But Aunt Helen’s words brought reality crashing back.

“It’s not like that with me and her,” Corey said. “She’s with Alonso.”

Aunt Helen tried to smile. “I’m just paranoid.”

Now as he drives to Penny’s house, Corey’s hands tighten on the steering wheel. His aunt has put him on edge. He glances at the flowers on the passenger seat. What compelled him to buy flowers for Penny? Would he have done that if he truly saw her as a friend?

Corey isn’t sure. And that thought makes his heart thrum painfully in his chest. He isn’t in love with Penny, but maybe he could be if he lets himself get closer to her. Penny just got her mom back, and she went through hell to do it. He can’t put her in the crosshairs of the curse again.

When he turns onto Penny’s street, the blue Shelby comes into view. Alonso is in the front yard, bent over some unwieldy plants. The sun gleams off a pair of pruning shears, and that makes Corey sweat as an equally terrifying thought occurs to him.

What would Alonso do to Corey if he hurt Penny?

Corey runs his hands over his hair. His mind is a jumble of fear and anxiety, but one solution comes to the forefront, clear as day.

Corey has to stay away from Penny. And he can never tell her why.

A strange emptiness replaces the peace Corey has felt over the last few days. It’s dark, but it’s familiar. He lets himself adjust to this uncomfortable, unexpected new reality. Then he grabs the flowers and gets out of the car. There’s a trash can on the street, and as Corey walks by it, he lifts the lid and drops the flowers inside.

Corey walks up to Alonso, who doesn’t acknowledge him. Music is blasting in the witch’s earbuds and Corey smirks before he leans into his line of sight.

“Shit.” Alonso jumps. He takes out his earbuds. “You’re stealth, man.”

“No, your music is too loud.”

Alonso shrugs. “That’s the only way I can feel anything.”

“What about when Penny laughs at one of your stupid jokes?”

Alonso snorts, and he must see something in Corey’s face, because his smile fades. “It’s weird, right? Her and me?”

“Is it official?” Corey is smiling, but underneath, that emptiness rings in his chest.

But Alonso never answers; something in the distance catches his eye, and he grins. “They’re here.”