Page 29 of Styx & Stones

“Junk food, and binge-watchRiverdale. Styx has never seen it.”

“Hard to imagine, I know.” Styx leans against the counter and grins at my mother.

“You’re watching Netflix instead of going to homecoming?”

“Thisisour homecoming.” I shrug. “We’re officially coming home, or staying home ... I guess? Ooh, M&M’s.” I grab the family packet from the pantry and dump them into a bowl.

“Are you sure you kids should be eating this junk? Why don’t you let me make you some sushi?”

“Mom, we’ve got it covered. Uber Eats will be here in twenty.”

“Oh, alright then. If you have everything you need, I’ll just make myself scarce.” Mom picks up her wine and gulps down the remainder. She grabs the bottle, uncorks it, and pours herself a double helping. “Well, your dad’s working late, so I’m going to go take a bath to get out of your hair.”

“Okay.” I roll my eyes so only Styx can see. “Thank you.”

“Just call out if you need me,” she says.

“We will,” I singsong and pull the popcorn from the microwave. I open the bag and pour it into a bowl. Then I get the sodas and M&M’s, shooting a look at Styx that says he should get the popcorn.

He follows me to the den and sits super close. I don’t really mind, but it is kind of weird given how huge our sectional sofa is.

“Sitting kinda close there, huh, loner boy?” I ask.

“Yep.”

“Do you want to move over at all?”

“Nope.”

“Ookay then.”

His leg is pressed against mine, and his heat radiates through his pants and scorches my bare thigh. My dress rides up a little more than I’m comfortable with, but I leave it because I don’t want to add to the awkward.

I turn on the TV and start the first episode ofRiverdale. Styx sinks lower into the couch, but doesn’t move over any, and the food and soda go untouched. I take my phone off the coffee table and bring up IG. After posting a few boomerangs of Jughead Jones, I turn the camera on Styx.

“What are you doing?” He frowns, but it’s quickly chased away by a grin when I shove my phone in his face for an extreme close up.

“Making you Instafamous.”

“You really think your fans want to see all this ugly?”

“Oh please.” I roll my eyes. “You’re so damn pretty, it hurts.”

A sly smile spreads across his face as he leans forward and grabs the popcorn. “Especially with my bald head, right?”

“Especially.” I nod resolutely.

“You’re right. Who wouldn’t want to see this?” He shovels the popcorn in his mouth like the Cookie Monster.

“Oh yeah, this is gonna go viral.” I laugh and upload the video, and then I post several more of us making derp expressions.

My notifications go crazy, so I switch to live and film.

“What’s up, Aerosol Addicts? It’s been a few days since I checked in ... there’s been a lot going on. But, you may have noticed that I’m looking extra fancy this evening,” I say in my best impersonation of a British person. It’s truly tragic.

Styx laughs and shakes his head. I ignore him and focus on my screen. “That’s because tonight is homecoming, but instead of dancing in a sweaty school gym, I’m kicking back on my couch with Mr. Hendricks here. Say hello, Mr. Hendricks.”

Styx leans into the frame. “Hello, Mr. Hendricks.”

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