Page 45 of Clouded by Envy

Bray closed her spiral notebook and set her pen on top. She would work on her story tomorrow. Tossing her braid over her shoulder, she met Luca in the kitchen.

“What time are you going to your friend’s house?” she asked.

Luca was already on his second cup of milk, finishing it up. “Right now. You want to walk with me?”

“Okay.”

The night before, Luca had begged Wes to let him stay the night at Kyle’s house. Wes saidno wayat first, since it was a school night. But Kyle’s mom guaranteed the boys would be in bed by nine and she’d take them to school in the morning. He ended up giving in to Luca and telling him just this one time.

“Let me go get my bag for the night,” Luca said, starting for his room.

“Wes wanted me to make sure you finished your homework before you left. Do you have any?” Bray yelled down the hall.

Luca rounded the corner with his overstuffed bag. Bray wasn’t sure what he had in there since he was only going to be staying at Kyle’s for one night, but she let him do as he pleased.

“I didn’t have any today since I finished all my math questions in class.” Luca snapped both of his fingers, extra proud of himself.

“Great. Let’s go.”

When they stepped outside, a slight breeze ruffled Luca’s hair. Kyle’s house was only seven down from theirs, so it wouldn’t take long to walk him.

“What are you going to do with me gone for the night?” Luca asked.

“Probably watch one of your movies.” There were still a lot of them she hadn’t seen.

“FernGully?” He waggled his eyebrows.

Bray tapped the tip of his freckled nose. “No, not that one. I want to watch a movie I haven’t seen.”

“Maybe a scary one, so you can tell Wes to hold you tight.” Luca wrapped his arms around himself in a pretend hug.

Bray threw her head back and laughed. “Whatever, I can hold my own self tight.AndI don’t get scared during movies.”

He shut one eye and stared up at the bright blue sky, scrunching up his face. “I’ll think of a good one to watch this weekend, and I’ll bet you a hundred bucks it’ll scare you.”

“I don’t have any money, and I am sure you don’t have a hundred bucks either.”

Luca rubbed at his chin for a moment. “Chores. If I win, you can do my chores.”

“And if I win, you can read me areallylong story.” She would be reading her own story to herself while he was gone.

“Deal.” He stuck out his hand, and she shook it.

They stepped onto the beginning of Kyle’s driveway. “Have a good night, little beast.”

“See you tomorrow, Bray.” Smiling, Luca turned and headed for his friend’s door.

Bray waited until a boy with red hair, who must have been Kyle, answered. Waving goodbye to them, Bray walked back home and headed through the gate to her tree. She climbed the branches to check inside in case Brenik may have popped up. Her stomach sank when she realized nothing had changed—he wasn’t home.

Plucking a plump peach, she climbed back down the branches and brought the fruit to her mouth. Right as she swallowed her first bite, she heard the engine of Wes’s work truck pull into the driveway.

She ducked down behind the gate, chewing more of the peach as she waited for Wes to approach. The pounding of his shoes tapped against the pavement as his steps drew closer.

“Surprise!” she yelled as she leaped from behind the gate and threw her arms up, waving them side to side.

“Jesus Christ, Bray. Seriously,” Wes hissed, taking a step back with a hand covering his forehead.

“I promise I won’t do it anymore.” She smiled and put her hand against her chest, where her heart was buried beneath.

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