Page 24 of All Hallows' Haunt
I gave it to him without looking down, and he faced it to me with the lock screen open. I keyed in my passcode and watched his fingers move over the bright glass. Satisfied with his efforts, he held it up again. I couldn’t help but laugh at his goofiness.
Name: Everett St. Clair
Company: Haunt Hottie
Contact Number: 707-111-2233
“That’s my number,” he said despite the obvious. We stopped walking some odd yards away from the exit. I spotted Aimee and Vera on the other side, leaning against the wall. When I looked back at Everett, his glare was sinister. I checked to see what caught his eye, and Shawn gripped the bars of the gate and shot daggers at him.
“I’m sorry for him,” I whispered, breaking his concentration. His face softened when he focused on me. He reached out and touched every part of my face.
“You don’t have to say it,” he said, but it wasn’t in response to Shawn. “I won’t ask you to confirm it or lie about it.” My heart constricted and tears pricked my eyes. “I know, and I only ask that you come back to me later, Sienna.” He leaned down and kissed me hard, but he didn’t ask to push inside. He kissed me deeply with his emotions this time. My face was wet as tears streamed. “Even if you don’t, I won’t regret tonight.” His voice was strained and thick with heartbreak. He kissed me again, and I felt his lip quiver against mine before he sniffled. “I’ll never regret you.”
His tears fell and mixed with mine as he continued to take despite our clock running out. His phone rang once, and he stepped back. The black paint he left around his eyes dripped down his face. His thick lashes clumped together with tears. The tip of his nose was as red as the flush on his cheeks.
He gave me a sad smile.
I turned away.
I left.
I’m so sorry, Everett.
Epilogue - January 4, 2023
Sienna
“Areyou sure you don’t need anything else from me?”
“Mom,” I groaned. “I told you, everything’s been taken care of. You’ve done plenty. Spring semester has been thoroughly organized, planned, and executed.” I gave her a pleading look.
“I’m not ready to let my baby go.” She grabbed my shoulders and squeezed the life she gave out of me.
“Ma—” I squeaked against the tightening pressure. She released me, and when she pulled back, tears glossed her eyes. “I will call you tomorrow. I will be home this weekend; we literally live three hours apart.”
“You’ll be safe?” She twisted her finger in the air.
“You really want to discuss my sex life?”
“On second thought,” she reconsidered, her nose scrunched and eyebrows pinched. “Just make good choices and be vigilant. I’m a phone call away.” She stepped toward the dorm room’s door, resting her hand on its frame and turning back to take it all in one last time. “I love you, kiddo.”
“I love you, too, Mom.” I gave her a big smile, and she took that as a sign of peace. Her blonde hair fluttered off her shoulder as she started down the hallway. I stepped forward, leaning my head out and seeing that she actually did keep going. Noting her lithe frame exiting into a stairwell, I closed the door and engaged the lock.
A deep sigh left my body.
I was assigned to my room without a roommate, for the time being. The counselor said it was likely to change, but to enjoy it for now. I pushed off the door and walked over to the desk. It was ugly, but it was school furniture so there wasn’t much as far as expectations went. I flipped the switch for the wax warmer and waited for the scent to fill the room.
This was a chapter in the story I’d been waiting for. A chance to be me and on my own. I loved my parents, that much was certain, but the suffocation from an extra year at home was killing me. I emptied my jean pockets and dropped into the office chair: phone, keys, school ID.
My phone landed on the desktop facedown.
I looked at it the same way I had for the past three months.
Everett.
I didn’t know why I hadn’t taken the photos out. They kept random guys at bay. When they approached me and saw my phone, they quickly made an excuse and kept moving or turned back around. If they hadn’t noticed prior to starting a conversation, the moment they saw the photo booth strip, they found a reason to leave. I didn’t forget it was there, but I didn’t know why I couldn’t bring myself to completely erase that night.
Because it was the best night. With the best guy.
