Page 38 of Anytime I Want

“Unless it’s about you and Graham?” Josie teases.

“How about we talk about Halloween? I’ve barely seen you guys. What are you going as?” I ask.

“A witch,” Chloe and Josie respond at the same time. “Seriously? That’s awesome,” they continue in sync.

“What about you, J?” Chloe asks.

“I was going to go as a unicorn because I have that onesie, but maybe tomorrow we could go get stuff, and we could all be witches?”

“Yes. Let’s do it,” Chloe agrees. “Now, let’s find Buzzfeed quizzes online and ask Nathan to bring us the rest of the cookie dough.”

My phone chirps with a text and I glance down, biting my lip as my face flushes pink.

Graham

Good night, almost girlfriend. Have good dreams and if they are full of me, tell me everything tomorrow.

Also, do text messages count as love notes?

We hear the front door swing open, and Nathan yells, “Julia. I have more lollipops and another freaking note for you. And Chloe, go get your own cookie dough. I’m not your errand boy, just Julia’s apparently.”

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 andknee-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.

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