Page 33 of Wicked Lies Grow Wildflowers
“Sure, sure, it was the alcohol. Whatever you believe, but I will say I am flattered to be of inspiration.”
I yank the phone back and tell Xander I’ve gotten home safe with Sage and she’s spending the night. As the movie plays on, my eyes get heavy and I start to doze off on the couch, my limbs tangled with Sage’s. Feeling safe next to my best friend, I forget all about the eerie encounter earlier in the night as I drift into a dreamless sleep.
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
MAEREN
Morning light streamsin through the living room curtains, stirring me awake. I stretch out on the living room floor, realizing I must’ve moved from the couch at some point during the night. Sage has one leg hanging off of the couch and an arm draped over her eyes, still very much asleep.
I start toward the kitchen to put on a pot of coffee and feed Gracie, who’s meowing at her bowl. She winds herself around my legs, tickling my feet with her tail as I pour her some food. I give her a few pets before hopping in a quick shower to wash off last night's makeup and relax under the warm jets. I spend extra time conditioning my hair and combing out all the tangles from Sage’s teasing, and it hurts like a bitch. I shut the water off and wrap myself in a towel before walking to my bedroom and digging around for some clothes.
It’s Sunday and Halloween day, so I pick out a pair of black leggings and an oversized sweater with dancing skeletons in a pumpkin patch on it. I throw my wet hair up in the towel and decide against makeup today, as I don’t have any plans and trick or treaters don’t really come around this area, seeing as it’s mostly apartment buildings. I think I’ll stay home and eatmy weight in candy while watching all of my favorite Halloween movies from childhood.
The smell of freshly brewed coffee fills my nose and my mouth starts to water. I pour myself a steaming cup and add pumpkin creamer before sitting down at my kitchen table, reveling in the quiet of the morning. Well, quiet for a few minutes, because soon Sage calls out from the living room.
“Is that coffee I smell? Please tell me it’s coffee,” she groans.
“Yes it is, but unfortunately for you there’s none left,” I lie.
“That’s a foul lie this early in the morning Maeren!” Sage shouts back as she clambers off the couch, looking like a mess.
“You look great,” I smile at her.
“That’s code for I look like utter shit, isn’t it?”
“Maybe not utter shit, more like mild shit,” I admit.
“Well, I’m going to down this cup of coffee and then do the walk of shame back to my own house. Well, drive of shame, but you know what I mean.”
“I don’t think this counts as a walk of shame.”
She looks at herself in the camera of her phone, noting her disheveled hair and smudged makeup before saying, “Um when I look this horrific, it’s certainly shameful.”
“Fair enough. Any plans for your self-proclaimed best day of the year?”
“Yes, I’m going to my parents to hand out candy tonight. You?”
“Not really, I plan on relaxing here, catching up on some cleaning. Maybe I’ll see what Xander is up to.”
“Ooooh sounds more exciting than my day, but I had my fun last night,” she smiles at me before polishing off her coffee. “Well I better get going babe, I’ll text you later.” She grabs her bag and gives me a hug before heading out the door.
When she’s gone, I suddenly feel very alone and overly aware of how quiet the building is. I shake the feeling away anddon’t let the thought of the creep from last night take over, not wanting to revisit that right now. I’m safe, just paranoid. But for good measure, I open my door and look down the hallway to ensure no one is lurking, my eyes snagging on a wrapper sticking out from the corner of my welcome mat. I reach down to grab it: the candy bar has another typed note attached, and my heart rate picks up.
‘Happy Halloween, here’s a sweet for my sweet.’
I’m not sure why but that nickname unsettles me. Xander’s never called me it before, but it’s just a festive little joke.
My skin breaks out in goosebumps anyways, and a nagging feeling prickles the back of my mind. I shut my door, locking it behind me. I stare at the locked door handle and really think about the situation, quickly coming to the conclusion I need to stop making up weird scenarios in my head. This is from Xander, not some creepy party goer from last night.
I grab my phone and text Xander to see if he wants to come by today, even though he apparently has already.
Me: Hey! Happy Halloween! Do you want to come over today and binge watch Halloween movies from our childhood while eating copious amounts of candy?
I attach a winky face after the candy, hoping he gets the joke and the connection to the treat he left me.
The texting bubble immediately pops up, and I leave our chat open while waiting for a reply.
Xander: I have a better idea. What about a haunted corn maze tonight?
