Page 62 of Breakaway

“Pizza,” Dax said like I hadn’t heard Fletcher.

“You know you’re being weird, right?” I asked, lifting my brow.

“Yep.”

“Okay. I guess I’ll go out here all by my lonesome.” I pouted as I stepped back.

“Bye.”

The door closed instantly, and I pouted for real this time as I trudged back to the living room. Just what were they doing that I couldn’t know about? I hoped it was their costume and not anything else. I didn’t need any other surprises in my life.

The doorbell rang shortly after, and a stack of pizzas, followed by my two girlfriends and their guys, rushed in. Suddenly the house filled with noise as they all talked over one another. My men were still hiding, so I showed everyone where to grab plates and drinks.

Monty was dressed as a firefighter, Keaton as a nerdy programmer, and Cody shocked me with his display of abs dressed as Thor. Maks was dressed as himself, his hockey jersey on his back and his stick in hand, which didn’t surprise me. I was more shocked he’d been roped into coming at all, but it was hard to say no to Susie when she wanted something.

“God, I love pizza,” Scar moaned right into Susie’s face.

She swatted her away, sticking out her tongue as Scar laughed. Shaking my head, I finished my slice, tossed my trash, and wiped my hands.

“You ready? We should get dressed,” I said, nodding toward my room. I had a feeling my three guys weren’t coming out until I was hidden.

“So, what’s the big costume idea?” I asked once we were shut behind my door. Scar had brought in a few garment bags along with a duffle. Susie sat on my bed, a slight grimace on her face as she waited to see what Scar had in store for us.

Scar practically jumped up and down as she handed out the garment bags. Susie and I looked at one another, then nodded, agreeing to look together.

“One, two, three!” I cheered, unzipping the bag. Inside was a green costume that looked more tame than I expected. “I don’t get it,” I finally said when I couldn’t figure it out.

“Me either,” Susie added. Her costume was blue with the same P on the front.

“Oh my God, you’re both the worst!” Scar screeched. “We’re the Powerpuff Girls.”

“The what now?” I asked, pulling it fully out.

“Isn’t that a cartoon?” Susie asked, the name finally ringing a bell.

“Out of all the things we could be, you went with Powerpuff Girls? I thought you might go sexy Charlie’s Angels, or even the Sanderson sisters.”

“Oh, now that’s an idea,” Susie said, wagging her finger. “Though Scar needs to be the blonde. She’s the boy crazy one.”

“And sometimes girls,” Scar mumbled, ignoring us as she pulled out her pink costume. I could tell she was upset we hadn’t gone gaga over the costumes.

“Sorry, Scar. Thank you for the costume. It looks fun.”

She brightened a little, and Susie realized how much this meant to Scar and joined in.

“Yeah. I love it. It’s not too overdone. And with the leggings, we’ll stay warm.”

“That’s what I thought!” Scar exclaimed as she turned back around, her face bright again. Scar could take a lot of shit, but now and then, she would be vulnerable, reminding you that even strong people had soft spots.

The three of us changed into our costumes, and Scar did our hair and makeup, explaining the best things about the Powerpuff Girls.

“So, I’m Buttercup, you’re Bubbles, and Susie’s Blossom?” I asked, wanting to make sure I had it right.

“Yep. Selfie time!” The three of us crowded in front of the camera, and she took a pic, and I had to agree we looked cute. But most importantly, warm. I didn’t want to be sexy around my coworkers or any potential students, and it seemed the girls felt the same.

“Now, let’s show the boys.”

We walked out of my room, and the first thing I noticed was Reed’s door was open. I could hear their voices in the kitchen, and excitement bubbled up.

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