The Songs in Our Hearts: A Young Adult Romance(57)

“I tried today. He doesn’t want to talk.” I shook my head. “I can’t help feeling like I did something wrong.”

“No,” Rachel said as she stopped in the hallway. “That’s the one thing you need to remember. You did nothing wrong. He’s the one who kissed you.”

“Please don’t tell anyone,” I urged her. She gave me a cheer-up-buttercup smile.

“Don’t worry. I won’t. I’ll see you later, Charlie. Keep your chin up!”

“See you,” I said and headed to the next classroom.





THE SET PAUL HAD CREATED for the last scene was intense. I was actually shocked as we walked into the barn Paul had found for our film-shooting. There were all sorts of jars and lights lined up on the window sills and desk. There was even a hospital gurney. How the heck had he managed to get that?

“This is way awesome, dude.” Marshall fist-bumped him. “We should have done the whole movie in here!” He played with a few of the props and grinned like a five-year-old.

“This is amazing, Paul.” Micah glanced around.

“Yes, thank you,” I chimed in. Paul grinned broadly and shrugged.

“I love to build stuff. The rest of it, I just found in the dump.” That explains the gurney.

“This should be your career,” I said, picking up one of the odd tools lying openly on a table. “You’d be a great carpenter.”

“Nah.” He shook his head. “This is a hobby. That’s all.”

“We should get started.” Micah shrugged out of his jacket. “I grabbed a lab coat from one of the science labs. I thought it would be best for this.”

“Sweet.” Marshall slid the monster mask over his face. I stood back by Paul; he had the camera in hand as Marshall got up onto the gurney.

“I bet a bunch of people died on this thing,” Marshall said before he lay back on it.

“That’s morbid.” I frowned.

“That’s Marshall.” Paul laughed.

Micah had moussed his hair, and mussed it so that it stood up, giving him the appearance of a madman. By that point in the story, it fit the part of Victor Frankenstein.

Paul flicked a few lights on from a small remote, illuminating the space. With another click, thunderstorm sound effects came from small speakers he had placed around the room. It was impressive, at least for a high school production. Micah laughed wickedly and Marshall rose up slowly, his arms straight in the air like a zombie. I did everything I could to hold back my giggles. It was too dramatic. Paul shouted out, “Cut!” as the scene came to an end, and Marshall tore the mask from his face.

“Was that not the best ever?” he shouted over the crackling of thunder. Paul flicked off the special lights.

“It was pretty awesome.” Paul looked at me. “What do you think, Charlie? Is it a wrap?”

“Yeah. At least, I don’t think I could watch that again.” I smirked.

Paul set the camera down, grinning. “Now, we’ll just have to tear it all down.”

“No way, man, we should have the Halloween party in here!” Marshall interjected.

“I don’t think so,” Paul replied. “I promised I’d have the barn cleaned out by tonight. If you bring your groupies here, it’ll only get more trashed.”

Marshall made a face, but didn’t argue with Paul. Micah began to help dismantle the set. About an hour later, he and the guys had taken the props apart and hauled them out to Paul’s truck.

“Micah and I are going to be late for our party,” Marshall said as he tugged his phone out of his pocket. “Can you get her home?” he asked Paul. I didn’t like feeling as though I were unwanted baggage. Besides, it wasn’t like Marshall was responsible for me.

“I can just call my brother to come and get me,” I suggested.

“It’s all right. I have to head back to the shop. I think your house is on the way,” Paul assured me.

“Thanks.” Micah gave Paul a high-five. I so wanted to point my middle finger in his face. He strolled out with Marshall without so much as one word to me. I couldn’t stop myself from crossing my arms against my chest. Paul, apparently, witnessed my reaction.

“If looks could kill, Charlie...” He motioned for me to follow him out to his truck. “Come on. Let’s get you home before the trick-or-treaters start flooding the streets.”





“You’ve Haunted Me All My Life”

Death Cab For Cutie





I LAY IN BED WATCHING kid-friendly Halloween movies that I could find on TV. Disney was showing my favorite, Tower of Terror, and before that, the cartoon classic, The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. The Headless Horseman still kinda scared me, but not nearly as much as the one in the Johnny Depp version. I kept lifting up my phone to check the time, and to see if I had any new messages, but my text inbox remained empty and quiet.

With a huff, I pushed the phone face-down onto my comforter and turned my attention back to the TV. This was boring and stupid. Really stupid, actually. Why was I lying there, feeling conflicted and confused over someone who clearly didn’t even think twice about my feelings after kissing me?

I knew I couldn’t hang out with Rachel or Jennifer tonight. Rachel was out with her brothers and Jennifer had already made plans with the Anime Club. Everyone had something to do on Halloween night—except me.