7. Haunted Hearts
1381 Words
“And you’re stubborn,” Jude counters with a wink.
I look out the window again, biting back the urge to respond. My arms remain crossed, but my defenses feel a little weaker now.
I’m glad when he finally decides to shift the topic away from Dave. “So, Evie, have you thought about a costume yet? For Halloween.”
I glance at him, narrowing my eyes. “Why would I? I don’t do Halloween.”
He looks scandalized. “Don’t do Halloween? That’s like saying you don’t like breathing.”
“It’s just… not my thing,” I mutter, crossing my arms and turning to the window.
Jude snorts. “Not your thing? I seem to remember a certain someone insisting we dress up as pirates one year. You made me wear an eye patch for an entire night, remember?”
“That was Joel’s idea,” I say, refusing to meet his gaze. “He was a kid back then.”
“Well, Joel’s still a kid, and I bet he’s hyped about it.” Jude grins. “What are the odds he’s already picked out a costume?”
I don’t respond, but I can’t help wondering. Joel would be excited about Halloween—it’s always been his favorite holiday.
When we pull up to Joel’s school, we find the front lawn is mostly empty. We’re late, I realise. But it doesn’t worry me because Joel is patient, and he’s more mature at nine than Carl is at fifteen.
Joel, who’s sitting at a bench beside another boy, spots immediately and waves, his face lighting up. His dark hair is messy, and there’s a streak of dirt on his cheek, but he looks thrilled to be back. He jogs over, lugging his backpack and a small pumpkin-shaped lantern.
“Evie, you’re back!” Joel exclaims, his face breaking into a wide grin as he drops his backpack on the ground. He’s taller than I remember, his gangly frame now filling out just a little more, but his eyes still have that spark of pure joy that hasn’t changed since he was a toddler.
“Hey, buddy,” I say, crouching down to his level as he barrels toward me. Before I can say anything else, he wraps his arms around my neck in a tight hug, squeezing like he’s afraid I’ll disappear again.
“You’re really here,” he says, his voice muffled against my shoulder. “I thought you’d stay away forever.”
I swallow the lump in my throat, guilt washing over me like a wave. “I’m here now, Joel. And I missed you so much.”
He pulls back just enough to look at me. “You didn’t even call that much. Mom said you were busy, but… I don’t know.”
“I know,” I admit softly. “I’m sorry for that.”
He nods like he’s trying to act older than his nine years, but the way he grabs my hand and holds it tightly tells me he’s still the same little brother who used to follow me everywhere.
“Are you staying this time?” he asks, his voice quieter now, like he’s afraid of the answer.
I pause, my chest tightening. “Yeah,” I finally say, brushing his hair back. “For a while, at least.”
A grin spreads across his face again, and he steps back, bouncing on his toes. “Good, ‘cause I’ve got so much to show you! I built a fort in the backyard, and I’m learning to draw dragons now. Oh, and Mom let me pick out Halloween decorations this year! You have to see them!”
“Halloween decorations, huh?” I say, standing up and ruffling his hair. “Are we talking pumpkins or full haunted house vibes?”
“Both!” he says, practically vibrating with excitement. “We’ve got cobwebs, skeletons, and there’s this witch thing that laughs when you walk by. It’s awesome!”
I laugh. “Sounds like you’ve been busy.”
“Busy waiting for you,” he says with a dramatic shrug, but his teasing tone is betrayed by the way he squeezes my hand again.
Jude, leaning casually against the car with Thea perched in his arms, smirks at us. “Kid’s got priorities.”
Joel turns to him, pointing a finger. “You didn’t tell me she was coming back! You knew, didn’t you?”
Jude holds up his free hand in mock defense. “What can I say? I’m good at keeping secrets.”
Joel narrows his eyes, then turns back to me with a grin. “Come on, Evie! Let’s go home so I can show you everything!”
I let him tug me toward the car. For the first time in what feels like forever, I feel like I’m home again.
“Let me hold Thea,” he insists, slipping into the back seat of the car.
“Oh, no. He’s fussy,” Jude warns. “We have to change his name.”
Joel frowns but then takes a closer look at the cat. “You're right. How about 'Thanos'?” The cat springs into the air as Jude tries to pass him over to Joel, then hops into the basket on the seat.
“Thanos,” Jude repeats thoughtfully, a mischievous grin spreading across his face. “Yeah, he’s got that ‘snap half the universe away’ vibe.”
I can’t help but let out a laugh before I remember. “Joel, put on your seatbelt.”
Jude gives me a look I don’t fully understand as he gets into the driver’s seat again. The engine ignites and we’re back to the road. “So, Joel, what’s the Halloween plan this year? You going for something classic or out-of-the-box?”
Joel straightens, his grin widening. “Zombie football player. I already found shoulder pads and everything! It’s gonna be epic.”
I can’t help but smile. “Sounds messy.”
“That’s the point,” Joel says, brushing off my comment. Then his eyes light up as he turns to Jude. “What about you? You dressing up?”
Jude leans back, looking thoughtful. “I was thinking about going as a cat whisperer. You know, just me and Thea—well, Thanos now, making magic happen.”
Joel bursts out laughing. “Lame! You’ve gotta do something cooler than that. Like… oh! Go as a vampire! You already have that whole brooding, dark look.”
Jude raises an eyebrow, clearly amused. “Brooding? Dark? I thought I was more of a ‘ray of sunshine’ kind of guy.”
I roll my eyes as Joel steals the words from my mind. “Yeah, sure. Total sunshine. Anyway, Evie, what about you? Are you dressing up?”
I hesitate, fiddling with the hem of my sleeve. “I haven’t really thought about it.”
“You have to,” Joel insists. “We could do a theme! Zombies versus survivors or something.”
“Maybe,” I say noncommittally, hoping he’ll drop it.
Jude chuckles, his voice low enough that only I catch it. “You should dress as someone who’s willing to have a little fun for once.”
I glare at him, but he just smirks, clearly enjoying himself.
Joel chatters on about his camping trip, how they told ghost stories by the fire, and how his teacher tripped over a tree root in the dark. I find myself smiling despite my earlier decision to stay annoyed at Jude.
I’ve spoken to him more in an hour than I ever have with Dave in over two days. That shouldn’t be a sign. It shouldn’t mean anything. It’s just… Jude, right?
But the thought sticks, sinking its claws in. With Dave, conversations are predictable, measured, transactional even—like checking items off a to-do list. But with Jude, it’s messy, chaotic, full of banter and the kind of charged silences that leave my heart racing.
“Damn it,” I mutter under my breath, glaring out the window. What’s wrong with me? Why am I even comparing them? Dave’s my boyfriend. Jude is—well, he’s just Jude. The guy I shouldn’t be thinking about so much.
- Writer
