all-time favorite movie series The theater would be packed with horror fans Many would be dressed as the half-undead half-robotic main Zom-borg villain in the series Emma had been waiting for this premiere event since the theater had announced it a few months before She’d avoided all of the movie spoilers and set photos posted online an act that had required more self-control than she’d ever imagined But she’d done it Dimples isn’t going to talk through the whole movie is he Emma asked truly concerned Lucy shrugged I don’t know how he feels about movie etiquette Em If he does so help me he’s getting an elbow to the ribs I would expect nothing less from you Lucy said She smiled at her friend before turning back to the mirrored closet door Maybe I should bring a roll of duct tape in case he feels like chatting Emma said Emma relax Lucy said You’ll get to see your movie Honk Honk Lucy gasped They’re here Oh no this outfit is terrible I have to change She quickly shed her
purple sweater and put on a nearly identical purple and white striped wool sweater Emma looked out the window Sure enough a black car with a dented front bumper was now parked in front of Lucy’s house its headlights glaring The stereo volume was so loud Emma could hear and practically feel the bass from Lucy’s bedroom Connor was climbing out of the car When he saw Emma looking out the window he waved up at her She waved back Come on let’s go Lucy said as she grabbed Emma’s arm and pulled her out the bedroom door the They passed Lucy’s parents in the living room Her dad was sitting in a well-loved recliner watching one of twenty-four-hour news channels the television remote resting on his ample stomach Lucy’s mother sat sipping tea and reading a book whose crinkling dust jacket showed that she had checked it out from the library Before the two girls were able to escape the house Lucy’s dad stopped them by loudly clearing his throat Ahem Use your heads tonight girls he said You both have phones I expect you to use them if you need to Am I clear Crystal Lucy answered Your curfew is midnight he said No later Got it
Yes Daddy And tell that boyfriend of yours to turn his stereo down before someone’s ears start bleeding he said I can hear it from here Lucy rolled her eyes Have fun at the movie girls Lucy’s mom added with a smile Then she made a shooing gesture Bye Lucy sang still holding tight to Emma’s arm as the two breezed out the front door The moon outside was not quite full but close Soon it would be dark and the cloudless sky would be brimming with stars There was a bite in the air that Emma loved Fall was her favorite time of year She loved the way trees blazed bright colors in the sun Hot apple cider and pumpkins Halloween Soon winter would arrive blanketing the town in snow Emma shoved her hands into the giant pouch in the front of her sweatshirt for warmth There they are Hello ladies Connor’s wide smile filled his square-jawed face He was tall and muscular and blond the kind of guy who looked like he could be the captain of any and all high school sports teams While Connor was in fact the captain of the lacrosse team at their high school he
never flaunted it And he always wore his dad’s olive green military jacket never a sports jacket Emma had once watched Lucy’s boyfriend take apart the engine block of his dad’s Mustang with zero effort yet he had trouble remembering who fought who in the Spanish-American War He was often loud and obnoxious but he treated Lucy like a queen For that he had Emma’s respect Lucy ran up to Connor He whisked her off the ground and into his arms She laughed and threw her head back Ugh They make me wanna puke Emma thought Instead of throwing up her dinner though she opened one of the car’s back doors and climbed in It stank of body spray inside but at least the guy sitting in the passenger’s seat had been kind enough to turn the stereo volume down as she settled in behind him Daniel turned around to face her He had dark hair that swooped across his forehead piercing gray eyes and yeah dimples Lucy was right about thought the dimples Emma Hi he said reaching back to shake her hand I’m Daniel
