“I have brain damage, I’m sure. But I’m in good company, if so, right Jackson?”
Jackson stares at me, dumbfounded, as he tries to decide what I meant by that. Krowe, on the other hand, howls with laughter.
“Fuck, New Girl! Beautifulanda sense of humor? Where have you been hiding all this time?”
Damn my fair skin. I can feel the blush rushing to my cheeks, my blood heating with his praise. Why does his attention feel so damn good? I’d rather light myself on fire than talk to Jackson like this. But with Krowe? He’s magnetic, and I find myself drawn to the banter, his easy grin, the gleam in his eyes.
When I don’t answer, Jackson claps his hands together, like he’s just had a revolutionary idea. “Come to the party tonight.” He says. “Everyone will love you.”
“Party?”
It doesn’t sound like my idea of fun. The thought of hanging out with my classmates puts a pit in the center of my stomach and makes my anxiety crawl. I don’t like crowds.
“It’s more lowkey than he’s making it sound.” Krowe rolls his eyes. “Some of us get together and chill. Bonfire, beer…” He shrugs. “It’s not a big thing, but you’re more than welcome to come if it sounds like your vibe.”
My vibe?
My vibe is chill, sure. And honestly, lowkey is perfect.
Hollow Fields may be a small town, but I’m not interested in a house party or anything. But a bonfire? It sounds so… quintessential. It’s barely even a party and would be a good opportunity to maybe make some friends. Or maybe make something more than friends, because the way Kroweis watching me, waiting for an answer, he definitely looks interested in the latter.
“Is that your vibe, New Girl?” Jackson asks, slinging an arm around my shoulder and pulling me into him. “Are you a bonfire and beer kinda girl, or does that sound too boring for someone from the city?”
“It sounds perfect.” I push away from him, lightly enough to stay playful, and return my attention to Krowe. “Where is it?”
“Cornfield.” Jackson answers, oblivious to the fact that I’m not even the slightest bit interested in him.
“I’ll pick you up.” Krowe grins, palming the football that he tried to take me out with between his hands, passing it from one to the other. “Say… nine?”
“You know where I live?” He didn’t even know my name five minutes ago, and now he’s offering to take me to the bonfire he invited me. Maybe small-town hospitality is a real thing after all.
“Of course.” He chuckles, like that’s normal. “The town’s like three square miles, and half of it is farmland and cornfields. Not many empty houses around here, New Girl.”
“Gianna.” I correct him again, and my stomach twists when one side of his mouth tips up into an impish grin.
“I’ll be there at nine, New Girl.” He winks, and I turn to go, deciding to take that as a dismissal. I haven’t gotten more than three steps before he calls me back. “Oh, and Gianna?”
I suppress my smirk at the fact he used my name this time and turn, raising an eyebrow as I await whatever it is he wants.
“Come in costume.”
Chapter 2
Ihadnocostumeat the ready, so I've taken matters into my own hands. I've never put this much makeup on my face, and I spent hours getting it perfect, but I'm pleased with the results.
An old flannel from my mother's dresser, my favorite pair of jeans, a little makeup and I make a pretty damn cute scarecrow.
Fitting for a party in a cornfield, I think.
I don't bother leaving Mom a note; I'll be back before she wakes up.
I help myself to the bottle of Bourbon on top of the refrigerator, the only thing that's sealed, and duck out into the cool night. There's a chill in the air, which from what I gather is characteristic of Kansas in mid-October.
We're a week away from Halloween, and apparently some years you get snow, others you get the perfect autumn night.
Talk about a trick or a treat.
Lucky for me, tonight seems to be leaning toward treat.
