Count on You

XIV

"You gonna dye it yourself?" Zarina asked.

"Probably. Or I'll make Genesis help me," I said. "She's too good at this stuff."

"Or you could just go full wig mode," Felix teased.

"Nope. Real hair or nothing," I said dramatically. "I have a vision."

As we made our way toward the beauty supply store on the lower level, the sun slanted through the big glass ceiling, casting warm light over everything. The walk felt easy. The kind of easy I didn't know I missed until it came back. No tension. No drama.

⸻

Back in my room, the pink hair dye sat proudly on my dresser like a trophy. I hadn't cracked it open yet, but just seeing it made the Sukuna costume feel real. The rest of my stuff was tucked neatly in a bag under my desk, ready for the party. I laid back on my bed, still in the clothes I wore to the mall, and scrolled through my phone until I found Trayvon's contact.

I hesitated for a second only because my heart did that annoying skip thing it always did before calling him, but then hit dial.

He picked up after the second ring.

"Yo," his voice came through, deep and chill like always.

"Hey," I said, smiling automatically. "You busy?"

"Nah. Just got in a little bit ago," he said, the sound of rustling in the background. "What's up?"

"Just wanted to call and let you know what I ended up getting for the party. Costume wise."

"Oh yeah?" There was a hint of amusement in his voice. "Let's hear it."

"I'm going as Sukuna," I said, already hyped. "The version from Jujutsu Kaisen, tattoos, pink hair, the whole thing."

There was a pause on the other end before he replied. "Shirtless, huh?"

I blinked. "Yeah, that's kinda his whole look. It wouldn't hit the same if I wore a shirt."

"Mhm," he muttered. "And you just gon be walking around like that at some party, huh?"

I sat up a little. "What? It's Halloween. Everyone's half dressed."

He let out a short laugh, but it had a bit of a dry edge to it. "Right. Just saying, kinda sucks I can't be there now."

I laughed lightly, not really picking up on his tone. "I mean, I'll send you a pic. You'll get the exclusive."

Trayvon exhaled through his nose. "Better."

He didn't say it, but something in his voice made me pause. It sounded like something. Maybe a little salty? Jealous, even? But I didn't press. Instead, I shifted the conversation.

"How was work today?"

"Long," he said, stretching the word out.

That made me wince slightly. "Oof. Uh...about that..."

"What?"

"I may or may not have called off today too."

"Angel."

I laughed, already knowing I deserved it. "Okay, okay, but hear me out. I only did it because my siblings and I had to get our costume stuff together. You know how packed the stores get right before Halloween."

He groaned. "So you out shopping, and I'm out suffering. That's wild."

"Hey, I suffered too. Felix made us walk around the whole damn mall for his costume."