Splinters: Part One

Part One | 12

Besides that fact, Grady was pleased with the costume and said he'd take it home. That night, Grady, Ursanne and I all agreed to go trick-or-treating together and also invite Bella. I had yet to really meet Bella so I thought our group would be a fun one.

Ursanne and I both caught the bus pretty early, therefore, we got our spots first.

"Hey, Ursa!" Brody called from the other side of the bus.

She smiled, leaning forward passed me to see him. "Hey."

Brody glanced at me and licked his lips. "Hi, Brayden."

I nodded towards him. He looked back to my sister. "Um, are you going to Hannah's tomorrow?"

Ursanne shook her head. "I've already got plans."

He frowned. "That sucks. You should come."

She smiled. "Sorry, Brody. Bella really wants to go trick-or-treating."

He waved her off. "That's lame!"

I crossed my arms and gave Ursanne an I-told-you look. She stared at me, and then rolled her eyes playfully. "It is not lame!"

He chuckled. "Tell Bella she can come, too. Just for a little while."

She shrugged. "Can't."

He sighed, glancing at me, and then sitting back on his side, staring at the brown bus seat in front of him.

"You know, I think you hurt his ego." I admitted quietly.

Ursanne laughed, a little too loudly. "He'll never give up."

I smiled, and enjoyed the rest of the bumpy ride to Constance.

...

"Hey!" Bella exclaimed, walking beside Ursanne.

"Hi!"

"Hey."

Bella smiled at me before looking up at the ceiling. "I can't wait for Halloween tomorrow!"

"Me neither." Ursanne agreed. "Oh! Guess what!"

"What?"

I blinked at my sister, waiting for her news.

"Brody invited me to Hannah's party!"

Bella grimaced, waving Ursanne off. "Her parties are so not fun, though!"

"I know, but that's not the point-"

"Brody asked you out."

"Yeah!"

I chuckled, shaking my head. When I found Grady, I rose my eyebrows. Turning to the girls beside me, I interrupted them.

"Hey, Grady's here."

Ursanne stopped for a moment, and then nodded. "Okay."

I turned, strolling towards my friend. He was sat against the brick wall, watching as everyone was walking to their classes. I shifted my backpack strap higher onto my shoulder.

"You ready to go?" I asked him.

He looked at me, a wide grin beginning at his lips. "Yeah."

Heading toward a class I didn't have with Grady, we parted ways at my locker. Grasping a few books I'd need for my next two classes, I hurriedly rushed to my first block.

When I walked through the door, my eyes met Collie's. I smiled at her, and she smiled back. She leaned over to Tay, whose back was toward me, and whispered something to her, glancing my way. Tay's grin fell, and she jerked her head over her shoulder. When she noticed me, she groaned, and then got up, pulling her backpack with her.