The moment between Antonio and I had never been brought up again. However much I could avoid the guy, I couldn't avoid the truth. The two of us had nearly kissed. We probably would have, if I hadn't leaned away.

I thought a lot about that night. Even now, as Lily and I got ready for the Halloween party.

We—she—decided that we should go as bloody cheerleaders. Literally, bloody. We had that corny fake blood you buy from the Halloween store. Though, I wasn't exactly complaining. With our matching tiny skirts and pigtailed hair, we were certainly a sight for sore eyes.

"Romano says he's outside," I read the text message on my phone before glancing up at Lily. "We should get going."

The two of us had spent the last hour getting ready for the Halloween party in my bedroom. It was being thrown by a senior from our school, and I sincerely hoped no one from Downsview Academy was going to show up.

"Okay," Lily replied, finally prying her eyes away from the mirror and bouncing out of my room. "We look hot!"

I giggled, not bothering to deny it. As we hurried downstairs and hollered goodbyes to Jo, she waved at us from the dining room and bid us a good time.

Outside, Romano had been leaning against his shimmering red Porsche that was parked across the street. He whistled as we approached him.

"You two look hot." He sounded almost proud.

"That's what I just said!" Lily beamed.

We arrived to a stop in front of him, and I surveyed his costume. Romano wore black, baggy clothing. A leather jacket was slung across his shoulder, and a thin golden chain was wrapped around his neck. His curly hair, which was usually perfect, looked rather messy. A number of fake bruises lined his face.

"What are you going as?" I asked in confusion.

"Isn't it obvious? I'm Antonio," he boasted. "I've even got the cigarettes to prove it."

He pulled out a pack of fake cigarettes from his pocket. Lily and I burst into laughter.

"He's gonna kill you when he sees that!" I shook my head in amusement.

Romano only grinned before getting into his car, as we did the same. With that, we were off, maneuvering our way through the trick-or-treating children and jamming to the radio. By the time we reached the party, it was already in full swing.

"Hey, do you think anyone from the private school is gonna be here?" I asked as we emerged from the car.

"Definitely," Lily scrunched her nose. "I already recognize a few."

I sighed anxiously. "What about Antonio?" This time I looked at Romano. "Is he here too?"

Romano nodded. "Yup. Knowing my cousin's anger issues, I'll be surprised if there's not a fight tonight."

Lily chuckled while I grimly nodded.

"C'mon, let's go," Lily latched onto our hands and pulled us into the house.

My eardrums were immediately assaulted with the blaring noise.

"Let's start off with some drinks," Romano yelled over the music.

We nodded and he led us through the house. A number of people waved at us—some of which I didn't even recognize through their costumes. I supposed that I was gaining some traction through my friendship with Romano. Almost everyone in this town was friends with him, so they knew of us by association.

"Here you go," Romano interrupted my thoughts and handed me a red solo cup.

I sniffed and winced at the bitter scent of the drink, before slowly taking a sip.

"Alright, let's dance," Lily yelled after downing her drink in one go.

Romano and I shared looks. Something to know about Lily–she could not handle her alcohol.

"You better watch over her," I warned the designated driver—aka Romano.

We shared a look before laughing and following after Lily, who was already in the center of the dance floor. She looped hands with me and we began to jump up and down, belting the song that was blasting through the speaker. My eyes began to animatedly survey my surroundings. I suddenly froze at the sight of Antonio and his friends standing in the corner of the room.

As if they were above the rest of us who were dancing and singing, they merely glowered at everyone. I rolled my eyes. Benny was right next to Antonio. Neither of them—or their friends, for that matter—were wearing costumes. Lame.

I realized I'd been staring for too long when Antonio's dark eyes snapped up in my direction. I shivered and immediately looked away, but it was too late. He straightened up and handed his cigarette to one of his lackeys next to him. To my horror, he began to approach me.

"Damn it," I cursed under my breath.

I contemplated running away but he was already here, and Benny was right in tow.

"Flower, Lily," Antonio lazily addressed us.

I slightly relaxed once I realized he wasn't going to mention anything about the other night. The night we'd nearly kissed. Meanwhile, he looked at Romano.

"Why the hell are you wearing the same clothes as me?" Antonio sneered at him.

"Nothing, dear cousin," he nervously chuckled and patted Antonio's messy hair.

Antonio scowled and slapped his hand away. While the two bickered, Benny faced Lily and me.

"So you actually decided to go as cheerleaders," he said.

"Yeah, and what are you? Let me guess—you're a biker dude." He gave me a deadpan look and I falsely gasped. "Oh, is that how you normally dress? Yikes," I grimaced.

He scowled and messed up my hair.

"Hey!" I slapped him. "Don't touch the curls."

Lily had to pull us apart. Antonio, amused by my feisty behavior, shoved his hands into his pockets and gazed at me for a moment. It wasn't fair how he could get my heart hammering with a simple look. I gulped and looked away.

"Hey, I'm gonna go to the washroom. Be back in a sec," I said to no one in particular, before hurrying off.

"I'm gonna step out for a smoke," I distantly heard Antonio say.

"I'll come with," Benny said.

"No," he quickly replied. "I'll be back in..."

Their conversation became more soundless the further I went. But, I wasn't fast enough. Antonio was hot on my tail, and he placed a hand on my arm.

"Flower," he said in a low tone.

I halted at the foot of the staircase and slowly turned around to face him.

"C'mon. We're not playing this game," he crossed his arms.

"What game?"

"The see-who-can-avoid-each-other-the-longest game," he rolled his eyes.

I sighed at his relentless behavior and hurried upstairs, where there weren't as many watchful eyes. He followed after me, until the sound of the music and chatter was nothing more than a distant whisper. We made our way to an empty hallway, where I finally turned around.

"I'm not avoiding you," I said.

"Bull."

I looked away from his intense stare.

"Just talk to me," he looked confused. "Are you... embarrassed or something?"

Embarrassed? More like, afraid of the feelings you alight in me.

Why would he possibly think I was embarrassed?

I was abruptly reminded of the little freak out I'd had when Antonio had attempted to throw me into the water. It was the perfect excuse to get him to lay off.

"Y-Yeah. I guess I felt embarrassed that you were there to witness me go crazy." I wasn't exactly lying, although that certainly wasn't why I'd been avoiding him.

"Ah," he nodded in realization. "Nothing to be embarrassed about. We all have our fears, don't we?"

I shyly nodded back. "I also just think... we shouldn't do that again."

"Do what? Go swimming?" he innocently asked.

"No," I said. "C'mon. Do I have to spell it out for you?"

Antonio gave me an urging look. An annoying smile was beginning to arise on his face.

"You just shouldn't–don't look at me like that!" I stammered, huffing.

"Like what?" He laughed.

"Like you're about to devour me," I pushed him away.

"Alright, alright," he grabbed my wrist before I could leave. "Just... stop avoiding me. We can still be friends, y'know."

"Friends," I repeated in an unconvinced tone. "Antonio, I've seen you around other girls. You're never just friends."

"But you're not other girls, are you?" He raised a brow. "You're Flower."

I stifled a chuckle and shook my head. After a bit of contemplating, I relented. "Alright, but just friends. You better not try any funny business with me."

He gave me an amused look.

"I mean it!"

"Alright," he raised his arms up in surrender.

"Okay, good." I had a good feeling about this. At least we were on the same page. "I'll head back first. That way they're not suspicious."

"Suspicious of what?" Antonio's eyes glinted. "After all, we're just friends."

• • •

happy friday!! i've had the most stressful week hopefully i can relax this weekend

please continue to vote and support this book, it means so much to me.

love, emmanuela<3