Chapter Seventeen: Candles, Costumes, and a Kiss
(Lyra's POV)
The day started with nerves twisting in my stomach. Halloween at Saint Valley High was legendary, and now I was part of it. My fairy costume, complete with lavender accents, wings that glittered faintly, and delicate twinkling lights, made me feel… nervous, but also… kind of magical.
Soraya and Saphira practically bounced around me, fussing with my crown.
"You look… insanely cute," Saphira whispered, smirking. "Like, actual magical forest fairy material."
"Stop teasing me," I whispered back, blushing.
Evan leaned against the wall, arms crossed, smirk teasing, eyes sharp. "Cute? That's an understatement. You look… dangerous in that costume."
I nearly choked on my breath. "D-dang… dangerous?"
He shrugged. "I mean… you could steal hearts or punch someone. Not sure which."
I shot him a glare, hiding the pink heat crawling up my neck.
At school, chaos erupted instantly. Everywhere I looked were pumpkins, fake cobwebs, glittering costumes, candy, and laughter. The abandoned music room had been transformed into our mini Halloween HQ, though now everyone was allowed to peek inside.
"Sol, come on! Candy first!" Evan said, grabbing my hand lightly.
"Evan… wait—" I started, but he tugged gently, leading me into the fray.
Soraya and Saphira were already teasing me relentlessly. "Look at our fairy! Lyra, are you going to give away magic dust to the whole school?"
"Or just hearts," Evan muttered under his breath, smirking.
I caught it. My cheeks flamed. "You're impossible," I hissed.
Later, at the Halloween party, the gym had been decorated like a haunted forest, glittering lights, fake fog curling across the floor. The group stuck together, teasing, laughing, and just… existing in that chaotic, perfect mess.
Cassian and Aveline, in their vampire-and-victim couple costume, bickered playfully every time someone accidentally called them "cute" or "perfect couple material."
Evan wouldn't let me out of his sight. Every time I laughed, brushed past him, or reached for candy, he leaned closer, teasing, smirking, and making my stomach do somersaults.
And then… the slow dance happened.
Someone (probably Saphira, or maybe fate) put on a soft, hauntingly beautiful track. Everyone was dancing. Couples swayed, friends laughed, and the world felt… fuzzy, glowing.
Evan's smirk softened, and he extended a hand. "Dance with me," he said quietly.
I froze, my mouth suddenly dry. "I… I don't—"
"Sol," he said again, just like that nickname had a pulse of its own. "Just… trust me."
I hesitated, then let him take my hand.
The music started slow, the gym's lights casting soft golden glows over everything. My wings brushed against him as we swayed together, bodies close, hearts beating fast.
"You smell like… vanilla and cinnamon," I whispered, fumbling for words.
He laughed softly, red brushing his ears. "You… um… you smell… magical. And… lavender. Definitely lavender."
I choked on a laugh, heat spreading across my cheeks. "Stop… stop talking!"
He couldn't either. Both of us flustered, turning red, stammering, stumbling over words. Every glance, every brush of his hand made my heart hammer.
And then… he leaned closer. "Lyra…"
My breath caught.
His lips brushed mine. Soft. Gentle. Sweet. A little shy, but full of warmth. My fingers curled around his shoulders, and my knees threatened to buckle.
It was… perfect. Heart-stopping. And the world felt like it had melted around us.
The rest of the party blurred into candy, laughter, and teasing.
"Finally! About time you two!" Soraya shouted, grinning like a maniac.
"Stop screaming!" I hissed, hiding my glowing face behind my hands.
Saphira poked my shoulder. "Cute! Adorable! Are you gonna die of sugar and love all at once?"
Evan smirked, resting his forehead against mine. "Maybe. But at least it's with you, Sol."
I groaned, hiding my smile.
When it was time to leave, Evan insisted on dropping me home.
"Seriously?" I asked, trying to protest.
"Seriously," he said, hands on the wheel but eyes on me. "You're my fairy, remember?"
I hid behind my hands again. "I hate you."
He grinned. "You love me."
I glared, but couldn't hide the warmth in my chest.
As we pulled up to my house, he looked at me, smirk softening. "Happy Halloween, Sol."
"Happy… um… Halloween, Evan," I whispered back, heart still hammering.
And just like that, my cheeks burned again, but I felt… like I was exactly where I was supposed to be.