I grin, realizing if I had to call someone because I needed help or to share news with—good or bad—Nolan would be near the top of my list. “We’ve become pretty good friends.”
Her smile grows genuine. “That was ingenious. Everyone’s going to think about what kind of prop they can use now to draw that kind of reaction.”
“I’ll see you Wednesday.” While waiting for Evelyn, I text Nolan.
Me: You’re my favorite human of the day.
Me: My professor was speechless.
Me: I really didn’t know if you were there for support or a prank for a minute.
Nolan: She was speechless because you did one hell of a job.
Me: I’m pretty sure she was speechless because of your pecs.
Nolan: About time you admit liking my pecs.
Me: Thank you
Nolan: Anytime, Cutlass. Anytime.
“Happy Halloween!” Evelyn calls with a smile. “Did they really strip down to their underwear in your class or is Hudson exaggerating.”
My laughter is the only confirmation she needs.
“What did you do? What did your professor do?” She puts her hands on her cheeks. “I can’t even imagine—well, I totallycanimagine—but I don’t know what I’d do if they showed up to my class in their underwear.”
“To preserve accuracy, they showed up and left with clothes on, they just removed them mid-speech.”
Evelyn chuckles, her rosy cheeks expressing her second-hand embarrassment. “Was your professor okay with it?”
“I think so. I mean, she said nice props and didn’t throw me out of the class.”
Evelyn shakes her head again, chuckling.
It’s unusually warm today, the humidity high, and the sky a strange brown tone as we walk to The Spiced Chai, talking about Halloween plans and books. Inside the small coffee shop, the scents of freshly ground coffee, cinnamon, and freshly baked bread greet us along with a plethora of decorations. Orange, black, and lime green balloons are strung in a large arch, Halloween banners are hung, and skeletons and witch’s hats adorn every surface.
I order a hot caramel apple cider and avocado toast. Evelyn orders a toffee mocha and a pumpkin cheesecake muffin.
We sit at a table near the front of the store, under a giant spiderweb with a purple illuminated spider that is horribly, creepily wonderful.
“How’s your prank war with Nolan going?” Evelyn asks.
“We haven’t had many pranks lately,” I say, feeling a hint of surprise at the realization. “We’ve both been kind of busy.” Nolan’s been spending even more time at the gym and practice, and I’ve been so preoccupied with my speech and homework that our time together is hard-earned and spent together naked or hanging out.
“Football has been so crazy.” She sighs before taking a drink of her mocha. “I feel sorry for them. I think they’re all stressed out, trying to learn these alternate plays they might get the chance to run while maintaining their existing workouts. How’s Nolan handling it?”
“He’s doing okay.” It feels like a lie because I don’t know how he’s handling it. Aside from the occasional gruff remark, Nolan barely shows signs of being stressed or disgruntled.
“I know he’s looking forward to the Camden tradition, tonight,” she says, eyes bright.
“Have you heard what it entails?” I ask.
Evelyn shakes her head. “Just that it’s Halloween-themed.”
“I don’t know whether to be excited or nervous.”
She chuckles. “Both. Definitely both.” She takes a sip of her coffee. “Can I be nosey and ask if you guys are dating?”