Images of Chucky filled the screen of my phone as I scrolled through Pinterest. It was how I came up with new ideas for nails. I'd search up something random, like a color or an animal or food, and scroll until something caught my eye. It was a challenge trying to turn an image into a nail design, but that was the fun part.

I'd never actually seen the Chucky movies, because my fear of dolls ranked just below old people, but I thought it'd be a cute to turn his aesthetic into a set of nails. Even if that meant having nightmares for the rest of my life.

I completely zoned out, mumbling along to AJR as I tried to replicate blood splatters on a nail, when the garage door banged opened. Gray walked in, a bag of laundry slung over his shoulder like a hobo Santa. The deal I made with Corey nagged at the back of my skull. I had no idea how to broach the subject.

Gray dumped half the bag of laundry into the washer before throwing in a couple of detergent pods. Mom always told him the pods went first. I'd tried it both ways and didn't see a difference.

Before he walked back out of the garage, I asked, "Are you depressed?"

He halted, throwing me a look. "Why would you ask me that?"

"You actually brought me the cookies. Something must be wrong."

The hardness on his face melted away. "The cookies were hella expensive, by the way."

"Worth every penny." I smiled. Then, after a beat, "So...you're okay?"

He took a step closer to my work space, arms crossed. "Where is this coming from?"

Something told me telling him Corey put me up to it would be a bad idea. Instead, I said, "You just seem low energy."

"I'm tired."

"Isn't that a sign of depression?"

He gave me a hard stare. "It's also the sign of an average college student."

I didn't miss how defensive he'd gotten, his words clipped. But I was only a high school senior, not a licensed therapist. I didn't know what I was talking about. So, I nodded, said "okay", and went back to my nails.

• • •

Mom wanted one last family dinner before Gray went back to school, just the three of us. We went out to one of Gray's favorite Italian restaurants where we ate our weight in bread sticks and pasta. Mostly bread sticks.

Gray seemed more like his usual self with Mom and me. His smile was more genuine than last night. I'd have to tell Corey that. It was possible that my brother's mood last night was because of Mom springing Hudson on us. And he could actually be tired.

After dinner, we got milkshakes at a little ice cream shop called The Purple Cow. The inside glittered in green and purple jewel tones with gold accents. It looked way fancier than the name suggested.

We sat at a booth with purple vinyl seats. Mom was being overly sentimental because Gray had to drive back to school in a couple of hours. Gray let her hug him in public. If Corey hadn't gotten into my head, I wouldn't have thought much about it, but now I wondered if Gray would stay in West Valley longer if he could.

The only thing to distract Mom from loving on her son was a video call from Hudson. Gray urged her to take the call, even though she was ready to tell Hudson she was busy. Even my mom got the teenager-in-love dream that I wanted. She excused herself, stepping outside.

I swirled the remains of my strawberry milkshake, suffocating in the awkward silence. After that train wreck of a talk earlier, I didn't have anything to say to him. Neither did he, apparently.

It wasn't always like that. Growing up in a single-parent household, it was usually just us two. Before he ditched me in middle school, I was his video game buddy. We'd play for hours, taking turns trying to get through difficult levels of quest games.

We used to talk about everything. Now, I knew so little about him, I didn't even know what to say. Did he still play quest games or only the shooting ones now? Did he miss us hanging out as much as I did?

"Grayson?"

I recognized the voice before I looked up. Shemika was standing at our table, dressed in a purple shirt with The Purple Cow logo bedazzled across the front. She still wore her afro puffs, but, thankfully, she called me Harlow instead of Little Gray.

My brother's face lit up like a firework, rushing to stand and give her a hug. He was the happiest I'd seen him all weekend. Was that all he needed, some time with his friends?

"When did you get back?" She asked, smile wide and lips glossy as she pulled out of his embrace.

"The other night," Gray said, his lips spread just as wide.

"Why didn't you say anything?" Shemika asked, swatting his biceps. "We could've hung out. How long are you staying?"

"I gotta drive back tonight." He looked at his phone, brows furrowed, like he was trying to work out a way to fit her in before he had to go.

If Corey was right and Gray was feeling down about being away from everyone, maybe staying a little longer would be good for him.

"Didn't you say you had afternoon classes tomorrow?" I asked. "You could stay another night."

Shemika grinned, hopeful. "Could you?"

The suspicious look he gave me wasn't all that surprising. I mean, me of all people talking him into staying longer? I'd be suspicious too.

"I might be able to do that, yeah."

Shemika excitedly hugged him again. "I get off in an hour, so let me know and I'll get everyone together."

Gray slid back into the booth after she walked away. His dark brown eyes that matched mine narrowed at me. "What was that?"

"What was what?" I asked innocently, holding a hand to my chest. "I just don't want my most favorite brother to leave so soon."

He flicked his discarded straw wrapped at me. Mom came in then, a giddiness to her I loved to see. When Gray told her he was going to stay another night, she cried happy tears.

• • •

Gray was staying one more night and Mom used that as an excuse to make him a grand breakfast. She went to the store to grab what she needed while Gray met up with Shamika and his other friends.

I was online, looking for what I needed for my Halloween costume, when the doorbell rang. We didn't get many visitors, especially not a nine at night. I was doubly surprised to find Corey on the other side of the door.

"What are you doing here?" I asked, forgetting all my manners.

"I missed your attitude," he said, all sarcasm. "I wanted to talk to Gray before he left."

Why would he... "He didn't tell you?"

A dent formed between his brows. I guessed Gray got so caught up he forgot to mention it to him. "We ran into Shamika earlier, and I suggested he stay another night. It happened really fast. It must've slipped his mind to invite you."

"Yeah." He sounded like it didn't bother him, but he was pulling at his bottom lip. A nervous habit maybe?

"I talked to him, though, like you asked," I said, attempting to change the subject. "He said he was fine. Just a tired college student."

He looked up at me, eyes widened slightly like he was surprised. Did he think I wouldn't do it? "What exactly did you say to him?"

"I asked him if he was depressed."

He stared at me like I just told him two plus two was twenty-two. "You asked him if he was depressed?"

Why was he annoyed? It wasn't like he handed me a script. "I still don't know what you expected me to say to him."

"I didn't expect you to flat out ask him something like that." He rubbed at his brow like he had a headache coming on.

"Honestly, I don't think he's depressed. I think he just feels left out," I offered. "That's why I told him to stay, so he can spend time with his friends." Minus Corey, apparently.

He huffed out a sigh. "I guess you did the absolute bare minimum."

I tried not to roll my eyes at his obvious dig. "I did. It was exhausting. Are you going to Myisha's party, because I have to order the costumes now or they'll arrive too late."

His brows dipped, eyes zoning in on me. "What are the costumes?"

A smile spread across my face. "Don't worry, it's nothing embarrassing."

"Why don't I believe you?"

"I don't know, because I'm nothing if not honest," I said, batting my eyelashes.

The costume idea I had in mind wasn't bad, but I liked watching him squirm. And squirm he did. Especially after I asked him what size tights he wore. After he left, I went back to my laptop and ordered our costumes.