AFTER SPENDING THE MAJORITY OF the morning getting ready, I practically skipped across campus, hoping to find my study buddy/gym partner.

Elation crept into my bones. I hadn't seen Hunt in nearly a week and today marked my favourite holiday: Halloween! Had it been any other year, I would have packed and made my way back home. Our town usually held a celebration in the park. Games were played, costumes were judged, and at night there was a dance, but with no one there to welcome me home and the freezing rain warning issued last night for the pass, I made the decision to stay here.

My boots clipped upon the cobblestone walkway that led to the Hub, the late autumnal winds fingering through the folds of my open coat.

Olivia and I went out the night before, purchasing far too many pumpkins for our apartment. She was just as excited as me and insisted we carve by candlelight while drinking her signature Witches Brew cocktail, which was nothing more than ground-up blackberries, vodka, and soda. One thing led to another, and soon we found ourselves on campus, taking pictures with pumpkins on our heads.

It was the most we laughed in a long time, and while I doubted our neighbours appreciated our cackling, I was grateful for it. It had been so long since Olivia, and I just hung out.

I opened the doors leading to the Hub, passing several students making their way to and from classes before slithering through.

I found Hunt in the cafeteria, his grey eyes glued to his laptop screen. And a backwards cap atop his head.

He hadn't returned any of my calls or congratulations texts. I equated it to the race, the long drive and the fact that he was sick.

I slipped between chairs and bustling conversations, noting the Halloween decorations stuffed in every corner and the costumes students donned already.

I hated that he raced with a fever. Rhett said as soon as he got home, he passed out and didn't leave his room for the better part of two days. But he won this season! Schooling Jace and all the others. However, he didn't look too enthused when he stood atop the podium—or now, seated in front of his laptop with a mountain of books and what looked to be a boulder sitting on his shoulders.

I put on my most winning smile, resting my palms on the table before him. "Your car or mine?"

His tired eyes flicked from the screen to me, adjusting as he dragged his gaze from my black-coloured toque, down my hair, to the grey band t-shirt I wore beneath my coat. "What?"

"It's Halloween."

"So?"

I rolled my eyes, my smile sketched. "So couples dress up in cheesy costumes and parade around together. Since neither of us are going home this weekend, I figured we could check out Fischer's party."

I explained my well-thought-out plan. First, we'd stop by Lectured Lattes before hurrying to Spirit Halloween. I doubted there'd be any good costumes left, but a jersey, some goggles and a little fake blood would go a long way. Zombie motocross racers was a very creative idea, in my opinion. Then we'd grab dinner at the restaurant I made reservations for to celebrate his win before getting ready and meeting up with Rhett, Olivia and Joy.

I'd gone over the plan several times over the last week and even bought an outfit for dinner. A sleek black dress my mom helped me pick out before she left. She had better taste than me, and I couldn't pass up the opportunity to get her opinion. I didn't tell her it was for Hunt. It was a dress for Joy's show on Saturday, I lied, at a fancy Jazz club on ninth. A show I thought Hunt might enjoy if he was up to it.

My excitement buzzed, but it was soon replaced by a well of nerves at the sight of Hunt's expression. "Couples costumes?"

Doubt crept in. "What? Jace and I did it all the time."

"I bet you did."

His dry sarcasm was like a punch to the gut.

I reached my arm across the table, closing his laptop with gentle fingers and put on my most adorable pleading face. "Please. It'll be fun."

He sighed. "I have a lot of homework to do. And a midterm to study for."

"Oh. Umm." I twisted, not exactly sure who I was searching for. I assumed this was what he wanted, given the flowers, the check-in texts, how his fingers twined in mine in the hospital bed and the way his thumb tenderly stroked the back of my hand.

My nose burned as I stood before him, looking like a lost idiot. "It's okay," I said, nowhere near as confident as I was this morning. Jabbing my newly manicured thumbs over my right shoulder did nothing to help, either. "I can tag along with Olivia and Joy."

I paused, not knowing what else to say.

"I'll see you later."

I turned on my booted heel—fists clenched.

"Baker."

I didn't stop at the call of Hunt's voice, pretending like I couldn't hear him through the bustle of the cafeteria. He wasn't Jace, and I was stupid for thinking he was.

A/N: She had their costumes picked out and everything 😭😭

Hopefully, this collage of Olivia and Nadine will redeem me <3