The walk to the party was more tense than it should’ve been. Normally, Noah and Micah never ran out of things to talk about — well, Noah never ran out of things to talk about. Micah usually listened, responding in that sweet but blunt way of his that always made Noah smile.

  Who would’ve thought…? When I first met this man, I was sure I’d hate him. He was so arrogant. But now… I don’t even know what I feel anymore.

  Micah walked beside him, staring straight ahead at the bright, chaotic streets. Children in costumes darted between houses, buckets swinging, laughter echoing. Micah had never seen anything like it — the colors, the noise, the excitement.

  But even all that paled in comparison to Daniel’s house.

  It was easily the most extravagant one on the block — lights, fog machines, floating decorations, and enough detail to make the neighbors look lazy.

  When they stepped inside, Noah’s eyes widened. The place looked like a Halloween wonderland brought to life. Costumes of every kind filled the room, decorations drifted overhead, and the whole space felt like a dream.

  But the brightest thing in the room — by far — was Clara.

  She’d claimed she was dressed as Ariel, with Daniel as Prince Eric, but she looked more like she was headed for a fashion show than a Halloween party. Daniel, meanwhile, looked out of place and a little nervous.

  Noah’s breath caught. Daniel’s hair was styled differently — in a way that made Noah’s face heat up — and his Prince Eric costume had a low collar that stopped just short of being indecent.

  Daniel’s gaze found Noah across the room. Noah flushed.

  Unfortunately, Clara noticed too. And her expression was anything but friendly.

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  She cut through the crowd with Daniel trailing behind her, stopping just inches from Noah. Daniel didn’t look thrilled to see Micah either.

  Clara’s voice cut through the music like a knife. “Well, well, well. What do we have here? The little twerp… and his pet.”

  Noah’s jaw clenched. “Nice to see you too, Clara. Still mistaking cruelty for charm, I see.”

  Clara smirked. “Still pretending you belong here?” Her eyes flicked to Micah. “And what’s this? Your emotional support animal?”

  Micah’s ears twitched. He stepped forward, his voice low and sharp. “Say that again.”

  Clara raised an eyebrow. “Oh? Did the mutt learn to bark?”

  Noah crossed his arms. “Micah’s ten times the person you’ll ever be. At least he doesn’t pretend to be nice while stabbing people in the back.”

  “You don’t know anything about us.”

  “Oh, but I do,” Clara said, stepping closer. “You’re always chasing after people who don’t want you. First Daniel, now this mutt. It’s kind of pathetic, really.”

  Noah’s breath caught. His heart stung like she’d slapped him.

  He turned to Daniel, hoping—just hoping—for something. A word. A look. Anything.

  Daniel said nothing.

  Micah’s eyes darkened. “You don’t get to talk to him like that. You don’t know him. You don’t know what he’s been through. And you sure as hell don’t get to stand there in your glitter and heels pretending you’re better than him.”

  Clara’s smile faltered.

  Micah wasn’t done. “You think you’re clever, but all I see is someone so insecure she has to tear others down just to feel tall. You don’t scare me. And you don’t deserve to be near him.”

  Daniel stepped in, voice tight. “Micah, that’s enough.”

  “No,” Micah snapped, turning to him. “You stood there and let her humiliate him. You didn’t say a word. You let her twist the knife, and you just watched.”

  Daniel’s expression hardened. “This isn’t your place. Maybe you should leave.”

  Micah froze, stunned. His ears twitched, tail curling tight around his leg. “Leave…?” His voice softened, almost baffled. “For defending him?”

  Noah’s breath caught. “Daniel…”

  But Daniel wouldn’t meet his eyes.

  Micah’s expression shifted, blunt again, bitter. “Right. Of course. Wouldn’t want to ruin your perfect little party.” He turned to Noah, his hand gentle on his arm. “Let’s go.”

  Noah hesitated, heart pounding, torn between the boy who once meant everything and the one who stood by him now. Finally, he nodded. “Yeah. Let’s go.”

  As they walked away, Clara’s voice rang out behind them, smug and hollow. “Happy Halloween, boys.”

  Micah didn’t look back.