Chapter 77
"Finally, a day off," Micah sighed. "A day we can cut loose and relax." She nudged Becky with a grin.
The school grounds had been completely transformed for the Fall Festival. Banners of orange, gold, and burgundy fluttered in the crisp autumn breeze, signaling the season's end. The air was filled with the mouthwatering aromas of roasted corn, Cinnabons, hot apple cider, and other fall treats.
Students darted around the courtyard, playing silly games and goofing off. Some wore cozy fall sweaters while others had opted for costumes. Laughter echoed against the brick walls surrounding the courtyard. The sun was setting, and paper lanterns bobbed overhead, casting warm glows over the handmade decorations we'd created in art class throughout the year.
This festival was for the students, teachers, and faculty. It was an annual tradition, but this year's event was bigger and more organized than ever. More volunteers had stepped up, including Micah's uncle, who brought goodies from his bakery.
Kaysi nudged me excitedly. "I know we work at the shop and have had my uncle's pastries a hundred times, but he's testing a limited-edition maple nut cinnamon roll for the season. I overheard him say he wasn't officially releasing it until after the festival—but he's trying it out here first."
Micah raised a brow. "You heard a rumor? From where, the dessert grapevine, and I have to get a sample?"
"Overheard staff talking," I said, feigning innocence. "Totally legitimate source. And he's testing it here before releasing it. I call dibs."
Micah laughed. "Oh no, you Kaysi!? There are no 'samples' with you. You'll inhale it."
"That's offensive," she said, mock-offended. "They're huge—I already planned on splitting it. But that's fine. Becky and I will share your portion."
"No fair, you know I want to try it too! You know I eat like a bird. I can't get a whole one just for myself—I'd have to share it. And I hate wasting food!"
"You're right about that," I said as we reached the concession stand. "Hello, Uncle!"
"What can I get for you lovely ladies?" he greeted us with a smile.
"Why so formal, Uncle? You know us," Micah teased her uncle.
"Of course I do," he chuckled. "So, what can I get you?"
"We'd like to split one of your maple nut cinnamon rolls—the new one."
"Here you go, hot and fresh from the oven." He handed us one. "And no charge. It's on the house!"
"Wow, thanks, Uncle," I said. I was already drooling.
Before we could take a bite, Micah snatched the cinnamon roll and took off, bolting around the tables. "Victory is mine!"
"This is anarchy! I call mutiny! I call betrayal!" I shouted. "Becky, back me up!"
But before I could finish, Becky already had the roll in hand. None of us saw her move.
"Did you just stop time to steal that back?" Micah asked, stomping her foot in frustration.
"I don't know what you're talking about," Becky said innocently. "I think I was just so fast you didn't see me."
"Suspicious..." We all looked her up and down, narrowing our eyes.
"We'll let this one slide," Micah said, shaking a finger at her, "but next time, I'll be better on guard."
After everything—the explosion, the hospital incident, the constant tension—it felt surreal to sit calmly at the tables among pumpkins, hay bales, and scarecrows like normal kids. But they needed this. We needed this.
"Speaking of excitement," I said, "did you notice Uncle was acting a little... funny?"
"What do you mean?" Micah asked.
Evan and James finally joined us.
"Sorry, we're late," Evan said, brushing his bangs from his eyes. Evan and James appeared, finally joining us. "Being nosy again?" Evan joked as I elbowed him playfully.
"No, seriously," I said. "There was a woman his age working the booth next to him. They seemed familiar," I said, smirking. "I think he was flirting with the lady at the next booth."
"Oh! Miss Kimberly," James chimed in. She teaches my fifth-period class. Heard she's been single for six years."
Micah snorted. "Great intel, good job in surveillance, Agent James." Micah teased.
"I wasn't trying to overhear," James said quickly. "Just something I picked up from the other students."
A boy approached our table and handed me a white rose with a red ribbon around it.
"I was told to hand these out to the students they were ordered for," he said.
"Do you know who it's from?" I asked, surprised. I sniffed the rose deeply. "I love the smell of flowers," I whispered.
"No idea. Some have tags, but this one's anonymous."
"Well... thanks anyway," I said as he walked away.
"Do you like it?" Micah asked.
"Yeah, of course. I just wish I knew who gave it to me so I could say thank you."
Becky suddenly kicked Evan under the table.
"Ouch!" he exclaimed. "Hey James, look—they've got bobbing for apples! Let's go." He said he practically dragged James away.
Micah raised an eyebrow. "That's not really my sport. Want to check out the craft booths? I heard we can make wind chimes."
"Ooh, yes. Let's go!" I said.
We spotted Evan and James still struggling to catch apples as we finished our wind chimes.
"This is a disgrace to my country's roots," Micah declared. "I'm going to show them how it's done!"
I laughed as she rolled up her sleeves and marched toward the barrels like a cartoon cowboy. "Go show them who's boss, Micah!"
Later, Becky and I sat by the bonfire as the sun dipped below the horizon. We perched on hay bales, watching people roast marshmallows and enjoy the glow.
Becky tried to smile, laugh, and blend into the joy around her. But every time she saw a couple holding hands or sneaking off with shy smiles, I could see her throat tighten and her swallow hard, choking back tears.
She sat silently there on the edge of the hay bale holding a cup of cider that had already gone cold.
I scooted closer and gently rubbed her back. "You know it's okay to have fun, right? To enjoy yourself."
"I know," she said, voice cracking. "It just doesn't feel right. If he were here… he'd be making sarcastic jokes, laughing with everyone, totally alive in moments like this."
I nodded. "It doesn't have to feel right. You're not expected to force it. But nothing's been set in stone… and I know he'd want you to be happy."
She nodded slowly and took a sip. Across the field, Duke and Baby were guiding younger kids through a pumpkin ring toss. Evan helped carve pendants with the smaller students. A tiny girl approached Becky and handed her a paper flower.
"You look like a fairy," the girl said sweetly before skipping off.
Becky smiled, genuinely. "Thanks, sweetie," Becky whispered as the girl skipped off.
"So sweet," I said, watching her go. "You can tell she's a freshman."
Meanwhile, Micah was helping hang lights along the walkway when a sudden gust of wind swept through the courtyard. She paused and turned toward the old oak tree by the library.
There, just beyond the edge of the festival's glow, stood a woman.
She was shorter than Micah remembered, with cropped hair and a steady, silent presence.
Micah's breath caught in her chest.
"That's my old Waymaker guardian."