Dexter was just one member of Team Distraction. Sydney and Sophia helped me pass the week with endless chatter about my upcoming date and final hoopla details, which included constant reminders by Sophia that we were falling short of our fundraising goals and counter reminders from Sydney that what really mattered was that we throw the “best party ever.”

It was almost enough to make me forget about the council meeting.

Almost.

Every afternoon at All Hours, I looked at Lina with the question in my eyes, and every afternoon she responded with a small shake of her head. Some days, when the twins were being extra entertaining, it was almost a relief that we hadn’t heard from the council yet. I did have a party to attend, after all.

I wondered, if the Elder Seat ruled in our favor, if we would return to immortality right away or if we would have time to tie up our human affairs. I tried to imagine the Elders’ faces if I asked for an extension in purgatory in order to attend the annual Halloween Hoopla. They would probably deny my appeal on the spot just for asking.

The parade and party were only two weeks away. Maybe it wouldn’t be the worst thing ever if we didn’t get a hearing until after the festivities were over. Our human adventure deserved a finale.

By Saturday night, I had something new to focus on. My date with Dex was less than an hour away, and Sydney and Sophia sat on my bed, picking through a pile of designer clothes.

“I can’t believe all the labels you have,” Sophia said, sighing over a deep gray Chanel sweater. “I think I’ve died and gone to fashion week.”

I smiled. “You can keep that one.”

“OMG, really?!” she squealed.

“No way!” Sydney sat up from where she’d been lounging against my pillows and pawed at all the fabric. “What do I get?”

I tossed her a pink sequined dress I’d just pulled from a hanger. “This. To go with your hair.”

She caught it with one hand. “I knew you owned something that wasn’t black!” She checked the label. “Just my size.”

Sophia looked guilty, as if they were stealing. “Charlie, are you sure?”

“She’s sure.” Sydney shushed her sister. She stretched her arms out and bowed in my direction. “We humbly accept these gifts from the queen of all fashion.”

See, now this was exactly what I expected out of high school. Finally.

“Just like you’ve always wanted,” Reg said, appearing in the doorway.

“No boys allowed.” Sophia tossed a spiky heeled shoe in his direction.

He dodged it, and it smacked into Poe, who was waiting behind him in the hall.

Poe fell to the ground, feigning serious injury. “Dear Sophia, why hast though forsaken me?”

“Rehearsing, I see?” She giggled.

He answered with an expertly voiced death rattle, then collapsed.