“Of course you do,” the guy groused. “Couldn’t catch me dead wearing nothing but a sheet.”

I opened my mouth, but no sound escaped my throat. I wanted to defend Kellan’s handiwork because this costume was so much more than a sheet and I had not straightened all my various gold accessories for nothing. I wanted to make some quip like Jasper would about how I’d never owned sheets with a thread count this high or whatever. But I did what I always did when I felt uncomfortable or embarrassed: nothing.

I did, however, smile for Jasmine who took the picture with the woman’s phone, an almost reflex on my part. Smile. Don’t let the discomfort show. Hope it would be over soon. Which it was, and after they had wandered away, I returned to Jasper’s side.

“You okay?” he asked.

I shrugged, knowing he’d see through a ready lie. “Guess not everyone likes costumes.”

“Nope. But as long as they open their wallets for the cause, who cares?”

Me, apparently, but I wasn’t admitting that. “But you like it. I still haven’t exactly figured out what you like about dressing up so much.”

My tone must have been a bit sharp because he frowned. “Haven’t you ever wanted to be someone different?”

“Yeah.” I bit my lip. Every damn day, honestly, although that burning, awful need to get out of my own skin was getting somewhat better the more time I spent with Jasper.

“Me too. And it’s fun. An escape. A chance to be silly.”

“I get it. I just wish others saw it that way and not as…embarrassing.”

“Screw that.” Jasper’s frown deepened and his voice hardened. “Are you seriously going to live your life in fear that someone might laugh?”

“Uh…” I knew the right answer, but I also knew myself. It was hard. And I wasn’t entirely sure we were still talking costumes.

“If you’re continually afraid of being embarrassed, you’re going to miss out on a lot of fun.” Jasper shook his head as if he was already tired of me being such a drag. And before I could apologize, he added, “I’m thirsty. How about I get us some sodas?”

“Sure.” I might be a disappointment to him, but at least I could be an agreeable disappointment. However, as he walked away, I couldn’t help feeling like I’d screwed up. I wished there were a way to show Jasper that I might be slow but that I was trying to get better.