Between Then and Now (Hallow’s End #1)

13. Chapter 13

Chapter 13

T HE REST OF THE NIGHT flowed effortlessly. Ivy and I watched classic horror movies, each scene punctuated by her playful commentary. Her jokes about the cheesy special effects, and her dramatic reenactments of the most ridiculous moments, had me in stitches. She’d grab a pillow and mimic the over-the-top screams or pretend to wield an imaginary weapon with exaggerated bravado, making the entire experience feel like we were kids at a sleepover again.

When credits rolled on yet another slasher film, Ivy leaned back with a satisfied sigh, popping a handful of popcorn into her mouth. “You know, I can never get enough of these,” she said, grinning. “No matter how bad they are, there’s something comforting about them.”

I laughed, the sound light and free. “I don’t think I’ve laughed this much in ages.”

“Well, I aim to please.” Ivy grinned. “My love for horror movies comes from my parents, you know. They got me into them when I was way too young, but I loved spending time with them.”

I laughed, imagining a young Ivy. “Where are your parents now?”

“They’re philosophers,” she said, a hint of pride in her voice. “Currently, they’re on an epic trip around Asia, delving into various spiritual and philosophical traditions. Traveling has always been a regular occurrence for them. When I was younger, I used to stay with my grandma when they were away.”

“That sounds amazing,” I said. “What was it like, growing up with parents like that?”

Ivy chuckled. “It was definitely interesting. Our dinner conversations were always deep dives into the nature of existence, or the ethics of modern society. They encouraged me to explore all kinds of different beliefs and practices. That’s where all the witchy stuff comes from. My grandma taught me a lot when I stayed with her as well.”

“What’s your grandma like?” I asked, leaning forward.

“She’s the coolest,” she said, her eyes lighting up. “My grandma’s name is Eliza. She’s this tiny woman with a ton of spunk. She used to run a small herb shop here, and got me into all the witchy and herbal stuff. Staying with her was always an adventure. In fact, the space for Enchanted Quill was a gift from her. She told me to make it my own, and that’s exactly what I did.”

“That’s so sweet,” I said, smiling at the thought. “Where is she staying now?”

“She’s at Brookside Haven,” Ivy replied. “It’s a great place just outside of town, more of a retirement community than a nursing home. She’s really thriving there. Making friends, hosting social nights, and even doing tarot readings. Oh, and she’s met someone, too! A gentleman named George. He’s a retired professor, and they bond over their love for literature and philosophy.”

“Have you met him?” I asked, curious.

“Yeah, I’ve met him a few times,” Ivy said with a fond smile. “He’s great. Tall, with a kind face and a gentle demeanor. He’s got this old-world charm about him; always wearing tweed jackets, and reading glasses perched on the tip of his nose. It’s really sweet to see them together.”

“That sounds perfect for her,” I said. “Why Brookside, though?”

“Well, it’s bigger than Hallow’s End,” Ivy explained. “They’ve got the college, and new chain stores popping up. I have a feeling it’ll keep growing as more people see the appeal of moving there for the slower pace of life, whilst still enjoying some city comforts. Plus, Brookside Haven has excellent facilities, and Grandma Eliza loves it there. And it’s close enough that I get to visit her most weekends.”

“That sounds ideal,” I said, smiling. “It must have been hard not having your parents at home all the time,” I commented, feeling pang of empathy.

Ivy shrugged with a warm smile. “No need to feel bad. My parents are great. They always make sure they’re home for important dates like Christmases and birthdays. Plus, now that I’m older, I don’t notice their absence as much.”

“They’ve always encouraged me to be myself, and explore my interests. I wouldn’t be the person I am today without them. But enough about my family. What about your parents? Though I think I might have a pretty good idea already.”

I chuckled, shaking my head. “Yeah, they weren’t much of . . . parents. More like showrunners, really. They treated me like a doll, dragging me to social events and showing me off. I hated it.”

Ivy’s expression softened with sympathy. “That sounds tough. ”

I shrugged, trying to brush it off. “It wasn’t all bad. I had some amazing nannies who took care of me. They were supposed to be strict, and teach me how to behave but, behind closed doors, they were wonderful. When I was around five or six, I convinced myself that I was adopted, because I didn’t relate to my parents at all. I even told one of my nannies that I thought they had picked me up from the hospital by mistake.”

Ivy laughed. “That’s adorable. So, what were the nannies like?”

“There was Maria, my favorite,” I said, a fond smile spreading across my face. “She was supposed to be strict, but she had a heart of gold. When I was twelve, and I started showing more and more interest in art, Maria noticed. She took me to my first art gallery, and signed me up to art classes.”

Ivy leaned in, fascinated. “It sounds like Maria really made a difference in your life.”

“She did,” I agreed, feeling a wave of nostalgia. “She made me realize it was okay to be different from my parents, to have my own interests and passions.”

We settled into the sofa, our legs tucked comfortably under us as we sipped the last of the wine. Ivy glanced at the clock, then back at me with a smile. “It’s a little late, but I don’t mind staying up longer. We could watch some more movies if you’re up for it?”

“Absolutely,” I nodded eagerly.

Ivy sighed, her expression softening. “I’ve missed this. Amelia’s been going out a lot recently, and our other friend, Daphne, moved away after high school. We keep in touch, but it’s not the same.”

“What about Emily?” I asked, a playful grin on my face.

Ivy laughed, shaking her head. “Imagine trying to have a deep conversation with a golden retriever puppy. Emily is like that. All energy, and no focus.”

I burst out laughing .

“I mean, I love her enthusiasm,” Ivy said, giggling, “but sometimes, you just need to sit down, have a glass of wine, and talk about life.”

Speaking about Emily caused my thoughts to wander to Ethan, and the idea of texting him flitted through my mind. I laughed at myself for even considering it, but the desire to reach out was strong. In my tipsy state, rational thoughts had fled, leaving behind a fluttering excitement.

In high school, I’d found the boys immature, and lacking the spark I craved. College wasn’t much different, until I met Sebastian early in my first year and was immediately addicted to him. Our relationship moved fast. Within the first month, we were official and exchanging ‘I love you’. At the time, it felt right, even if it was intense. But now, with Ethan, I found myself savoring the uncertainty and anticipation.

Ivy waved a hand in front of my face. “Earth to Vinnie,” she laughed. “I think we’ve had a bit too much to drink.”

“Sorry, Ivy. I’m just so tempted to text Ethan, right now,” I confessed, giggling. “But I’m pretty drunk, so it’s probably a bad idea. Right?”

“Oh, do it! But knowing him, he’s probably either asleep or buried in a book.” She paused, her eyes twinkling mischievously. “Do you think he reads spicy books?”

I burst out laughing. “I have no idea! But now I’m curious.”

“You should ask him. If he does, I have some great titles that will make his reading list a lot more interesting.” Ivy leaned back, grinning. “Go on, text him. Just keep it light and fun.”

I pulled out my phone, my heart racing with excitement. The wine had made me bold and I embraced it as I contemplated what to write.

I squinted at the screen, feeling less confident about my spelling abilities. “Ivy, can you check this? I don’t trust myself right now.”

Ivy giggled, took the phone from me, barely glanced at the message, and hit send.

I groaned, reaching to check the text, and my eyes widened as I noticed the typo. “It says ‘burped’ instead of ‘buried!’ Ivy, I thought you checked it!”

“Whoops, my bad” Ivy said, laughing. “Maybe he’ll find it endearing.”

I noticed the read receipt on the message.

“Oh my god, he’s read it,” I said, my eyes widening further. I watched the screen anxiously as the three ‘typing’ dots appeared.

“I need to calm down,” I said, dropping the phone on the couch. “Why am I freaking out this much?”

“Maybe because you’ve got it bad for him?” Ivy smirked, raising an eyebrow. “And I bet Ethan could definitely help you . . . unwind.”

I blushed even deeper, the warmth spreading from my cheeks down my neck. “Stop, Ivy! You’re making it worse!” I said between giggles, my stomach aching from laughing so hard.

Ivy wiped a tear from the corner of her eye, still chuckling as my phone buzzed on the table. Our laughter halted abruptly, and we both stared at it, the anticipation hanging thick in the air.

“Go on, read it!” Ivy urged, nudging me with her elbow.

My heart skipped a beat, a giddy smile spreading across my face as Ivy peeked over my shoulder and grinned. “Looks like he’s into you, typo and all.”

“What should I text back?” I asked, my mind racing.

Ivy, clearly enjoying her role as my tipsy advisor, put on a mock-serious face. “Lay it on thick, girl. This is the perfect night for some flirtatious fun!”

I hesitated for a moment, then quickly typed out a second message and hit send.

I showed Ivy the message and she burst into laughter. “That’s perfect!”

Both our stomachs growled in unison, sending us into another fit of giggles, and Salem, who had been lounging nearby, flicked his tail and sauntered out of the room, done with our antics.

“Wine and snacks seemed like a great idea,” I said, still chuckling. “But now I’m craving something more substantial. Like a greasy pizza.”

Ivy nodded and stood, making her way to the kitchen. “Yes! There’s this awesome pizza place called Cheesy Delights. Caleb works there late on weekends and always makes the best food. I’ll grab the menu,” she called over her shoulder.

My phone pinged again with a text from Ethan, and I glanced at it, my heart fluttering.

I couldn’t help but giggle, imagining Ethan with strawberry clips in his hair. When Ivy returned, she found me grinning at my phone.

“What’s got you smiling like that?” she asked, jumping onto the sofa next to me.

“Listen to this,” I said, reading Ethan’s message to her.

She giggled, shaking her head. “That’s adorable!”

Before I could reply, another message came through.

Ivy peeked over my shoulder and giggled. “Perfect! Now, let’s decide on our pizza toppings. How about their Four Cheese Special, and a Classic Pepperoni?”

“With pineapple?” I suggested.

Ivy’s eyes widened in horror. “Vinnie, that’s blasphemy!”

I laughed, holding up my hands in defense, and Ivy shook her head as she held the phone to her ear.

“Hey Caleb, it’s Ivy! Can we get a Four Cheese Special with extra cheese, and a Classic Pepperoni with . . . pineapple? Yeah, I know. I did tell Vinnie that.” Ivy’s smile widened to whatever he said back before. “Oh, and make it quick, we’re starving!”

I couldn’t hear Caleb’s response, but Ivy’s face turned a shade pinker, and she giggled. “Knock it off, Caleb. Just get us the pizzas, okay?”

Ivy hung up and plopped back down beside me. “He said it’ll be about twenty minutes.”

“Do you and he . . .” I wiggled my eyebrows suggestively.

Ivy laughed, a blush creeping up her cheeks. “No, no, it’s not like that with Caleb. He’s just a friend.”

“Sure. You’re blushing, though.” I raised an eyebrow.

Ivy shrugged, still smiling. “He’s a nice guy, but we are just not compatible. Anyway, pick out another movie while we wait for the food.”

I took the remote, scrolling through the options but not finding anything that caught my eye. Ivy handed me a soda and grinned. “Actually, I have a better idea. How about a tarot reading?”

“Sure, why not?” I laughed, the idea sounding both absurd and intriguing.

As Ivy dashed off to her room to grab her tarot cards, I thought about how strange it was, that pieces of cardboard could supposedly tell you about your life. Despite finding it silly, I was still interested.

My phone buzzed with a new message from Ethan, pulling my attention away from my thoughts.

A warm flush spread through me, and I smiled at his words. I was about to type a response when another message from him popped up.

Without hesitation, I quickly typed back.

Ivy ran back into the room, nearly tripping over the rug in her haste, catching herself on the arm of the sofa as she stumbled. “Whoops! I’m just so excited!” she exclaimed, breathless and grinning as she flopped down next to me.

I laughed. “Careful! We don’t need any accidents tonight.”

Ivy waved it off, her face glowing with enthusiasm. “Okay, let’s do a three-card reading. Past, present, and future. But first, we need to cleanse the space,” she declared, standing up dramatically.

I couldn’t help but laugh as Ivy waved a bundle of sage around the room, her blue hair messy. “You look absolutely ridiculous,” I teased, giggling.

She stuck out her tongue playfully. “Hey, this is serious business! We need to make sure we’re in a good-vibe zone. Have you ever had your cards read before?”

“Nope, this is a first,” I admitted, still chuckling at her.

“Well, let me give you a quick rundown. Tarot cards are like a mirror reflecting your subconscious. Each card has different meanings and, when you draw them in a spread, it’s like a snapshot of your life.”

“Got it,” I said, leaning in, curious despite myself.

“Perfect! Now, let’s do this,” Ivy said, shuffling the deck with expert precision. She spread the cards out on the coffee table and selected three. With a dramatic flourish, she flipped over the first card.

“This is your past: The Tower,” Ivy announced, trying to sound ominous but failing to keep a straight face. The card depicted a tower being struck by lightning, figures falling from its heights. “The Tower represents upheaval, sudden change, and things falling apart. Basically, a hot mess.”

I stared at the card. “Well, that’s . . . accurate,” I said.

Ivy’s eyes widened in surprise when she saw the second card. “Death,” she said, sounding intrigued rather than worried. “This is definitely interesting. Don’t worry,” she quickly added, seeing my tensed expression. “It’s not a bad card. In tarot, Death signifies transformation, endings, and new beginnings. It’s about letting go of what no longer serves you to make space for something better. Something in your life will come to an end, but it’s necessary for your growth. I’m curious to see what this one’s all about.”

I chewed on my lip, trying to make sense of the card, before shaking my head. I reminded myself that this was just some silly fun. “That’s . . . intense,” I finally said, pushing the thought away.

“And now, for your future,” she said, flipping over the final card. “The Ten of Cups!” The card showed a family standing under a rainbow of cups. “This is one of the best cards you can get! It represents emotional fulfilment, happiness, and harmonious relationships. Your future is bright, Vinnie. You’re on the path to finding true contentment and joy.”

I burst into laughter. “Well, that’s good to know! I’ll take that.”

“The cards don’t lie. It looks like Hallow’s End is exactly where you’re meant to be.” Ivy squeezed my hand, her eyes shining with excitement.

We both settled back onto the sofa, giggling. “What did you think of your first tarot reading?” Ivy said.

“I think it was fun,” I said, laughing. “I’m not sure I believe in all of it, but it was interesting.”

Ivy grinned. “That’s the spirit! It’s all about the journey, not the destination. And hey, it’s fun to think about what might happen, right? And who knows? Maybe the cards have a bit of magic in them, after all.” She sighed dramatically and added, “It’s going to be so dull without you around once you go back to Cresden.”

Caught up in the warmth and spontaneity of the moment, and wanting to cheer her up, I blurted out, “Actually, I’ve decided to stay.”

Ivy let out a delighted squeal and jumped up on the sofa, causing me to spill a bit of soda. “Are you serious? That’s amazing, Vinnie! ”

“Yeah, I still have to tell my parents, and I’m worried about their reaction. But I’ve made up my mind.”

Ivy plopped down beside me, taking my hand in hers. “Don’t worry. No matter what, I’ll be here to help you through it. Plus, you’ve got me and Amelia. And maybe even Ethan?”

The mention of Ethan made my heart flutter again. “I’m really excited to get to know Amelia better. I wish she came tonight. I’ve always wanted my own girl group, you know? And with Ethan, everything is still so new. I don’t want to have any expectations. I just want to keep it fun and see what happens.”

A knock at the door interrupted our moment. “Pizza time!” Ivy exclaimed, hopping up and rushing to answer the door. Swiftly, Ivy opened the door, grabbed the boxes from Caleb, and stepped outside, shutting the door behind her before I could get a look at him. I could hear Caleb’s faint chuckle through the wood as they exchanged a few words before Ivy returned with a triumphant grin, balancing the pizza boxes in her arms.

“Dinner is served!” she declared, setting them down on the coffee table.

The smell of the pizza made my stomach growl, and we dug in, the combination of cheesy goodness and laughter making the night even better. We continued chatting about everything and nothing as we devoured the food and, eventually, we both settled back on the sofa, feeling full and content.

Ivy yawned and stretched. “I don’t know about you, but I’m about ready to call it a night.”

“Same here,” I agreed, my eyelids growing heavy. “This has been one of the best nights I’ve had in a long time.”

“Come on,” Ivy said. “I’ll show you to the guest room.”

She led me down the hall, stopping in front of a door. “Here you go,” she said, opening it for me. “Make yourself comfortable. ”

“Thanks, Ivy,” I mumbled, feeling utterly exhausted. I stepped inside, too tired to even take in the details of the room. The bed looked incredibly inviting, and I didn’t bother with the lights.

“Sleep tight, Vinnie.”

“Goodnight,” I said, already half-asleep. I barely had the energy to kick off my shoes before collapsing onto the bed and sinking into the soft mattress.