“No.”

Julie looked up, paintbrush pinched between her fingers, eyebrows knitted together. “No, what?” Bex gestured to the five decorated pumpkins that were strewn along the already cluttered floor.

“No, to those. Get rid of them.” “They’re cute.” “They’re annoying.” Bex groaned. “I hate puns.” Julie resumed her task, her paintbrush making a sweeping “O” across the pumpkin in front of her. “You speak lies. I like them, and who died and made you the queen anyway?” “Julie, I’m serious. These pumpkins are grade-A fugly.” Bex knelt down and ran a purple-manicured fingertip along the side of one, traced the carefully applied lettering. “Good handiwork, though.”

“Thanks!” Julie beamed. “I thought we could use them as decorations for our Halloween party.”

“Oh, we’re still having that? I thought Erica said she couldn’t come.”

“Yeah, well, her dad has the weekend off, so he’s gonna watch Connor and Cassie.” Julie beamed and cocked her head, inspecting her handiwork.

“What do you think?” Blonde hair spilled over one shoulder. Bex wrinkled her nose, scrunched up her face. “Slightly less fugly, I guess.” With a groan and an eye roll, Julie slapped her friend’s knee lightly. “You’re the worst.”