Page 7

“Ew, Dad.” Lennon grimaces as she brushes past me, pulling Justin with her.

Elodie squeezes my forearm but doesn’t say a word as I lead her down the porch steps and out to the van.

The ride over is filled with chatter, but it’s certainly not coming from me.

All of my attention is focused on the brick resting on the center of my chest, radiating devastation, anger, and hopelessness.

My phone buzzes in my pocket. I take it out and see a text from my mom.

Mom: How did she react? Was she surprised?

I stare at the screen for a moment as I debate my reply, finally landing on something that I think will explain it all.

Me: She’s not my girl, Mom.

Not wanting to see the long, drawn-out reply my mother will undoubtedly send me about how Lennon’s missing out and how I’ll find the right person someday, I shove my phone back in my pocket and stare out the window, debating how I’m going to get through this night.

I guess the right person asked her to prom, and it wasn’t me.

***

“How are you doing?” Elodie asks as she comes up to me, holding out a glass of punch.

I take the cup from her and stare down into the red liquid. “Like I wish there was booze in this.”

Taylor Swift’s “Shake It Off” is blaring through the speakers at the front of the auditorium as my classmates jump and dance in the center of the room. I should be out there with them, but my entire attitude has plummeted since I showed up at Lennon’s house.

Elodie grimaces as I turn to face her. “Yeah, it would definitely make the night more fun. But that’s what the after-party is for, right?”

“Uh, I won’t be going to that.”

“Really?”

I flash her a deadpan stare. “Do you think I want to subject myself to more of this torture?” I wave my hand toward the dance floor. Elodie and I zero in on Lennon and Justin dancing together, even though Lennon is doing most of the moving. Justin has been standing in one spot, reaching out to grab her ass any chance he gets.

This is what she wanted, and I only have to be subjected to it for a little while longer.

“You know, you could ask her to dance,” Elodie suggests.

“Yeah, that’s not going to happen.”

“So you’re just going to stand here and let her get away?”

My eyes don’t leave Lennon’s face as I consider my response, feeling my stomach sink when the realization dawns on me. “She was never mine to begin with, Elodie.”

The song ends as Lennon grabs Justin’s hand, leading him over to where Elodie and I are standing. Her smile is a mile wide, but Justin looks annoyed as his gaze locks with mine. “Are you two gonna come dance, or do I have to drag you out there with us?” Lennon asks, hands planted firmly on her hips.

Elodie lifts her glass to her lips. “I’m good for right now. My feet are killing me.”

Lennon wiggles her bare foot out from under her dress. “So take your heels off!”

Justin clears his throat, cutting into the conversation. “I’ve gotta piss. I’ll be right back.” His eyes lock with mine as he kisses Lennon on the cheek and proceeds to bump his shoulder against me as he walks past.

Lennon stares after him before blinking herself out of it, turning to Elodie. “I need something to drink. Come with me?”

Elodie glances over at me, and I nod, letting her know I’ll be fine by myself. Hell, I’m used to it by now and maybe being alone is for the best.

I watch the two of them walk away, but then Justin’s voice behind me makes my shoulders tense up.