can finally allow the excitement for the big dance to creep in.
Twenty-Seven
Thea
Seeing the room all set up and walking in the night of the dance are two different things. It steals my breath as Connor and I pass through the shimmering curtains draped in the entrance.
For once, I feel completely confident. Like the goddess I’m always telling myself to be, dressed in a flowing pink dress that makes me feel amazing, my hair down in soft curls, and my handsome boyfriend escorting me. The flower crown he presented me with when he picked me up helps with the goddess vibes, a beautiful mix of yellow anemones and pink roses sitting on my head. He’d said he wanted to give me the sun, but this was the closest he could get to suit a queen. My heart hasn’t stopped glowing with warmth since.
Connor’s hair is combed and styled the same as it was the night of the benefit for the children’s hospital, and he looks so good in a gray suit that complements his eyes.
“Wow, it really came out nice,” I murmur in awe.
“Of course it did. You were the brains behind it all.” Connor kisses my cheek. “Nerds, right? The best.”
“Oh, now they’re the best?” I tease. “Your tune’s changed since I found out about you being a computer nerd.”
“Like I said. The best.”
He chuckles, drawing me toward the balloon installation—a pearlescent white and silver arched confection—to set us up for a selfie. He wraps me in his arms from behind, playing with the material of my dress, and I lift my hand to touch his face as he leans over my shoulder.
Once he takes a couple of us smiling, I turn his face to mine for a kiss. We take a few more photos, then dive into the fray of the dance. It’s perfect and amazing.
“Thea! Oh my god, you look so pretty!” Nina, one of Connor’s friends from the popular crowd, gives me a big hug. Her friend Bailey holds up her phone and takes a photo of the two of us. “Bishop, take one of the three of us.”
These girls were never outright mean to me, but they never made an effort before I began dating Connor, either. I was invisible to them. We’ve reached a point where we briefly talk in the mornings when we all pull into the student lot.
Bailey hands off her phone and comes to pose on my other side.
“You both look amazing, too,” I say.
“Thanks,” Bailey says as she squeezes me between her and Nina.
They work it for the camera as Connor obediently captures us. I hesitate for a second, then laugh as we get into it.
“Just what the world likes, hot chicks rubbing up on each other,” Connor says.
“Connor!” My cheeks heat.
He laughs under his breath, handing the phone back to Bailey. “Just calling it like I see it.”
The girls giggle and go through the pictures he took. More of his friends join us.
When I see some of mine, I peel away from his side to talk to them. I’m in the middle of talking to a girl from my culinary class when Connor materializes next to me, looking annoyed.
“What’s wrong?” I follow his gaze to Mr. Coleman, deep in conversation with a girl from our class.
Connor’s hand fits to my waist, guiding me further away. “Let’s go grab a table over here.”
His friends join us. For a while we watch the photo booth nearby, laughing at the funny ideas people come up with.
I’m having a great time, but Connor’s good mood chips away as the night goes on.
Not long after, all of his friends have left us alone at the table while they spread out, grabbing refreshments and dancing.
I hold Connor’s hand and play with his fingers while he zones out. “Want to make plans for winter break? We haven’t had all that much time together lately.”
It takes him a minute to register my question. He’s distracted, glaring across the room at Mr. Coleman while he hovers at the edge of the dance floor, smiling at the students having a good time.
“What?”
“I was just saying, maybe we could go to one of the holiday markets or something? Like a mini date adventure.”
“Uh, yeah. We’ll figure something out.” He gives me a smile that doesn’t reach his eyes before he settles back in his chair, watching Mr. Coleman while he chaperones.
I drop his hand and rise from my seat to get a drink.
“Where are you going?” Connor’s voice stops me before