I had a feeling something was about to happen, but I never expected how devastating it would be.
“Kids film everything now.”
Something inside me tightened.
I took a step forward, then made myself stop.
“Let him have this,” I whispered to no one. “Just let him have this.”
The song slowed toward its final notes. Then the lights brightened just enough to see every face in the room.
Brielle stepped back.
And what she did next broke my heart.
I took a step forward, then made myself stop.
Brielle let out a theatrical, throw-your-head-back laugh that bounced off the gym walls.
Mason’s smile collapsed in slow motion.
“What’s so funny?” he asked.
“Oh my God,” Brielle gasped between giggles. “Did you actually think I wanted to dance with you?”
The room snickered. Somewhere behind me, a boy whooped.
“I lost a bet,” she said, louder now. “Dancing with you was my punishment. Like, the worst possible punishment they could think of.”
“Did you actually think I wanted to dance with you?”
Mason just stood there, his eyes filling with tears as the other students chuckled and pointed at him, phones still up, filming everything.
I pushed through the crowd.
“Mason,” I said, reaching him. “Honey, look at me.”
He looked at me. “Mom.”
“We’re leaving,” I said. “Right now. I’m going to talk to the principal, and then we are out of here.”
