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Headmaster Waltz’s voice boomed behind us, announcing the next award. Rather than go back to Lexi, I stayed with my mom. “I thought mine was the last one?” I said, curious.
“This year,” Headmaster Waltz continued, “We’ve added another award to our esteemed list because this student deserves to be recognized.”
People shifted in their seats, their murmurs a buzz of expectation. It wasn’t often that anything unpredictable happened at Riverview.
The headmaster cleared his throat, signaling the crowd to quiet down. “This award is being given to a student who has shown incredible tenacity, perseverance, and integrity—characteristics that embody the qualities we strive to develop in all our scholars here at Riverview Academy. We are awarding our first annual, most improved student award to Mr. Henry Walton.”
“What?” The question dropped out of my mouth. “Henry?” I shook my head, searching the rows of seats for the boy who once hated school but was now receiving an award for excelling at it. So, that’s what the headmaster meant when he said I would like hearing the name I was trying to read on the paper?
Henry stood up on the other side of the auditorium. As he moved toward the bright lights of the stage, I saw him smooth the front of his shirt the way I had. I’d almost forgotten how good-looking he was. He shook the headmaster’s hand and accepted his wooden plaque with a brass plate I assumed was engraved with his name on the front. Squinting under the stage lights, I could tell from his tight smile and nod that he was nervous. Henry Walton, Crown Prince of Billionaire’s Block, was blushing.
Suddenly aware of my warm cheeks, I realized I was blushing, too.
“Thank you for a lovely evening honoring our academic stars, everyone. See you next year.” Headmaster Waltz waved to the audience already standing and making their way toward the exit. “Grace,” my mom tugged my hand. “I think you should congratulate your friend.” She smiled over my shoulder.
“Yes, congratulate me,” Henry said behind me.
I turned around, surprised he was closer than I thought he’d be. “Oh, hi.” I said, biting my bottom lip to keep from saying something stupid.
“Can you believe all this?” Henry laughed and handed me his plaque. “They got the name wrong, though. Or at least shoulda had your name engraved next to mine.”
“That’s sweet, Henry,” my mom interjected, nudging my shoulder. “Isn’t that nice of him to say, sweetie?”
I looked at my mom, confused at how comfortable she seemed with Henry. “Uh, yeah. I guess so.”
“Henry,” my mom continued, while I glared, willing her to not say another word to him. “I think I left my jacket in the helicopter—”
“—helicopter?” I looked at my mom, then Henry, then back at my mom. “What are you talking about?”
My mom giggled and shrugged her shoulders. “Well, I guess the secret is out, isn’t it?”
Baffled that somehow my mom and Henry were friends who’d been on his helicopter together, I asked, “Mom? Seriously. Have you been on the Walton’s helicopter?” I looked at Henry. “What did you do?”
He smiled. “Well, Lexi told me your mom wouldn’t be able to take the train after work to see you get your award, so my dad offered to fly her in. I didn’t want her to fly alone, so I picked her up.”
“Isn’t that lovely, Grace?” She put her hand on Henry’s arm. “Such a polite young man.” A tear slipped down my cheek, and I quickly wiped it away. “Yes,” I smiled at him and laughed softly. “Very polite.”
“Grace, I’m going to talk to Henry’s parents for a minute, then you can walk me back to the helicopter, okay?”
“Sure, Mom.” I hugged her. “Thank you for coming. Means everything to have you here.”
“Well, we owe the Waltons for that.” She leaned in and hugged Henry. “And you, lovely boy, such kindness to go out of your way for us.”
Henry smiled and bowed his head slightly, again blushing. “It’s the least I could do for Grace making me look so good in front of my parents.” He laughed. “I might have to get them to rename the math building the Grace O’Connell Hall of Mathematics.”
As soon as my mom turned to walk away, I felt Henry’s hand take mine. “Grace,” he whispered. My heart raced, and I took a deep breath. “Yes,” I answered without turning to face him because I knew if I did, I’d burst into tears.
“I’m so sorry for what happened. I hope you know I—”
“—it’s okay,” I interrupted—looking toward the stage. “I know it’s not what I thought.”
Henry’s hand slipped up my back, and he turned me gently toward him. “I hope you know that what you think of me means everything.”
Another deep breath. “I appreciate that, Henry. I really do, but what you think of yourself is even more important to me.”
“Henry!” His mother’s voice popped the bubble surrounding us, pulling me back to the reality that we weren’t alone in the auditorium.
“Come with me to talk to them,” Henry gently pulled my hand to follow him.
