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Apparently he can't, because he talks about last year's dance and how much fun tonight's going to be. They're having dinner at the dance, so we don't stop anywhere before we get to the school.
The parking lot is completely packed, and you can hear loud music coming from the open gymnasium. Kyle has me wait in the truck while he trots around and proceeds to open the door for me.
He puts out his arm for me to take, and I slide my arm through, noting how strong his arm feels.
We get to the gymnasium doors and my mouth opens in surprise at what they've done to the place. There's thick black drapes covering the sides, and black tulle artfully hangs from the rafters so it doesn't look like a school gym at all, with the exception of the court floor. There's large circle tables set up around the room draped in black table cloths, and silver plate settings and centerpieces are set on top of them. This year's theme is ‘starry nights’, and they're going all in. There's a dance floor set up in the middle of the room and a stage set up on the far right side. There's only one musician up there playing music on the piano right now, but I know there will be a full band later on.
"Looks pretty good, doesn't it?" Kyle comments as he leads me to a table filled with his friends.
Immediately, I tense up as we approach. I'd done my best to stay as far away from that group of people as possible, since they’re also Noah’s cronies, but with no sign of Noah, they actually give me polite smiles when we get to the table. Some of them even give me appreciative stares.
Kyle helps me into my seat and then settles down next to me, his arm going along the top of my seat so that his fingers can stroke my shoulder softly. Goosebumps spring up under his touch, and I shift, feeling slightly uncomfortable.
Everyone talks around me, and for a couple of minutes, I almost fool myself into thinking the night won't be that bad.
That is until I feel it.
Him.
As if we’re connected by a string, I glance over my shoulder and see him and Stacy walking through the entrance. His gaze is locked on mine.
Meanwhile, Kyle continues to stroke my shoulder. I drag my gaze away from Noah’s, who looks unreal in his navy blue fitted suit, something I'm pretty sure most teenage boys would never be able to pull off without looking like a fool.
Instead, he looks like a freaking model. It would be great if just one time he could look terrible.
I study my date. He looks good as well, but younger…softer. I know really nothing about Kyle other than the small details he's mentioned in class, but something just tells me he hasn't experienced the spark of sorrow that Noah has.
Two people at the table abruptly stand up. "We'll see you all later," the guy says somewhat nervously. I'm pretty sure he's on the basketball team as well.
When he and his date walk away, I lean towards Kyle. "What's going on?" I whisper.
Before Kyle can answer, Noah and Stacy are sitting at the table.
Horror clenches my insides. I foolishly thought I was safe. It never occurred to me that someone would sit there until Noah arrived.
I also notice that Noah doesn’t help Stacy into her seat.
And he doesn't have his arm around her.
I'm not sure why that fills me with so much satisfaction.
Stacy is beautiful tonight. She looks like she fits with Noah.
And I hate that.
Because I'm sure if I was standing next to Noah in front of a mirror, I wouldn't feel the same.
Not that I would ever be thinking about that when it comes to my tormentor.
"Chicken or steak?" someone asks from behind me. I glance back to see one of the catering staff standing there with a tray full of plates.
"Chicken, please," I say, until I notice there's pecans on the accompanying salad. I glance over at the steak; the salad on that plate is luckily pecan free.
"Sorry, can I have the steak? I’m really allergic to pecans."
The staff member looks annoyed but switches the plates for me.
"I didn't know you’re allergic to pecans," comments Kyle.
