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It’sstrange showing up to a dance before it’s put together. We’re the ones that have to transform the gymnasium into the low lit atmosphere everyone else will just experience. We cover the tables with white tablecloths and add centerpieces with floating candles. Toward the back, we set up the cupcakes on trays. The colors pop against the rest of the white decorations.
As I set up the punch table, Sadie hurries over to me. “Hide.”
“Why?”
“He’s here. The whole band is.”
I tilt my head, giving her a look. “Why would I hide? It’s not like he’s going to talk to me.”
She crosses her arms and raises an eyebrow. “I’m pretty sure you’re exaggerating. I'm sure he’s dying to see you, so if you don’t want him to be struck with incurable sadness, you better hide.”
“I think you’ve watched too many rom-coms.”
“What if he actually wants to talk to you? Are you going to explain what happened? Don’t you think he deserves to know?”
I hand Sadie a glass of punch. “Try this. Tell me if I need to add any more ice cream.”
She takes the glass. “You’re avoiding the questions.”
“Who, me? Why would you ever think that?”
“I know true love when I see it. Just you wait. He’ll see you and won’t be able to hold himself back.”
I shake my head at her nonsense and motion to the cup in her hand. “The punch?”
She narrows her eyes, taking a sip. “It’s good.”
Caleb walks in and heads right for us. For a moment, I almost agree with Sadie’s wild ideas. Is he really walking up to me? Is he going to pull me aside?
His hair is slicked back, and he’s dressed in a dark suit with a white shirt underneath. The collar is unbuttoned at the top, somehow making it look slightly more causal.
My heart races as he nears, and my eyes drop to the floor. I can’t bear to see the hurt in his eyes.
“Hey, Sadie. Can we start setting up?” he asks.
His cedar scent is intoxicating. He’s so close I could reach out and touch him if I wanted to.
I wait for him to acknowledge me.
But he doesn’t. I might as well not be here. It’s as if I’m part of the decorations, blending into the drink station.
“Of course. The stage is all ready for you guys,” Sadie says.
“Okay, thanks,” Caleb replies.
Then, he leaves.
He leaves.
My heart sinks as I watch him turn his back on me and walk away.
Sadie’s mouth drops to the floor. “I didn’t realize it was that bad.”
My mouth forms a hard line, and I nod. I don’t know why I expected him to say anything. I’m the one who broke things off and told him to leave. All he did was listen.
I turn back to the punch bowl and add another scoop of ice cream anyway. Then I start to straighten the cans of soda we have off to the side.
