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His loyalty warms me. “Thanks.”

Nathan looks down at our clasped hands and takes a breath. “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t be doing that. I know you told me to cut all that out tonight.” He releases my hand, and the air is cold on my palm.

“It’s fine. I didn’t even notice.” I give him a small smile. “I guess we’ve gotten into some habits, huh?”

“Yeah. But I don’t want to upset you again.”

“I’ve already pushed last night from my mind.”

“Well, I haven’t. Didn’t I cross a line because I said something nice to you earlier? I was a bit worried you’d slap meafter I complimented your dress.” The glimmer in his eye is half teasing, half wary.

“That was strike one.”

He chuckles. “Seriously, though, Riley.”

“Stop worrying. I was…tired. Let’s just forget everything and have fun. No rules tonight.”

He takes me in, as if weighing my truthfulness. “Okay. No rules.”

Chapter Twenty-Three

We walk into the school and find our friends huddled around a table at the edge of the gym. The homecoming theme is “Winter Solstice,” which is a little weird because it’s only October, but at least the gym looks pretty. The space is dim except for the Christmas lights that have been strung across the ceiling. Someone’s made a ton of paper snowflakes that hang above our heads, and there’s a photo booth covered in white balloons and paper snowflakes as well.

“I feel like I need a winter coat,” Lucas says.

“More like a calendar,” Nathan replies with an eye roll.

Okay, so he isn’t won over by school functions yet.

“Forget about the decor. What are we waiting for—let’s go dance!” Hoshiko pulls Lucas toward the center of the gym where people are starting to congregate.

I look at Nathan. “Ready to start having fun?”

“Does that mean we’re going for a drive now? We can pick up more Pop-Tarts.”

I take his hand and drag him toward the floor. Anthony and Kenzie follow us and we form a small and slightly awkward circle, shimmying and shaking to the music.

“And next up is a special request from Principal Holloway,” the DJ announces. I recognize his voice as the middle-aged man who runs the local easy-listening radio station in town. Not exactly the coolest choice for a DJ, but we’re limited around here.

I swivel to Nathan as Michael Jackson’s “Beat It” pumps through the speakers. Around us, most kids groan and walk over to the refreshment table, while a few clap and start dancing.

Nathan lights up. “Eat it!” he belts out with Lucas, who clearly also knows the Weird Al version.

“You’re singing the wrong version!” I shout over the music.

“Nah. This version is okay, but it’s not as good as the original.”

“You’ve got that reversed.”

“You’re reversed,” he calls, and twirls me in a circle.

We’re all dancing in a frenzy now, jumping and yelling whatever words we can remember. Michael Jackson fades into Beyoncé and I’m too busy laughing and dancing to pay attention to the time or what’s happening with the other students. Hoshiko is pulling out some salsa moves, Anthony is next to her doing a horrible version of the running man, and I have to bend over I’m laughing so hard. The cramp in my side is totally worth it.

Eventually the music stops so that Principal Holloway can make an announcement and we all sit down at one ofthe tables. They’re covered in blue plastic tablecloths with snowflake-shaped confetti sprinkled on top. Clearly the school’s budget issues extend beyond the musical, but the dim lighting makes it all a bit magical.

“Do you want me to get you some water?” Nathan asks.

“Yeah, thanks.”