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“Thanks, so do you.” He gives me a look that makes it clear he already knows that, and I roll my eyes at him—cocky bastard.

We pick up the girls and make our way to school, where the prom is being held. Maya is wearing a long midnight-blue ball gown with sparkly stones across her chest and waist. It’s pulled in at the top, almost like a corset, giving her a nice shape, before poofing out at the bottom.

There’s no denying she looks lovely, and I tell her that, but I’m not even remotely attracted to her. As she’s two years our junior, she looks just a little too young for me. But she’s easy to talk to, and we get on fine. She’s just not who I really wanted to go with, and I feel sorry for her.

I make the most of it by doing all the things a good date should do. I get her a drink, talk to her while we’re in the line for the buffet, I laugh at her jokes while we’re eating, and I giveher my attention as best I can. I do my best to stop my eyes from wandering to where Jake is dancing with Tahlia.

We’ve been at the prom for about an hour when I realise that Maya doesn’t seem all that interested in me either. Her gaze keeps wandering in the same direction as mine, before quickly flicking away. I recognise something in her that I’m trying to hide in myself.

“You don’t want to be here with me, do you?”

Maya looks startled, and a little ashamed, as she shakes her head, looking very apologetic. “I’m sorry.”

“There’s someone else?” I follow her line of sight to where a girl from my year is sitting, staring straight at us.

“We couldn’t come together,” she admits, and I don’t need her to elaborate. It’s a story I know all too well.

“You should ask her to dance,” I tell her, and her face lights up.

“Really?” she asks, her eyes wide and hopeful.

I give her a smile as I nod. “Of course. You should be with the person you want to be with, no matter what anyone else thinks.”

She leans over and presses a kiss to my cheek. “Thank you. You should probably take your own advice.”

Before I can ask her what she means by that, she springs up out of her seat and runs over to the girl she’s been watching since we arrived. They pull each other into a big hug, and I have to look away.

At least someone gets to be happy tonight, I think to myself.

As Maya pulls the girl onto the dancefloor, I see Jake dancing with Tahlia, his arms wrapped around her as she rests her cheek on his chest, and I feel like I’ve been punched in the gut.

I force myself to look away, and find Marcus dancing with Kaya. Just a few feet away, I see Chloe dancing with her date, though she’s not looking at him. Her eyes are fixed on Marcus, and I’m sure the pain I see in her gaze is a mirror image of mine.

She thinks she hides her crush well, but I see her. We’re both watching the people we like, but can’t have, dance with someone else. I feel her pain, as it’s the same as mine. How Marcus and Jake haven’t noticed her crush is a fucking mystery, because it’s clear as day to me.

It’s not long before Marcus and Jake—and their dates—return to the table for a drink. I push my feelings aside and join in with the conversation. After quickly downing a glass of water, Tahlia demands that Jake take her dancing again, but he waves her off.

“You’ll have to dance by yourself for a bit. I want to enjoy my drink,” he tells her, completely ignoring the pout and puppy-dog eyes she throws his way.

“Fine,” she strops, wobbling on her heels as she stands. “But you’ll join me soon?” Her voice sounds hopeful, and Jake’s non-committal response crushes her slightly.

“I’ll dance with you,” says Kaya, sounding cheerful. “You can come too, Marcus?”

“That’s a great idea, you two dancing together,” Marcus adds. “I need to talk to Ben over there.” He points to a group of guys at another table, who are waving him over.

Both Jake and I look at each other, shaking our heads as we try to keep from laughing. Marcus hates Ben, but he’ll do anything to get out of dancing again.

The girls wave as they walk away, and Marcus looks annoyed. “I’m going to have to actually talk to those arseholes, aren’t I?”

This time, I can’t hold back my laughter. “Yeah, you are. Couldn’t you have come up with a better lie?”

“Obviously not, dickhead,” he snaps, scowling at me as he reluctantly gets up.

“Good luck,” Jake adds cheerfully, earning him a death glare from Marcus.

“If I’m not back in five minutes, come and rescue me, Miles.” I try not to laugh at how fucking desperate he sounds.

“No promises,” I reply, and he flips me off as he heads towards Ben’s table, grumbling and cursing under his breath.