Page 92 of Not On Your Life

“What?”

“Prom.”

“Midnight, I think. Wait, what are you doing?”

I take the stairs two at a time. “Maddie’s chaperoning.”

“Wear your green tie!” She yells. “It brings out your eyes.”

“Will do.” I need all the help I can get.

Chapter 31

Maddie

The dance is being held in the school cafeteria. While the décor is halfway decent, they could have sprung for a few—thousand—air fresheners. It still smells like pizza from Friday’s lunch, but it’s an upgrade from the BO the gym has to offer. So I guess that’s as good as it gets.

One thing is for sure. The ambiance does not scream romance, so hopefully all these teenage hormones are kept at bay.

When I got here, Principal Thompson was at the door, and after thanking me profusely for stepping up, instructed me to pick a spot near an exit but ”feel free to move about. The kids will sneak away right under your nose.”

So I’ve done as I was told, but it’s so awkward. None of the kids are dancing. I thought with the whole TikTok dance trend, they’d have choreographed pieces to do all night. But I’ve seen more teachers getting down than kids.

It’s only a little after nine. Hopefully more kids will come and bring the party with them.

I pass a few of the teachers, and they eye me like they can’t decide if I’m a kid or not. That or I have toilet paper hanging out the bottom of my dress. I don’t—I’ve checked a dozen times already.

I’ve counted five other chaperones, and four of them are standing in a group gossiping. I could introduce myself, but the way they are staring at me makes me anxious. Why am I so afraid of a group of strangers? It’s stupid.

I wiggle my toes in my heels.Just keep moving.

After three laps around the cafeteria, I make myself stay by an exit for the next two songs. I glance at my phone. It’s only nine-thirty? This is the longest night of my life. I thought Diedre was starting to like me, but apparently not, because she signed me up for actual torture.

“Hey, Miss M!”

I turn toward the voice of one of the volleyball girls.

“Callie!” I’ve never been so glad to see someone I know. “Oh my goodness! That dress is amazing! You’re absolutely stunning.” She’s wearing a poofy black mini-dress with platform heels. I’ve only seen the girls in workout clothes for practice, but I’m loving a glimpse into her style.

“Thank you!” She twirls a bit. “This is my boyfriend, Dupe.”

Dupe? I guess anything can be a name these days.

After Callie leaves, a few more girls find me to show off their dresses. By ten, it resembles more of a party than an awkward wake. But I still haven’t seen Diedre. I never did see her completed dress, but Lyndi assured me it was perfect for her.

I walk around a few more times, giving the teenagers around me as much breadth as possible.

“Excuse me.”

A boy stops in front of me. He has a curly blond mop of hair on top of his head, and the sides are shaved. I will never be able to keep up with the trends these kids come up with.

“Oh, sorry.” I step back.

He steps forward.

“Here I am.” He flashes me a grin. “What are your other two wishes?”

It’s all I can do to not laugh. I arch a brow. “Sorry, buddy.” Yep, I ”buddied” him. It’s a necessary evil. “I’m a coach, not a student.”