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I was suddenly glad prom was canceled, because I wasn’t sure I could have handled seeing Clary in that dress and in the arms of another guy.

When she finished her small twirl and turned to face me once more, I made certain to focus on her face rather than the dress. I didn’t want to make her uncomfortable, and it was really hard not to stare at her when she looked so incredible.

As she looked at me, I could see how much she was enjoying wearing the dress by the sparkle in her eye. It was the sight of her nervous smile as she waited for me to respond that truly destroyed me though. She was so impossibly beautiful, and the thought that my opinion might matter to her was enough to send my feelings over the edge. I was speechless.

A hint of worry entered her eyes as I continued to stare at her in silence. “You think I look silly.”

“No.” My voice came out deep and rough, and I cleared my throat to try to make it go back to normal. “No, I think you’re beautiful.”

“I told you not to make fun of me.”

“I couldn’t make fun of you right now if I tried. You’re the most beautiful girl I’ve ever seen.”

“Now I know you’re lying.”

I stood from the bed and walked across the room so I was standing before her. I wanted to close the small distance that remained between us, but I couldn’t be the one to do it. Clary needed to come to me when she was ready—if she was ever ready. “I’m not lying. You would stop any guy in their tracks with that dress”

Her cheeks flushed, and she struggled to meet my gaze.

“It’s definitely too gorgeous to be wasted on just me. You deserve to go to the prom.”

“Well, that can’t happen now,” she murmured. She glanced down at her dress and ran her hands across the smooth material before she lightly exhaled and dropped her hands to her sides. “Anyway, I should really get changed.”

There was disappointment in her eyes as she looked down at her dress, and she seemed reluctant to take it off so soon. I wanted to say something to make her feel better, but there was nothing I could do that would fix this. I couldn’t exactly save the prom.

Or could I?

Clary gave me a sad smile before she went to the bathroom to change. When she returned, she was wearing the sweatpants and hoodie she’d had on before. Her stilettos dangled from one hand, and her prom dress was carefully draped over her arm.

“You should pack them,” I said.

“What?”

“Your prom dress and shoes. You should bring them to my house.”

She laughed and shook her head. “Why would I do that?”

I didn’t have an answer for that. Not yet. “Would you just do it? For me?”

She eyed me warily in response. “But why?”

“Look, consider it a part of the favor you owe me…”

“You want to waste your favor on that?”

“I saida partof my favor.” I swear she was being difficult on purpose. “Besides, it’s my favor to waste, and this is what I want.”

“Um, okay.” She was looking at me like I was crazy, but thankfully, she’d finally agreed. She turned to hang her dress from the door before placing her shoes in her duffel bag. As she moved about the room, she kept glancing at me out of the corner of her eye. She was confused, but it would all make sense soon enough.

I spent the rest of the time at Clary’s house texting every number in my phone, getting people to spread the word. I had a plan to put a smile back on Clary’s face. I just hoped I could pull it off.

15

Clary

It was strange saying goodbye to my house. This was my home, yet I had no idea when I’d be living in it again. It felt so empty without my parents around, so I was mostly glad I hadn’t insisted on staying here on my own. Living with Aiden wasn’t nearly as bad as I imagined it would be, and I was surprised to find I was happy to leave with him.

I followed Aiden from the house, making sure to lock the front door as I left. This time, as we drove away, I didn’t get the same twinge of sadness I’d felt before. I might have lived there for years, but it really didn’t feel like my home without my family there.