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“And what about you?” she asks. “Are you ready for tonight?”

Am I ready for tonight?

“Let’s just worry about getting there first. Then I can worry about the performance. What if Axel doesn’t show up?”

“His friends will make sure of it. But you better check with them,” she says, a bit less reassuringly.

“Right,” I say. “Okay, I’m going to practice a few more times and then take a shower. When should I expect you?”

“I’ll text you updates. Too bad Ben isn’t here to help me shovel. What good is having a big, strong boyfriend when you can’t use him in emergencies?”

“I’m sure if you asked, Ben would shovel a path to your house.”

She laughs. “Probably. Okay, wish me luck! And hopefully I’ll see you soon.”

“Good luck!”

I end the call and tell my mom that Olivia is attempting to come over and will require her services. Mom’s strained smile isn’t exactly comforting. I know what she’s thinking. We’re all thinking it. I go to my room to try to take my mind off everything by rehearsing. After running through the song ten times, I take a much-needed shower. My stomach growls while I throw on clean sweats (I mean, I think they’re clean—they weren’t on my floor). Remembering there’s leftover Chinese in the fridge, I head downstairs excitedly, the thought of day-old chow mein making my mouth water. The front door opens and I’m met with a snow-covered uncle and…

“Axel?” I say, blinking in surprise. Axel’s cheeks are all red. His curls are tucked in a toque, a few tendrils peeking out as he closes the door behind him. “What’s going on?”

“I need to get into the garage for a second shovel,” Eli says, opening the console in search of the spare garage door remote. “The remote in my car is dead and the keypad is frozen.”

Axel rubs his hands together, trying to get warm.

“Why? Where are you going?” I ask, still on the landing of the stairs.

“Work,” Amo says, like I’m clueless. “With this kind of weather, we could get a lot of walk-in customers. Peter will need extra hands.”

“You’re working tonight?” I ask Axel.

“Sure.” He shrugs. “What else have I got to do?”

“The formal,” I spit out before turning to my uncle. “He’s performing at the formal. He can’t work tonight.”

Axel shakes his head. “Jamie, there’s no way the formal is going to happen. The roads are a mess. It took me half an hour just to walk here. As it stands, getting to Shawarma Sitty is going to be nearly impossible.”

“No,” I practically shout. “You have to be there.”

“Why?” he asks, his eyes narrowed at me.

“Because,” I say, stalling, begging my uncle to read my face, but he’s completely out to lunch. “Because everyone is expecting you to kick off the party.”

“I think the three people that show up will be fine without me.” His voice is dry and devoid of emotion.

“Amo, can I speak to you, please?” I ask, cocking my head to the family room.

“I have my boots on,” he whines, grasping onto the spare garage remote.

I roll my eyes. “Fine. Axel, do you mind waiting outside for just a minute?”

“Whatever.” He sighs as he steps outside.

I take the final few steps down the stairs and close the door behind Axel. “Amo!”

“What?”

“Tonight is the formal. Axel is supposed to perform. Hehasto be there.” My words come out sharp as I over-enunciate each syllable.