Nathan waited.
“If she stays away from me, she can stay.”
“Okay.”
“And Nathan?”
“Yeah?”
“Don’t make me explain this to her tonight.”
“I won’t.”
“If she stays away from me, she can stay.”
He kissed me.
Then he held out his hand.
“Ready to go back?”
I looked down at the damaged lace.
Mom was right.
Isabella had torn it.
She hadn’t ruined what had already happened.
Isabella had torn it.
I took Nathan’s hand.
“Ready.”
***
Downstairs, the DJ was preparing for the parent dances.
Isabella sat at her table.
She looked toward me once.
Then quickly away.
She looked toward me once.
A few minutes later, the DJ called Nathan and his mother to the floor.
Isabella didn’t move at first.
Then Nathan walked toward her.
He held out his hand.
Her face showed genuine surprise.
“You’re still doing this?”
Her face showed genuine surprise.
Nathan nodded.
“I said I would.”
