When Tess stepped into the high school gym on Isaac's arm, she felt like a queen. Looking around, she saw dozens of her classmates and underclassmen milling around in groups of three or four. Light, upbeat music played—something popular Tess had heard on the radio, although she didn't know the name of the song.

Isaac guided her toward a table set up along one wall. "Want some punch? Then we can have something to hold while we just kind of stand here waiting for people we know."

"I thought it was a dance?" Tess asked.

As he edged into line at the punch table, Isaac said, "Yeah, but we're a little early. They won't start really playing music until later—you know how it goes."

Tess shrugged. "To be honest, I don't know. I've never been to a dance before."

Isaac raised his brows. "What? Really? Man, I knew you were from kind of the middle of nowhere, but I would have thought they still had homecoming."

She nudged his arm. "Be nice! Of course they did. I just never went. No one ever asked me. I guess I didn't see the point otherwise."

"Not to hang out with friends? Tons of people come without dates." As their turn came in the line, Isaac reached for the ladle and poured them each a small plastic cup of green punch. "I'm not sure what's in this, and I'm not sure I want to know."

"It looks like sherbet." Tess accepted the glass he handed to her and took a sip. "Hmm. Lime. Interesting choice."

"Go Eagles," Isaac said. He nodded to the sparkling lights that had been hung around the gym for decorations, which were in shades of green and blue—their school colors. As they walked away from the punch bowl, he continued, "Did you really never have anyone ask you to the dance? What about prom last year?"

Tess's pulse quickened for a moment. "No...remember, I missed the second half of last year."

"Oh, God. I'm sorry, Tess. I forgot." In the course of their conversations, Isaac had heard more about Tess's sister and how her death had caused Tess to take a leave from school.

"It's all right, Isaac. No, I didn't do prom. But I'm not sure it would have been fun, anyway."

"Well, let's see how this year goes. Maybe if we're still into each other, you'll have a prom date come April." He had drawn to a stop under a swag of glittering lights, which cast a blue glow onto his face.

Tess looked up at him. "Oh? Into each other?"

He winced. "Damn, I guess I gave myself away."

She softly laughed. "You're not very subtle. But I'm glad. It's nice to know what you're thinking."

"Well, then, I'd hate to disappoint you. Want to know what I'm thinking now?" Isaac reached for her hand.

Meeting his gaze, she nodded.

"I'm thinking we should make this official. Will you be my girlfriend, Tess?"

Heart soaring, Tess nodded her head. "Yes, Isaac. I will."

At just that moment, a new song started, and the music doubled in volume.

"There it is!" said Isaac. He drained his punch. "I am not much of a dancer, especially to fast songs."

"I've never danced before—not really danced, I mean." Tess looked uncertainly at the dance floor, which had flooded with students, all of whom seemed to know more or less what they were doing out there.

"There's no rush. Oh! Hey, I want you to meet my friends." Isaac took Tess by the upper arm and guided her over to a group of boys on the other side of the gym. As soon as she saw where they were going, Tess recognized the boys, and her heart sank.

"Hey Isaac," said one of the boys as they approached. "Who's this?"

"This is Tess," Isaac said, "my girlfriend. Tess, this is Dean, Trev, and Jaysen. I've been friends with Dean since Kindergarten, which is crazy, because he's a pain in the ass."

"Hi," said Tess. She tried for confidence, but her voice was soft in her own ears. "Nice to meet you."

"We've heard a lot about you, Tess," said the tallest one, Dean. "Sorry you're dating Isaac."

Jaysen punched Isaac in the upper arm. "Why aren't you dancing with her, you ass?"

"We were just getting to it," Isaac said.

"Don't rush him," said Dean. "Girls like the slow songs anyway. Right, Tess?"

Tess nodded, uncertain what to say.

"Tess! Girl, I'm so glad to see you!"

Turning at the sound of a familiar voice, Tess cried, "Jacqui!"

"You look amazing!"

But Jacqui was the one who looked amazing. She had coiled her braids up into an elegant chignon ornamented with a feathered hair clip, and her lipstick almost matched her elegant, floor-length gown of satiny fuchsia fabric. Tess said, "Thanks. You are gorgeous! That dress is perfect for you."

"Thanks! I feel out of place—everyone else is in short dresses."

"No. You couldn't have found anything better. Jacqui, you've met Isaac, right?" Tess turned back to the group. Isaac's friends were giving Jacqui appreciative looks. "These are his friends, Dean and Trev and Jaysen."

"Hey everyone. Isaac, you clean up good," said Jacqui.

He laughed, putting an arm around Tess's shoulders. "I could say the same about you. Where's your date?"

"Oh, I just came with some friends." Jacqui turned and waved at the group. Mackenzie was there, and Tisha—looking anywhere but in their direction—along with a couple of others. "Tess, are you gonna dance?"

"I don't—"

"Come on!" Jacqui looped her arm through Tess's. "If he ain't gonna dance with you, I will. You don't mind, do you, Isaac?"

"Not at all. We're here to have fun. I'll be right here with the guys."

Uncertain whether to be grateful or disappointed, Tess allowed Jacqui to lead her to the dance floor. She finished her punch on the way and just had time to discard the glass before Jacqui tugged her into the crowd.

***

Hours later, Tess looked up at the glow in her parents' bedroom window as Isaac pulled into their driveway.

"They're waiting for you," he said, putting the car into park.

Tess looked at him and smiled. "It's a very parenty thing to do." She hesitated, reflecting for a moment on their evening together. Jacqui had eventually turned Tess back over to Isaac, who had been more than willing to spend a few slow songs with her on the dance floor. Tess had only ever slow danced with relatives before at weddings and stuff like that; she'd never danced with a boy she liked. It had been amazing. "I really had fun tonight, Isaac."

He smiled back at her. "I did too. Too bad it's over."

Tess opened her door, and Isaac got out on his side. He met her as she stepped out of the car and took her hand as they walked up to the door together. "Well, I'll see you on Monday," she said, feeling awkward now that their evening was coming to an end.

As the pair of them drew to a stop at the front door, Isaac turned to Tess, taking both of her hands in his. "Text me tomorrow?"

She nodded without speaking.

"Good night," he said.

"Good night, Isaac."

Under the pool of light cast by the porch bulb, Isaac leaned down and kissed her. Warmth flooded Tess's cheeks, and a thrill of excitement swept from her heart down through her toes. She was too startled to properly respond; after just a second, Isaac broke away, grinned that dimpled grin, and darted to the car.

He paused as he opened the door and called, "Hope Batman didn't see."

Laughing, Tess waved goodbye as Isaac slid into his car. He waited until she was inside before he drove away, and she lingered at the door, touching her lips with her fingertips and smiling.