"This is usually the time I would announce this year's king and   queen winners," Mr. Anderson starts. "However, due to yesterday's events, we have decided to   forgo that tradition this year." Murmurs float through the crowd and I   look to Lily who shrugs her shoulders. After yesterday, I have lost all   interest in who would have been queen this year. None of us deserve it.

Mr. Anderson continues, "This year we are going to take a moment to   reflect. Let's look back on what we've accomplished during our time as   high school students at Highland Park High. For some of you, this has   only been a few weeks, others a few years. For most of you, I hope you   are proud of what you've accomplished and for what you have done with   your time spent here. Others are going to look back and feel   disappointment and possibly regret. For all of you, I hope from here on   out, you can fill your days with pride. Pride yourselves on helping   others. Pride yourself on learning to be a better you. Make goals and   promise to have a bright future. Let not only your time here, but also   your peer's time at Highland Park be a positive one. I hope all of you   have bright futures and leave this school feeling proud of yourselves. I   want the king and queen of all dances to be a nominee that prides   themselves on helping others and challenges themselves to be better   everyday. That is who I want ruling this school. Until then, we will not   crown anyone. We will now just make a promise to come together and   dedicate ourselves on being better. Let's be better Highland Park. Let's   be more encouraging and positive. Let everyone come and heal together   after this tragic event. Seniors you only have a few more months left  to  leave your legacy behind, so decide what you want that to be. What  will  you be remembered for?"

I grab Lily's hand and she smiles at me. I know none of us want to be   remembered as the bullies that almost got shot in the girl's locker room. I only have a few   months to remind people that that's not who I am, nor who I want to be.

"Now everyone, enjoy homecoming, embrace the months or years you have   left at Highland Park and encourage your peers to be better everyday.   Enjoy the rest of the dance." Mr. Anderson's voice started to shake near the end   but he managed to keep it together. He hands the microphone back to the   DJ and there is silence throughout the gym. I know everyone is thinking   about yesterday now. I know everyone can think of a time where they   wished they had acted differently. Unfortunately, for five of us, our bad   judgments were splashed across the newspaper.

Liam squeezes my hand and  I  swallow hard to fight back any unwelcome tears. The music starts up   again as the DJ puts on a slow country song. Liam rests his hands on my hips and I reach up and settle my hands   around his neck. We move in a slow circular pattern and my head rests on   his chest.

"I want to actually go to Paris someday," he quietly says. I find his   eyes and reply, "I do too. I would love to travel anywhere really." We make a full rotation and then with a   more serious tone he says, "I think we should go."

"To Paris? Of course we should," I say and he stops moving.

"No Ellie, I'm serious, let's go. Let's get out of here. Go travel   and see the world. I have the money to take us anywhere. We can graduate and just go." I digest his   words as I break eye contact.

"Yeah, I mean let's go this summer, for a couple weeks...or   something." I know this is not what he meant. I know he means to jump on   a plane and take off into the sunset. But I have plans, I can't take time off and travel when I know I need to be in college come August. He lets me off the hook as he pulls me back into him and we go back to  the  circular pattern. When the song ends, he pulls us away from the crowd and leads me  over to a  bench.

"I'm realizing that I want to get away Ellie. I want you to come with me," he says while holding my hands.

"I'll go wherever you want as soon as high school is over. We have   one more semester and then we can go. I can spend the whole summer anywhere," I answer. He runs his hands through his hair, loosening a few   strands from the gel holding it together, and then flits his eyes back to me.

"After   high school, you'll leave with me?" He asks and he looks desperate.

"I felt like I was going to have to ask you that question come graduation. You'll leave your mom?" I shoot back and he grips my hands tighter.

"That's why I need to leave. I got into it with her today and I'm   realizing you're right. I need to live my life. Not hers." I know I   don't want to have this conversation here so I just nod my head and he   pulls me into him.

"Let's finish out high school and then we will figure out a plan. I didn't really apply to that many schools in Texas, so it's pretty realistic that I'll be headed out of here anyway. So if you can handle a few more months here with her, we will leave   here together. Okay? I don't want you escaping her and leaving me behind," I tell him and he immediately shakes his head no. He pulls my chin up for a kiss. This   kiss feels desperate and needed and I know he's dead serious when he   says he needs to leave. I pull back needing air and his gaze is intense.

"I'm finding that I need you more than I thought I would need anyone. I feel like you give a shit and I need someone that gives a shit. I will do whatever it takes to make us work, okay?" He pleads and I'm unable to breathe.

I look at this perfect face in front of me and know I want the same   things. We are young with a long life ahead of us, but we already know   one thing. From this point on, we will never be able to live without   each other. I can't pretend I've never met someone that shares this same huge secret as me. I know I will need this man just as much as he needs me and   it doesn't scare me one bit.

"I give you my word that I will go wherever you need me to when the   time is right," I say as I look directly into his blue eyes. He pulls me in   for another kiss and my heart bursts inside my chest. I am now excited   about the journey ahead of me and Liam pulls me back onto the dance floor, ending the serious part of the evening.

I was always scared of the unknown. I have controlled every aspect of   my life since those whispers crept into my head eight years ago. I   thought I had planned my future so perfectly that there would never be   any unknown aspects to it and my secret would remain a secret forever. I   was always scared of the consequences that would happen if anyone   discovered my talents and how I used them. But the man holding my hand   right now is full of the unknown and likes me because of my   secrets. My future has now changed and I'm not worried. With Liam   standing next to me, I now embrace the unknown and the excitement that   comes with it. The music surrounds us and he pulls me against him.

The dance ends with the music fading and the lights turning on.   Everyone slowly scatters and people pick up the flowers arrangements   that adorned the tables. Liam grabs me a single rose as we file out of   the gym with the rest of the students. Rumors of afterparties swirl   around us and we wait in the parking lot deciding which one to go to.   Harper finally comes over to me and gives me an unexpected hug.

"I hate   fighting with you, Ellie. It's our last homecoming and we aren't even   enjoying it together. It takes more energy to fight with you and it's   exhausting."

I pull away from her and push a strand of loose red hair back from her   shoulder.

"I'm sorry Harper, I know I put bros before hoes. I broke girl code and I hate fighting too. I want to enjoy what's left of  homecoming with my bestie." We are still holding on to each other's hands and  when she releases me, she looks over to Liam.

"I know why  you like Ellie, and  I don't blame you."

Liam looks over at me puzzled, She has no idea. I smile and   Harper keeps talking, "She's amazing and I could tell you two had a   connection the first time I was around you guys. I hope it works out." I   read Harper's thoughts and am pleased to know what she's saying is   genuine. Liam pulls her in for a hug, "Thanks, Harper. Some guy will   be lucky to have you." I don't have to read Liam's mind to know that's   only half sincere.

We all hop back into our limo and agree upon a party location. One of   our cheer friends, Sawyer is having a pool party and even though it's   ten at night, the Texan heat is making it very enticing. We pile onto   Sawyer's driveway and the limo drives off down the street. I grab Liam's   hand and hold him back while the others go on ahead of us.

"Let's just enjoy this. Day by day. Let's just live life as it comes   okay?" I ask while I smile at him. He pulls me into him and places a   limp curl behind my ear.

"I'm ready to enjoy every moment with you. Every adventure. Every   fight. Every kiss." He slowly kisses me and I pull at the lapels on his   jacket. Our hands meet and I pull him towards Sawyer's house. We can  hear  girls squealing and pool water being splashed around in the distance.  With  my hand in his, I know we can conquer whatever is thrown our way.  He must  read my thoughts because he says, "We got this."

And with smiles on both of our faces, we walk towards the madness.