The food wasn’t amazing, but Zenna thought Gabby was holding it up to a rather unreasonable standard.


Gabby pushed her empty plate away. ‘It’s not as good as Harrys.’


‘It was never going to be.’ Zenna placed her knife and fork together next to the leftover roast carrots. Something about carrots made her tongue curl. She slid her chair back and stood, smoothing her dress. ‘Come on.’


‘Not dancing.’


Zenna waved a hand. ‘You’re safe. No one’s dancing yet. Mingling.’


Grumbling, Gabby stood, and they circled the room as students got up from the tables to stretch their legs and chat. More than students, though. Zenna turned as a man in a well-cut suit brushed her shoulder, staring after him. He stopped to talk to a woman in a deep blue evening gown, her hair swept up in an elegant knot. These people … Zenna looked around, eyes widening.


‘Gabby,’ she whispered. A pair of glamorous women in beautiful gowns passed them. Everyone had dressed well tonight, but there was something about being seventeen and all dolled up. It looked sophisticated until you stood next to real adults who’d worn black tie before. Then you felt just as small and greasy and awkward as you did in your school polo shirt and unwashed jeans.


‘Gabby,’ she said again, more urgently.


Gabby turned to her, concern in her grey eyes. ‘What’s up?’


Zenna pushed down the pang. She was fine. Will was a dick, and she was fine. This wasn’t about her. ‘There are lots of people here.’


Gabby’s brow furrowed and her mouth twitched, like she wasn’t sure if she’d missed a joke. ‘Um, that’s kind of the point.’ She sighed. ‘And Dylan is one of them.’

‘No, I mean … they’re not all students and teachers.’


‘So? People can bring dates from outside the school. You were going to.’


Ouch. Dick he might be, but Will had soft hands and warm lips, and Zenna’s chest hollowed when she thought of the kisses and slow dances she wouldn’t have tonight.


‘Sorry,’ Gabby added.


‘I don’t think they’re just people’s dates. There are too many. And they’re all old.’


Gabby shrugged. ‘Probably parents helping the teachers out. Come on, I see Cecelia.’


The crowd swelled, more and more people pushing into the space, and Zenna was sure half of them weren’t here for the ball. Maybe Cecelia had noticed too or would know which teacher to ask.


But before they got to their friend, the lights went out, and a hush fell over the room.