Two days left until the Winter Formal —
everyone wanted one last practice.
Especially Emily.
Thursday afternoon arrived with suspicious optimism.
Which made Lily immediately uneasy.
She had barely finished packing her books when Emily appeared beside her.
“We’re staying after school.”
“For what?”
“A final rehearsal.”
“We already had one.”
“That was a warm-up.”
Jason materialized from seemingly nowhere.
“She’s right.”
“She usually is.”
Ryan walked past carrying his backpack.
“I refuse to participate in whatever this is.”
“No one asked you to.”
“I’m declining anyway.”
Before anyone could continue arguing—
Noah joined them.
He looked between the four of them.
“What did I miss?”
Emily smiled.
“Nothing important.”
Jason smiled even wider.
“That’s a lie.”
Within minutes
