Then Angela squeezed her arm, Karen lifted her chin higher, and Roxie decided to let the room believe whatever it wanted.

"Roxie, picture!" someone called.

Angela turned instantly. "Yes. We are documenting this."

Karen sighed. "Of course we are."

They went to the photo backdrop near the Raven cutout. The lights flashed too bright at first, making Roxie blink. Angela tucked herself against Roxie’s side, smiling wide. Karen stood on the other side with her arms crossed, looking like a beautiful threat in heels.

They took one picture smiling properly.

Then another with Angela leaning into Roxie while Karen stared dead ahead.

Then another because Angela insisted the emerald dress needed full documentation and Karen said if anyone edited her face weirdly, she would report them to Coach Miller for emotional damage.

Roxie laughed, and the sound eased something inside her.

A girl from junior year touched Roxie’s arm as they moved away. "Your dress is so pretty."

"Thank you," Roxie said.

"Good luck tonight. I think you’re going to win."

Roxie blinked. "Oh. Thanks."

A boy from history class passed with his tie already loose. "Good luck, Roxie."

Another girl near the snack table smiled. "You have my vote."

The words followed her through the room.

Good luck.

You look amazing.

You’re definitely winning.

Roxie smiled through all of it, but each comment made the knot in her stomach grow tighter. Winning had felt like something people joked about in the hallway. Here, with the platform waiting and the envelopes sitting on the table, it felt possible.

She hated how much she wanted it.

Angela leaned close. "People are acting like you already have the crown."

Karen looked at the platform. "Take it if they give it."

Roxie glanced at her. "You sound terrifying."

Karen smiled. "Thank you."

Angela slipped one hand over her stomach. "I need punch before I start giving campaign speeches."

"You have speeches prepared?" Roxie asked.

"I always have speeches prepared."

Karen looked toward the snack table. "Her speeches are mostly yelling with lip gloss."

"It works."

They moved deeper into the gym.

Teachers stood along the edges. Coach Miller was near the wall, talking to Mrs. Gonzalez while still managing to scan every cheerleader with the eyes of a man who trusted nobody. He saw Roxie and gave her a small approving nod.

Roxie waved.

Coach Hayes stood near the entrance with two assistant coaches, watching the football players like he had already counted possible problems by name. Mason was near the DJ table, laughing loudly with two other players.

Angela turned back to Roxie. "Speaking of dates, since you asked before, Karen decided to go alone, so I did too. We both have no dates, and going together is better than dragging random boys around like unpaid luggage."

Karen nodded. "I refuse to spend homecoming managing someone’s son."

Angela pointed at her. "See? Romantic."

Roxie laughed. "You two are ridiculous."

"We are free," Karen said.

Angela leaned closer, smiling. "And you?"

Roxie’s smile faded a little. "What about me?"

"Where is your date?"

"I came alone."

"That was the arrival. That’s different from the night."

Karen’s expression sharpened at once. "Angela."

"What? I’m gathering information."

"You gather information like a raccoon in a jewelry store."

Angela gasped. "That is rude and accurate."

Roxie looked away before her face gave too much away.

Her eyes moved across the gym before she could stop herself.

Angela caught it instantly. "You are looking for him."

"I’m looking around."

"For decorations shaped like Zac?"

Karen made a sound. "The symptoms are severe."

Roxie kept her face forward. "I’m enjoying the theme."

Angela nodded. "Yes. The theme is quarterback anxiety."

Roxie bit back a smile.

Her phone buzzed inside her clutch.

She knew before checking.

Where are you?

Roxie looked toward the crowd again, trying to appear casual.

Angela leaned shamelessly closer. "Is that him?"

Roxie turned the phone away. "Privacy."

Karen looked unimpressed. "He lost privacy privileges after Bianca."

Roxie typed back.

Inside.

His reply came fast.

Near the court table. Come here?

The court table sat in the open. No shadows. No bleachers. No steel beam to hide behind. Everyone could see everyone there.

Roxie closed the phone and looked toward the center wall.

That was when she saw Kendall.

Kendall looked beautiful.

Roxie wanted to hate the dress on principle, but she couldn’t. Kendall wore white, fitted cleanly through the waist with a slit that made every step look practiced. A silver chain rested at her hips. Her hair was half pinned, smooth and shiny, and her makeup looked effortless in the way that always took work.

Everyone looked beautiful tonight.

That should have made it easier.

It somehow made everything sharper.

Kendall saw Roxie.

For a second, they both stopped.

Roxie braced herself.

Kendall’s eyes moved over her.

Hair. Earrings. Dress. Sandals.

Then back to her face.

Roxie kept her chin lifted.

Kendall gave nothing away. She simply turned her back and walked toward two girls near the platform.

Roxie released the breath she had been holding.

Angela leaned close. "That was almost peaceful."

Karen watched Kendall’s back. "She is saving energy."

"Karen."

"I respect the strategy. She’d be biting when we least expect it."

Roxie looked away from Kendall and back toward the court table.

Her hand tightened around her clutch.

Somewhere near the platform, a group of girls waved at Angela, and Angela dragged Roxie and Karen closer before Roxie could decide whether she was ready. The three of them crossed the room together again, slower now because people kept stopping them.

"Roxie, you look amazing."

"Good luck later."

"You got my vote."

"Where did you get your dress?"

"New York," Roxie said, smiling like it cost nothing.

Angela answered for her once. "Jovani."

The girl’s eyes widened.

Roxie gave the same careless shrug. "I liked the color."

Every time she said it, the lie became easier.

Every time the dress drew another compliment, the guilt folded itself smaller.

By the time they reached the edge of the court area, Roxie felt steady again. Almost.

The balloon columns rose near the platform. The red runner crossed the floor. The envelopes sat on the small table with the crowns and sashes. A teacher stood beside them, guarding everything with both hands folded in front of her like the cheap plastic crowns were national treasure.

The football players gathered nearby.

Roxie saw Mason first.

Then two seniors from the team.

Then the black suit.

Then Zac.

Her steps stopped.

He stood near the edge of the court area with his jacket open and his tie loosened just enough to look like he had already been told to fix it. His hair was styled, but one piece still fell forward like it had given up. The scrape near his jaw from the game was faint under the lights.

He turned as if he felt her looking.

His eyes found her across the gym.

For a second, his face changed.

Roxie saw the pause. The way his gaze moved over the emerald dress, the earrings, the heels, then came back to her face. The way his mouth parted slightly before he caught himself. The way the whole room kept moving while he stood still.

Roxie’s heart jumped.

He started to smile.

She almost smiled back.

Then she saw the girl beside him.

She stood close to his right side, close enough that her shoulder almost brushed his arm. Tall. Glossy dark hair. Green dress. Perfect posture. One hand held a silver clutch, while the other hovered near Zac’s sleeve as she leaned in and said something.

Zac glanced toward her for half a second.

The girl laughed.

Roxie froze.

Angela stopped beside her. "What?"

Karen followed Roxie’s stare.

The girl turned her face slightly, and Roxie recognized her.

Janice.