Page 59 of Text Appeal

“Next,” says Brian. “Who’s had the most kids? C’mon, girls. Which one of you is the top breeder?”

“Breeder?” I mutter. “Are you kidding me?”

Lots of chatter as people look around. A redhead breaks away from the back of the crowd and heads for the stage. “Just give it to me, Brian.”

“Didn’t you say you wanted to be the first female president in the yearbook?” asks Brian with a barely concealed sneer. “How many kids you got now?”

“Five, you fucker, and another on the way. And my small business is doing great!”

“Go, Shelby,” shouts someone from the audience, as others applaud.

The woman dips into a curtsey and grins. Good for her.

Brian is not amused. His eyes are glassy. The idiot has either had too much to drink or has taken something he shouldn’t. It’s performance in part. But he strikes me as someone who is just an asshole. If he wasn’t the school bully, I’ll eat my shoes. And I really like my shoes, they look good and they’re comfortable.

“Fuck it,” he mumbles “Moving right along…it’s time for the prom king and queen to do their thing.”

More clapping. Heads turn as people search for Connor and Ava.Love Storyby Taylor starts to play. Give me strength. They better not wreck this song for me.

Connor makes his way toward me. “You okay, Riley?”

“Yes. Fine.”

His fingers curl and uncurl as he straightens his shoulders. His expression is stoic. He’s back to doing the blank-faced thing. All the fucks he didn’t give earlier seem to have found him.

Ava stands waiting expectantly. There’s this air of excitement in her. It shows in the way she holds her head high. How her smile is extra wide and welcoming. She’s been anticipating this moment. He takes her offered hand and leads her to the space being made for them on the dance floor.

“Our queen’s still as beautiful as she ever was,” says Brian. “Don’t they make a great-looking couple? I really thought these two would be married by now. Life, huh?”

Oof. Brian is the epitome of cringe. What he is not, however, is wrong. Ava and Connor look great together. They matchperfectly with their good looks. Little wonder they werethecouple.

Ava’s hands rest on his broad shoulders and his are only just touching her hips. His smile is small and reluctant. But Ava says something, and he visibly relaxes. The rigid set of his shoulders eases. He leans down to hear her and a conversation ensues. Maybe they’re sharing memories. Or commiserating over the cost of living. I don’t know. But surprised laughter bursts out of him and her whole face lights up. Seems the ice between them is broken. They’re actually enjoying themselves.

Huh.

My stomach does some strange, queasy thing at the sight. Not helpful at all. It’s honestly shocking to see them getting along. There had been such a state of cold war since she hit town. He doesn’t even spare me a passing glance. I am not jealous, exactly. Or at least, I don’t think I am. Connor can do what he likes. Including throwing all our good work in the trash while he does a lap on the dance floor with his gorgeous ex.

Shit. I am jealous. This sucks. Worst three and a half minutes of my life. Time to think about something else.

I didn’t go to my high school’s ten-year reunion. Not that there weren’t some people I wouldn’t have minded seeing. But it was being organized by the popular girls. Their shitty attitude in the group chat made the decision for me. Some people don’t change or grow. They just settle more into the awful reality of who they always were. Life is too short for that sort of thing.

Yet somehow I ended up at someone else’s reunion feeling even more out of place than I anticipated feeling at my own.

I turn away from the golden couple on the dance floor. Mari is slow dancing on the sidelines with a petite androgynousperson with close-cropped hair. They move easily together, like they’ve done it a hundred times. Someday I want to be smiled at that way. But alas. Here I stand alone with a glass of cider in hand and my smile fixed in place. Best fake date ever. No one could beat me. Though it’s not easy to ignore all the curious attendees who keep turning my way. Am I supposed to burst into tears or something? To wail with despair and run for the door?

“I thought I’d stand next to you,” says a woman with a German accent. “Since you look about how I feel.”

“Oh yeah?”

She is, simply put, stunning. Older than me with high cheekbones, bee-stung lips, and a sharp chin. A long plait of pale blonde hair hangs over one shoulder. She wears simple black underwear beneath a long sheer dress with matching leather booties. It’s giving supermodel.

Connor and Ava keep dancing as other people join them on the dance floor.Love Storyfinishes and is replaced byUmbrella. But I fear not even Rihanna can save tonight.

“How do I look?” I ask. “Just out of curiosity.”

“Like someone yeeted your heart into the sun.”

I snort. “That’s harsh. I’m doing my best.”

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