Page 72 of Isabella and the Slipper

“Don’t say that. Please.” He looked stricken.

She pressed her lips together, not knowing what else to say. The song was coming to an end soon anyway. Thirty more seconds, and she could leave.

“I wasn’t trying to—“

“Chase!” Delilah came up to him. “Can I cut in?”

Perfect.Isabella backed away.

“Have at it.”

Chase sent her a pleading look, but she backed up and Delilah grabbed hold of him. Isabella wanted to bolt, to run and not look back, but a part of her felt obligated to at least say goodbye to Chase, so she waited until the dance ended. As soon as the last of the music died out, Chase let go of Delilah and approached her.

“Five,” he said, his face desperate. Delilah followed him over.

The lights came on, and Jason hopped up on the stage. He took the microphone. “What a great fall formal, huh?” Everyone cheered.

“How about a hand for the band!” More cheers erupted. Isabella politely clapped along with everyone else.

“Now that the masquerade is over, let’s all reveal who we are!” He grabbed his mask and removed it, then tossed it up in the air.

Suddenly everyone around Isabella was mimicking Jason, their masks flying. Isabella stood frozen, watching in horror as Delilah tore hers off and tossed it. When Chase didn’t move, she tore his off as well. Chase’s eyes widened.

Delilah glared at Isabella. “Take off your mask,” she demanded.

When Isabella didn’t move, Delilah reached for her. Isabella ducked, panic coursing through her. She turned and ran toward the doors. Her slippers slapped on the squeaky gym floor as she desperately tried to get out of there.

“Five!” Chase called after her.

She didn’t look back. The metal bar on the gym door clanged as she shoved it, and she ran into the hall, pushing her way past a group of girls in formal dresses.

“Five!”

Her heart slammed against her ribs. She ran out the front door and down the steps. One of her slippers slid off as she sprinted down the steps, but she couldn’t go back for it. She spied Savannah’s car idling by the curb and headed toward it.

“Five! Wait!” Chase stopped on the steps and picked up her slipper.

Isabella threw open the car door and sat down. She pulled her dress in and shut the door. “Go!”

Savannah pressed the gas, and they sped off. Isabella’s heart raced, and she tried to catch her breath while Savannah hammered her with questions.

“What happened? Why were you running? What did Chase do?”

“I lost one of your slippers. I’m so sorry.”

“I don’t care about the slipper! What happened in there?”

Isabella slid her mask off, putting her hand on her chest. “I was running because they had this big mask-off reveal at the end. Delilah about ripped mine off my head. I had to get out of there fast.”

A huge grin on her face, Savannah waved her hand for more details. “What else happened?”

“The dance was fine—until Chase kissed me.”

“What?” Savannah yelled, and the car swerved.

“Watch where you’re going!” Isabella waited until Savannah slowed to continue. “The kiss itself was fantastic.”

Savannah screamed with her lips pressed together, which actually worked better than Isabella thought it would. “You kissed Chase Hawkins!”

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