Page 130 of Fraternizing with the Enemy
The next couple I found was Lacey and Landon, and I could’ve breathed a sigh of relief. They were together—and now, I wholeheartedly believed it. Fully together. Lacey was mouthing the lyrics in a theatrical way that reminded me of Logan, and Landon just scrunched his nose at her, enamored. They were truly a couple I’d never have put together, but they worked so well.Yes, I thought.Perfectly right.
Ava and Reed slow-dancedclose, and I wasn’t the only one staring at them with wide eyes. A new development, but definitely a cute one. Ava threw her head back and laughed at something Reed said, and his eyes crinkled as he watched her.
And then finally, I found where Maisie and Connor were. They both were on the outskirts of the dancefloor, as if that was as far as Maisie could drag Connor—or, more likely, as far asConnorcould dragMaisie. His hand rested lightly on her back, his gaze solely focused on her as she pointedly looked at his tie. As if she were afraid to look up at him, but also didn’t want to look at anyone else.
The dancefloor was filled with happy endings, just as it should be.
I bit down on my lower lip, pulling my clutch out from underneath my arm to pull out my phone. Ava was tied up, but Maisiedefinitelyneeded a picture of their first dances together.
When I tapped my screen awake, I found a message from Logan.
Logan
You all good?
we parted ways, like, five minutes ago.
your anxious attachment style is showing ;)
Logan
Heaven forbid
I’m good. Watching all the couples slow dance together to Bruno Mars, wishing I had someone handsome to dance with…
oh, there’s a defensive lineman at the punch table, maybe I should ask him??
I waited, but Logan didn’t read the message.
just kidding lol
He didn’t immediately open that one, either. He must’ve started driving again. The song had begun to wind down, and I hurried and snapped a picture—only to cringe when I realized the auto-flash was on.
Maisie’s head turned immediately, and she spotted me playing paparazzi. “Did Ava enlist your help?” Maisie asked as she came over, grabbing ahold of Connor’s hand and dragging him along. Or, well,pullinghim, because he came willingly. “She’s been following us around all night trying to capture our ‘cute’moments.”
“We are cute,” Connor protested, and though he pouted, his eyes sparkled on her.
Maisie scrunched her nose. “It’s exploitative, is what it is. She knows it’ll get her views.”
Connor’s gaze suddenly scanned the dancers much like I had a few moments ago, but he seemed more determined. More… intentional. Maisie caught me eyeing him. “Who are you looking for?”
“I haven’t seen Jade,” he said, something passing across his expression. “Or Ashton, or Kyle, or Riley.”
His meaning created a sinking feeling in my stomach. Jade’s absence was strange enough; the fact that they were all missing was a bad sign. No way would Jade miss the Homecoming King and Queen announcement. No way would she miss her last homecoming. And what was the likelihood ofnoneof them showing up to their senior homecoming dance?
“All right,” the DJ called into the microphone as the final slow dance wound down, drawing everyone to attention. “It’s that time of the night—time to announce Homecoming King and Queen!”
“Connor Bray and Jade Dyer,” Maisie muttered under her breath, shooting me a knowing eye roll.
Connor smoothed his hands down her upper arms. “Connor Bray andMaisie Matthews.”
She snorted. “You wish.”
“I’m sure I could’ve bribed somebody.”
I smiled at the two of them while everyone waited, eager of the next bout of mic feedback. My pulse was steady, and the only thought on my mind was whether or not Jade was here to accept her crown.
Surely she wouldn’t have skipped the dance. Everyone would’ve been looking to her after last night at the game, so surely she’d come and hold her head high.
