Page 31 of The Prom King & The Ice Queen

But at some point while singing, I just…get into it. The lyrics start to have a meaning, while normally they’re just a string of words that I’ve memorized. And even though there’s no music playing, I’m getting into the melody too, and all at once…

I feel it. I feel emotions I don’t want to feel.

Not now. Not here. And not in front of this crowd.

Definitely not in front of Leo.

To my horror, tears sting my eyes and my voice cracks a little before I swallow hard and carry on. But everyone’s gaping now. The kids are more into it than ever, and when I glance at Callie, her lower lip is wobbling like she’s about to cry too.

It’s not even a sad song, but I can’t ignore the emotions that are coming up in me. Actually, they’re the same emotions I’ve been trying desperately to shove down since that epic horrorshow of a party on Friday night.

It’s anger and it’s frustration, it’s bitterness and it’s regret. It’s years worth of fighting for something only to find out it’s worth nothing. But when the lyrics and the melody shift, it’s something more than that.

It’s like I am letting it go.

Okay, I know how cheesy that sounds. But that’s how it feels. Like…like I can’t do this anymore. I can’t keep pretending. All these years trying to make people think I’m something I’m not. Years of pretending I don’t care. A lifetime of trying to be strong enough to take care of my mom and myself.

And it’s all coming out in this stupid effing song.

How incredibly cheeseballs is that?

When I sing the last line, all the moms are sniffling. Callie is swiping tears away, and the kids jump up to cheer.

The kids’ reactions make me laugh, the moment broken.

Callie rushes over first. “Savannah, that was so good!”

Willow is more subdued, but she’s smiling. “You always say you’re not a good singer, but I think you’re wrong.”

I snort at that. “I’m not about to join Roman’s band anytime soon.”

The mere mention of her boyfriend makes her blush and smile that dopey smile, which in turn, makes me and Callie laugh. I turn to find Leo standing there.

He’s watching me and he is not laughing.

I turn away quickly because whatever this look is…I don’t like it.

It takes everything in me not to squirm as I kneel down to take pictures with the birthday girl. But even with my back to Leo, I can still feel his eyes on me. And a quick glance over confirms that he’s staring.

And his stare is blatant and confused. The way he’s looking at me…it’s like he’s trying to crack open my head and get inside.

It’s like he’s seeing me now for the very first time.

Which, in a way…maybe he is.

I manage to avoid him for the rest of the party. Easy to do because Callie has decided to take him under her wing to teach him the fine art of balloon animals.

But then the party comes to an end, and as harried parents round up their overstimulated kiddos, Leo tries to help Willow, Callie, and I with cleanup.

I say try because he’s kinda useless. But, in his defense, most people are on their first few gigs until they know our system.

“So, now what?” Leo asks.

He’s talking to Callie and I shoot her a glare that I hope she can read. Don’t tell him. Do not tell him.

She misses the glare entirely. “Well, typically we’d all go back to Willow’s house for an afterparty.”

“An afterparty?” he echoes, his brows hitched high.

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