Brielle put one hand on his shoulder as they moved to the middle of the floor. Mason remained courteously at a distance.
The other students stopped dancing around them.
I was aware of it before I wanted to acknowledge it. The phones. Raised at chest height, six of them had illuminating screens.
He grinned for the first time that evening.”Why are they filming?” I whispered to the woman next me.
She gave a shrug. “Kids film everything now.”
I wanted to take her word for it. I did, in fact.
I observed Brielle murmuring something into Mason’s ear. He gave one gentle shake of his head and continued to dance.
With their shoulders trembling with laughter, her friends by the punch bowl covered their mouths.
I sensed that something was going to happen, but I had no idea how catastrophic it would be.These days, they film everything.
I felt something tighten inside of me.
I forced myself to halt after taking a step forward.I muttered to myself, “Let him have this.” “Just let him have this.”
As the music approached its last notes, it slowed. Then all of the faces in the room could be seen when the lights brightened just enough.
Brielle took a step back.
I was devastated by what she did next.
I started to move forward, then I stopped myself.
The gym walls echoed with Brielle’s theatrical, throw-your-head-back laugh.
Mason’s grin vanished in slow motion.He questioned, “What’s so funny?”Between chuckles, Brielle whispered, “Oh my God.” “Did you actually think I wanted to dance with you?”
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