brought along by the underage partygoers. A television screen formed part of one wall with speakers in the roof. A song about girls just wanting to have fun was blaring, and it made the whole interior vibrate. The limo was almost full when we climbed in as we were the last to be picked up. Molly’s face split into a huge smile when she saw me, and she blew me kisses from the opposite end of the car in lieu of an embrace. A few of the other girls looked me up and down, and their smiles froze on their lips.
“Terrible affliction, jealousy,” Jake whispered in my ear. “You’re the most stunning by a mile. I’d say prom queen is in the bag.”
“That doesn’t mean anything to me. Besides, you haven’t seen the rest of the competition.”
“I don’t need to,” Jake replied. “I’m putting all my money on you.”
26
Prom
The prom was being held at the Pavilion Tennis Club. With its sweeping grounds and various function rooms overlooking the bay, it was indisputably the finest reception center in the area.
The limousine glided past its high bluestone fence and through the cast-iron gates onto a winding gravel driveway lined by manicured lawns and hedges. Stone fountains dotted the garden; one of them was in the shape of a majestic lion with one paw raised as if in attack, an arc of water cascading from each of its claws. There was even a small lake with a bridge and a gazebo, which looked better suited to an ancient castle somewhere in Europe rather than in a town as casual as Venus Cove. I couldn’t help being overwhelmed by the lavishness. Jake, on the other hand, seemed unimpressed. He maintained his perpetually bored expression, his mouth twisting into a smirk whenever our eyes met.
As the limousine continued up the sweeping driveway we passed tennis courts that glowed like green pools under the lights and headed toward the pavilion itself: a large, circular glass building with a pitched roof and wide white balconies stretching around it. There was a steady stream of couples heading inside, the boys standing erect and the girls clutching their purses and constantly adjusting their straps. Although the boys looked dashing in their tuxedoes, they were only really there as escorts; the night clearly belonged to the girls, every face I saw wore the same expression of anticipation.
Some groups had arrived in limos and chauffeur-driven cars, while others had opted for the double-decker party bus, which now pulled in carrying its jubilant passengers. I noticed that the bus’s interior had been redecorated to look like a nightclub, complete with strobe lights and booming music.
For this evening at least, feminist philosophy had been abandoned, and the girls, like fairy-tale princesses, allowed themselves to be led up the flight of steps and into the foyer. On my right, Molly was too engrossed in her surroundings to bother making conversation with Ryan Robertson, who admittedly, did look handsome in a suit. On my left, Taylah was taking hundreds of photographs, eager to make sure she recorded even the most minor details. She kept sneaking glances at Jake when she thought I wasn’t looking. He caught her eye and rewarded her with a wink. Taylah’s cheeks flamed so red I thought it was a wonder her makeup didn’t melt right off.
Dr. Chester, Bryce Hamilton’s principal, stood just inside the foyer, wearing a pale gray suit, surrounded by flower arrangements on pedestals. Other members of the staff had positioned themselves strategically in order to see the young couples as they made their entrance. I noticed a few beads of perspiration gathering on Dr. Chester’s domed forehead, the only indication of stress. His smile might be wide, but his eyes said that he wanted to be at home in his favorite armchair rather than supervising a group of indulged seniors determined to make this the most memorable night of their lives.
Jake and I joined the line of glamorous couples waiting to make their entrance. Molly and Ryan were ahead of us, and I watched them closely to determine the protocol so I didn’t slip up.
“Dr. Chester, my partner, Molly Amelia Harrison,” said Ryan in a formal voice. It sounded odd coming from a boy who usually amused himself and his friends by drawing giant genitals on the asphalt outside the school entrance. I knew Molly had instructed him to be on his best behavior for the night.
Dr. Chester smiled benevolently, shook his hand, and ushered the couple inside.
We were next. Jake laced my arm through his. “Dr. Chester, my partner, Bethany Rose Church,” he said gallantly, as though presenting me at an imperial court.
Dr. Chester gave me a warm smile of approval.
“How do you know my middle name?” I asked him once we were inside.
“Haven’t I mentioned that I’m psychic?” Jake replied.
We followed the wave of people into the ballroom, which was more lavish than I had imagined. The walls were glass from floor to ceiling, the lush carpet was a deep burgundy, and the parquet dance floor gleamed under the crystal chandeliers, which threw off little crescents of light. Through the glass walls I could see an undulating expanse of ocean and a small pillar of white resembling a salt and pepper shaker. It took me a moment to identify it as the lighthouse. Tables were set up around the room, covered in white linen and set with fine china. The table centerpieces were bunches of pale pink and yellow rosebuds, and silver sequins were scattered across the tablecloths. At the back of the room, the band was tuning their instruments. Waiters bustled around us, carrying trays of nonalcoholic punch.
I spotted Gabriel and Ivy alone on the fringe of the action, looking so unearthly it almost hurt to gaze at them. Gabriel’s expression was unreadable, but I could tell that he wasn’t enjoying the evening. Students stared at Ivy in awed silence as they passed, but no one had the nerve to approach her. I saw Gabriel’s eyes sweep across the room until he found Jake Thorn. His laser gaze watched him with penetrating intensity for a few seconds before he turned away.
“You’re at our table!” Molly cried, hugging me from behind. “Let’s go sit down, my shoes are already killing me.” She caught sight of Gabriel. “On second thought, I’d better go and say hello to your brother first… don’t want to seem rude!”
We left Jake to find our seats and headed over to my brother. Gabriel had his hands clasped behind his back and was wearing a grim expression as he surveyed the scene.
“Hi!” said Molly, tottering up to him in her strappy shoes with pencil-thin heels.
“Good evening, Molly,” replied Gabriel. “You’re looking fetching tonight.”
Molly glanced at me uncertainly.
“He means you look good,” I whispered, and her face brightened.
“Oh… thanks!” she said. “You look very
“Fun may not be the most accurate description,” Gabriel said. “I’ve never much liked social events.”
“Oh, I know what you mean,” said Molly. “The ball part is always a bit boring. Things really kick off at the after-party. Are you coming?” Gabriel’s stone face seemed to soften for a moment, and the corners of his mouth twitched in the beginning of a smile. But in a matter of seconds he recollected himself and the smile was gone.
“As a teacher I’m afraid it’s my duty to pretend I didn’t hear anything about an after-party,” said Gabriel. “Dr. Chester has made his thoughts on the subject very clear.”
“Yeah, well, there’s not much the doc can do about it, is there?” Molly laughed.
“Who’s your partner?” Gabriel changed the subject. “I don’t believe I’ve met him.”
“His name’s Ryan. He’s sitting over there.”
Molly pointed to where Ryan and his friend were arm wrestling on the carefully set table. One of them knocked over a glass and sent it rolling across the floor. Gabriel eyed the two boys censoriously.
Molly’s face flushed with embarrassment, and she looked away. “He’s a bit immature sometimes, but he’s a good guy. Well, I better get back before he destroys something valuable and we get thrown out! I’ll see you later though. I’ve saved you a dance.”
I almost had to steer Molly back to our table, and she kept looking back at Gabriel in unashamed rapture. Ryan seemed not to notice.
I soon realized that despite the magical surroundings, I wasn’t enjoying myself either. My conversations with people were trifling, and several times I caught myself looking around for a clock. I started wondering whether I
