Caleb pulled the flash drive from his pocket and plugged it into the laptop hooked up to the projector. Behind him, the giant white screen that had been looping senior photos all night went dark.
My worst nightmare was unfolding in front of me, and I was too far away to stop it.
He picked up the microphone.
“Hey, everyone,” he said. His voice echoed off the gym walls. “Sorry to interrupt. But there’s something important all of you need to know… about Daisy.”
“No!“
The word tore out of me. I rushed toward the stage.
But before I could reach the steps, three students moved in front of me.
Not roughly. Not aggressively.
Almost… protectively.
A girl with a crown of white flowers in her hair touched my arm.
“Ma’am,” she whispered. “Please. Just wait.”
I stared at her. “Get out of my way. That’s my daughter.”
“I know,” she said softly. “That’s why you need to wait.”
I didn’t understand. None of it made sense. My heart was pounding so hard I could feel it in my teeth.
I looked past her to Daisy.
My little girl was standing alone in the middle of the dance floor in her shimmering silver dress, her hands clasped in front of her, her eyes fixed on the stage. She looked so small. So trusting.
She still believed this boy was good.
