A tall girl with dark curls took the microphone first. Her hands were shaking.
“I called Daisy weird in eighth grade,” she said. “In front of everyone. I’m so sorry.”
A boy stepped up next.
“I shared a joke about her in a group chat. I thought it was funny. It wasn’t.”
Another.
“I saw people bullying her and I didn’t do anything. I just walked away.”
The confessions kept coming.
Nobody forced them. Nobody had rehearsed.
They were honest. Painful. And long overdue.
When the last letter had been laid on the stage, Caleb set down the microphone, walked down the steps, and crossed the floor until he was standing in front of Daisy.
Every eye in the gym followed him.
“I know one dance can’t fix everything,” he said quietly. “I know a speech doesn’t erase years of hurt.”
Daisy nodded through her tears.
“But…” He held out his hand. “Would you dance with me again anyway?”
The gym erupted.
The DJ started another slow song, and Daisy placed her hand in his.
And this time, they weren’t alone.
