I was a chaperone that night, so I watched him closely. Through dinner and the first hour of the dance, I waited for the mask to slip.
It never did.
He pulled out her chair. He laughed at her jokes. He introduced her to his friends like she belonged there. Every time she looked unsure, he leaned in and said something that made her smile.
Then came the moment everyone in that gym would remember.
The slow dance.
The lights dimmed. Caleb crossed the floor, stopped right in front of Daisy, and gave a deep, formal bow.
“May I have this dance?”
It felt like the entire room held its breath.
