Graham and I aren’t dating. The longest conversation we’ve ever had was him trying to convince me to come with him tonight, and most of the time we’ve spent at prom has consisted of casing the room so Graham could spike the punch without getting suspended.
I flash Graham an awkward smile before walking away with Teddy. His hand finds mine as we weave through the throng of our dancing classmates. It’s an innocent touch that feels anything but. I feel giddy from the subtle friction alone. Being around Teddy makes actions feel especially meaningful. Makes moments feel especially special.
Teddy stops walking when we reach an open spot and tugs me toward him. Tom Petty’s “Free Fallin’” starts playing through invisible speakers. My gaze roves across the couples dancing, and I take note of who is grinding up against who.
In contrast, Teddy and I are the picture of proper decorum. The only places we’re touching are our hands and his palm on my waist. And still, I’ve never been aware of anyone more. I could count the inches between us on one hand.
“I love this song,” I admit after we’ve circled in silence through two runs of the chorus.
“So do I.”
I give up and meet his gaze. Let mine drift lower, over the starched white shirt and stiff black jacket. Both cling to his chest, and I wish I could do the same.
I swallow before raising my eyes back to his and repaying the compliment he offered earlier. “You, uh, you look nice too.”
He wants to tease me, I can tell. His eyes dance with mirth before it disappears, and something softer replaces any amusement. “Thanks.”
His hand moves up an inch, a motion my dress doesn’t muffle. It feels like he’s tracing my bare skin, unhindered. Butterflies flitter in my belly. Giddiness turns fizzy, into a living, pulsing entity of nerves and anticipation.
I search for something—anything—to say. “Did you get into the University of Michigan?” I ask.
It’s where Ellie is going. Where they were supposed to go together.
He doesn’t hesitate before answering, “Yeah, I did.”
I nod. That’s the answer I was expecting. With the exception of math, Teddy is a straight-A student. Iamsurprised he chose Wisconsin State over Michigan. Aside from his Grams—who’s gone now—he doesn’t have any roots here. He could sell the cottage she left him and start new. Or pick up where he left off in other parts of his life.
It’s been two months since he broke up with Ellie. Each day, I wait for her to bounce into my room, telling me that Teddy came to his senses and they’re headed straight toward happily ever after, after all.
It hasn’t happened. And I’m actually starting to wonder if it will. Beginning to wonder if it might really be over between them.
A thrilling,terrifyingprospect.
As long as they were together—as long as there was a chance of them getting back together—thenweweren’t even a distant possibility. Now, it’s drifting closer and further away at the same time.
We’re about to graduate and move on to a new phase of our lives.
“I’m surprised you picked Ohio State,” Teddy tells me when I don’t say anything else.
“Why’s that?”
“I don’t know. I guess I figured you’d go back to Chicago.”
“Yeah…I thought about it. I’m trying something different.”
“Different can be good.”
I nod. Swallow. “It can be.”
“Will you miss Brookfield? I could never figure out how you felt about this place.” He pauses. “How you feel about a lot of things, actually.”
I’m sure he can feel me tense. “I’ll miss parts.”
I don’t specify, and he doesn’t press.
Instead, he asks, “Written any more songs?”
“A few.”