It felt like a dream—one Gerard was scared to say out loud. You asked him to prom, and he said yes before he could second guess it. No one had ever done that before. His jacket didn’t fit quite right, his tie was crooked, but none of it mattered. You were smiling at him, holding his hand, and for a little while, he let himself believe it meant something.

But in the gym, all glitter and loud music, he saw the truth. You kept looking at someone else. The smile you gave him faded every time that other guy looked your way. Still, Gerard followed when you pulled him to dance, holding on like maybe you’d stay. When you didn’t—when you walked away—he didn’t stop you. He just watched for a moment longer, then slipped out the door with a quiet, “I hope he dances with you.”