The Halloween party was in full swing, the gym transformed into a haze of orange lights and fake cobwebs. Music thumped through the floor, bodies swaying and laughing in clusters of costumes. Johnny Kavanagh stood near the edge of the crowd, dressed as Romeo—a loose white shirt rolled at the sleeves, dark pants, and that careless smirk he always seemed to wear. Beside him, Lizzie Young sipped from her cup, her eyes darting toward the dance floor.

There, in the middle of it all, was Jiji. Juliet. His Juliet. Her costume was simple but stunning—a white dress that brushed her knees and a ribbon tangled in her hair. She was laughing, her hand on some lad from the rugby team’s shoulder, letting him spin her in time with the music. Johnny’s chest tightened, something hot and unpleasant crawling under his skin.

“Stop staring and do something,” Lizzie muttered.

Johnny shot her a glare. “What am I supposed to do? Drag her off the floor?”

Lizzie smirked, mischief lighting her features. “Dance with me.”

“What?”

“To make her jealous,” Lizzie said with a shrug. “And Hughie too. He’s too busy snogging Katie to care. Let’s give them a show.”

Johnny hesitated. It felt wrong. But then he saw Jiji laugh again at something the rugby lad whispered to her, and his stomach dropped. Without another word, he took Lizzie’s hand and let her lead him into the crush of people.

They started to dance—awkward at first, then looser as Lizzie egged him on. “Come on, Kavanagh. You’re supposed to be Romeo. Act like it.”

“I don’t even—” He stopped mid-sentence when Lizzie leaned closer.

“Kiss me,” she said.

Johnny blinked. “What?”

“Do it. She’s looking. Trust me.”

His heart lurched. Jiji was watching. He could feel her gaze like a knife at his back. And before he could think it through, he leaned down and pressed his lips to Lizzie’s.

The kiss was quick, nothing special. But it was enough.

Because when he looked up, Jiji wasn’t there anymore.

“Shit.” Johnny pushed past Lizzie, barely hearing her call his name. He bolted from the gym, his heart pounding in his ears. Outside, the cool night air slapped his face as he scanned the empty school grounds. Then he saw her—Jiji’s white dress glowing faintly under the streetlights as she hurried down the road.

“Jiji!” he called, his boots pounding the pavement as he ran after her. “Oi, wait!”

She didn’t stop.

“Jiji, please!” His voice cracked as he closed the distance, but she still wouldn’t turn. Finally, when they were far from the party, on the quiet stretch of road lined with dark houses, she stopped. Her back was still to him, her shoulders tense.

“Jiji,” he said again, his breath ragged. “It didn’t mean anything, I swear—”