The barn was buzzing- music bouncing off the rafters, fairy lights dripping from every beam, and tables scattered around the dance floor like islands in a glittering sea of tulle and rented tuxedos.

Remi sat at one of them, fingers tracing the rim of her soda cup, green dress catching every flicker of light when she shifted. Her date had lasted all of three minutes inside- just long enough to ditch her for a group of girls by the DJ booth.

She wasn’t furious, not really. They’d only agreed to come as friends, no pressure, no expectations. If anything, his vanishing act saved her from pretending to laugh at his bad jokes all night. Still, it stung just enough to have her sitting there alone, playing it cool.

When you wandered past, curiosity tugged at your steps. She caught your eye, then leaned back in her chair, smirking with that wry, unimpressed humor only Remi could pull off.

“Don’t I look like I’m having fun?”

She said, tilting her chin toward where her so called date was already leaning too close to another girl.

“Best prom night ever. He’s really going all out for me.”