A massive cheer rose up from the crowd and reverberated around the room, building and amplifying. What the hell? There were just so many things wrong with that statement I didn’t even know where to begin. Sharks, surfing, bathing suits . . . on the beach! The last time I’d worn a bathing suit in front of my classmates it had ended very badly. I really, really hoped surfing wasn’t also compulsory. The thought made my heart bang against my rib cage so hard that it felt like it was attempting an escape. I tried to take a deep breath but my lungs weren’t pulling enough air into them and suddenly, I’m drowning again. The sports coach left the stage and two more gorgeous girls walked up carrying a velvet-draped stand.

“Hi, everyone,” one of them gushed, and smiled. Again, it was massive. Did they all go to the same dentist here at BWH?

“I know you’re dying to know what the theme of this year’s summer dance is going to be.”

Another cheer rose up from the crowd. This couldn’t get any worse if it tried. Not only had I arrived at this strange, alien place, but I’d arrived at this strange alien place in the middle of dance season, which was possibly the worst time of the year for girls like me.

“So, without further ado, the theme is . . .” She paused, and a collective inhalation was taken by every single person in the room—except me. The only inhalation I would ever be taking when it came to the dance was the massive in-breath I’d need in order to squeeze myself into a dress. If I was going. Which I wouldn’t be.

“The theme . . . is . . .” She dragged the words out, building a tension in the air that was palpable. “Royal Wedding!” She whisked the cloth off the stand to reveal a kissing photo of Kate and William. The whole hall burst into applause. “So, guys, think morning suits, ballgowns, and tiaras.”

Amber walked onto the stage, clutching her hand to her heart as if genuinely touched by the brilliance of this magical, amazing idea. Where on earth was I?

“I think I can safely say, on behalf of everyone here at BWH, that you guys, Katlego and Nina-M and everyone else on the dance committee, have totally outdone yourselves,” Amber said, and they all fell into a group hug.

I blinked, trying to make sense of everything. I felt so uncomfortable that I wanted to crawl out of my skin, and then, when it couldn’t possibly get any worse, Amber turned and looked straight at me.

Her lip-glossed lips were moving but I couldn’t hear any words. My brain buzzed and raced a million miles an hour, and my ears filled with a static that drowned out everything around me. Throat expanding, hands clammy . . . I couldn’t move.