‘Fuck,’ Kellen says. ‘Well, I didn’t see that coming …’

‘That’s your problem, Kellen, you always underestimate me.’

‘Well,’ I say, ‘at least now we can get her for criminal damage as well.’

‘Get me?’ Tiffany laughs. ‘The only thing you’re getting, Zach, is expelled.’

‘If you say so,’ I reply. ‘We didn’t actually have any proof anyway. Chase has this moral code that prevents him from hacking into people’s emails.’

‘So you admit you made it all up then?’ Her smile grows wider and wider.

‘Just like you just admitted to everything you’ve done,’ I say. ‘But, before you go running to Mr Harrington, do you think you could do me a favour?’

‘A favour? For you?’

‘Yeah, if you could just smile for the camera. You’re live on Instagram.’

‘What camera?’ she snaps, looking at my empty hands. ‘Whose Instagram?’

‘Your Instagram,’ Kellen says, pointing behind her. ‘You’re live-streaming, remember?’

‘What?’ The colour drains from her face as she turns to see Owen – ever-obedient Owen – pointing her own phone at her, just as she’d wanted. He gives her a little wave.

‘And so, without further delay,’ Mr Harrington says, ‘it’s my honour to announce this year’s Prom King and Queen!’

‘Prom Royalty!’ Kellen and I join in with Josh. ‘It’s gender neutral!’

‘Oh … erm, yes. This year’s Prom Royalty …’

‘Not now, not now,’ Tiffany mutters, turning to look around for an escape route.

‘Tiffany White and Ethan Clark!’

The spotlights find them both, illuminating them for the whole room. Tiffany stops in her tracks, trying to regain her composure.

‘What’s the matter?’ Kellen says. ‘Don’t you want your crown?’

Her jaw clenches as she forces an agonized smile and begins walking towards the stage. Some of the crowd are oblivious, smiling and clapping as she passes. Others are nudging each other and whispering. Word really travels that fast.

Tiffany reaches the stage, accepting her crown as she looks around for Ethan. But he’s not moving. He’s frozen in place, phone in hand, his face stony as he glares at her. She keeps the smile stapled to her lips, gesturing for him to join her. Phones start to appear, filming this, live-streaming this, documenting this all in glorious 4K. Ethan finally raises his hand and flips her off before turning on his heel and heading straight for the exit.

‘Ethan!’ she calls, but he doesn’t stop. She grabs the microphone, shouting his name a second time, the speakers screeching with deafening feedback. She tosses her crown to the ground and chases after him, leaving Mr Harrington holding the other one.

‘Right,’ Mr Harrington says, setting the crown down again. ‘Well, I suppose nothing to see here …’

He gestures frantically to the DJ, and the music comes back on as he swiftly leaves the stage. Gossip erupts all around us, and Kellen seizes me in the tightest of hugs.