Bec and Chase laugh at that. We’re out by the lake, moonlight rippling on the surface, fireflies hovering. It’s getting far too hot in the hall. People’s outfits are already starting to look a little dishevelled, and most of the students have revealed their not-so-secret identities by taking off their masks to escape the heat. I get the aesthetic of all the candelabras, but open flames on an evening as hot as this one? Ice sculptures would have been better. Imagine a frozen sculpture of Huckleberry! I wonder if they have a suggestion box …

‘Who do you think’s gonna be first in the boathouse?’ Chase gestures to the old wooden building. Nobody has gone in yet, but it’s early. It’s more of a late-night institution.

‘I’m ready for round two just as soon as you are, Zach.’ Josh squeezes my leg. I try not to read too much into that – he’s flirty by nature. It doesn’t mean anything.

‘Mind if I join you?’ Cameron says from behind, dropping down next to me so I’m sandwiched between the two boys.

Considering the temperature, they’re both sitting unusually close, and it feels deliberate. Maybe one of them really is my secret admirer. I swallow hard, and Bec gives me a knowing look, barely managing to conceal her smirk. Chase has noticed too and uses the opportunity to do some not-so-subtle stirring.

‘So I’m curious,’ he says, leaning back on his hands. ‘Who did everyone vote for in the leavers’ poll? I wanna know who you all picked for hottest boy.’

‘It was a tough choice,’ Owen jokes. ‘I mean, there’s just so many fit guys here …’

‘Oh, come off it,’ says Josh. ‘I still placed a vote for hottest girl. Bec obviously.’ He shoots her a wink. ‘I hate it when straight guys pretend they can’t see that a guy is attractive! Just because you’re hetero, it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t vote!’

‘He’s right,’ Bec says. ‘I voted Sam for hottest girl. Easy choice, really. I think it’s the pink hair. If I was a lesbian, I would slide into her DMs so hard.’

Owen laughs at that. ‘I never said I didn’t vote!’

‘I fucking knew it!’ Josh says. ‘It was you that voted for me!’

‘Pity vote, naturally.’

‘Yeah, whatever. I know you’re secretly in love with me.’

He blows him a kiss and Owen catches it, pretending to push it deep into his chest. If these two were in a romcom, everyone would ship them. The class clown and the gentle giant. It practically writes itself.

‘So was this a reciprocal vote?’ Bec pushes the point. ‘Who did you vote for, Josh?’

‘I’m not telling,’ he says. I feel his fingers grazing my leg. ‘Maybe I voted for Owen. That’s what a good friend would do. Or maybe I voted for someone else. Maybe they’re sitting here right now.’ I feel my heart rate quicken slightly. ‘Or what if I just voted for Rhys like everyone else? Maybe I’m gunning for Kellen’s man. That boy really does have muscles.’