‘So let’s not get caught up in all this negativity,’ she continues. ‘We’re here to celebrate, so that’s exactly what we’re going to do. So we invite all of you to join us in a toast.’ She raises her glass in the air. ‘To the class of twenty-five.’

‘The class of twenty-five!’ everyone choruses.

‘She’s full of shit,’ Bec says from behind me. ‘If she had any proof it was Chase, she would have shared it everywhere. What an absolute cop-out!’

‘Right,’ I say. ‘People aren’t going to believe that.’

I look down to see Chase reading that people are, in fact, believing that.

‘They’re saying it was me,’ he says, his voice cracking. ‘You guys know it wasn’t, right? I never went anywhere near her laptop.’

‘Of course we know it wasn’t you!’ Bec says, pulling him into a hug. ‘I’m gonna fucking kill her. Actually murder her. I’ll do the time.’

‘I need some air,’ Chase says, breaking away from the hug and heading for the double doors at the back of the room. Bec weaves through the crowd after him.

I try to follow, but a squeal of feedback stops me in my tracks. I look up to see Kellen has picked up the mic. He’s taken off his mask and is standing centre stage. For a moment, I think he’s going to decry Tiffany’s slander, but of course he’d never do that.

‘Sorry to interrupt your evening … again,’ he says. ‘And congrats to Ethan and Tiffany.’

He’s fidgety and stumbles over the words, like he’s really, really nervous. I want to go after Bec and Chase, but I also want to know what he’s about to say.

‘Tonight is the last time we’re all going to be together,’ he continues. ‘So, if you’ll indulge me, I wanted to take this opportunity to say something to someone special …’

Oh God. Enough with the mushy-gushy. The whole crowd instinctively turns to find Rhys. From the expression on his face, he had no idea this was coming either.

‘I know we’re going off to study in different cities,’ Kellen says, looking him in the eye now. ‘We’re gonna be on opposite sides of the country, and people keep saying that there’s no way we can make it work long distance. So that’s why I want to make this promise, right here, right now, in front of everyone. I promise to find a way.’

People clap at that. It’s a little much for my liking, but I clap too. And I do it loudly. I doubt they’ll even make it through the summer. Fuck you, Tiffany.

But then I realize that’s not the end of it. He’s reaching into his jacket pocket as he bends forward, as if he’s taking a knee …

Oh my God, Kellen, what are you doing?

‘Rhys Kingsland …’

Make it stop.

‘Would you do me the honour …’

Please, for the love of God. Make. It. Stop.

‘… of being my husband?’