Maybe things are going to work out today after all. Sure, I could do without the Hawthorn banners, but generally? Things actually seem to be going pretty well. Bec still writes her Taylor Swift lyrics in the yearbook, and this time I write something too.

To second chances, I inscribe in my best handwriting. Zach Evans. Class of ’25.

Having lived this day already takes some of the pressure off, and it’s actually incredibly satisfying to know that Tiffany and her cronies have gone to all this effort to try to humiliate Chase, and knowing they won’t succeed. It’s sad, really, that they can’t just enjoy their prom night without ruining it for someone else. They’d argue that they’re just honouring Oakbrook tradition, but really it’s nothing more than petty school bullying.

Eventually, we gather beneath the skylight and wait for Mr Harrington to crown Ethan and Tiffany. I’m tempted to skip this since I already know whose names are inside that envelope. The votes were cast yesterday, so it’s not like I ever had any power to change it.

‘And so, without further delay,’ Mr Harrington says, after his incredibly long-winded speech – God, that’s four I’ve had to listen to now – ‘it’s my honour to announce this year’s Prom King and Queen.’

‘Prom Royalty!’ Josh yells, right on cue. ‘It’s gender neutral.’

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

There’s that same moment of tension as he fumbles with the envelope.

‘Kellen Thomas and Rhys Kingsland!’

‘Huh?’ I say, watching as everyone claps excitedly, the two boys walking through the crowd to the stage.

What did you do, Kellen? Rigging the result isn’t what I meant by a romantic gesture …

‘Could have seen that coming,’ Bec says.

‘It was obviously going to be them,’ Chase agrees.

Except it wasn’t obvious because this isn’t how it was supposed to go at all. I glance across at Tiffany. She looks as surprised as I do. But, while she glares at Kellen furiously, Ethan seems completely unbothered.

The applause grows louder as Rhys and Kellen take the stage and Mr Harrington crowns them. ‘Our first-ever same-sex royalty!’ he says as the confetti canons fire and glitter rains down on us. Except it isn’t gold this time, it’s rainbow.

‘Love is love!’ Josh shouts from somewhere behind me. I turn and catch his eye, and he gives me this big smile. He’s ridiculous, but he’s cute. I can’t help but smile too.

How on earth did Kellen do all this?