Once the last murmurs had died down, Mrs. Whitworth began. “Good evening, everyone! It is a pleasure to welcome all of you to Seven Hills’ annual Winter Banquet. As always, a few introductory words from me before we get to what all of you are probably here for: the food.”

Loud claps and hoots from the students mixed with the chuckles of the parents.

Mrs. Whitworth waited with a patient smile for the room to quiet. “I would like to thank the teachers for their wonderful work this year. I couldn’t wish for better colleagues, even in turbulent times like the past few weeks. However, it isn’t just the teachers who amaze me; above all, it’s the students who have made this year so special.” She paused, her eyes drifting over the rows of tables before her. “I would like to take the time to honor two students who have stood out this year. One of them is Jasper Des Lauriers.”

After a split second of surprise, Jasper stood up and gave a little bow.

“The play you have written and directed with the drama club this year is the perfect embodiment of all that this school tries to be: tolerant, open, and diverse. I want to thank you for reminding all of us that this is what truly matters.”

Jasper’s thank you got drowned out by the applause around me. Elle and I clapped the loudest, only matched by his sisters.

Seth was the only one who was silent: his eyes were fixed on Jasper, a small smile playing around his lips. Jasper noticed, too, and after a split second of hesitation, leaned over and grabbed Seth’s chin to pull him into a short kiss.

Seth’s cheeks were flaming red when Jasper let go of him, but he was beaming even wider than before.

Mrs. Whitworth cleared her throat, directing the attention back to her. “The second extraordinary student is the person who has managed to score a win against Westbridge and get the basketball team to first place in the league for the first time in years. Seven Hills’ first female team captain, Ashley Danell!”

Elle’s grin was all teeth as she pumped her fist in the air. “Hell yeah!”

Chuckling, I pressed a kiss to her cheek. Pride settled into my stomach; not only for her, but also because a few months ago I wouldn’t have thought it possible to sit here with a girl’s arm around me and kiss her, in front of my parents, in front of the whole school, and not feel a sliver of fear.

“Well done, Ashley!” Mrs. Whitworth shouted over the loud clapping and the basketball team’s cheering. “Now I don’t want to bore all of you any longer. Let’s eat!”

The doors to the kitchen slammed open the moment her sentence ended, and into the Great Hall strutted all of Seven Hills’

cooks and kitchen staff, carrying dishes and pots filled to the brim with copious amounts of food.

Noticing Seth’s incredulous expression, I nudged his leg under the table. “This posh private boarding school didn’t turn out all that bad, did it?”