Genevieve grabbed Christa’s tiara and put it on my head, then yelled, “One more!” way too loudly in my ear. Because Drew was in the background of my shot, I made Gen move to one side before snapping the photo. When I stowed my phone, Drew was looking at me, intense and enigmatic. He’d definitely noticed, but I wasn’t sure if he knew what was going on. With an easy smile pasted on my face, I grabbed his hand and spun him to me.

I tried to enjoy myself. The lights thrown around the room were invigorating; the DJ was playing my favorite hits from today and from high school, the latter of which was especially fun with Genevieve here; and, finally, Drew was starting to melt into both the music and me.

We’d found our rhythm. His body moved smoothly and, yes, quite sexily to not just the beat, but also the intricacies beneath. Definitely trained. The way his shoulders moved one way but his hips and head another proved he’d had more practice than just dancing in front of a bathroom mirror like me. Damn, was it hot, and I found myself pressing my pelvis to his, then kissing him like I wanted to swallow his essence.

Except… his mouth wasn’t as inviting as usual.

I pulled back. “Everything okay?” I yelled.

But then a camera flashed to my right and I turned in time to see Genevieve’s devilish grin. Just as the song happened to decrease in volume, Genevieve shouted for all to hear, “For proof that your pussy isn’t shriveled.” I’d forgotten I had previously told her Hongbo’s comments—in private, for a shoulder to lean on.

I stopped cold, too stunned by what she’d said. Everyone near us laughed.

“What? I said it’s not shriveled,” Gen yelled, but her words were drowned out by the laughter and crescendoing bassline.

I was still frozen with embarrassment, but Gen didn’t notice because she’d turned back to her phone, thumbs flying. And then the panic set in. Because that picture was damning.

“Can you not post that?” I asked, and Drew’s hands left my hips.

“Why not?” Gen asked, giving me her I don’t understand you look, which hadn’t changed with time. “If I were you, I’d be plastering this one’s face everywhere,” she joked, jabbing a stubby thumb in Drew’s direction. Then her face changed. “Wait, do your parents not know about him?”

“No, they do,” I said truthfully. “It’s just… complicated.” Like, he’s supposed to be in Chicago right now. My eyes flicked over to Christa, and Gen came to my rescue.

“No worries,” she said with a smile. She gave me a wide-eyed look, asking me to tell her the details later, in private. I reluctantly nodded.