Luana launches me a nervous look. “Come on, Talita. Stop it,” she says, but the people in line are all laughing now, following Talita’s lead.

“Shut up!” Pedro barks at them, and the students calling me Salty look at him, startled. I’m startled myself. “Stop calling her that. It’s just a freaking shoe! You should apologize to Larissa, and while you’re at it, thank her for convincing Pimentel to let you earn extra credit! Did you know she’s the reason why you aren’t failing?”

All the mocking quiets. But I flee before they can restart or I die of mortification.

I’m almost at the gate, blinking away tears of embarrassment, when Victor and Cintia reach me. They’re both out of breath, Cintia clamping a straw hat down with her hand to keep it from flying off.

“Lari! Are you okay?” she says. I didn’t know she’d be here tonight. “I was running the darts booth and I saw everything.”

Victor looks worried, like he doesn’t know the right words to make me feel better. The broken sandal is still hanging off my ankle. I’m so angry trying to unstrap both my sandals with my free hand, I nearly trip again.

I glance at Cintia, who offers me an arm for support, and this whole thing would be comical if it weren’t tragic. I let out an exaggerated whimper and the three of us laugh.

“So much for wearing something nice,” I mumble and Cintia wraps a comforting arm around me. “God, I’m so embarrassed.” I press a hand to my forehead.

“They’re all jerks. Please don’t leave,” Victor says. “I promise the night will get better. I know you’re barefoot, but I’ll give you a piggyback ride anywhere!”

True to his promise, he promptly turns around for me to perch on his back. Cintia looks surprised, struggling to hold back laughter.

“Okay,” I give in. “I’ll stay, but you don’t need to carry me.”

Victor grabs my hand and Cintia’s, pulling us back into the party.

We sit down at a table in the gym, where we can watch the band play. Victor leaves us for a moment with the promise of bringing delicious food to make up for the night so far.

“I didn’t know I’d see you here! Did you come with Victor?” Cintia asks, wagging her eyebrows like she’s channeling PC.

“Sort of,” I say, leaving out that this is a date. I don’t know why I lie. “I don’t always come to parties. This is...my first one, actually.”