I thought it curious that Knox hadn’t found James’s cell when he had access to every other thing he’d used during his time in Woodvine.

Anamae had her cell in her hands in seconds, so I didn’t bother fishing mine out of my small bag. Victor, Knox, and I huddled around her, waiting to hear the message.

“Prom popped up at The Arboretum,” Anamae shrieked, although she would have reacted the same way if the pop-up had been at McDonald’s. She bounced eagerly to the Hummer. “Come on, come on.”

Victor shook his head, and we all followed her. Ten minutes later, we pulled up to Woodvine’s only wedding venue. Hundreds of white lights decorated the trees that lined the road. Victor parked, and we followed other couples making their way across a white bridge to the entrance of the garden.

A photographer waited for us, and we posed under an archway draped in white gauzy fabric. The scene was eerily similar to my middle school wedding fantasy that stared Victor. I was amazed by how something I once thought so important was now an afterthought.

I thought about the last time I’d been dressed up for a dance. The Promise Ball was so different from prom. Tonight, there was a photographer, decorations on linen tablecloths, a DJ, and flowers everywhere.

But there was also cattiness. Girls here seemed to be in some kind of competition. Who had the best dress? Danced the best? Had the most friends at their table?

At The House, there was a true feeling of sisterhood. I remembered how we’d helped each other get ready for the ball. How we practiced learning the waltz so we were all good dancers. While there were no decorations at The Promise Ball, I though the entire event was much warmer than the prom I was attending.

Music drifted toward us as we approached a green clearing. Cozy tables were decorated with white tablecloths and vases of white roses. White chairs with big satin bows on their backs framed each table. Victor led us toward the front of the seating area. Anamae tossed her bag onto one of the tables before pulling Knox onto a dance floor where hundreds of first dances had congratulated newlywed couples.

Yeah, it was corny having prom in the same place most people in Woodvine got married. But it was better than dancing at the Martin High School gym under the basketball goals. Victor gave me a questioning look, then held out his hand.

Why not? I thought.

It wouldn’t be the first time I’d danced with Victor. We’d been thrown together at numerous parties and receptions since we were very young. I sighed internally, thinking of the pic they had of me and Victor when we were in kindergarten, hands clasped, leaning in with chubby cheeks for a slobbery kiss.