Ava’s face remains stony, her gaze fixed on Danielle across the table. Her eyes are glistening slightly in the corners, matching the sparkling glitter on her eyelids. She takes a quick breath, and when she speaks, her voice is high and strained.

“Well, I don’t think they’d give Prom Queen to someone who tastes like rotten fish.”

Danielle’s head snaps around and her eyes bulge. “What did you just say to me?”

Ava’s bottom lip quivers, but she stares unblinkingly back at Danielle. Andrew is looking straight ahead, back rigid, eyes on the stage. His ears are pink.

Mr. Harrison speaks again. “Can I get a big round of applause for the folks at the Walcott for helping out with this event?” There’s a smattering of weak applause. “And for the prom committee for all their dedicated work. You guys rock! It really does look like we’re under the sea.”

Dean leans close to me, nudging his shoulder against mine, and whispers in my ear. “Now do you get why it’s so high school?” He laughs. “What do you think—Heathers or Mean Girls? I guess it depends what decade you’re into.”

“Not everything has to be a movie reference,” I spit, more aggressively than I mean to. I love movie references. But sometimes it feels like they’re all Dean has.

“I said,” Ava starts, “I don’t think they’d give Prom Queen to someone who—”

“I heard what you said,” Danielle snaps. “I just want to know why you said it. Why the fuck would you say that to me?” Her voice is rising in volume, and at the curse word a few people at the next table look over. She sighs and lowers her voice. “I think you’ve had too much to drink.”

“Oh look, you’re telling me what to do again,” Ava says. “Surprise, surprise, surprise.”

“Can you just cool it?” Danielle hisses. “You’re totally out of line.”

Ava raises her hand up in a salute. “Yes, Your Majesty.”

Dean snorts next to me and covers his mouth, fighting off a laugh.

Mr. Harrison speaks again, and I turn back to the stage. “All right, so let me bring up the head of your prom committee. She’s got a few announcements to make for you guys, so hold tight. Sophie Piznarski!”

As Sophie walks up the steps and takes the microphone, I can’t help flashing back to what she told us earlier. I can’t believe I didn’t know Sophie is a virgin too.

Ava is speaking again. “Am I allowed to take another sip of my drink?” She holds up her glass, tilting it forward so some of the liquid threatens to spill out and onto the table. “Or is that against your rules?”

“Do what you want,” Danielle snaps. “You’re already a train wreck.”