The Weight of Blood (70)

She stared back at him, waiting with unnerving stillness.

“Look, I know it probably took a lot to come here tonight,” he started. “So no matter what happens, just know that you did it. Stepped out even when you really didn’t want to. Even after I begged.”

She smirked. “I wouldn’t call it begging.”

“Man, I practically had to stalk you,” he laughed. “But for real, you’re brave. Not a lot of them so-called normal kids would be brave like you are right now.”

She nodded, tears welling.

“I’m not going to let anything happen to you. Just trust me. Okay?”

She nodded again, and in that moment his mission became clear: protect her at all costs. The resolve made all the restless pieces, the questions that ached inside him, settle in his soul.

“Cool. Let’s do this!”

With her hand in the crook of his arm, they climbed the Barn’s steps, following the red carpet to a hall of floor-length mirrors.

Inside, white birch trees trimmed with lights arched over them, the ceiling glowed a deep blue. Wendy did a good-ass job, Kenny thought, the guilt eating him, and glanced down at Maddy. She gazed up at the sparkling lights and glowing stars in awe, a wisp of a smile on her lips. As they made their way through the entry, she caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror and froze, seeming stunned by the unfamiliar reflection. Her eyes roamed over every detail—the tinted lips, the loose curls spiraling down her shoulder, the satin shoes with bows, and the unique dress that no other girl at school would have. She looked like one of those old Hollywood movie stars. A heightened version of the Maddy he had always known. He patted her chilly hand and gave her a reassuring smile.

“Told you. Beautiful,” he said. “So, about how many dances you think we can get in tonight?”

She blushed pink, pushing a strand of hair behind her ears. “Um, I don’t really dance.”

“Naw, you will tonight. Can’t leave me solo dolo on the dance floor!”

She beamed as he pulled her forward. They took their entry photo, Maddy wincing through the blinding flashes, and were handed sparkling champagne flutes as they entered the hall. The entire room came to a screeching halt at the sight of them. Her smile dropped, eyes taking up most of her face. Kenny frowned, for once seeing the world from her point of view. The gawking and glares, as if she was some freak show, a damn circus act. His hand balled up into a fist.

Maddy took a shaky step back with a slight whimper only he could hear. He held her arm, pulling her closer beside him. He wouldn’t deny her the one moment she had dreamed of, even if that meant walking into the lion’s den.

Protect her at all costs.

“It’s okay,” he whispered, rubbing a finger along her knuckles. “No one’s gonna mess with you.”

They wouldn’t fucking dare.

“Everyone’s staring,” she whispered, voice filled with terror.

“Well, that’s ’cause you look amazing,” he said, grinning as they slowly made their way in.

She peeled her eyes away from the crowd to look up at him and took a deep breath, her steps more relaxed. The compliment seemed to ease her panic.

“And you look . . . the same.”

“The same?” He chuckled. “Damn, girl, I brushed my teeth and everything.”

She giggled then stopped short, gazing up at the moon spinning in the middle of the room like a giant disco ball.

Stars and planets hung from the ceiling, a galaxy of constellations surrounding the prom banner announcing the theme: Under the Starry Night.

They glanced at one another for a silent beat, then burst with laughter. At their table near the edge of the dance floor, Kenny pulled out her chair, something he’d seen in movies, and they spent the next twenty minutes pointing out the different astrology signs twinkling above them. Somehow, it all felt completely normal, like they’d been together for years and it was just another night. During a simple dinner of chicken and rice, he kept stealing glances of her while she rattled off movies he’d never heard of. She looked happy, relaxed, and gorgeous. After dinner, the lights dimmed and a slow song came on. Couples drifted to the floor. Kenny hopped to his feet and extended his hand.

Maddy gulped. “I . . . um, we don’t have to.”

“Come on, you,” he chuckled.

“No,” she protested, but he managed to pull her out of her seat. He held her hand, wading through the other couples on the floor, stopping right under the moon.

He placed one of her hands on his shoulder, outstretched the other and began to sway.

“You’re a good dancer,” he mused, surprised how at ease she seemed with the music.

“I’ve, um, watched a lot of movies with dancing,” she mumbled, seeming distracted. “In The King and I, Deborah Kerr taught the king how to dance on the three counts.”

“I’d like to see some of these movies you always talking about.”

Maddy winced a smile, head whipping from left to right.

“Sooo, this ain’t so bad, then, right?” he asked.

“It’s . . . um,” she mumbled, noting the random couples staring at them, her body locking stiff.

He threw everyone a murderous glare then grabbed her chin. “Hey, hey. Look at me.”

The light glimmered in her gaze, the eyes of his future.