So I went.
She helped me into my dress. Helped me into my chair. Helped me into the gym, where I spent the first hour parked near the wall pretending I was okay.
People came by in waves.
“You look amazing.”
“I’m so glad you came.”
“We should take a picture.”
Then they drifted back to the dance floor. Back to motion. Back to normal life.
Then Marcus walked over.
He stopped in front of me and smiled.
“Hey.”
I glanced behind me because I genuinely thought he meant someone else.
He noticed and gave a soft laugh. “No, definitely you.”
“That’s brave,” I said.
He tilted his head. “You hiding over here?”
“Is it hiding if everyone can see me?”
But his expression shifted. Softer.
“Fair point,” he said. Then he held out his hand. “Would you like to dance?”
I stared at him. “Marcus, I can’t.”
He nodded once.
