Chapter 28 #2
His arms ached and sweat gathered on the small of his back, but it was still easier work than digging up a half-frozen grave at midnight.
After everything was hung up, he moved onto inflating endless balloons with Emily, securing the starry backdrop he’d helped make, and pinning and draping long sheets of golden curtains.
There was a moment of chaos when the lights wouldn’t work and Alexis nearly snapped her clipboard, but someone managed to flip the right switch.
The gym went dark, blue and purple lights illuminating the ceiling and reflecting off every bit of glitter and tinsel, golden lights twinkling in the clouds and on the backdrop pieces.
Hanging stars swayed and spun, bundles of balloons bobbing where they were tied to table centerpieces.
Even the monstrous glitter tulle-wrapped arch took on a dreamier feel beneath the moody lighting.
Miles had to admit, it looked pretty good. Tacky as hell, but in a way that managed to be almost charming.
Everyone clapped and cheered as chaperones and early students started filtering in through the doors. Miles hadn’t even noticed the time flying by so quickly.
“Thank you all for the help,” Alexis yelled to the team as they started hauling supplies away. “Let’s have a magical night under the stars.”
Miles bit back a groan at the cheesy line.
“Nothing from Gabriel yet?” Emily checked.
He double-checked his phone despite knowing the answer. “Nope. At what point should I start worrying?”
“We both know you’re past that.” She handed him a heavy box of leftover lights from a table. “Text him when we’re done. He’s not going to be bothered by a check-in.”
What if he hadn’t texted Miles yet because he was waiting for him to reach out with good news first? Counting on him to come up with a solution?
It was impossible to shake the awful feeling that he’d failed him.
“I have to run home and get dressed.” Emily hesitated, biting her lip. “Are you sure you don’t want me to cancel? I can come help you guys research, or we can bring Gabriel dinner, make sure he’s doing okay?”
It was such a selfless offer. “No, have fun at the dance. Drink the spiked punch for me,” he teased. Someone might as well have a good time tonight.
He helped clean up all the supplies, organizing them in the storage room until the music in the gym kicked in and more people started showing up.
One guy grabbed him to help carry a massive bowl of punch out to the refreshments table, then trays of miniature desserts from the cafeteria fridges.
He tried and failed to not feel like a waiter, following the wall and staying out of the way of the partygoers.
Once he was the only volunteer left, he threw on his jacket and made his way out into the parking lot—lingering in the hallway was too pathetic even for him.
A group of giggling girls stumbled past in a swirl of pastel and sweet perfume, two guys in suits following close behind.
Brake lights painted the damp pavement scarlet as a car pulled up and stopped, letting out a squealing group who ran for the front doors.
Miles was the only one walking away.
He settled against the hood of Charlee’s car, the warmth of the engine long faded, and checked his phone.
Still nothing. Homecoming had hit full swing from the sounds of the thumping music and shrieking laughter.
Every time the front door swung open, the swirling lights illuminated the sidewalk for a brief moment.
Part of Miles wondered if Edmund was his and Gabriel’s punishment for yesterday. It was a brutal reminder of where they belonged: a healthy distance away from normalcy. A warning that it could never be real.
“Charlee said you were here.” Gabriel appeared, as if summoned by his wistful thoughts. His white shirt glowed like a ghost in the gloom of the parking lot. “I thought I might’ve missed you.”
Miles sprang off the car. “What’re you doing here? Did something happen? Is everything okay?”
“Nothing happened. I’m here for the dance.”
“You…” Miles gaped at him. “Don’t you think you should be at home? Homecoming isn’t—”
“I’ve been home all day,” he interjected sharply. “I’m tired of it. I told you I’d be here, so here I am.”
“That was before.” Miles’s shoes scraped against the pavement as he shifted closer. “I didn’t expect you to come. You shouldn’t have.”
Gabriel’s mouth flattened into a thin slash. A car turned behind him, headlights dusting his midnight hair in gold. “You don’t want me here.”
This was all wrong, jagged and dangerous between them. Miles was wobbling on a tightrope with each word. “That’s not what I’m saying. I don’t think you should feel like you have to be here at a stupid school dance with everything else that’s going on.”
“What else would you like me to do, then? I can’t help Edmund, I can’t help Bram, and I can’t sit in that house another minute thinking about how useless I am.”
Miles reached for his hand, but Gabriel shifted away, shoving his fists in his pockets. A little sting of hurt had to be tucked away before Miles could speak again. “You’re not useless,” he said softly. “That’s not—”
“I’m going to the dance,” Gabriel stated curtly, cutting him off. “Join me or don’t, it’s your decision.”
He strode away before Miles could answer, shoulders braced against the cold wind. At the entrance, he didn’t stop to see if Miles was following before going in.
The sound of the door closing behind him echoed across the parking lot.