Page 26 of Small Town Sash

"Somewhere that doesn't know your name or your face," Jenesa promised.

"Or your supposed pageant strategies," Avery added with a wink.

"Fine," Hadley relented, standing up and smoothing down her skirt, feeling lighter already. "Let's do this."

They spilled out into the evening air as Michelle waved them off, the setting sun casting long shadows on the ground. The laughter and light-hearted banter sustained Hadley's spirits as they walked toward Jenesa's white Mercedes parked under a streetlight.

As Hadley climbed into the backseat of the car, the scent of leather and pine air freshener greeted her—a stark contrast to the perfume-laden backstage areas she was so accustomed to.

"Okay, Hadley?" Jenesa checked the rearview mirror, meeting her blue eyes.

"Yeah," she said, though her heart twinged with guilt. Mom's disapproving gaze flickered at the edge of her thoughts, but she pushed it away. "Just thinking about...stuff."

"Stuff has no place on a fun night out," Avery declared from the passenger seat, turning to offer Hadley an encouraging smile.

"Right," Hadley agreed, nodding more to herself than anyone else. "No stuff. Just fun."

"Exactly," Jenesa said, revving the engine as they pulled away from the curb.

"Tonight's about forgetting the nonsense," Candace encouraged from beside her in the backseat.

"Here's to forgetting," Hadley raised an imaginary glass, and they all echoed the toast with chuckles and nods.

The car sped down the street, carrying them away from expectations and toward a night crafted solely for camaraderie and laughter. While the shadow of her mother's disappointment lingered, for the first time in a long while, Hadley felt free enough to chase the joy instead of the crown.

The neon sign of Lenny's Arcade buzzed, casting a kaleidoscope of colors over Hadley and her friends as they spilled out of the vehicle. Pinball machines jingled, and laughter from inside promised an escape from her troubles. She straightened her jacket, a determined glint in her blue eyes.

"First round's on me," Jenesa announced, leading the charge toward the entrance with the others in tow.

"Prepare to lose miserably at air hockey," Avery teased, elbowing Hadley playfully.

"Bring it on," Hadley shot back, her lips curving into a smile that didn't quite reach her worried eyes.

As they reached the doorway, a familiar bark cut through the chatter. Dash, Braden's golden retriever and ever-faithful partner, greeted them with a wagging tail.

"Braden," Hadley's heart did an anxious little flip. "What are you doing here?"

"Hey, Wilder," Braden called, his brown eyes locking onto hers as he approached with his friends.

"Never thought I'd find a beauty queen in a place like this," one of Braden's friends joked with a cackle.

"I'm full of surprises," Hadley retorted. "And you shouldn't judge a book by its cover."

"You should listen to the lady," Braden grumbled as he folded his arms over his chest.

"Touchy, touchy," the young man said with a smirk. "Though I shouldn't be surprised that you're defending your girlfriend right now."

"Shut it, Sawyer," Braden muttered, cheeks coloring slightly under the arcade's dazzling lights.

"Oooh, Harding's got a girlfriend," another friend teased, wiggling his eyebrows.

"Guys, come on," Braden said, glancing apologetically at Hadley, who was trying hard not to laugh at his expense. "It's not like that." Then, turning his attention back to Hadley, he added with a sheepish grin, "Sorry, they have no filter."

"Clearly," Hadley replied, her own smile now genuine as she felt a little of her tension ease. "So, are you here to challenge me at skee-ball or what?"

"Challenge given. But when I win, you owe me a dance," he countered smoothly, despite the redness still lingering on his cheeks.

"Deal," Hadley agreed, feeling lighter already. The prospect of letting go, even briefly, seemed to glow brighter than the arcade's flashing lights.

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