Page 56 of Matched Up

I waited outside the assembly hall, sitting on one of the chairs that was probably intended for the teachers, and watchedgroups and couples walking in, laughing, happy.That would be me soon.I watched the entrance, scanning every single male face that came through the door.I was worried I’d miss him in the sea of tuxedos, so I stood up to get a better look.But he wasn’t any of them.

‘Lex?’Hunter broke free from his group and came over to me.He looked confused.‘Thought you weren’t coming tonight?’

I shrugged, still watching the door.‘Yeah, changed my mind last minute.’

‘I came with Zoe,’ he said.‘Where’s Niall?It’s been radio silence from him lately.’

‘He’s away with Megan to the NI trials,’ I said, avoiding his gaze.

‘You waiting for someone?’

‘Just a friend.’

‘Do I know them?’

And this time I looked at him.Into the brown eyes that were searching mine for an answer.

‘It’s actually Shane,’ I said.There was no point trying to hide it; he was about to walk through the door.

‘Shane from football Shane?’Hunter’s eyes were wide, and he looked around like he was trying to find someone to tell.

‘Yeah.Niall doesn’t know yet,’ I said.

‘Fuck, he is not going to take that well.You’re really going out with that dick?’

‘Yeah.And he’s not a dick,’ I said, trying my best not to rise to his words, one eye still on the door.

‘So why didn’t you just say?I mean, I didn’t like youthatmuch that my whole world would end if I knew.In fact, I kind of just asked you out of convenience.Nobody actually cares.Except Niall.He’ll lose his shit.’Hunter waited for me to answer.

And, whether it was true or not, his words still stung.

‘It wasn’t about that.It was about Niall finding out.’I felt my hands prick with sweat when I glanced up and Shane still wasn’t walking through the door.

‘Yeah, good luck with that.’Hunter laughed cruelly.‘I’m away to find Zoe.’

I felt like telling him that Zoe had asked Shane to V-Ball just to wipe the smug smile off his face, but I was too distracted.I went back to watching the door as he walked away, feeling sick as the crowds of people coming in started to tail off.

I looked at my phone again.No messages.Where was he?Maybe he’d got it wrong.Maybe he thought we were meeting in the hall.I sent him a message.

ME: You on your way?

I stared at the screen, waiting for the little blue ticks that would tell me that he’d read it.But they didn’t come and now the hint of nausea from earlier was out of control.I felt uncomfortable standing there at the door where everyone could see me being stood up, and at the same time wondering how many people Hunter had told.

I walked into the assembly hall.It was packed with kids from school, all looking completely at home in their black-tie suits and dresses.The band played some upbeat cover Ididn’t recognize.Lights swirled overhead, casting sparkles and shadows everywhere.I walked around, scanning faces, touching shoulders of dark-haired, tuxedo-wearing boys, just to have them turn round and not be Shane.

The head teacher gave a speech, the dance floor filled with couples kissing, and still, no Shane.I watched Hunter dance with Zoe, who looked gorgeous in a long white satin dress.I watched him whisper to her and then they both looked at me.I felt like an idiot standing there alone, watching all these couples having the night of their lives.

The tears were coming back.I could feel them at the back of my eyes and in the back of my throat.He was supposed to be here.It was supposed to be perfect.Zoe threw back her head laughing at something Hunter had said, then someone nudged into me, spilling their drink on my dress.And that was the final straw.

The band had just started playing some slowed-up version of Coldplay’s ‘The Scientist’ as I ran through the crowd.I needed to get out of there.It was like the room was closing in.All these people, except for the one I needed.Maybe he was too embarrassed to be seen with me after I’d told him how crap I played last night?

By the time I got out of the hall, I was a mess.Strands of hair had come out of their clips and there was no way my mascara hadn’t run.I took out my phone to ring Dad, just to hear a friendly voice.But, just as I did, I heard my name.

I looked up and my heart stopped.There he was, standing at the flower arch, just like we’d arranged, in his tuxedo.Out of breath, his bow tie askew, dark hair over one eye.

‘I’m so sorry I’m late,’ he said.

I was already halfway to him, tears rolling down my cheeks, reaching up to pull him into a kiss because I needed him.The one person who made me feel like I wasn’t a complete and utter failure.

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