Page 42 of To Love or to Lose
I’m clenching my palms so hard my nails are close to breaking the skin. I want this for Winnie more than I’ve ever wanted anything for myself.
I stare at the ceiling, covered in strings of lights and fancy chandeliers, and focus on the crystals as I wait for the announcement.
“Starting off with the king, the winner is…” The pause is unnecessary, we all know what’s coming. “Logan Callaghan!”
Logan stands from our table, his smile as radiant as ever as he walks to the center of the dance floor. Before he gets there though, he makes a stop behind Winnie’s chair, giving her an even bigger smile while squeezing her shoulders. She turns her head, grabbing his hand where it rests near her collarbone and smiling happily up at him.
I know he’s hoping she will win too.
A plastic crown is placed on the top of Logan’s head. It's gold and gaudy, and something I wouldneverwear willingly, but he doesn’t care. He’s just smiling.
I’ve never met someone who is happier to be alive than Logan Callaghan.
He’s the positive pillar of our friend group, the one who gives us hope and tries his best to keep everyone in good spirits.That boy radiates happiness, and he finds pleasure inspreading it too. That’s why we all love him so much, and why he’s standing on that dance floor right now.
As we’re all waiting for the queen to be called, Eloise grabs my hand, giving it a gentle squeeze.
I’ve never been much of a hand holder or a touchy person, not after finding out how many germs can reside ononehuman hand at a time—up to five million—but I’m grateful for Eloise’s touch now.
We’re both nervous, even knowing the result most likely will not be in our favor.
“And your 2022 homecoming queen is.” The DJ opens another envelope. “Genevieve Alderidge!”
I freeze, every bone in my body locking in place.This can’t be right. This can’t be right.It was supposed to be Winnie!
I make eye contact with her. She’s smiling, but I can’t help but notice the flicker of sadness that flashes in her eyes.
I don’t even realize I’m not moving until I feel someone kick my shin under the table. I look up to find Jameson staring at me, nodding toward the dance floor where I’m supposed to be heading.
I take a deep breath as I walk toward Logan, deciding there’s nothing I can do about it now.
“Evening, queen.” Logan smiles as a rhinestone covered crown is placed on my head. He looks genuinely happy for me, but I see the hurt in his eyes when he glances from me to Winnie.
When it’s our time to dance, Logan whispers his choice of song to the DJ before I can say anything about it.
“Wait, wait!” Luke suddenly shouts from the side of the dance. He approaches us quickly, holding up one of the disposable cameras we brought with us.
I’m already groaning, pressing a hand to my forehead as I think about how embarrassing this is about to be.
“Your moms made me promise I would get a picture if this happened!”
I quickly press my side into Logan’s, trying to get this over with as quickly as possible. He wraps an arm around me, and we smile as the camera shutters.
“Great!” Luke smiles, giving us a thumbs up as he exits the dance floor.
Logan has a devious look on his face as he grabs my wrist when the opening notes of his song play. I swing my arms over his neck, trying my best not to look visibly miserable. I almost gasp out loud when I realize what song it is.
“How did you…” My question of how Logan knew this was my favorite song dies in my throat.
An instrumental version ofVideo Gamesby Lana Del Rey is ringing throughout the gym.
“Winnie,” he says.
Dancing with Logan doesn’t feel awkward like I thought it would, until I look around the room and realize that everyone—even our friends—are standing around the dance floor, watching us.
Yeah, Winnie definitely would have hated this.
“I have an idea.” Logan smirks as he begins to shuffle away from the center of the room.
