Tate wasn't sure what was worse: the fact that she'd agreed to go to the Winter Ball, or the fact that Damien hadn't spoken to her since their last conversation.
It was like he was punishing her for not doing what he wanted—and it was affecting her more than she wanted to admit.
She couldn't help but stare at him when he ignored her, and the way he acted like she didn't exist made her feel invisible all over again. That same feeling from before—before Martha, before Damien, before everything changed. Back when she blended into the background so easily, she wondered if anyone even noticed her at all.
She didn't want to make it obvious that she liked him, but it seemed like she was failing.
At least the Winter Ball was the last activity of the year. After that, she'd be free—from him, from all the complicated feelings she didn't ask for.
"Hey," Martha whispered, nudging her elbow. "Have you decided on a dress yet?"
Tate blinked, snapping out of her thoughts. "What?"
"The Winter Ball," Martha said, rolling her eyes playfully. "You did say yes. So… have you picked something yet?"
Tate sighed. "I haven't picked anything."
"What? Tate! The ball is practically tomorrow, and you haven't picked a dress?" Martha looked like she might faint.
"This is my first time attending," Tate mumbled. "It might've slipped my mind."
"What do you mean it slipped your mind?" Martha gasped. "Are you trying to back out?"
"No," Tate said quickly. "After school, we'll go to one of those fancy malls and get a dress for me. I'll text my mom to let her know—"
She cut off mid-sentence as the familiar scent of wood and fruit hit her. Damien walked past them, barely glancing their way, and only greeted Martha with a quick, "Hey."
So… he was still ignoring her.
Martha responded with a soft "Hey" of her own, then turned to Tate once Damien was out of earshot.
"He asked me if I was going to the ball," she said casually. "I think he has a date."
Tate blinked. "A date?"
"Yeah. I overheard him and Landon talking about it," Martha replied. "He's going with some junior from 9th grade."
"Oh." That was all Tate managed to say.
She tried to act like what Martha said didn't affect her—but it did. He wasn't going with Martha, but he was still going with someone else. Someone who wasn't her.
After texting her mom, Tate got a quick reply—and money to get a dress.
After school, she and Martha went to the mall. Tate tried on dress after dress, stepping in and out of fitting rooms while Martha offered her opinion on each one. Eventually, she found it: a black dress that hugged her figure just enough. It made her feel confident but not too exposed—just right. It was perfect.
When Martha saw her in it, her eyes widened.
"Oh my gosh," she gasped. "You look amazing, Tate. Like, seriously who are you right now?"
Tate blushed but smiled. It felt good to be seen that way.
After two hours of hunting for accessories and other little things—like shoes, earrings, and a clutch—they decided to call it a day.
On the way home, Tate's phone buzzed with a message from Allen.
Allen: Hey Tate.
Tate: Hi Allen.
Allen: I couldn't catch up with you after school. I waited around, but I didn't see you.
Tate: Oh, I went out with Martha.
Allen: I had no idea. I just wanted to check in. When I didn't see you, I got a little worried.
Tate's heart melted at his words. Allen always treated her so kindly. She wished—really wished—she could see him the way he saw her. He was thoughtful and sweet, everything Damien wasn't.
Why did she have to like Damien? she thought bitterly. If I liked Allen, my life would be so much easier.
Tate: Thanks, Allen.
Allen: You're welcome.
Also… can I ask something?
Are you coming to the ball?
Tate: Yes.
Allen: Do you have a date?
The question made her pause. The fact that Allen even thought she might have a date was kind of funny.
Tate: Yeah—Martha.
Allen:That's nice. I'll see you at the ball then.
Tate knew he'd probably been working up the courage to ask her to go with him. She was glad she was going with Martha—she didn't have it in her to turn him down again.
Tate: Yeah.
When Tate got home that evening and showed her mom the dress, her mom's eyes lit up.
"Oh wow, this is beautiful! You're going to look stunning."
After dinner, she lay in bed, scrolling through Damien's social media.
She didn't even know why she was doing it.
It was like this crush had wrapped itself around her, taking up space in her mind, her chest, her everything. She hated that she cared so much. Hated that him ignoring her still managed to sting.
"I really have to forget about this guy," she muttered, tossing her phone aside.
He was complicated, and she didn't want complicated.
But the silence from him? That quiet dismissal? It messed with her. Made her feel like she wasn't even there. And the worst part? What if he actually liked Martha… and Martha liked him back?
Would she be able to handle that?