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Then he smiled.
It was the first real smile I had seen from him all night.
As they danced, students around them stared and whispered.
When the song ended, Brielle suddenly burst into laughter.
Mason looked confused.
“What’s going on?” he asked.
She laughed right in his face and said, “Did you honestly think I asked you to dance because I wanted to? I lost a bet. My punishment was dancing with you.”
It felt like my son’s heart broke in front of the entire room.
I started toward him, ready to get him out of there.
But Mason took a deep breath and looked at me.
“Mom, don’t worry,” he said. “I’m okay. Really. I just need five minutes. I’ll be right back.”
So I stood there, trying to trust him.
Across the room, Brielle was still laughing with her friends.
I was seconds away from walking over and telling her exactly what I thought of her cruelty.
Then the music stopped.
I looked up and saw Mason standing on the stage.
He stared directly at Brielle.
Then he said one sentence that made the whole room go silent.
And I forgot how to breathe.
