Only one boy asked me to prom because no one else wanted to go with me because of the birthmark on my face — everyone laughed until police officers walked into the gym.

Then a boy near the speakers cupped his hands around his mouth. “Did Caleb decide to host a charity event tonight?”

Laughter moved through the room.

A girl I did not even know shouted next. “Oh my God, did someone actually pay Caleb to do this?”

The wave crashed over me. The lights suddenly felt too hot, the music sounded far away, and every pair of eyes felt like a needle pressing into my skin.

“Caleb, I want to go. Please.”

“Hannah, listen to me.”

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“I want to leave. Now.”

He nodded quickly, his jaw tight, and placed a hand on my back to guide me toward the doors. I kept my head down. The laughter followed us across the floor.

We were almost at the exit when the gym doors swung open from the other side.

Three police officers stepped inside, their boots heavy against the polished floor, and walked straight toward us.