By lunchtime, the school was alive with chatter about the upcoming winter formal. Flyers plastered the bulletin boards, their glittery lettering proclaiming the theme: A Night Under the Stars. Groups of students huddled together in the cafeteria, their conversations buzzing with excitement about dresses, dates, and decorations. Hanna noticed some had already started planning their outfits, while others debated who they’d ask to the dance.
At her usual table, Hanna stabbed at her salad absentmindedly, trying to block out the rising tide of energy around her. Formal dances had never been her thing. They felt like a different world, one that she’d never quite belonged to.
“Are you going?” Emily’s voice broke through her thoughts as she slid into the seat across from Hanna, dropping her tray onto the table with a soft clatter.
Hanna shrugged, avoiding Emily’s expectant gaze. “I hadn’t really thought about it,” she admitted. “Formal dances aren’t exactly my thing.”
“They weren’t your thing,” Emily corrected, raising an eyebrow. “But things are different now. Come on, Hanna, you’re practically a new person. And I’m willing to bet Finn wants to go.”
Hanna opened her mouth to protest, but before she could, Finn appeared with his usual casual grace. He set his tray down beside her, his presence immediately grounding her in the chaotic noise of the cafeteria. “Wants to go where?” he asked, looking between the two of them with mild curiosity.
Emily grinned slyly. “The winter formal,” she said, her tone practically daring Hanna to disagree.
Finn’s eyebrows shot up, his expression brightening. “The formal, huh?” He turned to Hanna, his grin softening into something warmer. “Do you want to go?”
Hanna hesitated, suddenly hyper-aware of how many students were milling around the cafeteria, how many pairs of eyes might be sneaking glances their way. She looked down at her tray, fiddling with the edge of her napkin. “I don’t know,” she said quietly. “I mean, it sounds fun, but…”
Finn leaned closer, his voice dropping just enough to make it feel like they were the only two people in the room. “No buts,” he said, his tone teasing but firm. “We’ll dress up, dance like idiots, and have the best night ever. Come on, Hanna. Say yes.”
Hanna felt her cheeks warm under his gaze, her heart fluttering at the way he was looking at her—like he already knew she was going to say yes. She glanced at Emily, who was watching them with barely contained glee, and then back at Finn. The idea of stepping into that glittery world, of sharing a night like that with Finn, didn’t seem as overwhelming as it had a few moments ago.
“Okay,” she said softly, a small smile tugging at her lips. “Let’s go.”
Finn’s grin widened, and for a moment, he looked like a kid on Christmas morning. “You won’t regret it,” he said, nudging her shoulder playfully. “I’ll pick you up, and we’ll make it a night to remember.”
Emily clapped her hands together, practically bouncing in her seat. “This is going to be amazing. Now we just need to find you a dress.”
Hanna groaned, but the warmth in her chest didn’t fade. As the conversation shifted to dresses and accessories, she couldn’t help but steal glances at Finn. The thought of the formal no longer felt daunting. With Finn by her side, it actually felt… exciting.
For the first time, Hanna began to wonder if a night under the stars could be the magical experience everyone always said it was.