And suddenly, I saw our entire friendship differently.

The ice cream after my driving test.

The dinosaur drawing.

The lunches after Dad left.

The porch after my first heartbreak.

Noah had never been a responsibility I carried.

We carried each other.

“So what’s your condition?” I asked.

Mom smiled through tears.

“Don’t go to prom because six-year-old Chrissy made a promise.”

She squeezed my hands.

“Go because eighteen-year-old Christina chooses him.”

I laughed softly.

“Mom, that’s already why I’m going.”

“I know that now.”

PART 3

When Mom and I returned downstairs, Noah stared at us.

“You took a long time.”

Mom walked directly toward him.

“Noah, can I have the first dance?”

His eyebrows shot up.

“Mrs. Jane, this isn’t prom.”

I burst out laughing.