Chapter 42
The Stacy home was silent as Gwen and her dad walked through the front door. The hall light flickered on, casting a soft glow over the clean marble floors and high ceilings.
Her mother stood in the foyer, arms crossed.
“You skipped dinner,” she said sharply.
“Yeah,” Gwen replied. “I wasn’t hungry.”
Her father stepped in. “We need to talk.”
The three of them ended up in the sitting room—an elegant, cold space that always felt more like a showroom than a home. Gwen sat across from her mother, back straight, pulse in her ears.
“I’m not leaving Vision,” Gwen said. “I know you think you’re protecting me, but this isn’t the way.”
“You’re fifteen, Gwen. You don’t know what’s best for you. Your grades are slipping, you’re distracted, and you’re putting your entire future at risk.”
“I’ll quit ballet,” Gwen blurted.
Her mother blinked.
“I mean it. If you pull me out of Vision Academy, I’ll quit ballet. No performances, no rehearsals, nothing. You always said ballet was the one thing I had to commit to—but Vision is just as important to me.”
Mrs. Stacy’s face twitched, just barely.
“You’d give it up?”
“If it meant staying? Yeah.”
Her father cleared his throat. “I think that says everything.”
Long silence.
Then finally, with an annoyed sigh: “Fine. You can stay.”
Gwen didn’t cheer. Didn’t smile. But she exhaled for what felt like the first time in days.
“TO GWEN NOT GETTING KIDNAPPED BY HER OWN MOM!” Amaya shouted, raising a cup of Sprite in the air.
Ganke snorted. “Low bar, but a good one.”
They were all crammed into Miles and Ganke’s dorm room, music playing from a speaker on the windowsill, a bunch of snacks spread over someone’s bed.
Gwen smiled wide, eyes gleaming. “I seriously thought I was done for. Like—boarding school in New Jersey done for.”
“You survived,” Miles grinned, nudging her with his shoulder. “And now you get to live it up.”
“Oh, I plan on it.”
As the music kicked up again and Amaya started dancing badly in the corner, Miles leaned toward Gwen and murmured, “Wanna sneak away for a sec?”
She smirked. “Lead the way.”
The rooftop was chilly but perfect.
Miles’ hoodie hung off Gwen’s shoulders as they leaned against the railing, city lights flickering below them. The stars were barely visible—but it didn’t matter.
He kissed her gently. Soft. Like he didn’t want to push too far. Like he just wanted to know she was real.
And then again—this time longer. Warmth spreading between them.
When they broke apart, Gwen rested her forehead against his.
“I’m scared,” she whispered.
“Of what?”
“That this… all of this… will disappear.”
Miles brushed his thumb against her cheek. “I’m scared too.”
She looked up at him. “But I don’t want to run.”
“You won’t have to.” His voice was steady. “You’re not alone.”
Silence wrapped around them again.
“…Wanna go get a snack?” he asked. “Spider-style?”
Gwen blinked. “You’re offering me a literal ride for a midnight snack?”
He grinned. “Come on. You know you wanna fly.”
“Gwen!” Camila whisper-yelled across the English classroom as she slid into the seat next to her.
Gwen turned, raising an eyebrow.
“Vision Academy’s throwing a prom!” Camila squealed.
“What? Like… actual prom?”
“Yeah! Mr. Portman just announced it to the seniors and upper years—apparently it’s tradition every few years when they feel like ‘honoring excellence’ or whatever.”
Gwen leaned in. “What’s the theme?”
“Venetian Masquerade.”
Gwen blinked. “Okay, that’s… actually kind of cool.”
Amaya turned around from the seat in front of them. “We need to go dress shopping. Immediately.”
“Agreed,” Camila nodded. “This weekend?”
Gwen grinned. “Saturday. I’m so in.”