Liam's got a date too and paid for his ticket. So, it's just Rory and I, we make our way through the hole in the fence, sneak through the emergency exit, and end up in the dusky school corridor. Too easy. We ditch our jackets under the stairs and straighten up our not-so-fancy suits.

I basically have one suit. I was wearing it when my mother was called to the principal's office because of a massive fight. I didn't start it and didn't even have time to properly participate in it, but I got caught when the guards came because I was closer to them. I was wearing it when I met with a probation officer. Works for events like this too. Honestly, I wouldn't even be here if it weren't for Tanner.

Noah's over by the snack table. He's dressed in a light blue suit with a black tie against a light shirt. While he fits in, blending with the well-dressed crowd and the colorful lights, he seems lost.

Tanner's on the dance floor with Tricia, who's wearing a very short dress that leaves little to the imagination. I head over to the snack table and nod at Noah. His face lights up, breaks into a smile, and his blue eyes almost sparkle - I've never seen anything like this.

"Hey!" he leans in so I can hear him over the noise. "I didn't know... that you would come too," he glances around, "And your date..."

People always feel the need to finish someone's unfinished sentences, even if they weren't questions. It's weird, but...

"...doesn't exist," I say, stuffing mini sandwiches into my mouth. Not bad. I wash 'em down with some punch.

Noah shuffles closer, even touching shoulders with me. Surprisingly, it doesn't bother me. It's actually kind of nice.

"I used to like all these things," Noah says, watching the dancers. "It's usually fun... when you've got friends," he smiles, looking down at his boots. I'm in sneakers. The suit was enough for me.

"Then why'd you come?" I ask without much curiosity.

"Out of habit," Noah chuckles, sipping his punch. "What about you?"

"Same," I shrug, mirroring his gesture.

"And you are..." Noah turns to face me fully, but Tanner's heavy hand lands on my shoulder, cutting him off.

"What's up, losers?" Tanner's voice breaks in. I raise my glass of punch in response. Tanner laughs and finally moves his hand. Noah's expression shifts, and I notice he's moved back like he's trying to fade into the background. Can't blame him.

"You guys are so damn boring!" Tanner flashes his cocky grin, approaching the table to grab a sandwich. "You're like kids at their first dance, waiting for the girls to make the first move," he says, shooting a glance at Noah, then at me. "They won't," he adds with a smirk. "But don't worry, Leighton," he gives me a light smack on the fly that feels unpleasant in my balls. "You're just a late bloomer." He turns to Noah. "I have no idea what your deal is, but..." Tanner pours punch into the new glasses and hands them to Noah and me. "Tonight, it doesn't matter. We're bros, right?" Tanner chuckles. "To bros!" He lifts his glass and downs it in one go, like it's tequila rather than watered-down punch.

Tanner's acting weird. I think he's still on Noah's back, but tonight he might be preoccupied with other things to waste his energy on a regular bulling, so maybe it's just a harmless joke. Though harmless and Tanner usually don't go together.

I sip my drink and notice how much Tanner enjoys watching Noah drink. Shit... I glance at my glass, sniff it even. Doesn't seem like anything's off. The worst Tanner could do is spit in Noah's drink. Nasty, but not deadly. Audrey comes up to Noah and shyly asks him to dance.

"I'm not sure..." Noah starts, but Tanner shoves him onto the dance floor. A hot sting hits my chest, but I drown it with another sip. Noah goes off to dance with Audrey, leaving me with Tanner. Rory, smelling like he's been smoking, joins us.

Tanner checks his watch. "Don't wander too far," he warns. "Or you'll miss our Starboy's performance," he grins, downs his drink, and heads back to Tricia, pulling her onto the dance floor. My eyes search for Noah. There he is, awkwardly dancing with Audrey, who doesn't seem to mind his clumsiness. So far, so normal.

"You think Tanner spiked his drink?" Rory asks, still chewing.

I pause. "I doubt he'd waste his dope on Noah," I mutter, still focused on Noah's not-so-great dance moves.

"Why not? He can't stand the guy," Rory grins.

Part of me wants to ask why, but that feels dumb. There's no reason when it comes down to Tanner's grudge or entertainment or whatever. Just because.

Piss him off, and he'll get back at you, whether you know about it or not. Sick logic, but that's Tanner for you.

Mid-song, Noah excuses himself, leaving confused Audrey on the dancefloor. My jaw tightens, and I want to follow him. Instinct says go, but the reason comes from Tanner, who's also noticed Noah's exit.

"Go find him and bring him back," Tanner tells me as he walks by with Tricia.

I head toward the hallway where Noah disappeared and notice Rory trailing behind me.

"I'll find him myself," I say, halting. Rory shrugs and heads back to his food.

First stop: the bathroom. I check all the stalls, but Noah's not there. I hope he went home, but if Tanner slipped him something, he might not be able to. My tension's ramping up, and it's hard to keep it in check. The last time I felt like this was when Tanner and I were being chased by guards at the abandoned factory. But this feels worse.

Exiting the men's room, I scan the faintly lit hallway. A noise from the women's restroom catches my attention. Glancing around, I push open the door and call, "Noah?" In response, I hear the same sound - something in between a groan and a huff. "Noah?" I venture further in.

Pushing open a stall door reveals a strange sight. Noah's jacket sits on the toilet paper dispenser, and he's slumped on the toilet. His shirt's unbuttoned, but his tie's still tight. His face is flushed, his breathing heavy and uneven, sweat beads on his forehead under tousled dark hair.

Fuck... Tanner did spike his drink.