She looked at Wren, at the dress, the stain, and the badge pinned over her heart.
“You’ve embarrassed yourself and our family tonight.”
“I didn’t know,” she said. “I’m sorry.”
Wren took a deep breath. “You shouldn’t need someone to save your life before you decide they deserve respect.”
Chloe hung her head.
“My dad mattered before you knew what he did for you,” Wren continued. She looked around at everyone watching her. “And I made this dress because I wanted him with me tonight.”
Chloe’s mother appeared through the crowd and put a hand on her daughter’s shoulder.
“My dad mattered before you knew what he did for you.”
“You’re leaving,” Susan said.
Chloe didn’t argue.
She looked around at her friends, who’d stepped away from her, at the phones still pointed toward her, at the people gathered around, staring at her.
Susan led her away, and Chloe followed, the whole room parting for her in a way I doubted had ever happened before.
Nobody moved for a few seconds after that.
Then someone in the back started clapping.
Susan led her away, and Chloe followed.
Someone joined it, then another.
The applause spread until the whole gym was full of it.
Wren turned to me with this lost look on her face.
“Stay,” I whispered.
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