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like this girl?” his dad added, looking baffled.
    Why was everyone acting so weird? Was it that hard to believe he might have a social life?
    “Yeah, we’re friends,” Lucas said. An awkward silence filled the room. Did they not approve of him going on a date? “I wasn’t planning on going.”
    “Honey, of course you should go. A party sounds like fun. It’ll give you a chance to talk to other boys your age.”
    Why was his mom so hell-bent on introducing him to boys? He nodded, hoping someone would change the subject.
    “You should text her back, sweetie. It’s not polite to keep a girl waiting.”
Lucas: sorry for the delay. you called during dinner. awkwardest. dinner. ever.
    He hit send, and then realized he hadn’t given her an answer.
    Lucas: yes i’ll go with you :-)
    Surely, he thought, this date would be better than his last.

Chapter Five
Seven Minutes in Heaven
     
     
    A S THEY entered the party, arm in arm, all eyes were on them.
    “People are staring,” he whispered to Trish.
    “Of course they are, Boo. We stole the show.”
    Lucas smiled. It’d been amazing. During rehearsals, Lucas had been subdued. He was conscious of the scrutiny, the kids waiting to belittle him for the slightest peculiarity. He was careful to control his facial expressions and body movements. But during the show? During the show he let loose. He played for an audience that wanted to hear, and Lucas had too much pride in his music not to give it his all. When he played, when he really played, everything else disappeared. No fear. He and Trish together? Now that was a show.
    His family hadn’t been there to see the performance, but Trish’s parents approached him afterward and told him how talented he was. They said their daughter spoke highly of him and that they hoped to see more of him in the future. He hoped so too. He hadn’t known Trish long, but he already considered her a friend. And as anxious as he was about being at the party, he was thankful to have her on his arm.
    She was still on a performance high, greeting everyone in sight with a demonstrative smile as she pulled him along. She turned to Lucas and gave him a wink. “Let’s go find Donovan.”
    Lucas squeezed her arm.
    “Oh, don’t be nervous.”
    She led him across the room to where Donovan was talking to some people from the theater group. Like most of the kids at the party, he’d changed out of his costume. He looked stunning in his black Doc Martens, gray skinny jeans, and form-fitting V-neck. Lucas noted the Armani Exchange logo on the front of his shirt and looked down at his own outfit—red Chuck Taylors, old Levi’s, and a brown T-shirt.
    “Hey, D!” Trish said. She pushed through the small group of people surrounding Donovan.
    As Donovan bent down to give her a hug, she whispered something in his ear.
    “Lucas?” she said, turning back to him. “You know Donovan, right?”
    “Yeah. Hi.” Lucas’s voice cracked, and he cleared his throat.
    “Hi, Lucas. Good show.” Donovan lifted his wine cooler. “You want something to drink?”
    Lucas shook his head. “No, thanks. I don’t drink much.”
    “No, of course you don’t,” he said, snickering.
    Trish reached out and pinched Donovan’s nipple.
    “Bitch! That hurt.” He furrowed his brow as he rubbed his nipple with his thumb.
    “Behave,” she said. “I’m gonna go get some punch. I’ll be right back.”
    “Bring three straws,” Donovan smirked. “We’ll have ourselves a three-way beverage.”
    She reached for the other nipple, but Donovan pulled away, laughing. “Okay, okay!”
    Lucas felt his cheeks heat up. Was that supposed to be a sex joke? He didn’t know Donovan well enough to interpret what he said. He’d have to take his cues from Trish.
    She tapped his shoulder. “Lucas, you want me to get you some punch?”
    “I’ll come with you,” he said quickly. Lucas followed her to the snack table.
    “Here you go, drink up. You really need to relax,