"Sure, but aren't they supposed to be?" Cricket smiles. "I don't know. I've never been to one. And I'm happy. I'm really hap-"
And I interrupt his words with another ecstatic kiss. "Thank you."
"Are you ready?" he asks.
"I am."
"Are you scared?"
"I'm not."
He takes my hand and squeezes it. With my other, I hitch up the bottom of my dress. My platform combat boots lead the way. And I hold my head high toward my big entrance, hand in hand with the boy who gave me the moon and the stars.