She asked him to wear it.
The whispers that had humiliated Aaron only minutes earlier changed completely.
I looked over his shoulder.
A boy who had been filming Aaron onstage slowly lowered his phone.
Another student stared at the floor.
Near the aisle, a girl began crying.
Then, I saw Ben.
Aaron's best friend stood near the back wall.
I had not known he was there.
His face had gone pale.
He walked toward us slowly.
Aaron saw him and stood.
For a second, neither of them spoke.
Ben looked at the dress.
Then at the flower.
"I didn't know," he said.
Aaron's expression hardened.
"You didn't ask."
Ben swallowed.
"I thought you were trying to make some kind of statement."
"I was."
Aaron looked down at Mary's dress.
"Just not the one you thought."
Ben's eyes filled.
"I'm sorry."
Aaron did not immediately forgive him.
Some apologies should have to sit in the air for a while.
Then, the principal stepped down from the stage.
The room was almost completely silent now.
She approached us and looked at Aaron.
"This morning, we asked you to consider something more appropriate."
Aaron said nothing.
The principal took a breath.
"I'm sorry."
Several parents heard her.
So did the students gathered near us.
She turned toward the auditorium.
