[Scene: Outside the dance, near the vehicles. The group is gathering, chatting, and deciding on rides. Jonathan takes the opportunity to ask a few questions.]

  Jonathan: Alright, quick poll—who had fun tonight?

  Everyone in the group enthusiastically raises their hands.

  Jonathan: Great. Now—who wishes we did stuff like this more often?

  All hands go up again, some voices chiming in with “Definitely!” or “Totally!”

  Jonathan: Alright... now be honest—who thought Thomas’s rules were kind of stupid?

  Most of the group raises their hands, with a mix of sheepish smiles and light laughter.

  Jonathan: And who still thinks the rules are stupid?

  Only one girl—Sophia—raises her hand, hesitantly but firmly.

  Jonathan: Sophia, why do you feel that way?

  Sophia (pointing toward Veronica): She got the first dance, the last dance, and like... every fourth dance in between. It just didn’t feel fair.

  Veronica: If you were dating Thomas, what would you have wanted?

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  Sophia: I’d want him to dance every dance with me. Obviously.

  Veronica: Fair. But did you get a chance to dance with him tonight?

  Sophia: Yeah. It was fun—more fun than I expected.

  Veronica: So let’s say we followed your rule—he only danced with me. Who else would’ve had the chance to dance with him?

  Sophia: ...Oh. I guess no one.

  Veronica: Exactly. The last time we went to a dance and he only danced with me, people felt left out. It really hurt some feelings.

  Girls like Thomas because he’ll ask anyone to dance—whether he finds them attractive or not. It’s not about that. He just wants people to feel seen and included. You got to know him a bit tonight, didn’t you?

  Sophia: Yeah… I did.

  Veronica: So what did you take from that?

  Sophia: I guess… it’s not really about dancing. It’s about connecting with people.

  Veronica: That’s right. And if I remember correctly—you’re 14?

  Sophia: Yup. Fourteen.

  Veronica: A very responsible 14, no doubt. But still 14. And honestly? If I were 15, Thomas and I wouldn’t be dating either. That’s another one of his rules.

  Do you know why he has those kinds of rules?

  Sophia shakes her head, curious.

  Veronica: Because those rules help him engage with the world in a way that’s safe—for him and for everyone else.

  Until just two months ago… the dance floor was his entire social life. That was it. That was where he learned how to interact, how to talk to people. So every dance means something to him.

  There’s a thoughtful silence as everyone considers that.

  Jonathan: Alright, let’s get to the cars and head home. I know some of y’all have church early tomorrow.

  He claps his hands lightly to signal the end of the conversation.

  The important thing is—everyone had fun. And maybe… we’ll do this again soon.

  Thomas: [smiling] Here, here.