We grew up side by side, building something steady and quiet and real.
That was why prom night felt like the beginning of the rest of our lives.
I stood in front of the mirror, smoothing my dress, trying to calm my nerves. Behind me, my mom watched in silence.
“You’re too young,” she said. “This isn’t real life.”
“It feels real,” I replied.
She didn’t argue anymore. That was worse.
Ethan showed up a few minutes later, nervous in his suit, holding a corsage like it meant everything. When he slipped it onto my wrist, his hand lingered.
“You look amazing,” he said.
“You don’t look so bad yourself,” I smiled.
For a few hours, everything felt normal.
We danced, laughed, took pictures. Our friends joked about how we would probably end up married someday.
I believed them.
Until reality caught up with us.
“You’re leaving after graduation. End this now.”
