That was when I knew he was going to do what he always did. Minimize. Stall. Beg for calm so he would not have to choose.
I went upstairs and cried so hard I made myself sick.
At prom, everything looked too bright.
I almost didn’t go to prom.
But around six, I looked at the photo of me and Grandma. I heard her voice in my head. You promised me.
So I went.
No necklace.
Just my dress. My heels. My hair done. My chest hollowed out.
At prom, everything looked too bright. String lights. Balloon arch. A dance floor in the gym. Everybody trying to act like this was the best night of their life.
She saw me across the room and smiled like she had won.
Tiffany showed up later.
Of course she looked perfect.
Of course she wanted to.
She saw me across the room and smiled like she had won.
For a while, I thought she had.
I stayed because leaving felt like letting her rewrite the night. I danced a little. Talked to friends. Lied badly when they asked where the necklace was.
Evelyn held up a case with both hands.
Then a teacher touched my arm and said, “Lori, the principal needs you for a minute.”
In the hallway outside the gym stood the principal, Evelyn, and Mrs. Kim.
Evelyn’s face softened the second she saw me. “I’m sorry. I came by your house this afternoon to see you before prom, and I found the necklace on the floor.”
Mrs. Kim nodded. “I told her what I heard. And what I saw.”
The principal said, “Evelyn explained the rest.”
