“I know.”
“You don’t have to take pictures.”
“I know.”
“Just go.”
I finally looked at her.
She smiled.
“Give yourself one night.”
A week later, we bought the dress.
It was dark blue.
Simple.
Elegant.
I tried it on in front of the mirror.
For a moment, I didn’t look at my face.
I looked at the whole picture.
The dress.
The hair.
The shoes.
The person I had become.
And I thought maybe my mother was right.
Maybe I deserved one night.
Prom night arrived.
I spent almost two hours getting ready.
My mother helped with my hair.
She stood behind me while I looked in the mirror.
“You look beautiful.”
I smiled.
“Don’t cry.”
“I’m not crying.”
“You are.”
“It’s the hairspray.”
I laughed.
She kissed my forehead.
“Have fun.”
When I arrived at the venue, everything looked beautiful.
Lights.
Flowers.
Music.
Tables covered in white cloth.
Photographs everywhere.
For the first few minutes, I felt hopeful.
Then I started noticing what everyone else was doing.
Couples were taking pictures.
Friends were dancing.
People were laughing.
Everyone seemed to have someone.
I had nobody.
I stood near a table.
I checked my phone.
Nothing.
I looked around.
