Prom Dilemma

VIOLET



I sat on the bed,my legs crossed watching Ashley's face morph through several expressions of shock, disbelief, and, finally, a wide-eyed excitement that could’ve lit up the entire room.

"Say something" I urged,her silence becoming unbearable

"I'm still trying to absorb the information. Give me few minutes to process it" She whispered

"It's been a few minutes " I groaned. "Just say something already

"Okay so, You’re telling me..." she finally breathed, pressing a hand to her chest as if her heart might leap out. "Both Ryan and Luke asked you to prom?!"

I nodded.

A high-pitched squeal erupted from her once more as she pulled me into a tight hug.

"Oh my God. This is huge!” She released me, holding me at arm’s length. “You did tell Ryan yes, right? And let Luke down gently, because obviously you already had a date?”

A frown pulled at my forehead. The truth was, I hadn’t exactly handled it with the poise Ashley imagined. I’d told Luke I’d think about it which was quite better because I didn't run off in embarrassment this time

"Oh no, don’t tell me you didn't” Her grin faltered,replaced with a frown. “You didn't tell Ryan yes?” Her voice was tinged with suspicion as she squinted at me, piecing it together.

“Okay, so, I sort of… ran off,” I admitted, looking down at my hands. “I didn’t really say yes to Ryan. Or give him an answer at all, actually.”

Ashley’s eyes widened in horror, as if I’d committed some kind of mortal sin. “Are you serious, Violet? You ran away from Ryan Jenkins without giving him an answer?”
I nodded and she shook her head, clearly exasperated.

"That’s it,” she announced, grabbing my phone off the bed before I could react. “You’re texting him right now, and you’re saying yes. Do you even realize how many girls would give anything to have Ryan Jenkins ask them to prom?”

“Well, maybe they can take my spot, then," I muttered, rolling my eyes.

Ashley snapped upright, leveling me with a serious stare. “Don’t even joke about that, Violet Blake. You’ve got Ryan, the ultimate bad-boy heartthrob, and then sweet, lovable Luke asking you to be their date. Do you realize how massive this is?”

I sighed, slumping back against the headboard. “Yeah, well, it doesn’t feel that massive when I don’t know what to do. How am I supposed to respond? ‘Sorry, my heart’s in a blender right now, could you come back later?’”

Ashley let out a resigned sigh as she dropped the phone back to my lap. “Vi, you’re hopeless.

“Tell me something I don't know” I snorted.

Ashley plopped down beside me. She shook her head, picking up my phone again and waving it in front of my face.

“You have to make a decision, Vi. You can’t just keep stringing them both along,” she said, an amused grin spreading across her face. “Honestly, there’s no contest here. It’s Ryan, hands down.”

“But it’s not that simple,” I protested, snatching my phone back, clutching it close to my chest. “It’s... complicated.”

“Is it, though?” Ashley rolled her eyes, tugging at my sleeve. “Ryan is practically the ultimate dream guy. He’s gorgeous, popular, and have you seen the way he looks at you? It’s like you’re the only person in the room whenever he’s around.”

I swallowed, heat creeping up to my cheeks. Ashley wasn’t wrong. Ryan had this presence, this magnetism that drew everyone’s attention—especially mine. Just standing next to him made my heart beat faster, and when he asked me to prom, it felt like something out of a daydream. But then there was Luke…

“And what about Luke?” I sighed, tracing invisible patterns on my blanket. “He’s been my friend Ash. He’s always been there for me, through everything. He’s sweet and caring, and he really understands me. It’s not just about popularity or looks with him.”

My mind drifted back to that night at the party, Ryan’s words slipping into my thoughts with an ease I wished wasn’t so effortless.

"Sweet and nice, huh? That’ll only put you to sleep, won’t it? You crave someone who can keep up with you, who can make things interesting.”

I felt a strange flutter in my chest, as though some tiny part of me recognized the truth in his words. Ryan was unpredictable. Intriguing. And yes,maybe there was a part of me that wanted that edge, that thrill he seemed to bring with him wherever he went. But then, wasn’t that the same part that made me feel like I couldn’t breathe around him?

I shrugged it off. My mind definitely is not taking that route again.

Ashley gave me an exasperated look, as though I was speaking another language. “Vi, come on. Sweet is fine. Sweet is great, even. But are you really going to settle for sweet when you have Ryan Jenkins offering you a night you’ll never forget?”

I bit my lip, her words swirling in my mind. I knew what she was saying made sense on the surface, but it didn’t settle the confusion bubbling within me.

“It’s not that I don’t want to go with Ryan,” I said slowly, struggling to put my thoughts into words. “I just... I don’t know. With Luke, it’s different. I don’t have to second-guess anything. I don’t feel on edge wondering what he’s thinking.With him, I know where I stand.”

Ashley groaned, flopping backward on the bed dramatically. “But he’s just a friend, Vi! Ryan is, like, this fantasy come to life! He’s everything you could want in a prom date—and maybe even more. Don’t overthink it.”

I sighed, falling back next to her, staring up at the ceiling. “ I don’t know. I'm confused”

“Okay, Vi. Let’s think this through.” Ashley scooted closer, crossing her legs under her and meeting my gaze. “On one hand, we’ve got Luke. Sweet, caring Luke, who’s been by your side ever since you know him. You know he’ll always have your back, and he’s safe, you know?”

I nodded, fiddling with the edge of my pillow. “Yeah… Luke is kind of like… home.”

Ashley raised an eyebrow. “Exactly! But on the other hand…” Her face lit up as she spoke. “We have Ryan Jenkins. The famous bad-boy stepbrother every girl dreams of, and he’s asking you to prom. You, Violet. How could you not be a little curious about what that might be like?”

Ashley leaned in, whispering as if the walls themselves might overhear. “He’s popular, he’s confident, and let’s be honest—he’s so freaking hot it’s unreal. I mean, hello, that eyes of his? And he’s your stepbrother, which adds just a touch of forbidden excitement.”

I bit my lip, unsure of how to respond. “It’s… complicated. Ryan and I are already under the same roof, and half the time, I don’t know whether he’s serious or just playing some game. With Luke, things are simple. I know where I stand with him.”

Ashley rolled her eyes, draping an arm over my shoulder. “Girl, that’s precisely what makes Ryan interesting. Luke is safe, sure, but Ryan? Ryan’s the adventure. You need someone who’ll keep you on your toes, not someone who just… well, fits in.”

I threw her a look, a mix of amusement and exasperation. “Since when did you become my personal romance coach?”

She laughed, shrugging. “Since you started having two ridiculously gorgeous guys after you. If you can’t decide, someone has to help you figure this out. Luke’s always been there for you, and you don’t want to hurt him I get. But Ryan… he’s different. He’s exciting, unpredictable, and let’s be honest, the chemistry between you two is off the charts. You’re going to prom, not signing up for life. Just let yourself have some fun!”

Maybe she was right. Maybe I was overthinking it, putting too much pressure on what should be a night of fun, a night where I didn’t have to worry about every little consequence.

“Look, I’m here for a sleepover, so let’s not waste the night brooding. But… just think about it and tell me your answer tomorrow okay?

I nodded, but I could already feel the weight of the decision pressing on me as I lay down beside her, pulling the blanket up to my chin. Ashley turned off the lamp, plunging the room into darkness and soon, her soft, steady breathing filled the silence.

But sleep wouldn’t come for me.

Every time I closed my eyes, images of Ryan and Luke swirled through my mind.

Ryan, my stepbrother—the guy who made my pulse race every time he was near. His intensity, his wildness, it pulled me in like nothing else, igniting a spark I couldn’t ignore

But then, there was Luke—kind, dependable. He didn’t have Ryan’s brooding mystery or his aura of rebellion, but he had something that felt safe, genuine.

Ryan or Luke. The thrill or the safety.

What am I choosing?