Fairytale or a nightmare?

VIOLET


"Can you believe this is actually happening?" Ashley squealed, clutching her shopping bags tightly as we made our way through the crowded mall. Her eyes sparkled with excitement, and she was practically bouncing. "Freshman year, we only dreamed about senior prom. Remember when we faked sick just to skip junior prom? And now here we are—seniors, real dates, the whole fairytale! And you’re going with Ryan Jenkins of all people. This is like…a movie!”

I tried to shush her, glancing apologetically at a few annoyed shoppers who shot us looks over their shoulders. “Okay Ash, dial it down a notch.People are staring.”

Ashley rolled her eyes, undeterred. "Let them stare! It’s senior prom, Violet—our senior prom!" She struck a quick, playful spin in the middle of the mall, stopping to pat the shoulder of a random man passing by. "Hey, did you know? My best friend is Ryan Jenkins’ date to prom! Isn’t that wild?"

The man just blinked, clearly lost as he offered a polite nod before hurrying on his way. I stifled a laugh, tugging on Ashley’s arm. "Alright, that’s enough. You’re going to scare everyone away," I teased, grinning as I pulled her towards the makeup section.

"Scare them away? Please," Ashley scoffed, but she let me lead her, shooting me a wide, delighted grin. "You know, I'm just making sure everyone knows you’re about to be the prom queen tonight. Plus, with a date like Ryan…"

I gave her an exasperated look. "One thing at a time, Ash. Let's just get through prom without me tripping in heels, okay?"

She grinned, grabbing a bottle of highlighter and holding it up for inspection. "Fine, but I’m still picturing the tiara on your head. Now, We’ve got work to do if you're going to look as unforgettable as I know”

Ashley tugged me toward the makeup aisle, stopping at a display of lipsticks in shades ranging from demure pinks to daring reds.

"So, what are you thinking for the look? Bold, dramatic, or classic elegance?" she asked

I scanned the rows of products, contemplating how I wanted to feel tomorrow.

"Let’s go with something timeless," I said finally. "Something that won’t make me cringe in a year when I look back on pictures."

Ashley grinned, already picking out shades for me. She picked up a tube of deep rose and held it up to my face, squinting as she imagined how it would look.

“This one. It’ll bring out your eyes,” she said, practically bouncing with excitement. “Plus, if Ryan does anything stupid, you can just leave a lipstick mark on his cheek to remind him what he’s missing.”

I laughed, shaking my head. “Ashley, sometimes I don’t know where you get your ideas.”

We spent the next thirty minutes picking out shades of lipsticks, eyeshadows, and blushes after which we headed to the clothed session.

"Okay, let's find you the perfect dress!" Ashley said, pulling me toward the racks.

We began rifling through gowns, but each one seemed to disappoint her. “No, this isn’t classy enough,” she complained, tossing aside a sequined number that sparkled like a disco ball. “You’re Ryan’s date! You should look like you just stepped off a red carpet, not a junior high date”

We continued our search, Ashley criticizing every option that came close. “What about this one?” I suggested, holding up a soft lavender dress with delicate lace accents.

She wrinkled her nose. “Too basic! You need something that screams ‘royalty,’ not ‘wallflower.’”

After trying on several more options—a flowy number that looked like it belonged in a beach party, and another with an awkward cut that made me feel like I was drowning in fabric—Ashley’s enthusiasm started to dwindle. Just as I was about to suggest we take a break, her eyes suddenly lit up.

“This is it!” she declared, pulling a stunning dress from the rack. It was a royal blue,the fabric shimmering slightly under the fluorescent lights. The dress had an off-the-shoulder neckline, with delicate lace that hugged the bodice perfectly before flowing into a full skirt that danced with every movement. It looked classy yet vibrant, striking a perfect balance.

“Try it on! Go, go!” Ashley urged, practically shoving me towards the dressing room. “This is the one, I can feel it”

I entered the dressing room feeling a rush of anticipation.
I stepped into the dressing room, excitement and nervousness swirling within me. The fabric of the royal blue dress felt luxurious against my skin as I slid it over my head. Once I fastened the zipper, I turned to face the mirror, my breath hitching at the sight before me.

The dress hugged my curves just right, the off-the-shoulder neckline accentuating my collarbone and the delicate lace detailing making me feel like royalty. I twirled, the full skirt swirling around my legs, and for the first time in a while, I felt beautiful—confident even.

Just as I was admiring my reflection, Ashley's voice through my moment of bliss.

“Violet, hurry up! Just because you’re Ryan Jenkins’ date doesn’t mean you can keep me waiting!”

I rolled my eyes, a smile playing on my lips. “Yeah, yeah, I’ll be right out!” I was about to turn back to the mirror when I heard a soft rustling behind me. The curtain fluttered slightly, revealing a glimpse of a different dressing area.

Suddenly, another voice chimed in, sharper and more biting. “You’re Ryan’s date?”

I froze, turning to see Evelyn Winters stepping out from behind the curtain. Her expression was a mix of disbelief and disdain, her perfectly manicured nails tapping impatiently against her thigh. The confidence I’d just felt began to falter under her gaze.

I swallowed hard, bracing myself as she stepped closer. “How cute,” she said, her voice laced with mockery. “I didn't realize he was lowering his standards this year.”

Her eyes narrowed as she sized me up, and I felt her gaze like a spotlight, dissecting my very being. “So, this is why he's been acting strange lately,” she continued.

“What do you want?” I shot back, desperate to regain some ground.

“Seriously? You’re asking me what I want?” she scoffed, her voice dripping with disdain. “It’s the fact that you think you can just waltz in and take something that doesn’t belong to you. Ryan is not yours to claim.”

“Why do you care?” I snapped “If he’s into you, why are you worried about me?”

Her smile turned colder. “Because I don’t like it when little girls like you try to play with my toys. Ryan’s a lot of things, but you? You’re not his type. He’s just using you, like he’s done with everyone else.”

Her words hit me hard, an unwelcome reminder of my insecurities, but I forced myself to stay composed.

“Oh, sweet Violet,” she cooed, her tone condescending. “It’s adorable that you think you can actually hold Ryan’s interest. I just wanted to make sure you knew what you were getting into.”
.

I clenched my jaw, unwilling to show her any weakness. “And what’s that supposed to mean?”

She stepped closer, her tone dripping with condescension. “Ryan likes a certain type of girl, and let’s be real—you’re not it. You’re sweet, Violet, but this is Ryan Jenkins we’re talking about. He’s not looking for someone like you. You might want to keep your expectations in check. Once he gets bored with you—and he will—I’ll be waiting. And you’ll be the one left in the dust

Her words cut deep, the confidence I had a moment ago feeling more fragile than ever. I squared my shoulders, refusing to let her see how much she affected me.

“And a little advice?” She leaned in closer. “I don’t like competition. If you’re smart, you’ll back off before you get hurt. I can make your life hell, you know. It's not too late to reconsider your decision”

“Violet! Are you okay in there?” Ashley's voice cut through

“I’m fine!” I yelled back, my gaze still locked on Evelyn.

“And I think we're done here with our little conversation. See you tomorrow Violet” She smiled, then turned on her heel and strutted back to her dressing area, leaving me reeling in the aftermath of her taunts. I caught my reflection again, the dress still looked beautiful, but now it felt like a costume I was putting on for someone else’s game

What if Evelyn was right? What if I was just another pawn in Ryan's playboy antics? The memories of her lips on his surfaced uninvited, and a pang of hurt shot through me.

No. I wasn’t going to let Evelyn's words ruin this night for me. I was his date to prom, nothing more, nothing less—perfectly normal. But deep down, I knew I’d have to keep my heart guarded. This was dangerous territory, and the last thing I needed was to lose myself in something that could hurt me.

I took a deep breath, forced a smile, and stepped out of the dressing room.

“Oh… my…” Ashley gasped, her eyes widening with shock and admiration. “Violet, you look absolutely stunning!”

A genuine laugh bubbled out of me, "Thanks, Ash," I replied, cheeks warming. For a moment, all my nerves and doubts faded.

Ashley moved closer, inspecting every detail of the dress with admiration. “You know, you should wear dresses more often! You look like you just stepped out of a fairytale,” she gushed, giving me a light squeeze. “Ryan’s jaw is gonna hit the floor.”

I grinned, a hint of anticipation mixed with the nerves fluttering in my stomach. "Let’s hope I don’t trip before he even sees me," I joked, and she laughed..

We quickly picked out a dress for Ashley, a sleek black number that complemented her perfectly, and gathered a few last-minute accessories. By the time we finished, our stomachs were growling, so we ducked into a nearby restaurant for a quick bite after which we headed home.

Prom. A night I’d dreamed about but never quite imagined would feel so real. Tomorrow was the day, and as much as the nerves simmered beneath the surface, excitement was right there beside them. I just hoped I’d hold onto the confidence I felt tonight—because tomorrow, it all came down to one night