Chapter 19
September rolled in, bringing cooler air and the first hints of fall. Leaves were starting to change color, drifting from the trees and spiraling to the ground. Prom was around the corner, and honestly, it was the one thing I felt excited about — something bright to look forward to in the middle of all the relationship stress I kept trying to push aside.
At lunch, I sat with my friends, laughing and talking until Angela suddenly asked:
“Did he find a girl to be part of your open relationship?”
I hesitated. “Yes… it’s Evelyn.”
Their reactions were a mix of surprise and not surprise.
“Oh wow,” Angela said. “That makes sense, but that’s a shitty move. I can tell you’re not happy about it.”
“Yeah, I’m not,” I admitted. “But I’m trying to give it a chance and not judge too fast.”
“I don’t blame you,” she said. “If I were you, I’d tell him directly and tell him everything I know.”
“True,” I said quietly. “I’m still willing to bring him here for prom.”
Brianna leaned in. “What if he says no? Then what?”
I hadn’t even considered that possibility. “If he says no… I’ll be heartbroken. But I’ll still show up anyway.”
“At least you’re making a good call there,” she said. “You should still go, no matter what.”
Later, at home, their words kept replaying in my head. I kept imagining different scenarios — him saying yes, him saying no, him acting weird, him acting normal. My brain wouldn’t stop.
Finally, I picked up my phone and texted him:
Hey babe, I’m having prom at my school in a couple of weeks and wanted to see if you wanted to be my prom date?
He replied quickly:
I’d love to go. Just let me know the exact date and time.
It’s on the 16th at 7 p.m.
I’ll be there. I know you’ll look cute.
Great, can’t wait!
That was it. Conversation over.
I set my phone down, grabbed my bag, and decided to head to the mall. If prom was happening, I wanted to look good — dress, shoes, everything. Something about preparing for it made me feel hopeful again, even if my heart was still tangled in knots.