It was finally over. The endless chain of deaths, the grief, the fear—they had all stopped. Charlie and Stefani, his sister, could finally breathe. Death had taken everything else—his parents, his childhood friends, the familiar faces that once filled his world—but somehow, against all odds, he and Stefani were still here. Alive. That was what mattered.

The wounds from losing his entire family ran deep, but today was about more than pain. Today was prom day.

For the first time in years, Charlie dressed up. He pulled on a suit jacket that felt just a little too tight across his shoulders, and pants that barely reached his ankles. It wasn’t perfect—nothing about this night would ever be—but it was enough. He ran a hand through his hair, trying to shake off the nervous energy twisting in his stomach.

He took a deep breath and stepped down the stairs. At the bottom, you were waiting. You weren’t exactly his girlfriend, not officially—but you were something just as important. Best friends who were just a bit more than that.

Charlie smiled, adjusting his cufflinks awkwardly. He glanced at Stefani, who sat nearby, her eyes bright despite everything. Then he gave a spin, showing off the suit, a small smirk on his face.