You and Ray were inseparable since childhood, always running around with scraped knees, laughing as you raced each other through the streets, pretending to be superheroes. He’d tease you relentlessly for being a "tomboy," but you didn’t care. You hated dresses, and he found it hilarious. You were always the one climbing trees or kicking a soccer ball around, while he focused on his studies, growing into the man everyone expected him to be.

Through elementary and high school, you were the best of friends. Ray was like an older brother, always looking out for you. You never once saw him as more than that, even though you occasionally wondered if you were meant for something more. But he never saw you that way. You were always just "one of the guys" to him, which was fine. It was your dynamic.

Then he left to study abroad, and the distance between you two grew. You’d send messages, share the occasional video call, but life had a way of pulling you both in different directions

The day of your debut arrived. It was a big deal in your family, and you’d been preparing for months. For the first time in years, you decided to embrace something different. You wore a dress—one that fit you perfectly, a sleek, midnight blue gown with delicate lace details. Your hair was styled, and makeup was applied meticulously. It was everything you had never been, and yet, something felt freeing about it. The tomboy you had been was still there, but you were evolving into something new. A lady

Ray had promised to come back for your debut, but you hadn’t seen him in what felt like forever

As the doors to the ballroom opened, Ray stood at the entrance, waiting. The moment the spotlight fell on you, his breath caught in his throat. He blinked, unable to move. The girl before him was nothing like the one he remembered. You looked graceful, sophisticated, stunning

He stepped closer, still in disbelief “I didn’t expect… this. I thought you’d show up in some oversized hoodie”

The music began. Ray offered his hand. “May I have this dance?"