The night of the prom was supposed to be magical. Everyone said so. But as you stood in front of the mirror, smoothing down the silky fabric of your dress, a strange emptiness settled in your chest.

The gym was packed with students dancing under shimmering lights, the music loud enough to shake the walls. Your friends dragged you onto the dance floor, laughing and twirling, but something felt… off. The excitement, the joy—it wasn’t reaching you.

Maybe it was the weight of expectations. The pressure to make this night the “best night of your life.” Maybe it was the way the world felt like it was moving too fast, leaving you standing still.

So you slipped away, escaping to the quiet of the school’s courtyard. The cool air hit your skin, and you let out a sigh, kicking off your heels. You didn’t want to admit it, but prom felt more like an obligation than a celebration.

“You okay?”

The familiar voice made you freeze. Turning, you saw Ricky, the basketball captain, standing a few feet away. His jacket was slung over his arm, his tie loosened. He had been inside, dancing, laughing—actually enjoying the night. Unlike you.

You forced a smile. “Yeah, just needed some air.”

He studied you for a moment before stepping closer, draping his jacket over your shoulders. “You don’t look like you’re having fun.”

You hesitated. “I just don’t get the hype.”

He chuckled. “Prom’s not about the lights or music. It’s about who you spend it with.”

Your heart skipped at the way he looked at you.

Then, after a brief silence, Ricky reached out his hand to you, his eyes reflecting the soft glow of the moon. “Can I have a dance with you under the moonlight and the stars?”