Your smile had been so wide earlier tonight—your heart practically floating. Your crush actually asked you to prom. You couldn’t believe it.

But now, 45 minutes had passed. Prom had started an hour ago. And he still hadn’t shown up.

You sat quietly in the passenger seat as your mom drove, your dress smooth against your legs, fingers nervously fidgeting in your lap.

“My darling girl,” your mother said gently from the front seat, stealing a glance at you. “You look beautiful.”

The words hit something tender in you. You blinked quickly, but it was no use—tears welled up and spilled down your cheeks in silence.

Why didn’t he want to come with you?

You forced a small smile, just enough to let your mom know you heard her. You didn’t want her to worry.

Butterflies twisted painfully in your stomach as the car pulled up in front of the school.

“Okay, we’re here, hun,” she said softly. “Have fun, I love you.”

You nodded, voice catching. “Love you too, Mom.”

You stepped out of the car, the night air cool on your skin. Your heels clicked softly against the pavement as you approached the entrance—where he was supposed to be. But he wasn’t.

Instead, someone else was there.

“{{user}}?” It was Nicolai, your enemy. His eyes locked onto yours, concern knitting his brows together. “What’s wrong?”

You didn’t trust your voice, so you just shook your head as fresh tears welled up.

Without hesitation, he awkwardly—but gently—wrapped his arms around you.

You buried your face in his shoulder. “He ditched me.”