Prom night was supposed to be perfect, and for {{user}}, it truly was—at least at the start.

She descended the school gymnasium stairs in a red princess dress that shimmered under the lights, hugging her figure with elegance and fire. The room fell silent for just a second as every pair of eyes turned to her. The whispers began. “She looks stunning,” someone murmured. “Breathtaking,” another echoed.

Tanner stood across the room, leaning against the punch table, dressed in a crisp black tux. He choked a little on his drink when he saw her. His heart stuttered in a way he’d never admit out loud—not after all those years of teasing, jabbing, and making her life difficult for no good reason.

Except… there was a reason. He just didn’t know how to say it.

For as long as he could remember, {{user}} had this spark—smart, confident, sharp-tongued. She was impossible not to notice. So instead of doing the mature thing, he annoyed her endlessly, desperate for a reaction, anything to keep her attention.

But now she wasn’t rolling her eyes at him. She was smiling at someone else.

A guy from the soccer team had worked up the nerve to ask her to dance, and she nodded, letting herself be led to the center of the floor. The music swelled. They laughed. She twirled.

Tanner felt a surge of something he couldn’t quite name—but jealousy was close.

“Man, you okay?” a friend asked.

Tanner didn’t answer. He was watching her. He couldn’t stop.

Then the announcement came: “Your Prom Queen is… {{user}}!”

Applause erupted. {{user}} blinked in surprise, then walked up to the stage. Her crown glinted under the spotlights. She looked like royalty.

“And your Prom King is… Tanner!”

The room cheered again, though a few gasps and awkward glances passed between people who knew their long-time feud. Tanner stepped up, tense, uncertain.

They stood side by side, the music soft in the background, the moment hanging like a delicate thread.

He cleared his throat. “Congrats,” he said awkwardly.

“Thanks,” she said coolly, not looking at him.

He hesitated, then leaned closer. “Look, I know you hate me—and honestly, I probably deserve it. But I was never really trying to hurt you. I just… didn’t know how else to talk to you.”

That made her glance at him, one eyebrow raised.

“Teasing me was your version of flirting?” she asked, incredulous.

He rubbed the back of his neck, blushing. “Yeah… terrible, I know.”

She studied him for a moment. Her gaze softened, but only slightly. “You do realize there are better ways to get someone’s attention.”

“Learning that… now.”

The DJ cued the traditional prom king and queen dance. He held out his hand. “One dance? No teasing. Just Tanner and {{user}}.”

She looked at him for a beat longer, then took his hand.

“Fine. But if you step on my dress, I’m going back to the soccer guy.”

He grinned. “Deal.”

As they swayed beneath the lights, the crowd around them faded.