ZARA
My bedroom, which usually felt like a safe cocoon of black hoodies, ripped jeans, and sports gear, now looked like a whirlwind had passed through it — a whirlwind made of bobby pins, makeup brushes, perfume bottles, and shimmery highlighters that sparkled under the yellow light.
Kaylee was standing behind me, curling the last piece of my hair as I sat nervously in front of the vanity mirror.
"Will you stop moving?" she muttered with mock annoyance.
"I can't help it," I said, bouncing my leg up and down. "I feel like I'm about to throw up or pass out. Maybe both."
Kaylee gave me a sympathetic smile through the mirror. "Prom nerves. Totally normal. Also, you're about to knock Liam Hunter completely off his axis, so you might as well own it."
I let out a breathy laugh, but it didn't help much.
Liam was coming to pick me up in less than half an hour. I hadn't seen him since last night when he sent a string of texts about how excited he was, how he "couldn't wait to see me," and how he was "100% sure I was going to steal every spotlight in that ballroom."
I hated how easily those messages made my cheeks flush.
"You ready for makeup?" Kaylee asked, grabbing a small makeup bag and opening it like it held sacred treasures. "I brought the glam set."
"Not too glam," I warned. "I don't want to look like someone else."
Kaylee nodded. "Don't worry. We're enhancing Zara, not erasing her."
She dabbed some primer on my face, humming softly as she worked. It felt oddly peaceful, the two of us in that quiet space, surrounded by laughter and healing that hadn't existed between us just a few weeks ago.
"I really am glad we're doing this together," I said, eyes still closed as she blended eyeshadow onto my lids.
Kaylee paused for a second before saying, "Me too. And I'm proud of you."
"For what?"
"For letting someone in. For being brave enough to care again."
My eyes fluttered open. I stared at her reflection in the mirror.
She meant Liam.
And as much as it scared me, I couldn't pretend she was wrong.
⸻
Half an hour later, I stood in front of my full-length mirror, barely able to recognize the girl staring back at me.
The green velvet gown fit like a dream, hugging my frame and pooling elegantly at my feet. My hair had been styled into soft, glossy waves that rested on one shoulder, and my makeup was minimal but flawless — a sweep of gold on my eyelids, a subtle wing, and a soft nude lipstick that made my lips look fuller.
A delicate silver bracelet with a tiny "Z" charm gleamed on my wrist — a surprise gift from Liam that had arrived in a little white box earlier that day, with a note that simply read:
"For your big night. You're my favorite part of it already."
"Wow," Kaylee breathed behind me. "Liam's not going to survive this."
I turned to her with a nervous laugh. "I don't know how to feel. I've never done this before. A dress. A date. A prom."
"You're doing amazing," Kaylee said, adjusting the strap on my shoulder and handing me a small silver clutch. "And he's going to look at you like the stars hung themselves in the sky just for you."
I groaned. "Can you not be poetic right now? I'm already on the verge of a panic attack."
Kaylee smirked and checked my phone when the screen lit. "He just texted. He's outside."
My heart skipped. Like, actually skipped.
"I can't—" I started, pacing toward the window.
"You can," Kaylee said, gently grabbing my wrist. "This is your night. Go get it."
I nodded, shaky but determined. "Okay."
⸻
I stepped out the front door and immediately spotted Liam standing next to his car — a sleek, jet-black Mustang that looked freshly waxed for the occasion. He was leaning casually against it in a sharp, tailored black suit and dark green tie that matched my dress perfectly.
His head turned the second he heard my heels on the driveway.
And when his eyes met mine, every nerve in my body stilled.
His mouth parted slightly, like he couldn't believe what he was seeing. And then, slowly, the crooked smirk I knew so well melted into something softer. More reverent.
"Whoa," he finally said.
I smiled shyly, tucking a curl behind my ear. "Hi."
"'Hi'?" He blinked. "You show up looking like that and all I get is 'hi'?"
"You're not looking so bad yourself," I said, stepping closer.
He held out his arm for me to take, and I laced mine through it. I could feel the warmth of his skin even through the fabric of his suit.
"You ready?" he asked.
"Do I look ready?" I teased, arching a brow.
"You look like the reason the moon shows up at night."
I stared at him.
He grinned. "Okay, I stole that from Pinterest, but it felt appropriate."
I laughed, and he opened the passenger door like a gentleman.
As I slid in, my nerves started to quiet.
Because tonight, I wasn't just going to prom.
I was going with Liam Hunter — the boy who gave me butterflies without trying, the boy who made me feel like I mattered.
Even if it was all temporary, even if life came crashing down tomorrow…
Tonight, I had this.
And I was going to let myself have it.