The Ballad of Sara Berry

Act 1: Sara Berry

(A/N: Inspired by 35MM's "The Ballad of Sara Berry." Most of the characters belong to Ryan Scott Oliver.)

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There's seven reasons this crown's not good as got—

And so the night of prom, mercy, thus went her plot...

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May 11, 1996

San Fernando High School

San Fernando, California

It was the night of the San Fernando High School Senior Prom and all anyone could talk about was Sara Berry. For the last two months, Sara Berry obsessed with getting as many votes as she could for Prom Queen. She volunteered at all the Key Club and Honor Society events, brought cupcakes and muffins every Friday, and filled every bulletin board with flyers and posters that read "Check Sarah! Choose Sarah! Vote for Sara Berry!"

"I wonder if she'll even show up," her friend Anne said. "She hasn't shown up to cheerleading practice in weeks."

"She'll come," Sara's other friend Patricia said. "Prom has literally been all she could think about. All I know is that whatever happen tonight will make headlines for the school paper next week."

"Even with Julie in the lead?" Marianna asked. "I checked the votes with the other members of the Prom Committee."

Their questions would soon be answered. Befitting the Hollywood Red Carpet theme, Sara Berry arrived, wearing a red spaghetti strap silk dress, black velvet gloves, and a sparkly large silver clutch around her wrist along with silver earrings and a necklace. With her bright strawberry blonde hair and hourglass figure, she reminded more than a few students of Jessica Rabbit.

Sara's green eyes surveilled the room. Julie Jenkins was blissfully happy, making small talk with Sara's now-ex-boyfriend, Peter Kinsley. She was just so happy, sitting in that perfect wheelchair, dressed in such an adorable powder blue dress like she was Cinderella or something.

But there were other problems on Sara's mind. For now, just like with poker, she had to be subtle. Don't let them see you sweat, Sara thought.

Sara approached Patricia, who was chatting with some of Sara's other friends by the photo booth.

"You guys all look beautiful!" Sara said.

"It's quite, um, astonishing to see you," Patricia said.

"You've just been so busy," Marianna said.

"Well I'm here!" Sara said. "Why don't we all take a picture to commemorate this beautiful night, huh?" She grabbed a Polaroid camera and handed it to Quiara. "Quiara, can you take the picture?"

"Um, sure," Quiara said.

Sara called over Racquel and Eunice, since they were also on the Prom Committee and the six of them all said "Cheese!" for the camera. A polaroid picture instantly came out.

"Quiara! You and I should have a picture, too!" Sara said. "After all, we're both on the Yearbook."

Before Quiara could say anything, Sara grabbed the camera and took a picture of the two of them together. A polaroid came out and slowly revealed a picture of Quiara forcing a smile while Sara conveyed a wide-eyed, manic expression.

"Now who's thirsty?" Sara asked.

"I am, actually," Patricia said, raising her hand.

"I'll get you some punch, then," Sara said.