B
Back Then: 18 Years Old
SUBJECT: PROM. GET Jealous.
Dear Bea,
I want you to know that I'm really happy that our principal decided that you can't run for Prom Special King. (You winning Ms. Popular three times in a row should be more than enough for your big-ass ego. Not that I would've voted for you, anyway)
I also want you to know that whatever you have planned for your night (with Amanda #ugh) will pale in comparison to my night. Since my date is Andrei, a perfect gentleman and last year's football MVP, he will be picking me up for pictures at six o'clock, taking me to a five-star dinner downtown, and treating me to the best dance of my life at the prom.
I've also decided that if all goes well, I'll go back with him to his downtown hotel room afterward. (He got us a room at the Marriott!) I'm sure you and Amanda will just fuck in the front seat of your car...
Hope you're jealous.
Forget You,
Caitlin
PS—Do you think my dress looks okay? Like, do you think Andrei will like it?
PSS—Am I too excited about this?
***
SUBJECT: RE: PROM. Get Jealous.
Dear Caitlin,
Thank you for reminding me why you'll always be my number one hater. (For the umpteenth time, I've won Ms. Popular FOUR times in a row—all without your pointless, wasteful vote.)
No wonder Andrei has been quiet about who he's taking to prom this weekend. Somehow telling everyone he's taking the most unknown person in our class isn't a great conversation starter. My night probably will pale in comparison to yours, but only because I think the prom is more than enough for someone I don't even like that much...
I refuse to believe that you'll ever have sex, so I'm not even going to say anything about him getting you a room at the Marriott. (Except that his older cousin is the general manager there, so I highly doubt it took him much effort to do that...) Me and Amanda will be fucking in the back seat of my car. *smile emoji*
I'm far from jealous.
Forget You,
Bea,
PS—If you're talking about the red dress you've been waltzing around your room every day for the past two weeks... Yes, he'll like it. (Everyone will)
PSS—If you were anyone else, yes. Since this is your first time actually going out, no...
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On the night of prom, I double checked to make sure I picked up the right violet corsage for my date and made sure there wasn't a dirt spot anywhere on my blue convertible.
As I was putting on my tuxedo jacket, I looked outside my window and noticed that Caitlin wasn't waltzing around her room in her prom dress like usual. She didn't even look like she was halfway ready.
Instead, she was sitting at her desk, crying.
Confused, I pushed up my window and tossed a pen at her window.
She looked up and wiped her eyes before pushing it open. "Yeah?"
"Does your perfect dress not fit anymore or something? Why the hell are you crying?"
"Hindi na ako pupunta sa prom."
"What?"
She sniffled and held up her cell phone.
"I can't see the screen from over here, Caitlin."
"He invited me out as a joke. Ang sabi n'ya akala n'ya alam ko na hindi s'ya seryoso, and that no offense, but if he was going to have a date he would never pick me. He's going with Elaine—Homecoming Queen. Why did I think that he would pick me over her anyway when they were still dating? Bakit ba ang tanga ko?"
I knew I was supposed to say something thoughtful or meaningful right now, that I should probably say something like, "You should go anyway. Show him what he's missing," but I was running late so I could only shrug.
"Well, that's highly unfortunate," I said. "I guess I'll tell you all about the prom when I get back."
Her jaw dropped and her face reddened as I shut my window, and I waved at her before leaving the room.
