Beyond The Court

10. You Called

*Kesley's POV*

The sound of my friends giggling in the guest bedroom fills the air, but it does nothing to distract me from the dull ache in my chest. I sit in front of the mirror as my mom carefully adjusts the straps of my dress, her smile warm and proud. I should be happy-it's prom, after all. But as I look at my reflection, all I feel is an overwhelming sadness. This isn't who I wanted to spend prom with. This isn't how l imagined it would be.

My mom moves to fix a stray hair, her hands gentle. "You look beautiful, sweetheart," she says softly. I force a smile, nodding. "Thanks, Mom."

But it doesn't feel right. None of this does. My "friends" are in the next room getting ready, laughing and taking selfies like we're the best of friends, but we're not. Not really. l've been using them as a distraction, trying to blend in with people who don't know the real me. The person I truly am. The person I'm too scared to be, because if I admit it, it'll change everything.

As I stand to leave the guest room, my friends call out to me. "Hey, Kesley, you ready to kill it tonight?" One of them asks with a teasing grin.

I give another forced smile, adjusting my dress. "Yeah, totally."

We head downstairs, where my mom snaps a few more photos of us before we finally pile into the car. I catch her looking at me, and for a split second, I want to tell her. Tell her everything.

That I don't want to go to prom with him, that this whole night feels like a lie. But instead, I just wave and close the door behind me. I've been playing this part for so long, I don't know how to stop.

When we get to the school, the parking lot is packed with students in formalwear. My heart sinks as I see couples laughing and taking photos, holding each other close. I can't help but think about who I really want to be here with. The one person who isn't here. The person who hasn't been in my life for a while, but who still occupies every corner of my mind.

Izzi.

It was supposed to be us. I wanted it to be her. Even though we've drifted apart, even though so much has changed, part of me always held onto the hope that maybe, somehow, we'd find our way back to each other. But instead, I'm walking into prom with someone else—a guy I don't care about, a date I don't want.

The night drags on. My date, Aaron, keeps getting too close, his hands constantly finding their way to my waist, my arms, even my legs. I keep pushing him away, brushing his hands off as politely as I can. But he doesn't take the hint.

"C'mon, Kesley," he says, his breath smelling of cheap alcohol as he pulls me closer during a slow dance.

"Relax, it's prom. You're supposed to have fun."

"I'am," l lie, stepping out of his grasp.

"I just... I'm not feeling it."

His face changes, darkens, and he grabs my wrist. "What's your problem? You've been avoiding me all night."

I yank my hand back, my heart pounding in my chest. "I said no, Aaron."

His eyes narrow, and before I can react, his hand comes down hard across my face. The slap is sharp and stings, sending a shockwave through my body. I freeze, my mind racing. He hit me. He hit me.

"Don't act like you're too good for me," he spits, anger twisting his teatures.

I don't even register what happens next. I just turn and bolt for the bathroom, my hands shaking as I lock myself in a stall. The tears come before I can stop them, but I don't want to cry. I don't want to give him the satisfaction. But the red mark on my face burns, and all I can think about is the person I wish was here to make this stop. The one person l've always felt safe with.