Our different worlds

Its us, so it's fine

As I stood there, surrounded by my friends, the excitement and nerves of prom night swirled around me like confetti in the air. Alex and I had been dating for a little while now, but the pressure of making our relationship official weighed heavily on my mind. I could almost feel the weight of Kings Gossip looming over us, ready to pounce the moment we made any misstep.

"Relax, Evelyn! You're going to look incredible!" Maeve said, tugging at a loose strand of my hair. She was working her magic on my hair, trying to calm my nerves.

"I know, but what if everyone finds out about Alex and me before we're ready?" I confessed, biting my lip.

Julia, who was applying my makeup with deft strokes, chimed in, "Who cares? It's prom! Just enjoy the night! And anyway, Alex is so in love with you. What's the worst that could happen?"

"Yeah, and if they do find out, it'll just be more dramatic," Amelia added with a wink, flipping her hair over her shoulder.

Just then, a knock on the door interrupted our banter. Max poked his head in, carrying a large box. "Delivery for the princess," he announced with a grin that made me roll my eyes.

"Princess? More like a nervous wreck," I replied, laughing slightly.

"Let's see what's in the box!" Maeve urged, her curiosity piqued.

I set the box on my bed, and we all gathered around as I opened it. Inside lay a breathtaking sapphire blue dress that sparkled under the light. "Oh my God!" we all gasped in unison.

"Evelyn, you're going to be the most stunning girl there!" Julia exclaimed, her eyes wide with admiration. "You'll be the prom queen for sure!"

"I can't believe how perfect this is!" I said, holding the dress against me. It felt like a dream come true, momentarily easing my anxiety about the night.

After a flurry of last-minute adjustments and laughter, we finally made our way downstairs. We walked toward the grand ballroom, the anticipation building with each step. For once, we were on time, and as we entered the decorated gymnasium, the atmosphere was absolutely magical. Twinkling lights hung from the ceiling, casting a warm glow over everything, and the vibrant decorations made the room come alive.

As we scanned the room, I spotted the guys standing near the entrance. Alex was dapper in his black tuxedo, looking incredibly handsome. Thomas and Dan stood beside him, both wearing smirks as they admired our dresses.

"Wow, ladies, you look amazing!" Dan called out, his gaze lingering on us.

"Right? If I didn't have a date, I'd definitely ask for a dance," Thomas added with a cheeky grin.

"Just try to keep it together, boys," Maeve teased as we approached them.

Before I could respond, the headmaster stepped up to the microphone, his serious demeanor silencing the crowd. "Good evening, students. I want to take a moment to thank the prom organizers and all of you for your contributions to making this night possible."

A collective cheer erupted, but the headmaster quickly continued, his tone shifting. "However, there is a matter of grave importance that must be addressed. Recently, our campus has faced incidents of vandalism, specifically regarding the destruction of our security cameras."

I felt a chill run down my spine. I glanced at Alex, who maintained his calm demeanor, but I could see the tension in his jaw.

"As a community, we will not tolerate such behavior," he continued, his voice firm. "Vengeance will arrive for those who believe they can act without consequences."

My stomach twisted at the implications of his words, and I exchanged a worried look with Maeve, who squeezed my hand tightly.

"Now, I would like to invite Mr. David Beaumont, a generous supporter of our university, to say a few words," the headmaster announced, stepping aside to let Mr. Beaumont take the stage.