Sophie's Life

Chapter 28: The Fight

The day of prom had finally arrived, and the excitement at my house was infectious. Riley, Sasha, Abby, and I were all in my room, putting the finishing touches on our dresses, makeup, and hair. My heart raced, not just because of prom itself but because, despite everything that had happened, tonight was about letting go and making memories.

Sasha, dressed in a stunning burgundy gown, twirled in front of the mirror, her cheeks glowing with excitement. "Is it too much?" she asked, looking both nervous and thrilled.

"You're going to leave Nathan speechless," I assured her, grinning.

Abby was next, adjusting her simple black dress. Her nerves were obvious, but she had a smile that showed she was ready to enjoy herself. "And Daniel will not be able to take his eyes off you, Abby," I added, earning a shy laugh from her.

Then there was Riley in a midnight-blue dress that shimmered under the light. She looked fierce and stunning, especially as she kept glancing at the clock with growing impatience. Xavier, her date, would be here soon, and we all knew she was looking forward to it. Aaron had asked her to prom, but she'd turned him down flatly, and she hadn't looked back since.

The doorbell rang, and we headed downstairs, where our dates waited, looking dapper in their suits. Nathan greeted Sasha first, his smile widening as he took her hand. Daniel followed with a shy smile for Abby, slipping a corsage onto her wrist.

James was next, meeting my gaze with a soft smile as he offered me his arm. "You look beautiful, Sophie."

"Thank you," I murmured, feeling butterflies as I took his arm.

Finally, Xavier stood with a bouquet, his eyes lighting up as he saw Riley. She smirked, brushing back her hair as she accepted the flowers with a "Thanks." We all headed out, excited for the night ahead.

At the prom, everything was perfect. The lights glistened, the music pulsed, and for once, all the tension seemed to melt away. We laughed, danced, and forgot about everything else. Riley and Xavier hit it off; he made her laugh in a way I hadn't seen in a while, and they looked like they were having a great time.

But as the night went on, I noticed Aaron hanging around the edges, a drink in his hand. His gaze lingered on Riley and Xavier, his expression growing darker by the minute. It was clear he wasn't handling her rejection well. Before I knew it, he had drunk more than he could handle, and suddenly, I saw him make a beeline for Xavier.

The next few moments were a blur. Aaron shoved Xavier, a look of fury in his eyes. "You think you can just swoop in?" he slurred. "You don't even know her!"

"Aaron, calm down," Xavier said, holding his hands up, but Aaron wouldn't listen. He threw a punch, and the music stopped as people around them gasped, watching the scene unfold.

Riley rushed forward, pulling Aaron back as he struggled to catch his balance. "Aaron, what are you doing?" she snapped, her voice a mix of anger and worry.

Aaron looked at her, his eyes glassy with hurt and frustration. "I'm doing this because... I still like you, Riley," he confessed, his voice breaking. "I know I messed up, but I just... I can't stand seeing you with him."

Riley's face softened, but only for a moment. "Aaron, this isn't the way. You can't just... act like this and expect me to forgive you."

She took his arm, helping him outside, away from the whispers and stares. The ride back was silent, and when they finally reached his house, she helped him to the door. "Get some rest, Aaron. We'll talk when you're sober."

He looked at her, a trace of hope still in his eyes, but she just shook her head. She cared about him, sure, but things between them had changed. And with that, she turned and left.