You won’t believe what happened to me! Buckle up, because this is one wild ride.
So, I’m Emily, a 17-year-old senior in high school. I live with my dad, my stepmom Carla, and her son, Mason. He’s 11, and honestly, we get along pretty well, just like siblings do.
But Carla? Now that’s another story entirely.
It all started seven years ago when my mom passed away after getting really sick. Not too long after, my dad started dating Carla, and within a year, they were married.
“Your father doesn’t waste any time, does he?” my aunt had commented during the wedding. “And who is Carla anyway? She’s nothing compared to your mom!”
“You look too much like your mother, Emily,” she said. “It actually pains me to look at you. No wonder your father gives Mason more attention. He’s closer to Mason right now, isn’t he?”
I sighed, trying my best to ignore her words and not let them get to me.
Anyway, fast forward to prom season. Like every other girl, I was dreaming of the perfect night. I had been saving up my babysitting money for months to buy this gorgeous violet dress.
I kept wishing my mom was still around to help me with everything. It wasn’t the same without her.
I was so excited for prom. I just had this feeling that it was going to be magical, the kind of night you never forget. To make things even more special, I booked an appointment at a high-end salon. My friends were going there too, and we were all so excited.
The day of prom finally arrived, and I headed to the salon, all excited to get my hair done. But when I got there, the receptionist gave me this confused look.
“I didn’t!” I exclaimed, completely panicked. “Why would I? Prom is this evening!”
“Calm down, honey,” the receptionist tried to calm me down. “I’ll get Zelda.”
“I got a call earlier today saying that you wanted to cancel your appointment, Emily. I assumed that it was your Mom?”
That’s when I spotted her.
Carla.
“Is there any way that you could still schedule me in?” I asked, trying to hold back my frustration.
“I’m sorry,” she said softly. “When your appointment was canceled, a woman called in and booked her own. All of our slots are taken. I’m sorry, honey.”
I was in complete shock. Carla had pretended to be me—or my mom—to cancel my appointment and take my spot. Just to ruin my day.
Feeling completely defeated, I ran out of the salon. I could barely hold it together. My dream of the perfect prom night was falling apart right in front of me.
By the time I got home, I locked myself in my room and cried my eyes out.
My beautiful violet dress was hanging nearby, but I wasn’t sure if I even wanted to go anymore.
That’s when I heard a loud honking outside. At first, I ignored it, thinking it was just a random car driving by.
Wiping my tears, I dragged myself to the window, expecting to see something happening on the street. But when I looked out, I was stunned.
There, parked right in front of our house, was a sleek, black limousine.
But I couldn’t stop myself from rushing downstairs to see what was going on.
As I stood by the front door, the driver stepped out of the limo and walked up to the porch, where my dad was standing, looking just as confused as I was.
“I’m here for Miss Emily, sir,” the driver said, holding out a card.
I opened it, my hands shaking. Inside, written in neat handwriting, was a message:
Have an amazing night, sis.
Love, Mason.
Before I knew it, I was crying again, but this time it was from pure joy. I ran upstairs and found Mason grinning like he had just pulled off the most epic surprise ever.
“I heard Mom on the phone this morning,” he shrugged. “I knew that it wasn’t fair at all.”
“But did you really use your money?” I asked, still feeling guilty about him spending his money.
“Not really,” he laughed. “See, Mom has been saving up money to buy some fancy diamond necklace. She’s been showing Dad the necklace, hoping that he would get it for her. But he said no.”
“Anyway, after I heard her phone call, she left home. So, I took some of the money from her stash, and went to Mr. Johnson next door. He owns the limo company, remember?”
But that wasn’t all Mason had up his sleeve.
Just as he said that, the doorbell rang.
“That should be her!” Mason said, grinning even wider. “Go wash your face, I’ll send her up.”
In about 20 minutes, I went from crying in my room to looking like a princess. If only my mom could have been there to take pictures and fuss over me. I missed her more than ever in that moment.
But thanks to Mason, my prom night wasn’t ruined after all.
I wish I had taken a picture of her face. I would have hung it up as a reminder that she couldn’t ruin everything!
“Richard? Did you do this?” she shrieked to my dad as the driver closed the limo door.
Prom was everything I dreamed it would be. When I arrived at the venue in the limo, heads turned. I felt like I was glowing, and for the first time in a long while, I knew my mom was there with me in spirit.
The night was magical—full of dancing, laughing, and just enjoying being with my friends. I forgot all about the drama at home.
What would you have done in my situation?
Neither the author nor the publisher claim full accuracy of events or character portrayals. This story is provided “as is,” and any opinions expressed are those of the characters and not reflective of the author or publisher’s views.
