Cool feet. I feel nervous and anxious, repeatedly checking the blue corsage. It's difficult to make this decision. It's a sad and frustrating situation. Ending up with someone I didn't want to be with is far from a joyful experience.

I walked into my closet and opened a box on top of my vanity. From inside the box, I retrieved something.

It was another corsage. Emerald green with a shining quartz stone on top. I kissed the corsage gently.

"Have you decided who your partner is?" I recalled my conversation with Krissy as I held the corsage, a handmade creation of my own.

"Kevin just asked me, and since I had no one else, I said yes," I replied.

"He didn't ask you?"

"He already asked, and I said yes..."

"Then why did you end up going with Kevin?!" Krissy exclaimed.

"He asked me, and I said yes..."

"You foolish girl, I'm not talking about Kevin!"

"Then who??" Krissy lightly smacked the back of my head and sighed before grabbing her mobile phone.

"Did you know about this? Oh, damn it! Then why did she say she would go with Kevin? Then? Okay, we'll talk later..." She hung up and looked at me with sharp eyes.

"Frank said Dave already asked you to the prom," I remained silent.

"Kevin showed up and asked me..."

"Come on! What's wrong with you?! Dave was the one who asked you first!"

"He didn't..." Krissy's jaw dropped in disbelief.

"How can that be? Frank told me..."

"He told me he'd go with Helen. Something came up and he couldn't change that. You can't blame him. He didn't say anything or ask me to the prom. So, I assume he already promised Helen," I explained with frustration deep in my heart. The sound of the wind brushing against my hair filled the silence.

"I don't know if he's the one who lied or if it was Frank. He told Frank that he had already passed a note asking you to the prom, two weeks ago, long before anyone else knew the actual date," I looked at Krissy with a puzzled mind.

"I didn't receive any note..."

"Someone might have intercepted the note and taken the information... Helen!" Krissy grabbed my hand. The mere mention of her name made me shudder. It was her again!

"We can't jump to conclusions without evidence. It might have just flown away," I said, trying to stay rational.

"My God, how did you and Dave end up like this!? We were hoping for something good, but it turned into the worst-case scenario," I stood up and walked into my closet. I shut the door and silently cried inside.

What I understood was that David and I would never be together. Our fate had taken a twisted turn. I had to accept the fact that our relationship would never go beyond being just friends. There were too many obstacles and misunderstandings.

Then, out of the blue, he started going out with Helen. She always attended his games and prevented me from having any opportunity to hang out with him. We drifted further apart when Kevin began to interfere more. He seemed displeased with David hanging around us. David stopped coming to my house. I missed him so much. Sometimes I vented my feelings to Kevin, luckily he handled it well.

But there was one fact even Helen couldn't deny. I was David's best friend. Knowing him was the best thing that happened to me. Being his friend was more than what I could have wished for. Although our relationship was bittersweet, our friendship remained strong. Despite everything that happened, I still stood by him as his best friend.

The prom was grand. I stood with a smile beside Kevin. Though this was beyond my desire, I wanted to look my best for him. And as a companion for the Chairman of the Prom Committee, I wanted to shine and maintain his dignity.

It was time to dance. I let myself loosen up a bit, dancing non-stop with my friends and Kevin. I let go of all the burdens I had been carrying. Frank constantly apologized for not helping me and David, but I simply smiled and told him it was okay. At least, I had friends who would cheer me up.

I saw David and Helen also swaying on the dance floor, but I chose to ignore them. It wasn't good for me to have any connection with him. Frank had a brief chat with him but then joined us, leaving them together. I showed no interest in them, but deep down, I wished that the lady holding his hand was me.

I told Kevin that I needed a break. He simply nodded and continued chatting with his friends. I made my way to the table and washed down my throat with a glass of punch. As I finished my drink, my eyes caught sight of a note slipped under my clutch. I grabbed the note and silently read it.

"We should meet. There's something I want to ask you. Meet me at the car park."

It was from David. I looked around, but there was no sign of him anywhere. He was waiting for me at the car park right in front of the hotel. I glanced back at the note. The handwriting confirmed it was from him. So, the note was genuine.

Quietly, I slipped out of the venue, took the elevator, and walked across the street to the car park. It was dark, and there was no one around. I scanned every corner, searching for him.

"Dave! It's me! Where are you?" I called out his name, but there was no response.

Suddenly, I heard a screech, and out of nowhere, something hit me with immense force. I felt my body being thrown and rolling on the street. I lay there, eyes wide open, unable to feel my legs. Blood was flowing from my mouth.

"You hit her hard!" I heard someone crying. I tried to focus my sight. I could see long, slim legs with a butterfly tattoo on the calf. It was Helen.

"Don't panic. I already measured the impact. It's not too severe, but she won't be able to walk until the final exams, which is good enough," I looked at her, bewildered.

"You're such a damn bitch, you know? We warned you from the first day you came. But you ignored it. I accepted your relationship with him, but when he rejected me and chose you instead, it became unforgivable! Haven't we given you enough lessons?"

"The kidnapping, the bullying? We even humiliated you, leaving you half-naked in front of your classmates, yet you never left him! It's fortunate my girls intercepted the information about the invitation. But he's always looking for a chance to see you! Even with me by his side, he still seeks you out!" Tears welled up in my eyes. I couldn't believe how malicious she was!

"Dave..."

"Shut your fucking mouth!" Helen snapped, silencing me. All I could do was cry internally. Julia's clique gathered around me. I already knew where this was heading.

"Never mention his name with your filthy mouth! I hate it! I hate you! I hate the fact that he wants you more than me! What's wrong with him?! I have everything that any man desires. Looks, brains, body! I did everything for him, even offered myself to him! But he still chose you! Just an ordinary girl with nothing special! He's such a fool!" Helen slapped me across the face. I closed my eyes, battling the pain and sorrow within my heart.

"Leave her here..."

"She might die!"

"Even better! It'll be my insurance if she's dead!"

"Isn't this going too far, Helen?"

"Shut up! No one will ever know who did this to her! And remember, never breathe a word about this! Or all of you will share her fate!" They nodded, slowly.

"Let's go!" They walked towards the car, leaving me behind like a stray dog begging for help.

"See you... Oops, till we meet again," Helen smirked. The car sped away, leaving me alone and cold, waiting to die.

I could only see darkness as I clutched the emerald green corsage tightly in my hand.