It's the next day, which means prom. After partying all night with everyone celebrating my birthday, I had zero energy this morning. But energy or not, I had to make it to prom today with the girls. It's our last prom of high school, and we're determined to make it unforgettable.

Before I did anything, I went on Instagram to see what everyone was up to. The feed was lit—everyone was showing out, and I guess it's time for me to show out too. I turned off my phone after a quick scroll, brushed my teeth, and headed downstairs for breakfast. I was starving like crazy.

As I walked down the stairs, each step brought the aroma of my mom's delicious cooking closer. I was ready to devour whatever she had prepared. When I finally reached the kitchen, she was smiling and in such a good spirit.

"Someone's in a mood today," I teased.

"Hey, baby girl. Had fun last night?" she asked.

"Oh my God, it was amazing, so yeah, I did. But what's got you in such a good mood today, Mom?"

"I had a dream about your grandma last night, and it really lifted my spirits," she said.

"Wow, you dreamed about grandma?"

"Yes, I did. She told me that I have to be strong for you and your brother. She might be gone, but in our hearts, she's still with us. So, yeah, I'm done beating myself up because she's not here anymore. I have to be mentally and physically present to protect both of you. I'm sorry I haven't been the best version of myself."

"Wow, I'm glad she visited you and told you what's best. And Mom, you don't have to apologize for anything. I really get it, and I'm glad you're better now."

I went to hug my mom, and she hugged me back. This time, there were no tears. We were happy, fully understanding that grandma wouldn't want us to be crying every minute of the day. She would want us to be peaceful and happy no matter what, and I'm glad we're finally at that level.

After catching up with my mom, I dug into breakfast. It was amazing—exactly how breakfast on prom morning should be. But with prom looming, I needed to get myself together. I hurried through breakfast and dashed upstairs to start my transformation.

I spent hours in my room, doing my nails—yes, both toes and fingers—and fixing my hair just right for the perfect picture. After all that, I put on my beautiful dress, only to discover a small stain. Annoyed but determined, I changed into a cozy top and bottom and tried to clean it off. While I was busy with that, I heard a tap on the window. I looked around, puzzled, and to my surprise, it was Adam. I let him in.

"Adam?" I said, completely taken aback.

"Hey, look, I know this isn't a perfect time and I know I'm probably the last person you want to see right now," he started, looking genuinely remorseful. "But Dena, I can't stop thinking about you. You are the one for me, and I'm so sorry for ghosting you while you were grieving. Regardless of what happened, I should've been there for you."

"Adam, it's fine. Do you really mean what you said?" I asked, unsure of what was happening.

"It's never fine, and yes, I do. I regret ever leaving you, and I hope you can forgive me and let me take you out tonight."

"I forgive you. And take me out tonight?"

He got down on one knee, pulled out a rose and a ring from his pocket, and asked, "Will you be my date to the prom?"

I was so shocked, struggling to comprehend what was happening. My heart was practically on fire, but I managed to say, "YES!" Just like that.

Adam stood up, picked me up off the ground, and we kissed for what felt like an eternity. Then we sat and talked for a while, but with prom just a few hours away, he had to leave so I could finish getting ready.

I got ready, and I looked absolutely stunning. Before heading out, I called the girls and told them I was ditching them because I had a date to the prom. They each confessed that someone had asked them too, and it seemed we were all in for a lucky night.

The call ended, and it was time for prom. The doorbell rang, and I knew it was Adam. I descended the stairs, channeling my inner drama queen, and his eyes were glued to me. My mom gushed, "Wow, you look beautiful, sweetie," and it was everything. She snapped pictures of us, and Adam handed me a gift for my birthday. Better late than never, I guess.

We left the house and slid into Adam's car. The drive to prom was filled with anticipation. When we arrived, the scene was dazzling. We strolled down the red carpet, and everyone was complimenting us, saying how adorable and cute we looked. I couldn't disagree. As we posed for photos, I spotted the girls approaching and couldn't help but scream—they all looked stunning.

We took countless pictures and videos, flooding Instagram with our prom-night glamour. Then it was time to get the party started. Inside, the energy was electric. Everyone was dancing and singing along, the whole room was lit. Adam and I were having a blast. After all the high-energy fun, we slowed it down. He placed his hands on my waist, and I draped mine over his shoulders. We swayed together, his eyes never leaving mine. He kept telling me how beautiful and gorgeous I was, and I was blushing like crazy.

In the midst of our slow dance, a tap on my shoulder snapped me back to reality. It was Deanesh. What did she want now?

"Deanesh, now is not the time for drama. Please, just let me enjoy this night for once."

"I'm not here to start anything, Dena. I came to apologize."

"Okay..."

"You've been such a good friend to me over the years, and I backstabbed you for no reason."

"For no reason? There must be a reason why you were so cruel to me. I need to know."

"You're right. I was jealous of you. You're very pretty, smart, and a go-getter. I wanted what you had, but instead, I ended up hating you."

"Are you kidding me right now? Deanesh, you are beautiful and smart—no shade. How could you be jealous of me? But I get it. I want to move on and put this behind us, but that doesn't mean you get to be my friend right off the bat."

"Thank you for your kind words, and I understand. I'm truly sorry for everything I put you through, and I hope you can forgive me."

"You're forgiven."

"Thank you."

She smiled at me and walked off, leaving me stunned. The girls were staring at me like they'd seen a ghost, and honestly, I was thinking the same thing. Never in a million years did I expect Deanesh to apologize. But hey, miracles happen, right? Let's just hope it's not a trick.

Adam and I hit the dance floor again, letting loose. Then, the announcement for Prom King and Queen came. To my absolute surprise, Adam and I won! It was such a thrilling moment, another incredible night to remember. We went up, got crowned, did our little dance, and got back to the party.

After that night, things started looking up. Deanesh and I never had to argue again. We're cool now and even chat sometimes. Adam and I are officially a couple, and the girls and I are closer than ever. Plus, they all have partners now, which is fantastic. We all got accepted into the colleges we applied to, including Adam. My parents even got back together, but that's a whole other story.

Summer arrived, and the girls and I, along with our partners, went on a chill vacation, making tons of memories. So, did I tell you everything that happened? I sure did!

The End