Chapter 113 Prom Night Part 2

Chapter 113 Prom Night Part 2
Mia's POV

"Well, look at Liam. He couldn't stop staring at you." Josh whispered near my ear, amusement dancing in his voice.

My cheeks instantly warmed. I kept my eyes on the table, pretending to fix the folds of my gown.

"You think he wanted to dance with me?" I asked softly. "I don't think so, Josh. He was probably disappointed that I'm still here with you." I forced a small laugh, but it didn't sound convincing, even to me. "I was planning to thank him for the gown tonight. I really was. But then I saw him with Stacy... and I realized something."

I swallowed, my fingers tightening around the edge of the table.

"He's with her now. Completely. Fully committed." The words tasted bitter in my mouth. "It was his handwriting, Josh. The note attached to the box. I would recognize it anywhere."

Josh's smile faded. "I don't think Liam would do that to you."

I let out a quiet, humorless laugh. "He already did."

My eyes drifted across the ballroom and landed on him. Liam was seated beside Stacy, looking every bit the perfect couple everyone expected them to be. When his gaze met mine, he didn't even look away immediately.

And that hurt more than if he had.

For a moment, I forgot that he was the reason I was wearing this gown. I forgot that he paid for my hotel room. I forgot that he had once promised we would stand together on prom night no matter what happened between us.

All I could feel was humiliation.

This beautiful midnight gown suddenly felt too heavy on my skin. I had no idea it would make me feel like this... exposed, foolish, hopeful for something I had no right to hope for.

I thought wearing it would be my silent way of saying thank you. Instead, it felt like I was silently begging for his attention.

"I shouldn't have worn it," I murmured, my voice barely audible.

Josh gently squeezed my hand under the table. "You look stunning, Mia. If he's staring, it's because he can't believe what he lost."

The word lost echoed inside me. But the truth was more complicated than that. I was the one who told him to stay away. I was the one who said we couldn't be together. I was the one who pushed him toward Stacy because I thought it would hurt less than fighting a battle we could never win.

Yet seeing him there, beside her, smiling politely while his eyes kept drifting back to me. It didn't feel like relief.
It felt like my heart was being pulled in two directions at once.

And I hated myself for still wanting him to cross that ballroom, take my hand, and prove me wrong.

The prom finally began. The lights dimmed slightly as the host welcomed everyone, and soft music filled the grand ballroom. For a moment, all the noise and tension inside my head quieted down. As the program continued, laughter slowly replaced the earlier whispers. Students began relaxing, talking, and enjoying themselves.

And I felt relieved they had finally forgotten about me.
At least for now. The whispers that followed me when I first entered the ballroom had faded. No more curious glances. No more hushed voices. Most of them were now focused on their own dates, their own little worlds.

Couples began walking toward the dance floor, their hands intertwined. Some were shy, others confident. Soft giggles echoed as boys awkwardly placed their hands on their partners' waists. The music shifted into something slower, something romantic, and soon the dance floor was filled with swaying figures under the warm golden lights. I watched them quietly. The entire place looked magical.

Crystal chandeliers sparkled above us, reflecting light across the polished marble floor. Elegant floral arrangements lined the stage. The ceiling was draped with soft fabric that made the ballroom feel like something out of a fairytale.

Of course, Suncrest would never settle for less.

Everything about this night screamed luxury and perfection. From the expensive table settings to the live band playing near the stage, it was clear that the academy spared no expense. This was the kind of prom people would talk about for years.

For the first time since arriving, I allowed myself to breathe. Maybe tonight wouldn't be so bad after all.

"Do you want to dance?" Josh asked softly, right after we both noticed Liam leading Stacy to the center of the dance floor.

I followed his gaze before I could stop myself.

Liam's hand rested confidently on Stacy's waist. She looked radiant, almost glowing under the chandelier lights. And when they started dancing, even the other couples stepped aside, giving them space like they were royalty.

Of course they did. They were Suncrest's golden pair.

"No," I answered quickly, forcing my eyes away. "I begged you before we came here. I'm not dancing tonight."

I tried to sound unaffected. Like it didn't bother me how perfect they looked together.

But it did.

"One dance wouldn't hurt you, Mia," Josh insisted gently.

I swallowed. "Maybe later. I just need to go to the restroom."

He stood immediately and helped me up like a gentleman. "Are you sure you don't want me to come with you?"

"Josh," I said, unable to hide my small smile, "I can take care of myself. You don't need to babysit me just to go to the restroom."

He placed a dramatic hand on his chest. "Excuse me, Your Highness. A princess deserves to be escorted at all times."

I laughed, and for a moment, the heaviness inside me lifted.

I left him at the table feeling lighter, even though my heart still ached from watching Liam spin Stacy around like she was the only girl in the world.

I wasn't going to the restroom because I needed to pee.
I just needed air. The music felt too loud. The ballroom felt too small. And my chest felt too tight.

Inside the restroom, everything was quieter. The bright lights reflected off the wide mirrors, and I stood in front of one, staring at my reflection.

Josh was right, I looked beautiful. The midnight blue gown hugged my figure perfectly. My hair fell softly over my shoulders. My makeup was simple but elegant. For the first time in a long while, I didn't see the poor girl from the rundown apartment.

I saw someone who belonged. I inhaled deeply.

"I can do this. I deserve to be here." I forced myself to smile.

As I reached for the door to return to the ballroom, it suddenly opened, and familiar voices filled the room.

My body stiffened.

"Well, well," Chloe's mocking voice echoed, "look who's here. The outcast girl trying so hard to blend in."

Chloe and Belle stood near the sinks, their arms crossed, their lips curved into cruel smiles.

"Yeah," Belle added sweetly, though her eyes were cold. "If I were you, Mia, I'd leave now. Some teachers are monitoring attendance. I doubt they'll check again later."

They were suggesting I sneak out. Like my presence was a mistake.

"I'm not leaving," I said quietly, trying to keep my voice steady.

Chloe laughed. "Oh, but you should."

She stepped closer, her heels clicking against the tiles. "You saw Liam, right? Look at them out there. They look perfect. You don't want to embarrass yourself by staying."

My stomach twisted.

"That gown you're wearing," Belle continued, looking me up and down, "are you sure you can even afford something like that? Or did you borrow it? Or beg someone for it?"

Their words felt like tiny knives.

I clenched my fists at my sides.

"I belong here just as much as you do," I said, though my voice trembled slightly.

Chloe tilted her head. "Belong? Please. You're only here because the school probably pitied you."

Then before I could react, she grabbed the plastic cup she was holding.

"Well," she said lightly, "let's make sure you really leave."

Cold liquid splashed against my chest.

I gasped as the icy drink soaked into my gown, sliding down the fabric, staining the midnight blue darker. The cold seeped into my skin, making me shiver.

For a second, I couldn't move. The shock paralyzed me.
The girls burst into laughter.

"Oh no," Belle mocked. "What happened? Did you spill something on yourself?"

Chloe smirked. "Oops. My hand slipped."

My heart pounded in my ears. The humilitiaon burned hotter than the cold drink clinging to my body. I could feel the fabric sticking to my skin, my hair slightly damp where the liquid splashed.

They wanted me to run back to the ballroom looking ruined.

"Maybe now you'll finally go home," Chloe said softly. "Save yourself from further embarrassment."

Their laughter echoed around the restroom. I blinked rapidly, refusing to let my tears fall.

I lifted my chin slowly, even though my hands were shaking.

"If this is the only way you can feel superior," I said quietly, "then I feel sorry for you."

For a split second, their laughter faltered. But I didn't wait for their response.

I turned toward the mirror again, staring at the soaked fabric of my gown, my reflection slightly blurred from the tears I refused to shed.

I only had two options. I could run and hide, or I could walk back into that ballroom as if nothing had happened. I took a slow, steady breath, trying to calm the storm inside my chest. I refused to let them steal this night from me.