Andrea's room looked like chaos.
Dress on the bed.
Hair tools everywhere.
Teresa pacing like she was personally preparing for war.
Diana sitting on the floor doing Andrea's makeup like it was life or death.
Andrea's sister leaned against the doorframe, filming everything.
"This is insane," Andrea muttered.
Teresa gasped.
"No. This is historic."
Diana nodded seriously.
"You chose Matthew. We're documenting this properly."
Andrea pointed at them.
"Why does this feel like a documentary about my downfall?"
Her sister laughed.
"Because it is."
Andrea groaned and covered her face.
From her phone, Tom sent a simple message:
Don't overthink it tonight.
Andrea stared at it for a second.
Then typed back:
Too late.
The venue was loud.
Too loud.
Lights everywhere.
Music vibrating through the floor.
Andrea stood at the entrance for a second, holding her dress lightly, breathing in like she was preparing for something bigger than prom.
Matthew appeared beside her almost instantly.
He looked nervous.
But excited.
"Wow," he said quietly.
Andrea glanced at him.
"You clean up okay."
Matthew laughed.
"That's your compliment?"
"It's the best I've got."
He smiled anyway.
And offered his arm.
Andrea hesitated for half a second—
Then took it.
Inside, everything blurred into noise.
Teresa and Diana immediately dragged Andrea for photos.
Her sister shouted from somewhere across the room.
Tom gave Andrea a thumbs up from a table with a drink in hand.
He looked calm.
Supportive.
A little distant.
And then—
Andrea felt it before she saw it.
Samuel.
Across the room.
Watching.
Not moving.
Just looking at her like he already knew how the night would end.
Andrea's chest tightened slightly.
Matthew leaned closer.
"You okay?"
Andrea blinked.
"…Yeah."
Lie.
But she kept walking.
Later.
Music faded slightly.
Lights dimmed.
A microphone crackled.
"Alright everyone… time for prom king and queen!"
Andrea barely paid attention.
Until—
"Prom Queen… Andrea Paisley!"
The room erupted.
Andrea froze.
"What?"
Teresa screamed.
Diana grabbed her arm.
Her sister shouted something unintelligible.
Andrea was pushed forward gently.
Matthew followed behind her, smiling like he couldn't believe it.
Then—
"Prom King… Matthew Neyman!"
Applause exploded.
Andrea looked at him.
Matthew looked back at her.
And for a second—
It felt like the entire world paused.
Crown placed.
Photos flashing.
Music faint in the background.
Matthew leaned slightly toward her.
"You're shaking."
Andrea whispered back.
"So are you."
Matthew laughed softly.
"Yeah."
Then—
The announcer grinned.
"Now… prom king and queen share a kiss!"
The crowd immediately erupted.
"KISS! KISS! KISS!"
Andrea's stomach dropped.
She froze.
Completely.
Her eyes instinctively searched the room—
And found Samuel.
Watching.
Still.
Expression unreadable.
Then Matthew stepped closer.
No hesitation.
No doubt.
Just years of feelings finally being allowed to exist out loud.
Andrea's breath caught.
Matthew whispered:
"You okay?"
Andrea didn't answer fast enough.
The crowd kept chanting.
The room kept spinning.
Her heart didn't know what to do.
And then—
Matthew leaned in and kissed her.
The room exploded.
Louder than before.
Cheers.
Clapping.
Music rising again.
Andrea didn't fully move at first.
Just stood there.
Frozen in the moment she used to dream about.
Matthew pulled back slowly, smiling like he finally got something he'd waited years for.
Andrea forced a small smile back.
But her eyes—
For just a second—
Looked toward Samuel again.
And this time—
He had already turned away.