Prom night. The one night I’d been dreaming of for months. I’d saved every penny from my part-time job to buy a gorgeous violet dress—my mom’s favorite color—and booked a salon appointment to get my hair done, just like she used to style it. Everything was supposed to be perfect.
But things hadn’t been perfect at home, not since my stepmom Carla came into the picture. She married my dad after my mom passed away, and from the very start, she made it clear that she didn’t like me. She once told me, straight to my face, that I looked “too much” like my mom, and I knew from that moment on, she was never going to accept me.
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I tried to ignore her pettiness and focus on prom, but Carla had other plans.
The day of prom arrived, and I was buzzing with excitement. I grabbed my purse and headed to the salon for my appointment, only to be told it had been canceled. My heart sank, confusion washing over me. “What do you mean, canceled?” I asked the receptionist, my voice shaky. But before I could even process what was happening, I saw her.
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Carla, sitting in one of the salon chairs, getting her hair done with the most wicked smirk plastered across her face.
It hit me like a punch to the gut. She had canceled my appointment just to ruin my night. My throat tightened as tears stung my eyes, but I refused to give her the satisfaction of seeing me break down. I rushed out of the salon and ran all the way home, my heart pounding with anger and sadness.
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Back in my room, I stared at myself in the mirror, my hair a frizzy mess. I tried to tame it myself, but nothing worked. I felt defeated. This was supposed to be a special night, a night I had been looking forward to for so long, and now it was falling apart because of Carla.
Just when I was about to give up, I heard honking outside. At first, I ignored it, thinking it was just someone driving by. But the honking continued—long, loud, insistent. I wiped my tears, frustrated, and walked to the window.
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My jaw dropped.
There, parked in front of my house, was a sleek black limousine.
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I rushed downstairs, completely confused, as my dad stepped outside, just as puzzled as I was. The limo driver got out, holding a small card. “I’m here to pick up Miss Emily for prom,” he said with a smile.
“What?!” I blurted out, totally stunned. My dad looked at me and then handed me the card. With trembling hands, I opened it, and my eyes widened as I read the note inside:
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*”For the beautiful young woman who deserves the world. Enjoy your night. – Love, Aunt Grace”*
My heart swelled with emotion. Aunt Grace! She was my mom’s sister, and she’d always had my back, even after Mom passed. I had no idea she was planning something like this.
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I turned around to see Carla standing in the doorway, her eyes wide with shock, her mouth slightly open in disbelief. Her perfectly styled hair and smug attitude from earlier had disappeared as she realized her little plan to ruin my night had completely backfired.
With newfound confidence, I turned to my dad, who was grinning from ear to ear, and hugged him tightly. “Go have the time of your life,” he whispered, proud of me.
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I slipped into the limo, and as we drove off, I couldn’t help but glance back at the house one last time. Carla was still standing there, frozen in place, watching as the limousine drove me to a night I’d never forget.
Prom night was magical, and Aunt Grace’s surprise made it even more special. Carla may have tried to ruin my night, but in the end, it was my family’s love and support that made it unforgettable.