I’m Emily, 17 and a senior in high school, living with my dad, my stepmom Carla, and her son Mason, who’s 11. Mason and I get along well, but Carla has never liked me since my mom passed away seven years ago. After my dad started dating and then married Carla, things changed—she began making passive-aggressive remarks and treating me coldly, while my dad seemed blind to it all.
When prom season arrived, I was thrilled, having saved babysitting money for months to buy a beautiful violet dress, my mom’s favorite color, hoping for a magical night. I even booked a hair appointment at a fancy salon where my friends were going, but on the day of prom, when I arrived, I was shocked to learn my appointment had been canceled by someone pretending to be me.
Then I saw Carla at the salon, calmly getting her hair done and smirking, having sabotaged my plans. Feeling devastated, I went home and locked myself in my room, doubting if I even wanted to go to prom anymore.
Suddenly, a limousine arrived outside, and it turned out Mason had secretly arranged it using money he borrowed from their mom’s stash after overhearing Carla’s sabotage. Not only that, but a stylist friend of a neighbor soon arrived to do my hair and makeup. Thanks to Mason, I went from crying to feeling like a princess, stepping into the limo and heading to prom with confidence and joy.
Carla was stunned when she saw me leaving in style, and for the first time in a long while, I felt like my mom was there with me. The night was magical, full of laughter and dancing, proving that even when someone tries to ruin your happiness, there’s always a way to rise above—and sometimes, your biggest supporter comes from the most unexpected place.