Because my brain is short-circuiting.
Like, sparks-flying, wires-smoking, full system meltdown.
We're going together. End of story.
Those words keep replaying in my head on a loop, like my brain just hitrepeaton the world's most dangerous song.
My stomach is doing cartwheels, my chest feels like it's stuffed with helium balloons, and my poor heart? It's running a marathon with zero water breaks.
And the worst/best part? Zach is just standing there like he didn't just casually declare to the universe that I'm his prom date. Like he didn't just take my biggest fantasy and say it out loud.
Meanwhile, I'm over here two seconds away from either combusting or fainting. Probably both.
I risk a glance at him. He's already looking at me.
And then he smiles—wide, bright, easy. The kind of smile that should be illegal. The kind that reaches his stupidly gorgeous silver eyes and knocks the air right out of my lungs.
Before I can stop myself, I'm smiling back. Huge. So wide my cheeks ache.
For a second, it's just us. The empty rink, the echoes fading, everything else gone. Just two idiots grinning at each other like there's nowhere else we'd rather be.
And maybe... there isn't.
CHAPTER FIVE
CAROLINE
It's the day before prom, and I swear my body is running on pure glitter and adrenaline. I can barely contain myself. Actually—scratch that—I haven't been able to contain myself since Zachaskedme to prom. Okay, fine,technicallyhe didn't ask—he just declared it like a royal decree. But does that even matter? Nope. Because my dream came true either way.
And now here we are. Prom. Tomorrow. One of the biggest items on myZach-and-I-are-destined-to-be-togetherchecklist about to get ticked off. I've been waiting for this moment since forever, and the fact that it's less than 24 hours away? Unreal.
Honestly, the last four months feel like I've been stuck inside a bubble—floating higher and higher, like some helium balloon people forgot to tie down. And now it's finally carrying me exactly where I wanted to go. Prom night. With the man of my dreams.
And trust me, I've been preparing like a madwoman.
The dress? Perfect. Not just because it's sparkly, pink, and custom-made to fit every curve without suffocating me—but because it's straight out of a fairy tale.
Literally.
The prom committee went with anEnchanted Fairytaletheme this year, which at first I thought was super weird. Like, what are we—kids at Disney on Ice?
But then I realized...hello, perfect excuse to finally live out my lifelong fantasy. I get to be her. TheSugarplum Princess. My forever dream role.
And the best part?
Zach didn't even hesitate when I told him my plan. He just grinned and said,"Then I guess I'll be your Nutcracker,"like it was the easiest decision in the world.
No complaints. No eye-rolls. Just him being completely on board with my delusional cosplay fantasy, because of course he was. That boy would probably wear a tutu if I asked nicely enough.
Finding the outfit though? Total nightmare. Turns out nobody mass-produces Sugarplum Princess dresses for girls who aren't a size two. Shocker.
So Mom swooped in, pulled her superhero-mom card, and had one custom-made for me. It came just in time, and when I put it on—it was like magic. Like I was Clara stepping right intoThe Nutcracker.
The shoes? Crystal-like heels that could double as medieval torture devices, but whatever. Worth it.
The only thing I didn't think of right away? The necklace. The Sugarplum Princess had that iconic gold heart pendant, and of course I only remembered it a few days ago. Too late to find one in any store. I could've ordered it online, but yeah—no way it would've shipped in time.
Sigh. Tragic. But I guess it's fine.
