“I was so excited to go to the prom with you,” she whispered. “Mama Nadine even made the gown and the suit for us.”
“I know,” I coaxed. “That’s why I’m here.”
Her voice cracked. “Yeah… why are you even here? You should be off at school with Zeraiah by now.”
“How could I?” I asked. “When my partner is right here.”
That made her pause and turn her head towards me.Finally. I slipped my hand into the inner pocket of my suit and took out a pink box. “This flower is meant to be fastened upon your hand anyway,” I added, meeting her gaze as I lifted my corsage for her—a blooming pink carnation, crafted by my own hands.
Only for her.
She was still sniffling, but now her warm hazel eyes narrowed at me in the dark. She raised a brow. “Why are you wearing your suit?”
Leaning closer, I gently brushed away the tears from her swollen eyes. Her face was still flushed, dotted with blemishes, and her skin was warm. Finally, this beauty was willing to look at me after being locked in her room for the past 24 hours.
A small smile curved on my face. “Because we’re going to dance?” I whispered.
Her brow shot up higher. “You’re going? It’s fine, you don’t haveto—”
“I told you,” I interrupted, “to dance, you don’t need to go to a prom.”
She fell silent again, watching me. I smiled and reached for the tote bag I had brought. I pulled a CD from inside and held it up for her to see. I had spent hours yesterday rummaging through Tsabinu’s room to find it.
It was an orchestral disc featuring music from the film Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire—including the Yule Ball symphony, one of Sophie’s favourite scenes. That was why I searched for it secretly while my best mate was away.
The moment Sophie realised what I was holding, her face lit up. She sat up on the bed, eyes sparkling. “Why are you holding Mas Bibu’s orchestra CD?”
I smiled, warmth spreading through me. “Wanna put your beautiful dress on?”
Her mouth fell open as the meaning sank in. Then, all at once, she nodded and squealed. “Of course!!” She threw off her blanket and hopped off the bed. “Wait for five—no, seven minutes. No, ten—”
“I’ll wait as long as it takes,” I said with a relieved smile. Finally, the sunshine that always calmed me was back on her face, and I couldn’t ask for more. “Take all the time you want.”Tonight, it is all for you.“It’s all yours.”
Still beaming, Sophie dashed into her walk-in closet, leaving me smiling. Once she disappeared into the closet, I got to work. I slipped the CD into her CD player, waiting until the orchestra concert appeared on the TV screen, then skipped forward to the “Potter Waltz” song performance.
Looking around, I spotted her desk. I quickly cleared away her books, stacked them neatly on the shelves, then pulled out a large white tablecloth I brought and spread it across the surface. Once the table was dressed, I unpacked the food and drinks I’d bought earlier and arranged them.
From another bag, I pulled out Zeraiah’s galaxy projector light. I plugged it in, and the room transformed at once. It was no longer dim and heavy but awash with softpurples and muted pinks, blending with the glow of the stars on the ceiling.
Calming. Magical. Just like her.
As everything was set, Sophie emerged from the walk-in closet after twenty minutes, looking beautiful. Her pink gown flowed down to her ankles, her heels matching perfectly. She had even pinned her hair up, pearl earrings glinting as they caught the light.
Her eyes widened in awe as she looked around the transformed room, her mouth falling open. “Zi… What is this?”
I walked up to her. “Prom,” I whispered, gently brushing the red spots on her beautiful face with my fingers. She had felt so miserable these past few days.
“Prom?” she echoed, still staring in disbelief.
I nodded. “Yes. Prom. But this one’s more special.” I took her hand and held her gaze. “Because this one… It’s only for you.”
Her shining eyes welled up with tears, and her smile was so beautiful it made everything I’d done worth it a thousand times over.
Sophie raised her hand and pinned the boutonnière—a white rose, beautifully arranged—upon my suit. I wasn’t sure if she heard it, but when her hand brushed against my chest, my heart thudded faster for her.
Reaching for my corsage once more, I fastened it gently around her wrist. I stepped back and extended my hand to her. “Shall we?”
She laughed, wiping her tears, then nodded in excitement and slipped her hand into mine. “Yes.”
