This night had the potential to be either the highlight or the lowlight of my high school experience. Sure, the idea of seeing Jacob made my heart flutter nervously, but I refused to let it overshadow the excitement bubbling within me. Jade seemed lost in her own little world, her infectious smile lighting up the room.

"Are you ready?" I asked, though it was more of a rhetorical question. The air was electric with anticipation and joy. As the sounds of giggles and chatter filled the room, I couldn't help but feel a surge of confidence. Sure, the noise was enough to make my ears ring, but deep down, I knew tonight was going to be unforgettable.

Despite any lingering doubts, I couldn't deny the truth: I looked stunning.

"Our last dance together," Jade sighed, her voice tinged with a hint of drama. She wore a smile, but it was one of those 'happy-sad' ones, you know? Like when you're thrilled about dessert but bummed because you're full.

I could tell she was wrestling with something, probably her dad. He wasn't just her father; he was practically family to me too. Our moms had this knack for creating a tight-knit group out of thin air. That's friendship for you—turning strangers into VIPs who know you better than your own blood relatives.

Jade's dad? He was a legend. Losing him hit her hard, like missing out on the last episode of your favorite show. But he always said he'd be looking down on us with a big ol' smile from up above.

Being Christians, we held onto the belief that he was in a better place, smiling down at us from beside God. Life goes on, you know? And tonight was the perfect reminder of that. We might carry sadness in our hearts, but we also carry his spirit, his laughter, and his love.

The music was blasting so loud, it felt like it was doing a tap dance on my eardrums. Honestly, it was like the most draining experience of my life. I mean, who cranks up the volume to eleven at a high school dance? It was beyond annoying, bordering on aggravating.

But then I had to give myself a mental slap and shake off the Negative Nancy vibes. It was time to let loose and have some fun, dang it! So, I grabbed Jade's hand and dragged her onto the dance floor before she could protest. She had this way of bottling up her feelings, like she was allergic to admitting she was falling apart or hurting.

I mean, on the day her dad, Uncle Owen, passed away, she didn't shed a single tear in front of anyone. Nope, she spent the whole day being everyone's emotional superhero, trying to comfort her mom and the rest of us. But in the process, she forgot to take care of herself. She was so busy playing the role of everyone's savior that she forgot to save herself.

As we swayed to the beat, I let myself get lost in the music and the moment.

"I'm just not feeling well. I'll be in the bathroom," Jade suddenly announced, darting off into the crowd before I could even offer to tag along. Classic Jade move, always insisting she could handle everything solo. But hey, can't blame a girl for trying, right?

I was about to suggest going with her when she shot me a look that screamed, "Girl, I need a minute." So, reluctantly, I let her go and turned around, scanning the room for a dance partner.

That's when I spotted him: Jacob, strolling in with Elena on his arm. And would you believe it? He was wearing the outfit I had practically handpicked for him. I mean, seriously? Elena's dress had somehow morphed to look eerily similar to his. It was like they had coordinated their outfits just to match mine. I couldn't help but laugh at the absurdity of it all.

No one saw that coming, and a little tear slipped out, totally catching me off guard. Quick as a flash, I wiped it away, locking eyes with Jacob. Anger bubbled up inside me, and before I knew it, I was stomping over to give that jerk a piece of my mind.

But just as I was about to let loose, someone grabbed my wrist. I turned to see Alex, his expression a mix of understanding and determination.

"Don't let them ruin your vibe," he whispered, his voice like a calming playlist in the middle of all the chaos.

With a nod of thanks, he led me away from the drama, heading straight for the drinks. He pulled me into a tight hug, offering the kind of support that just speaks volumes. It was like he could read my mind, sensing I was about to lose it.

"Doesn't this juice taste amazing?" Alex beamed.

"It tastes like feet," I grimaced.

"Exactly. Perfect for anyone with a toe obsession."

"Alex! That's gross," I exclaimed.

"Cathy! You're missing out on life's true wonders. The exquisite taste. THE DIVINE AROMA," he declared, dramatically gesturing with his hands.

"Please stop," I chuckled. "Poor Jade... She has no clue," I added.

"That's a bold assumption you're making there, love," he smirked.

"So, is this my replacement?" a teasing voice chimed from behind me. I turned around to see Jacob, wearing that smug grin of his, with Elena clinging to his arm like a koala on a eucalyptus tree.

"Nah, I'm the deluxe edition," Alex quipped, attempting to tug me away, but my feet seemed to be stuck in place. It was like they had a mind of their own, and apparently, they were big fans of drama.

"I wasn't talking to you," Jacob snapped, his tone sharper than a pair of scissors.

"It's all good," I mumbled to Alex, but before I could react, Jacob grabbed my hand, his grip way too tight.

"She's probably a fool, like her folks. No biggie that she dumped you," she snickered, her words as pleasant as a root canal.

My heart sank, but then she went on, "A real looker, isn't she?"

"The only thing ugly here is your personality," Alex fired back, his fists clenched at his sides. I could practically see the steam coming out of his ears as he fought the urge to lay one on Jacob, and I didn't know whether to laugh or cry.

"You're so lame, letting Alex fight your battles. Do you ever stand up for yourself? Or is it always Alex or Jade?" Jacob taunted, and I shot him a glare that could've melted steel beams.

"We don't have to do this right now. Not here," I pleaded, feeling like I was trapped.

"You lost the only person who could ever truly love you. You're going to be such a mess without me. What a pity!" Jacob lamented, his words dripping with condescension. Without a second thought, I slapped him. I slapped him so hard, I almost felt like I could do it again. It was strangely satisfying.

"How dare you slap me!?" Jacob's voice dripped with animosity, sending a shiver down my spine. For the first time ever, I feared he might actually hit me.

I was frightened. "I couldn't let you speak to me like that."

"Me? You're the one who decided to ruin this wonderful night with your disgusting crying. I told you I don't love you anymore. CAN YOU PLEASE MOVE ON?" he spat, his words like daggers.

That was odd because he was the one who came over to me and caused a scene. What could I have possibly done in this moment to make him feel like it was my fault?

"You are so clueless and you could obviously never take a hint. I'm with Elena now. Get a life and leave me alone," he continued, his words like a slap to the face.

My body trembled as he drew closer with every cruel word. My breath came in ragged gasps, my mind spinning. I couldn't seem to catch my breath, and tears streamed down my face like a waterfall. "You... You don't mean that," I stuttered, my voice barely above a whisper. "It's only been four days."

There was no way he could have stopped loving me in just four days. It felt like just last week we were planning our future together, talking about going to university hand in hand. And now he was saying he didn't love me anymore? It felt impossible, unreal.

Jade's voice reached my ears, but everything else seemed to fade into darkness. The sounds became distant, muffled. I couldn't breathe. I needed to get out.

I found myself sitting beneath a tree, my whole body trembling like a leaf in the wind. Desperately, I tried to calm myself down, envisioning my happy place, where my parents surrounded me with love and comfort. But just as I started to relax, Jade popped up out of nowhere, looking like a deer caught in headlights.

"I'm so sorry for ruining your night and your date. I didn't mean to be a total buzzkill," I blurted out, feeling like I'd just dropped a comedy bomb on her big night.

Jade blinked at me, her expression a mix of confusion and concern. "Wait, what? You didn't ruin anything, Cathy. If anything, I'm sorry for ditching you like a bad prom date."

We sat there, the absurdity of the situation sinking in, before Jade's face lit up with an idea. "Hey, how about we forget all this drama and hit up the ice cream shop? Nothing a little rocky road can't fix, right?"

We ordered the largest vanilla ice creams we could find before sitting down at one of the tables. I admired every beautiful bit while the ice cream melted in my mouth. The fluffy texture was so heavenly and my life felt complete.

"OMW. That is the most perfect person ever!" gasped Jade.

I agreed with her before realizing that she was not speaking about the ice cream. I looked up and followed her eyes. Standing there, looking like he'd just stepped out of a magazine cover, was none other than Liam Henderson. Cue the internal fangirl freak-out.

"Holy guacamole," I whispered, my eyes widening in disbelief. This was not a drill. He had that bad boy aura about him, with his tousled hair and a smirk that could make any girl's heart skip a beat.

"A/N: Loved it? (I knew you would!) Like, share, and vote to keep the magic alive. Your comments light up my day!"