AN: Emily's prom dress is pictured above.

February 21st

One month and nine days until prom.

I picked out a dress today. It is the most beautiful thing I have ever seen. It makes me so happy that I get to wear this to my senior prom.

The bottom is white and the top has diamonds and stones all over it. I am not doing it any justice. I wish you could see it. Well, you will see it at prom I guess.

Now to some more serious matters...

Until opening this book to write this entry, I haven't thought about my death in a while. A few days I think. I have just been too excited about prom to focus on anything else.

My stepdad hasn't been home for the last few days either. My mom is worried that he drank himself to death or something. She also thinks if he isn't dead, he ran away because he thinks she is crazy.

She is crazy for even thinking that.

He wouldn't run away. He needs us. Who would he beat up if he left?

Of course I didn't say that to her. All I told her is that he is probably okay. Not that I care about him. But my mom cares a lot about him. I hope he is okay: for her sake. Not mine.

I have been enjoying this time free from fear of his rage. Life has been great these last few days. I have been having the time of my life. I am living my life like I have never lived it before.

I have been so happy recently. Nothing can bring me down anymore. I am on top of the world. My mood is all the way to the top of the meter. I am all the way up in the sky.

Who knew I was able to feel this good? I can't remember the last time I felt this great. I can't even remember if I ever have felt this great.

But all I know is that I feel this good now. Nothing can change that. I am going to be this happy for the rest of my life, no matter how short it may be.

Come to think of it, maybe the reason I haven't thought of my death is because he isn't around to kill me.