Senior Prom. Every dreamer's magical Cinderella moment. The night every girl fantasized about. The stroke of midnight was catching up with my failing attempts to get, a few minutes of William's attention, just long enough for a single dance. My gown was a turquoise shade of blue, sleek cut with an open-necked fit and draped skirt falling to my ankle. My hair was up in a french pleat, and my Latin ballroom dance shoes were a perfect finishing touch to my entire look.

Yet, he looked right through me, all night.The music was filling every inch of the space, and I'd made a promise to myself to enjoy tonight to the fullest.No strings attached.

A hand on my shoulder startled me, and I almost regretted my sip of red wine.

"It appears, you can't tempt your gentlemen of choice, to dance my dear...Such a shame, too!" My computer science teacher leaned toward me as I turned around, to face her.

I traced his motions with my gaze. He looked trapped, lost, and out of place. Desperate to get away, even. Suddenly, I realized my silence was too long and would come across as, disrespectful if I delayed my reply any longer.

"Who?Him?!" I grin. "No! You got it mixed up, he is not my prom date, I came without an escort!"

"Does he know that since you two have been exchanging stares all night, yet not a word nor a single dance, the entire evening..."

"There is not much to do when the feelings are one-sided , I am afraid..."

"My dear, Cinderella, did not give up, nor did she get her prince until midnight, you know."

"Is there a point to this?" I snapped, slightly and unintentionally.

"Grab the poor guy by the hand, and get your feelings off your chest, once and for all. There is no better timing, than right now."

With a nod, I sheepishly got up on my feet, smiled brightly at her, paused, and then darted forward towards William. He had wasted enough of my night, toying with me, and I was in the mood for answers, and dancing, not play.

I caught a glimpse of Alice along the way, as she was having the time of her life dancing the night away. Soon enough, Alice and Julie were both dancing beside me, trying to pull me into it.

"Here's to tonight, to girl power and to the cowardly guys, who don't know what they are missing!" A drunk version of Alice said as I joined in her dance routine, in the meantime. "Speaking of cowards, your personal such just rose glass in your honor. Don't look ! He apparently thinks, he is undetected, and it is best we keep it that way."

With a couple of dance moves, pulled out of my sleeve I swiftly separated from them.

"Girls, I will find you in a couple of minutes, just let me an eye to eye with him, please."

"We'll catch you if your fall!"

"I know, and I love you for it, but I have to get my answers tonight, and it is something I have to do alone!"

Julie hesitated, before letting go of my arm, as I diverted my gaze back to Will.

Alice pursed her lips and stepped back, slightly. With a deep sigh, I left the girls behind me, gathered my gown's skirt, so I don't trip on the way, and followed him out to the terrace, biting my lip nervously. All my bottled-up feelings began to spiral, but there was no way out of this conversation.

I felt William's attention turn to me.

"Clara...You look amazing!"

No! He was not getting out of this with flattery. Not this time around!"We need to talk! " I blurted out, letting out a shaky sigh. "I am in love with you, have been since freshman year, and in spite of all the trauma between us..."

He was clearly unsettled but did not interrupt me, regardless."I know, and it is an honor to hear these words from you!"

Through the window, I spotted with relief, Steven, finally slow-dancing with Julie. Finally! His technique did need some work, but I was happy for them!"Are you hearing yourself?! An honor?! I am telling you I love you, not giving you a noble prize in science!" I burst into tears, falling apart on the floor, as he stepped further away.

"Clara, I am moving abroad, to Munich in the fall..."

I recoiled. "I am staying and going to Harvard! I can't turn it down,to follow you until your next emotional swing, when you wake up one day, and once again decide I am just your safety net! Do you want to be with me or not?"

He avoided my eyes at all costs, as he spoke.

"I can't be with someone with a disability long-term Clara." If it was possible for words to cut to the bone, these did the trick.

He left me there. Shattered on the floor. All my insecurities exploded like a bomb. The next thing I remember was crying my eyes out, bringing a mess leveled with the grown, when Alice found me and helped me up.

The clock strikes midnight, somewhere in the background. This night was a disastrous, tale of barefoot, miserable Cinderella.

"Just so you know..." Alice muttered, more to herself than to me as she drove me home. " he is a dead man!"Doing my best, to control my breathing, I let her help me out of the gown and tuck me in my bed, completely unable to respond.