The hallways of Crestwood High buzzed with excitement as students counted down the days to the much-anticipated prom. And at the center of all the chatter and admiration was Maya. With her golden-brown hair cascading down her shoulders and hazel eyes that seemed to sparkle even in dim light, she was effortlessly stunning. Maya wasn't just pretty; she was mesmerizing.
She floated down the hallways like she owned them, her confidence radiating in every smile and flick of her hair. Teachers admired her charm; students wanted to be her. And then there were the boys—half the football team dreamed of asking her out, and the other half were still nursing crushes from freshman year. But Maya was off-limits. She belonged to Victor—Vic—the star quarterback and every girl's dream. Together, they were the school's golden couple, the ones everyone envied.
Yet behind the perfect façade, Maya's life wasn't as magical as it seemed.
Maya lived in a constant state of yearning. The kind of yearning that pulled at her heart every time she stared at her phone, hoping for a message, a call, some sign that Vic cared as much as she did. But most days, all she got were brief texts that left her feeling more alone than ever. She knew he loved her in his own way, but sometimes it felt like his love was just another thing to check off his list.
"Okay, this is it! This is our year!" Luna twirled around, clutching a glittery dress she'd pulled from the rack. "Prom is going to be unforgettable!"
Sally clapped her hands in excitement. "And we are going to make sure you look drop-dead gorgeous, Maya."
The three girls had made a day of it, hopping between boutiques and designer stores downtown. Maya laughed as Luna held up a frilly pink dress and posed dramatically. "I'm not Barbie, Luna," she teased, shaking her head.
The truth was, she didn't need much to stand out. Every dress she tried on hugged her figure perfectly, as if made just for her. She spun in front of the mirror in a shimmering red gown, and Luna gasped. "Stop. That dress was made for you. Vic is going to lose his mind."
Maya's smile faltered slightly. "If he even notices," she muttered under her breath.
Her phone buzzed, and she glanced down, hopeful. She'd sent Vic at least five selfies from the dressing room that day—pictures of her in gowns, asking which one he liked best.
Nothing.
Not even a "looks great" or a thumbs-up emoji.
"He's probably busy," Sally said gently, noticing Maya's disappointment. "You know how he is."
"Yeah," Maya said, forcing a smile. "He's just busy."
But in her heart, a gnawing sense of uncertainty lingered. It had been like this for a while now—Vic's increasing distance, the way he seemed to drift further away from her, as if the relationship was more of a routine than something real. They still went to the same parties, posed for the same pictures, but when they were alone, it was as if they were two strangers coexisting in the same space.
---
At Crestwood High, no one saw the cracks in their relationship. Maya and Vic sat together at lunch, though he barely stayed for more than a few minutes before heading off to practice. When they walked down the halls, his arm casually slung around her shoulders, they looked like a couple straight out of a teen drama.
"Maya, you and Vic are like, endgame," one of the cheerleaders gushed as they passed by. "I hope my boyfriend and I are as cute as you guys someday."
Maya smiled and nodded, but deep down, her heart sank. If only they knew.
If only they knew that behind those perfect smiles and stolen glances, Maya felt like a ghost in her own relationship. Vic was so wrapped up in his world of football, college scouts, and social dominance that she often wondered if she was just a part of his image. The "it" girl, the accessory to his perfect life.
She spent her evenings staring at her phone, scrolling through their messages. Hers was a colorful mix of heart emojis, pictures of outfits, and sweet notes. His side was sparse—a few one-word replies, most of them from weeks ago.
But Maya clung to the idea of them. Vic was her escape from her chaotic home life, her anchor in a world that often felt like it was spinning out of control. To everyone else, they were perfect, and maybe if she held on long enough, they really would be.
But each time she looked in the mirror, the reflection staring back at her seemed more like a stranger. The girl who used to feel confident in her own skin was now just a shadow of what she once was, desperately trying to hold onto a love that might not even exist anymore.
---
By the end of their shopping spree, Maya had found the dress. A sleek, emerald green gown that hugged her body like it had been crafted just for her. As she twirled in front of her friends, Luna and Sally cheered.
"This is it!" Luna declared. "You're going to be the queen of prom. Everyone will be talking about you!"
Maya laughed, their excitement infectious. For a moment, she let herself believe it. Prom would be her night, their night. Vic would see her in that dress and remember why he chose her. Because no matter how much she doubted, Maya wanted to believe in the fairy tale. And for now, that was enough.
But deep inside, a quiet voice whispered doubts. What if Vic didn't show up the way she hoped? What if prom wasn't the magical night she had imagined? What if all this was just another event to check off on his never-ending list of obligations?
That night, as she lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, her phone buzzed again. She quickly checked it, hoping for a message from Vic. But it wasn't him. It was Luna, excitedly sending her a link to a new dress sale. Maya smiled at the thought of her friend's enthusiasm but felt a pang of emptiness.
Why couldn't Vic be the one texting her, the one showing up in her life with the same level of excitement?
The next morning, the tension was unbearable. Maya got up early to do her hair and makeup, careful to get everything just right. She slipped into her dress, the fabric smooth against her skin, and stood in front of the mirror. She looked beautiful. Stunning, even. Yet, as she caught her reflection, something inside her wavered. What if it wasn't enough?
---
Later that afternoon, as prom loomed closer, Maya stood by the school lockers, waiting for Vic. She had texted him twice, asking if he was excited, if he was ready for the night. No response.
Her heart sank as she watched him walk past her in the hallway, barely glancing her way. The usual affectionate smile didn't appear, and his hand didn't reach out for hers like it used to.
Instead, he just waved casually. "See you later, Maya."
Her stomach twisted.
"Yeah, see you later," she whispered to no one, as the hallway seemed to grow emptier with every step he took away from her.