Prom Queen ⚢ [EDITING]

↻ ◁ thirty-five ▷ ↺

"she turned her tears to
diamonds in her crown."

I couldn't believe graduation was already upon us.

In the span of only a few months, I've managed to not only end a long-term relationship with a guy who I was sure I'd marry, but I've also become the girlfriend of the most powerful figure in my entire high school, lost my virginity to said girlfriend, somehow wiggled my way into her friend group, fixed my relationship with my sister, and won prom royalty—all without knowing any of this would ever happen to someone like me.

But here I was, sitting beside Ivy Mora and Nayeli Burns and Ingrid Montoya and Gabby Stafford, able to call them my closest friends and not be joking about it. I know there have been so many bumps in this road, but any kind of love isn't worth it unless you're willing to fight for it—and loving Ivy has been a battle through and through since February.

But now we're here, in our royal blue caps and gowns, all made up like we were three weeks ago for prom. Except, this time, we were prepared for tears.

I spotted my family in the crowd twenty minutes ago, as soon as we started walking in a giant group to our seats. Ivy held my hand the entire way, smiling at me any time I squeezed her hand for comfort. I didn't realize how unprepared I was for the emotional turmoil that graduation would bring.

Now, though, there was no time to think. The choir just finished singing the national anthem and the principal was on her way to announce the valedictorian and salutatorian for their speeches, and then it was time to start walking.

As if time was speeding by, the speeches were over within five minutes, and the first line of seniors stood up from the chairs, ready to move on to the next steps of their lives. My mouth felt so dry as I watched each row stand up and walk to the side. Before I knew it, our line was next.

"You got this," Ivy reassured me, holding her hand out for me to grab. I latched on, stood up, and started to walk.

I handed the music teacher my name card, she smiled warmly at me, and then she handed it off to the principal. I couldn't control the bright smile on my face but I also couldn't control the tears welling in my eyes when I spotted my family just before my name was called.

"Camryn Thea Sako!" the principal announced, the first time I'd heard my middle name in years. I expected to cringe or cower in embarrassment, but I've changed; now, when I heard my full name, I straightened my back, lifted my chin, and kept a steady stride down the stage, shaking the hands of all of the most notable senior teachers. I shook the principal's hand last, smiled way too wide for our mandatory photo, and stepped off the stage to the sound of endless applause. Walking back to my seat was such a bittersweet sensation.

But as soon as I sat down, I listened for the next name.

"Ivy Rose Mora!" the principal beamed. Ivy shook her head with a small smile as she sauntered confidently down the stage, shaking all of the hands. She posed for her picture, her hair perfectly in place and her teeth shining brightly through her gorgeous smile, as the cheering doubled for the queen bee. I watched her stare at one point in the crowd as she walked back to her seat, smiling with a joy that was so relieving to see in her. The only thing that could make her smile like that was the mother she's been missing for so many years—the one who's given her hope for a brighter future for herself, now that they've reignited their relationship.