Chapter 1 — The Breakup Bombshell

Mia

I stare at my phone, the words blurring together like a cruel joke. My hand tightens around the device as if squeezing it will somehow change the meaning of the text.

Hey, Mia. I’m really sorry, but I can’t do prom tonight. I think it’s better this way.

Better this way? The words loop in my mind like a broken record, slicing through my chest with sharp, hollow echoes. My heartbeat pounds in my ears, and my throat tightens until I can barely swallow. The lavender gown I spent weeks choosing feels like a lead weight, the fabric clinging uncomfortably to my skin. My stomach churns, and I inhale deeply, trying to steady myself, but the ache only deepens.

I sink onto the edge of my bed, the crinkle of the gown’s layers breaking the heavy silence of the room. The faint, chemical tang of hairspray lingers in the air, mocking me. My reflection in the mirror across the room catches my eye—a girl with perfectly styled, glossy waves and carefully applied makeup. The version of me I spent hours crafting for tonight. A version that now feels like a cruel parody.

I reread the text, hoping—irrationally—that the words will rearrange into something different. Something better. Maybe, *Just kidding! Be there in five minutes.* But the screen stays stubbornly silent, the message glaring back like a scar I can’t erase.

My vision blurs, and a tear slips down my cheek. I toss the phone onto the bed, as if distancing myself from it will lessen the sting. My hands tremble as I press them against my face, willing myself to breathe. Anger stirs beneath the sadness, hot and sharp, bubbling up in waves. How could he do this? After everything I planned, after everything I did to make tonight perfect. Was it me? Did I push him too hard? Expect too much?

I tug at the charm bracelet on my wrist, the cool silver biting into my skin as I fidget with it. The tiny lavender flower charm glints softly, perfectly matching my gown. A small, meticulous detail in the grand plan for tonight’s perfection. And now it’s all unraveling.

The soft click of heels on the hardwood floor pulls me out of my spiraling thoughts. Jenna’s voice slices through the haze.

“Mia?” she calls, her tone light but laced with concern. “Why are you just sitting there? We’re supposed to leave in—” She stops short in the doorway, taking one look at my face. Her expression shifts instantly. “What’s wrong?”

I glance up to see her standing there, radiant in a vibrant red dress that hugs her petite frame perfectly. Her dark curls bounce as she tilts her head, green eyes wide with worry. She’s everything I wanted to feel tonight—confident, excited, alive.

“Alex canceled,” I manage, my voice cracking. The words taste bitter as they leave my lips, and saying them aloud doesn’t make them feel any less devastating.

“What?” Jenna strides into the room, her heels clicking with purpose. She perches on the bed beside me, her expression morphing from disbelief to fury. “What do you mean he canceled? Like, he’s not coming at all?”

I nod, biting the inside of my cheek to keep my emotions in check. “He texted. Said it’s ‘better this way.’” The words feel even more ridiculous aloud.

“Better this way?” Jenna’s voice pitches upward, dripping with outrage. “What is *that* supposed to mean? Ugh, I knew he was a walking red flag. I just knew it.” She throws her arm around my shoulders, pulling me into a fierce hug. “He doesn’t deserve you, Mia. Seriously. You’re way too good for him.”

Her words stir something inside me, but it’s quickly drowned out by the weight of my own thoughts. “Am I, though?” My voice trembles despite my best effort to sound composed. “Because right now, I feel like an idiot. I spent so much time making everything perfect, and now I’m just going to be the girl who got stood up on prom night.”

Jenna pulls back to look at me, her expression softening. “Mia, no. You’re not an idiot. And you’re definitely not some sad cliché. You’re Mia freaking Carter. You don’t need a guy like Alex to make tonight amazing.” Her voice is as bright and determined as ever, but a flicker of doubt still lingers in the pit of my stomach.

I let out a bitter laugh, though it comes out more like a choked sound. “Sure. Just me, myself, and my pity party.”

“What’s going on?” Nathan’s voice cuts in, casual and curious. I glance toward the door to see my brother leaning against the frame, his suit jacket slung over one shoulder and his tie already undone. Typical Nathan—half-dressed and fully unbothered.

“Alex bailed on her,” Jenna announces before I can stop her.

Nathan whistles low, his brows shooting up. “Wow. What a jerk move.”

“Thanks for the insight,” I mutter, glaring at him through the haze of my frustration.

He steps into the room, crossing his arms over his chest. “Hey, just calling it like I see it. But seriously… are you still going?”

“No.” The word escapes before I can even think about it. “Why would I? Everyone’s going to know, Nathan. They’ll see me show up alone and assume I couldn’t even keep my boyfriend interested for one stupid night.”

Nathan’s expression softens in a way that always catches me off guard. “Mia, no one’s going to think that. And even if they did, who cares? It’s prom. It’s supposed to be fun, not some competition to see who has the best date.”

“Easy for you to say,” I snap. “You’re not the one being humiliated.”

“Humiliated?” Jenna’s tone sharpens, her protective streak kicking in full force. “Mia, you’re not the one who should feel embarrassed here. Alex is the idiot who ditched you. Don’t let him take tonight away from you. Go to prom. Show everyone how amazing you are, with or without him.”

I stare at her, my chest tightening again. The thought of walking into that ballroom alone twists my stomach into knots, but the alternative—sitting here while everyone else has the night of their lives—feels unbearable too.

Nathan grins suddenly, breaking the tension. “You know, if you’re desperate, I’m sure Ry wouldn’t mind stepping in.”

My head snaps toward him. “What? No. Absolutely not.”

“Why not?” He shrugs, suppressing a smirk. “He’s already going. And he cleans up pretty well, for a guy who doesn’t try.”

“Because he’s *your* best friend, not mine. And he’s—” I stop myself, heat rising to my cheeks.

“And he’s what?” Nathan presses, his grin widening.

“Annoying,” I finish lamely, refusing to meet Jenna’s amused gaze.

“Annoying, huh?” Nathan chuckles. “Well, annoying or not, he’d probably say yes if you asked. Just putting it out there.”

“Noted,” I grumble, already regretting this entire conversation.

Nathan raises his hands in mock surrender. “All right, all right. Just trying to help.” He heads for the door, pausing to throw me one last teasing grin over his shoulder. “For the record, you’d survive. Promise.”

Jenna waits until he’s gone before turning back to me. “Listen, Mia. I know this isn’t how you imagined tonight going, but that doesn’t mean it can’t still be amazing. You’ve been looking forward to prom for months. Don’t let Alex ruin it for you.”

Her words hang in the air as I glance down at the charm bracelet on my wrist. The lavender flower glints faintly in the light, and for the first time, I notice how the surface of the charm is slightly scuffed—imperfect, but still beautiful. Maybe I put too much weight on perfection. Maybe that’s the problem.

I take a deep breath, the weight on my chest easing just slightly. “You’re right. I’m not going to let him ruin this for me.”

Jenna’s face lights up, her smile as bright as the fiery red of her dress. “That’s the spirit! Now, let’s fix your makeup and get you out of here before you change your mind.”

She tugs me toward the bathroom, her excitement infectious. The doubts lingering in my mind don’t fully disappear, but for the first time tonight, a small spark of determination flickers to life.

Maybe tonight won’t be perfect. But maybe—just maybe—it doesn’t need to be.