Chapter 4: The Girl Everyone Laughed At
The school gym had been transformed into something almost unrecognizable.
White lights hung from the ceiling. Silver decorations covered the walls. A huge illuminated sign reading PROM 2026 stood behind the dance floor.
Students crowded around the entrance, taking photographs.
Ethan parked near the main doors.
“You ready?”” he asked.
I looked at my reflection in the window.
My hair fell in loose waves around my shoulders. The silver necklace my mother had left me rested against my collarbone.
And the dress…
The dress looked extraordinary.
“I think so.””
He smiled.
“Then let's go.””
The moment we entered, I heard someone whisper.
“Is that Lily?””
I kept walking.
A girl near the registration table nudged her friend.
“Wait. Is she wearing the dress from Vanessa's story?””
Another girl leaned closer.
“No way.””
I felt my cheeks burn.
Ethan noticed.
“Don't look at them.””
“I'm trying.””
“Then look at me.””
I did.
He smiled.
“Much better.””
We moved toward the dance floor.
Then Vanessa appeared.
She was surrounded by six girls, all wearing expensive dresses and holding sparkling drinks.
Her eyes widened when she saw me.
For half a second, she looked almost impressed.
Then she laughed.
“Lily! You actually came!””
I smiled politely.
“Of course.””
She stepped closer.
“Wow. You really did use the ruined dress.””
A few people laughed.
Vanessa lifted her phone.
“Can I get a picture? I want to remember this.””
Ethan moved between us.
“Put your phone away.””
Vanessa frowned.
“Excuse me?””
“You heard me.””
She rolled her eyes.
“Relax. We're just having fun.””
Her best friend Madison looked uncomfortable.
“Vanessa, maybe leave it.””
Vanessa turned sharply.
“Why? Are you suddenly defending her?””
Madison lowered her eyes.
I looked at her.
“It's okay.””
Vanessa smiled.
“See? Even she knows.””
Then she turned toward the crowd.
“Everyone, I have an announcement!””
The music was still playing, but several students looked over.
Vanessa raised her phone.
“Since Lily decided to bring her little homemade masterpiece, I thought I'd share the inspiration.””
A picture appeared on the large screen near the DJ booth.
My ruined dress.
The red paint.
The carpet.
Laughter spread through the room.
Then another photograph appeared.
Me sitting on the floor, crying.
My heart stopped.
I recognized the angle.
The picture had been taken from the hallway.
Vanessa zoomed in.
“Look at her face!””
Several people laughed.
I felt my throat tighten.
Ethan grabbed my hand.
“Don't give her what she wants.””
Vanessa continued.
“Some people think buying an expensive dress makes them special. Others think sewing a bunch of scraps together makes them designers.””
She pointed at me.
“Lily, honey, you should've stayed home.””
The room went quiet.
I looked at the screen.
Then at Vanessa.
“Are you finished?””
She blinked.
“What?””
“Are you finished embarrassing yourself?””
A few people murmured.
Vanessa's face turned red.
“Excuse me?””
I stepped closer.
“You poured paint on something I worked three months to buy. Then you photographed me crying. Then you posted it online because you thought it would make everyone laugh.””
I paused.
“But you know what's interesting?””
Nobody moved.
I continued.
“You're the only person in this room who seems proud of what you did.””
Vanessa scoffed.
“Don't act like you're some victim.””
“I don't have to act like anything.””
Her smile faltered.
“Your dress is ugly.””
“Then don't wear it.””
A few students laughed.
Vanessa's eyes narrowed.
“You think you're funny?””
“No. I think you're predictable.””
She stepped toward me.
“Listen carefully, Lily. Nobody cares about your little sob story.””
Madison finally spoke.
“Vanessa, stop.””
Vanessa turned.
“Stay out of this.””
Madison looked down at her phone.
“I saw the video.””
Vanessa froze.
“What video?””
“The one you sent to the group chat.””
The room went silent.
Vanessa's face changed.
Madison held up her phone.
“You told everyone Lily ruined the dress herself. But you sent us the video of you and your mom doing it.””
A wave of whispers spread through the gym.
Vanessa lunged toward her.
“Give me that!””
Madison stepped back.
“No.””
The DJ lowered the music.
Someone near the front shouted, “Wait, what?””
Madison looked at me.
“I'm sorry, Lily. I should've said something earlier.””
Vanessa shook her head.
“She's lying!””
I took out my phone.
“Would you like to watch it?””
Vanessa stared at me.
Then she looked toward the entrance.
Her mother stood there.
Patricia had arrived just in time to hear the last few words.
She marched toward us.
“What's going on?””
Vanessa immediately grabbed her arm.
“Mom, tell them!””
Patricia looked around.
“What exactly is this?””
I held up my phone.
“Would you like to explain why you helped Vanessa destroy my dress?””
Patricia's face went pale.
“That's ridiculous.””
“There's a video.””
She looked at Vanessa.
Then at the students surrounding us.
Her voice became sharp.
“Lily, this is a family matter. We are not discussing it here.””
I laughed once.
“Funny. You didn't think it was a family matter when you helped humiliate me in my own bedroom.””
Patricia grabbed my wrist.
“Lower your voice.””
Ethan immediately stepped forward.
“Let go of her.””
Patricia released me.
“Don't interfere.””
Before anyone could respond, the principal approached.
“What's happening here?””
Vanessa straightened.
“Nothing, Mr. Collins. Lily is making a scene.””
Madison stepped forward.
“No, sir. Vanessa and Patricia destroyed Lily's dress and posted pictures of her crying.””
The principal looked at me.
“Is that true?””
I nodded.
“I have the video.””
He glanced toward Patricia.
“Mrs. Carter, I think we need to discuss this.””
Patricia's expression hardened.
“You cannot seriously be taking the word of teenagers over mine.””
Mr. Collins held out his hand.
“Then let's look at the evidence.””
I sent the video to his email.
Within minutes, he had watched it.
His face became increasingly serious.
He looked at Patricia.
“I'm going to need you to accompany me to the office.””
Vanessa grabbed her mother's arm.
“Mom!””
Patricia turned toward me.
Her voice dropped.
“You have no idea what you've just started.””
I held her gaze.
“Actually, I think I do.””
She walked away.
The students slowly returned to their conversations.
The DJ restarted the music.
But something had changed.
People weren't laughing at me anymore.
Some approached to apologize.
Others simply nodded.
Ethan squeezed my hand.
“You okay?””
I looked around the gym.
For the first time, I didn't feel like hiding.
“I think I am.””
Then the principal returned.
“Lily, may I speak with you?””
I followed him toward the entrance.
He held out his phone.
“Someone from the Marlowe Foundation called the school this afternoon.””
My heart skipped.
“Why?””
He smiled.
“They've asked permission to make a special announcement tonight.””
I stared at him.
“What kind of announcement?””
He looked toward the DJ booth.
“Apparently, they've been trying to reach you.””
My phone rang.
Unknown number.
I answered.
“Hello?””
A woman's voice came through.
“Lily Carter?””
“Yes.””
“Good evening. My name is Evelyn Marlowe.””
I nearly dropped the phone.
“Mrs. Marlowe?””
She laughed softly.
“Your mother used to tell me that you would recognize my name.””
I couldn't speak.
“I'm sorry to call during your prom, sweetheart, but I've just seen something remarkable.””
“What?””
“Your dress.””
I looked down.
She continued.
“I understand you made it yourself.””
“Yes.””
“Using fabric that had been deliberately damaged?””
I glanced toward Vanessa.
“Yes.””
There was a pause.
Then Evelyn said something I would never forget.
“Lily, I have been looking for someone with your mother's talent for years.””
My heart raced.
“Why?””
“Because the scholarship interview scheduled for next week has just changed.””
I gripped the phone.
“Changed how?””
“Because I would like you to present your dress to our selection committee as the opening piece of your collection.””
I stared at the gym.
“What collection?””
“The collection you haven't designed yet.””
I swallowed.
“Mrs. Marlowe, I don't understand.””
Her voice softened.
“Your mother once told me that the best designers don't create clothes to impress people. They create clothes to tell stories.””
I looked at the crimson roses.
“And I believe you've just told yours.””
Then she added:
“One more thing, Lily. I need you to come to New York tomorrow morning.””
I blinked.
“Tomorrow?””
“Yes. There's something your mother left at the fashion house. Something that belongs to you.””
Before I could respond, the call ended.
I stood motionless.
Ethan approached.
“What happened?””
I looked at him.
Then I smiled.
“I think my life is about to change.””
But across the gym, Vanessa had overheard enough to understand.
May you like
She stared at me.
And for the first time that night, she looked afraid.
