When Emily prepares for prom, she wants everything to be perfect—her outfit, hair, and makeup. But her stepmother, Carla, has other plans and messes everything up by canceling Emily’s hair appointment. Just when it seems like all hope is lost, a limousine pulls up outside Emily’s house. But who sent it?
Okay, get ready for a wild ride!
Hi, I’m Emily, 17, and I’m a senior in high school. I live with my dad, my stepmom Carla, and my little brother, Mason, who’s 11. Mason and I get along like siblings should—pretty well.
But Carla?
Yeah, she can’t stand me.
This all started seven years ago when my mom passed away from a cold that just wouldn’t go away. Before I knew it, my dad was dating Carla, and a year later, they were married.
“Your father doesn’t waste any time, does he?” my aunt sniffed on the day of the wedding. “And who is Carla anyway? She’s nothing compared to your mom!”
At first, Carla seemed fine. She tried hard to get me to like her, but soon, the passive-aggressive comments started piling up. I’ll never forget that time I caught her glaring at me.
“You look too much like your mother, Emily,” she said, her voice dripping with disdain. “It actually pains me to look at you. No wonder your father gives Mason more attention. He’s closer to Mason right now, isn’t he?”
I sighed and tried to ignore her. It was hard, but I didn’t want her to win.
My dad? He had no idea what was happening. He either couldn’t see it or just didn’t want to. And Carla loved that. She loved being the only one to taunt me.
Anyway, let’s fast forward to prom season! Like every girl in my class, I was dreaming of the perfect night. I saved up babysitting money for months to buy a stunning violet dress.
I chose violet because it was my mom’s favorite color. I couldn’t help but wish she was here to help me get ready.
Prom was going to be my night. I just knew it!
I was so excited! I even booked a hair appointment at a fancy salon. All my friends were going there too. Everything was set!
But then came the big day, and of course, Carla had to ruin it.
I walked into the salon, feeling on top of the world, but the receptionist looked confused.
“Emily? Are you sure?” she asked, peering at her computer. “Zelda told me that you canceled?”
“I didn’t!” I exclaimed, panic rising in my chest. “Why would I? Prom is tonight!”
“Calm down, honey,” the receptionist said soothingly. “I’ll get Zelda.”
I waited anxiously until finally, she returned with Zelda, the hairdresser.
“I got a call earlier today saying you wanted to cancel, Emily,” she said, looking uneasy. “I assumed it was your mom?”
My heart sank. Canceled? What? I didn’t cancel it! What mom?
As I stood there, confused, I caught sight of her.
Carla.
Sitting there, casually getting her hair done. Of course.
She saw me and smirked, her eyes as cold as ice. I couldn’t believe it. Carla had canceled my appointment!
“Is there any way you could still fit me in?” I pleaded with Zelda.
She shook her head sadly. “I’m sorry. When your appointment was canceled, a woman called and booked her own. All of our slots are taken. I’m really sorry, honey.”
I was in shock. So, Carla had called pretending to be me? She took my appointment just to watch me get disappointed?
Sick.
I barely held it together as I ran out of the salon, my head spinning. I felt like I was going to be sick. My perfect prom was crumbling right in front of me. By the time I got home, I locked myself in my room, tears streaming down my face.
I sat at my dressing table, trying to fix my hair on my own, but nothing looked good. I felt foolish for even telling Carla about my plans.
What had I done?
I stared at my dress hanging off the hanger.
I didn’t even know if I wanted to go to prom anymore.
I looked at my makeup spread out on the table and wondered if it was worth it. What was the point? I felt so upset, and I didn’t believe anything good was going to come from this.
Suddenly, I heard a loud honking outside. I ignored it at first, thinking it was just another car.
But it didn’t stop.
I wiped my tears with the back of my hand and dragged myself to the window, half-expecting to see some kind of commotion outside. When I looked out, my jaw dropped.
A glossy black limousine was parked right in front of our house!
I thought it was some kind of mistake. There’s no way that car was for me. My friends’ parents had already said no to a limo months ago. But still, I dashed downstairs.
I stood at the door, waiting for something to happen. The driver stepped out and walked towards our front door. My dad, who had been completely clueless about everything, stood on the porch, looking just as confused as I felt.
“I’m here for Miss Emily, sir,” the driver said, holding out a small card.
Miss Emily? Me?
“She’s right here,” my dad said, nodding toward me.
I hesitantly took the card from my dad and opened it. Inside, written in neat handwriting, were the words:
To my beautiful sister, Emily. I know you’ve had a rough time lately, but you deserve the best night ever! Enjoy the limo, and don’t worry about a thing. I’ve been saving all my birthday and Christmas money.
Have a magical night, sis.
Love, Mason.
Mason? My little brother did this?
I burst into tears again, but this time from shock and gratitude. I raced upstairs to find Mason in his room, beaming like he’d just pulled off the best prank ever.
“I heard Mom on the phone this morning,” he shrugged, as if it was no big deal. “I knew that it wasn’t fair at all.”
He had overheard Carla canceling my hair appointment, and being the awesome little brother he is, he decided to do something about it.
“But did you really use your money?” I asked him, feeling awful.
“Not really,” he grinned. “See, Mom has been saving money to buy a fancy diamond necklace. She’s been showing Dad the necklace, hoping he would buy it for her. But he said no.”
Good for you, Dad, I thought to myself.
“Anyway, after I heard her phone call, she left the house. So, I took some of the money from her stash and went to Mr. Johnson next door. He owns the limo company, remember?”
But Mason didn’t stop there.
“There’s more, Em,” he said, excitement in his voice. “Mrs. Evans, from across the street? Her daughter is a stylist at the mall. She’s coming over soon to do your hair and makeup!”
Just as he finished speaking, the doorbell rang.
“That should be her!” Mason said. “Go wash your face; I’ll send her up!”
When did Mason grow up? I wondered as I hurried to do what he said.
Twenty minutes later, I went from crying in my bedroom to looking like a princess. I wished my mom was here to fuss over me. To take a million pictures and tell me how proud she was. I wanted her hug more than anything.
But still, Mason had saved prom!
When Carla drove into the driveway, I was already outside, stepping into the limo like a movie star. Her jaw dropped when she saw me. She got out of the car and just stood there, speechless.
Her face? Oh my God! I wish I had a picture of her expression. I would have stuck it on my mirror!
“Richard? Did you do this?” I heard her shriek to my dad before the driver closed the door.
In moments, the driver whisked me away.
Prom was everything I had dreamed of. When I arrived at the hall in the limo, all eyes turned toward me. I was glowing, and I felt amazing. For the first time in a long time, it felt like my mom was right there with me.
The entire night was pure magic—dancing, laughing with my friends, and forgetting all the drama at home.
As for Carla, I hope she learned her lesson: you can’t mess with someone’s joy and get away with it… especially if your little brother is around to save the day!
What do you think? Share your thoughts in the comments!
