She wasn’t at all excited that prom night came too soon. Katie walked back and forth in her room trying to ignore the sparkly dress her mom chose for her which was now lying on her bed. She knew she shouldn’t have procrastinated preparations by burying her face in lessons and readings for requirements which weren’t due for another two weeks. She was excellent in every academic endeavour, but she never did like to expose herself in revelries, much less prepare for them. She was anti-social, yes. Socially awkward, yes. Out of place, yes. Unattractive, hell yes. And if it wasn’t for her parents she wouldn’t even consider going.

It was beyond her how she got prepared. She had on her a face at least a hint of make-up. Does it enhance my face value? Well, I’d probably find out tonight. She found repose in the fact that her perfume wasn’t that nauseating. Her dress was pretty decent though her shoes were ridiculously painful.

Her mom and dad drove her to the venue, and her stomach felt like it had disappeared as their car approached the place. Her failed attempt at looking pretty would be unveiled the moment she stepped out of the car and onto the carpet where she will be well lit. The photographers would be delighted to immortalize such a travesty of beauty.

She slowly stepped out of the car and waved at her parents. She smiled and tried to ignore the stares. She saw ahead through the entrance how spectacular the lighting inside was. It was enchanting. The decorations committee must have worked all week for that. She sped up a little and just as when she thought she was glad she came, bang! She hit the glass wall face first. She fell on the floor with a thud.

She lay there on the carpet staring at the ceiling which quickly turned to a haze of cameras flashing. She exhaled, realizing that this just might be the longest night of her life. Great.

***

One last stroke of blush and she was good to go. There. She fluttered her perfectly curled eyelashes in front of her mirror, pouted her lips and then, as if it were the most inevitable thing in the world, she capped her picture perfect look with a smile. She has been waiting for this night for what seemed like forever and if it weren’t for her tight gown which did everything to emphasize her naturally good physique, she would have burst into joyous squeals. Karen slowly descended their staircase like how she practiced it all her life as camera flashes illumined her every step.

Her date was waiting for her downstairs and she felt a spark when she saw him. He was definitely a Prom King material. They were a perfect match. Everything will be as I predicted.

The black limo waited outside and despite the darkness, it shone and sparkled. They hopped in and after what felt like the shortest ride, they were there. She couldn’t wait to show everyone how much of a masterpiece she had become, convincing them that the crown was sure to be hers by the end of the night.

Every bit of detail. Perfect. Every picture. Every smile.  Perfect. Wherever she went she had a bubble of glamour surrounding her. Mesmerizing and almost celestial. She pitied every girl who even dared to compete with her.

She faked a face of surprise when she was called on stage to be crowned. With finesse and elegance, she went up to the stage and when the golden confetti rained on her, she basked in the magnitude of her victory, wishing this—the longest night of her life—would never end. Never.