When Emily is getting ready for prom, she wants everything to be perfect—her outfit, hair, and makeup. But her tricky stepmom, Carla, has other plans. She cancels Emily’s hair appointment, but just when it seems like all hope is lost, a fancy limousine shows up outside Emily’s house. Who could have arranged it?
Buckle up because this story is a wild ride!
Let me introduce myself: I’m Emily, 17, and I’m in my last year of high school. I live with my dad, my stepmom Carla, and her son Mason, who’s 11. Mason and I get along pretty well, like good siblings do.
But Carla? She can’t stand me!
It all started seven years ago when my mom passed away from a stubborn cold. Suddenly, my dad was dating Carla, and just a year later, they were married.
“Your father doesn’t waste any time, does he?” my aunt whispered during the wedding. “And who is Carla anyway? She’s nothing compared to your mom!”
At first, Carla seemed nice. She really tried to be friendly and win me over. But soon, her passive-aggressive comments began to pile up. I remember catching her staring at me one day.
“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 ignored her, determined not to let her hurtful words get to me.
My dad? He was completely oblivious. It was like he couldn’t see how Carla treated me, and she loved it. She thrived on being the only one allowed to make me feel small.
Fast forward to prom season. Just like every girl in my class, I dreamed of a magical night. I saved up babysitting money for months to buy the most beautiful violet dress.
I chose that color because it was my mom’s favorite. I really wished she could be there to enjoy these moments with me.
Prom was going to be my night. I just felt it!
Every time I thought about prom, I got butterflies in my stomach, imagining all the fun. To make everything even better, I booked a hair appointment at a fancy salon where all my friends were going.
Everything was set. But then came the day I’d been waiting for, and Carla made sure to ruin it.
I arrived at the salon, excitement bubbling inside me. But when I walked in, the receptionist looked confused.
“Emily? Are you sure?” she asked, staring at her computer screen. “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 gently. “Let me get Zelda.”
I fidgeted nervously while she went to find the hairdresser. Finally, they returned, and the hairdresser looked uneasy.
“I got a call earlier today saying you wanted to cancel your appointment, Emily. I assumed it was your mom?” she said softly.
My heart sank. Canceled? How could that be? I hadn’t canceled anything!
That’s when I spotted her across the room.
Carla.
She was sitting there, casually getting her hair done.
She caught my eye and smirked, her expression cold as ice. So it was her! Carla had canceled my appointment.
“Is there any way you could still squeeze me in?” I asked Zelda desperately.
She shook her head sadly.
“I’m sorry,” she said. “When your appointment was canceled, a woman called in and took your spot. All our slots are filled. I’m really sorry, honey.”
I stood there, stunned. Carla had called, pretending to be me? And she had taken my appointment just to watch me be disappointed? That was low.
I could barely hold it together as I ran out of the salon, my head spinning. I felt sick to my stomach.
My perfect prom? It was crumbling around 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 myself, but nothing looked good. I felt so stupid for telling Carla my plans.
What had I been thinking?
I glanced at my beautiful violet dress hanging on the door.
I wasn’t even sure I wanted to go to prom anymore.
I looked at my makeup on the table, wondering if it was even worth it. What was the point? I felt miserable and doubted anything good would come from this.
Suddenly, I heard loud honking outside. I ignored it at first, thinking it was just some random car.
But it didn’t stop.
I wiped my eyes with the back of my hand and trudged to the window, expecting to see some commotion outside. But when I looked, my jaw dropped.
A shiny black limousine was parked right in front of our house!
I thought it was some mistake. There’s no way that car could be for me. My friends’ parents had all said no when we talked about getting a limo months ago. But still, I ran downstairs, heart pounding.
I stood at the door, waiting to see what would happen. The driver stepped out and walked towards our front door. My dad 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, pointing at me.
I hesitantly took the card from my dad’s hand 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 11-year-old brother did this?
I burst into tears again, but this time from shock and gratitude. I dashed upstairs to find Mason in his room, grinning like he had pulled off the ultimate surprise.
“I heard Mom on the phone this morning,” he said casually. “I knew that it wasn’t fair at all.”
He had overheard Carla cancel my hair appointment and, in true little brother fashion, decided to take action.
“But did you really use your money?” I asked, feeling bad for him.
“Not really,” he replied with a grin. “See, Mom has been saving up for a fancy diamond necklace. She’s been showing it to Dad, hoping he’d buy it for her. But he said no.”
Good for you, Dad, I thought.
“Anyway, after I heard her on the phone, she left the house. So, I took some money from her stash and went to Mr. Johnson next door. You remember, he owns the limo company?”
But Mason had even more surprises.
“There’s more, Em,” he said excitedly. “Mrs. Evans from across the street? Her daughter is a stylist at the mall. She’s coming here to do your hair and makeup soon.”
Just as he finished, the doorbell rang.
“That should be her!” Mason exclaimed. “Go wash your face; I’ll send her up!”
When did Mason grow up? I wondered as I hurried to the bathroom.
Twenty minutes later, I went from a sobbing mess in my bedroom to looking like a princess. I just wished my mom could be there to fuss over me, to take endless photos, and tell me how proud she was. I wanted a hug from her more than anything.
But Mason had saved prom!
When Carla pulled into the driveway, I was already outside, stepping into the limo like a movie star. Her jaw dropped. She got out of the car, standing there, utterly stunned.
I wish I had a picture of her face. It was priceless!
“Richard? Did you do this?” I heard her shout at my dad before the driver closed the door behind me.
Moments later, the driver whisked me away.
Prom was everything I had dreamed it would be. When I arrived at the hall in the limo, everyone turned to look. I was glowing, and I felt it—like my mom was right there with me.
The night was pure magic. I danced, laughed with my friends, and forgot all about the drama at home.
As for Carla, I hope she learned a valuable lesson. You can’t mess with someone’s joy and get away with it, especially when your son swoops in to save the day!
So, what do you think? Share your thoughts in the comments!
