I slid my body into the gown. It felt a little snug near the chest, and the fixed edge felt somewhat rigid, yet it looked gorgeous! Plus it remained Eliana’s. Forever Eliana’s.
Cynthia squeezed me tightly and placed a soft kiss on my brow. “Time to leave. Look beautiful for the two of us. Eliana is going to be standing right beside your spirit!”
And during that exact second, I fully trusted her words.
I dried my crying eyes, picked up my high-heeled shoes, and marched outside the entrance, keeping my chin lifted proudly.
During the dance, my peers drew in sharp breaths the moment they noticed my arrival!
The light purple gown reflected the room’s glow like a magical spell.
“You appear absolutely stunning!” a classmate muttered softly.
“It belonged to Eliana,” I responded quietly. “She put it on for her own school dance.”
I moved to the music, chuckled loudly, and permitted myself to just be a normal teenager.
