Strings of Fate: The First Loop

CHAPTER 40

I thought of James, the way he whispered “Buttercup” into my hair. The way he called himself my prom king like it was a promise written in stars.

Then I thought of Matt’s eyes... tired, sharp, unreadable. Of the way he stood with his back to me, flicking ash into a quiet dump behind the library like the world had already disappointed him beyond repair.

“I want to do a good job,” I finally said. “I want it to be… beautiful.”

Inez softened. “Then let’s make it beautiful. Together.”

I looked at her.

“I’ll help you,” she said. “Theme, colors, centerpiece inspo. All of it. You don’t have to do this alone... even if Mister Chain-Belt-Turtleneck insists on pretending this is a board meeting.”

I laughed, really laughed, for the first time that day. “Thanks, Nezzie.”

She bumped her shoulder into mine. “Anytime, bestie.”

Inez opened her Notes app with a dramatic flourish. “Alright, imagine this. Theme number one: Midnight in the Garden. Think stars, ivy vines, gold string lights... very dreamlike, very poetic.”

I tilted my head, considering it. “Kind of like a secret garden at night?”

“Exactly,” she said, eyes gleaming. “Where love feels… inevitable.”

“That’s beautiful,” I murmured. “What else you got?”

She grinned. “Okay, okay. Option two: A Night on Film. Hollywood vintage, red carpets, marquee lights, those black-and-white photo booths everyone ends up crying in at the end of the night.”

I chuckled. “You really thought this through.”

“Betty, please. I’ve had my prom Pinterest board since sixth grade.”

I tapped my chin. “What about something softer? More… magical, but simple. Like… The First Snowfall?”

“Ooooh,” Inez gasped. “Yes. Frosted glass centerpieces, pale blue lighting, maybe a snow machine when you do the first dance... chills.”

We both squealed, startling the student behind us. Inez whispered a giggly apology.

“What does Matt want, by the way?” she asked, settling back down.

I sighed. “He hasn’t said anything about themes. Just handed me a folder of numbers and walked out like we were closing a deal.”

“Of course he did.” She rolled her eyes. “Well, too bad. This isn’t Matt’s prom. It’s yours. And I say we start a shortlist. Put your heart into it.”

And I did. We scribbled ideas onto a blank page of my notebook.... sketching color palettes, listing songs, centerpiece ideas, venue setups.

Midnight in the Garden
The First Snowfall
Celestial Dreams
Starcrossed
Enchanted Forest
Waltz of Light

Each one felt like a step closer to something I could own. Something beautiful, even in the middle of a storm.

And maybe... just maybe... it didn’t matter who else was involved.

Because this? This part was mine.

Later that day, after Inez had left and the bell had rung, I sat alone by the window in Room 109, watching students pass by like they were part of a moving painting I could never quite step into.

I looked down at the list Inez and I had made... each word felt like it held light, softness, hope.

I took a picture of the page and sent it to the prom committee group chat, with a simple message: “Hi! Here are the theme ideas Inez and I brainstormed today. Open to feedback!”