Stranded on prom night

A week before the party, Kayla sat next to Eli at lunch.

Nobody from Kayla's group had talked to Eli all year. Then suddenly Kayla was smiling at her, asking about her day, and adding her number.

That night her phone buzzed.

Kayla: "hiii Eli!! 🥰 sorry we never really talked before, you're actually so sweet 💕"

Eli stared at it for ten minutes before she answered.

Eli: "oh um.. hi 🥺 it's okay.. thank you"

Then the next day.

Kayla: "omg you HAVE to come to the grad party 🎉🎉 we rented this huge house outside the city, it's gonna be insane 😍"

Eli: "me..? are you sure..? i don't want to be in the way.."

Kayla: "ofc you!! everyone wants you there 💕"

Eli: "okay.. i'll come 🥹 thank you so much"

Then an address.

Kayla: "wear something cute!! can't wait to see you there 🥺✨"

Eli: "i will try my best.. 🫣"

She wants me there. She actually wants me there.

On the night of the party, Eli stood in front of the cracked mirror in her tiny apartment for almost an hour.

She put on her white dress with the short skirt. It was the nicest thing she owned. She brushed her long white hair until it was soft, and did her makeup slowly and carefully around her grey eyes. Then she wiped it off and did it again.

She counted her money on the kitchen table. Just enough for a taxi. Nothing left after that.

She took the taxi anyway she had no choice if she wanted to get there in time

The whole ride she held her phone in both hands and looked at the window.

What if they don't like my dress...?

The taxi dropped her off outside the city, on a quiet street full of big expensive houses. She checked the address again.

It was a beautiful house. Three floors, a big front garden, and stone stairs going up to the front door.

Every window was dark.

No music. No cars. Nobody.

She stood at the bottom of the stairs, holding her little bag.

Maybe I am early. Maybe they are in the back.

Her phone buzzed.

It was a photo.

Kayla: "LMAOOO you actually went?? 😂😂😂"

Kayla: "did you really think we'd invite YOU 💀"

Kayla: "enjoy your night loser 🤡"

Then laughing reactions from the other girls. One after another.

Eli's legs gave out.

She sat down on the cold stone stairs of the house in her white dress. She pulled her knees up to her chest and hugged them.

Then she started crying.

Quietly at first. Then she could not stop. Her shoulders shook and her makeup ran down her face. She pressed her hand over her mouth so nobody would hear her.

Stupid. So stupid. Why did I think anyone would want me there.

I can't even get home.

She sat there on the steps in the dark, crying, with her phone still lit up next to her.

You could see her crying on the stairs through the house camera's