Prom night was now just one day away, and the entire school felt like it was exploding with excitement. Everywhere students went, there were flashes of dresses, talks of hairstyles, boys pretending they weren't nervous, and teachers silently praying the event didn't turn into a disaster.
Twilight and Henry had planned something important that day.
Shopping.
Henry didn't mind it much.
Twilight hated it like it was a punishment given by God.
But both had their own missions.
Twilight wanted the perfect outfit to impress Chris — something sharp, something flawless.
Henry was secretly looking for a birthday gift for Lily, because her birthday was the day after prom. He wanted it to be special… meaningful.
The first shop they entered was a men's boutique with black suits aligned like soldiers.
Twilight crossed his arms, staring at a whole row of tuxedos.
"Why do they all look the same?" he complained.
Henry raised a brow. "They don't. This one is darker. That one's darker-darker. That one has one percent more shine."
Twilight stared at him like he was a clown.
"You sound like you're shopping with a microscope."
"I'm trying to be helpful," Henry shrugged.
"You're annoying," Twilight muttered.
Henry smirked. "Chris won't care if your suit shines. She'll like you in anything."
Twilight turned red instantly.
"Shut. Up."
Henry laughed.
After trying five different suits, Twilight finally found one — a deep black formal suit with silver detailing that made him look like someone straight out of a mystery novel.
He looked in the mirror and nodded.
"This… this is the one," Twilight said seriously.
Henry clapped him on the shoulder.
"You look like Dracula who pays taxes."
"Henry, I swear…"
But even Twilight laughed a little.
After that, they went to the gift shop.
Henry was completely lost, staring at shelves filled with jewelry, perfumes, bracelets, music boxes, and things he didn't understand.
Twilight watched him suffer for ten minutes before commenting:
"It is confusing how girls do shopping."
Henry sighed deeply.
"You're telling me."
He picked up a hair clip. "Is this cute?"
Twilight squinted. "That looks like a butterfly got electrocuted."
Henry put it back.
"What about this necklace?"
"It screams 'grandma's couch' vibes."
Henry groaned and dragged his hands down his face.
"I'm so dead."
Twilight laughed.
"You need something simple. Not too flashy. Something Lily will actually use."
Henry paused, thinking.
Then his eyes landed on a bracelet — silver, thin, delicate, with a small star charm.
Not too much.
Not too little.
Just… Lily.
"That's the one," Henry said softly.
Twilight nodded.
"Yeah. She'll like this."
Henry smiled for real — the small, soft smile he usually hid.
"I hope she does."
Meanwhile…
Lily and Chris were at Chris's apartment, sitting on the floor surrounded by hair pins, curling irons, screenshots of hairstyles, and panic.
Chris held two pictures to her face.
"Should I do waves? Or straight? Or maybe braids? Or maybe waves with braids—"
"STOP," Lily said, grabbing the pictures. "What's wrong with you?"
Chris giggled. "I'm excited!"
Lily rolled her eyes but smiled.
"You're excited because Twilight's your date."
Chris's face instantly lit bright red.
"W–What? No! I mean, yes? I mean— shut up!"
Lily smirked.
"I can't believe the guy who annoyed you the most is now your date."
"And I can't believe YOU are going with Henry," Chris shot back.
Lily froze.
Chris grinned.
"YES, Lily. Henry. The guy you hated the most."
Lily crossed her arms and tried to hide the blush creeping on her cheeks.
"I… didn't hate him," she muttered. "I just… disliked him strongly."
Chris burst into laughter.
"Oh my god, you're blushing!"
"No I'm not!"
Chris leaned closer with a teasing smile.
"So… do you like him?"
Lily glared.
"Looks like someone is jealous."
Chris looked away instantly.
Her cheeks turned warmer.
"I—I am NOT jealous," Chris said quickly. "I was just surprised."
Lily raised an eyebrow.
"Sure."
Chris pointed a brush at her.
"I don't even care! He's not my type. AT ALL."
Lily smirked.
"Relax. He's not my type either. So stop crying for silly things."
Chris gasped dramatically.
"I am NOT crying!"
"You looked like you were about to."
Chris flicked her hair.
"Shut up."
They locked eyes for a moment…
Then both burst into laughter at the same time.
Evening fell slowly.
Lily and Chris tried hairstyles on each other, messed everything up, and tried again—twenty times.
At one point Lily had a mini bun sitting on the top of her head like a coconut tree.
Chris almost died laughing.
Lily chased her with a hairbrush.
"GET BACK HERE!"
But behind all the fun, both of them felt it:
This prom night was going to be special.
Something big was coming.
Something changed in the air.
Chris didn't know what it was.
She didn't even realize it was happening.
But someone else did.
Far away, hidden behind rooftops and trees, a shadow moved silently, watching the lights in Chris's window.
Watching her laugh.
Watching her prepare.
Watching her life change.
The moon reflected on a crescent pendant swinging between fingers.
The figure whispered softly—
"One more day."
And vanished into the night.