my prized possession

CHAPTER 13

Final exams were fast approaching, and I devoted all my time to studying. Annabella often came over so we could study together. Mom had already left for work, and without her around, the house felt a bit lonely. But Billy was always there for us. Christina and Chris, for some strange reason, were actually behaving themselves. There was a calmness in the house—a rare sense of peace—and I was enjoying every part of it.

Annabella didn’t miss the chance to ask how I was doing after everything that happened at the fair. Things between her and Jacob were going really well, and it was such a beautiful thing to see. In just a few weeks, though, I wouldn’t be seeing her as often—she’d been accepted into her dream school in Canada: Unified Canadian College, which focuses mostly on criminology. She wanted to study criminal psychology.

I never really understood why she’d choose a course that involved being so close to criminals. When I asked, she simply said she wanted to understand what goes through a person’s mind when they commit a crime. I didn’t question it further. Everyone has a dream worth chasing—hers is understanding criminal minds, and mine is learning how apps are made. One day, I hope to create one of my own.

As for me, I was still waiting to hear back from Forbes College. That’s the school I’ve always wanted to attend, but maybe the delay was because of the scholarship. I heard they’d already started sending out acceptance letters, so I was trying not to lose hope. Getting in would be the fresh start I desperately needed.

Exam week was slowly winding down, and that meant prom was just around the corner. But I wasn’t really feeling excited about it. The guy I always dreamed of going with wasn’t mine, and that made the idea of prom feel meaningless. I figured I’d just stay home instead.

After our last exam, Annabella excitedly asked me what I was planning to wear to prom. When I told her I wasn’t going, that I had some things to do at home, she looked at me like I’d grown two heads.

“Don’t tell me you’re not going because of Jackson?” she asked.

I didn’t answer—I just looked away.

She shook her head and said, “You can’t do this to yourself. Prom is one of the biggest highlights of high school. You shouldn’t miss it because of a guy. Let’s go together—as girls.” She gave me a hopeful smile.

I nodded and accepted. She was right. I deserve to be there. I deserve to have fun, too.

When Annabella realized I was finally on the same page as her, she tugged my arm and told me we needed to go shopping. “We have to be the hottest girls on prom night,” she said with a wide grin. I couldn’t agree more. This was my last chance to make an impression—especially on those girls who used to mock me. I wanted them to see the version of me they never imagined could exist.

Prom night was fast approaching. All around school, people were getting proposed to in the sweetest, most creative ways. Love confessions, flowers, handwritten notes—it was a beautiful thing to witness. Jackson, however, hadn’t been in school since finals ended. I hoped he was okay. I thought about asking one of his close friends, but I didn’t want to seem too eager or obvious. Still, I couldn't shake the feeling, so I decided to check on him myself. After all, he was my friend too.

After school, I walked over to Jackson’s house and knocked on the door. Their housekeeper answered. I greeted her and asked about Jackson, letting her know I’d noticed he hadn’t been in school and wanted to make sure he was okay. She smiled warmly and assured me he was fine, but that he wasn’t home—they had all traveled to London.

Concerned, I asked if everything was alright. That’s when she told me his grandfather had passed away, and the family had gone for the funeral. I paused, unsure of what to say. Then I asked if Mrs. Cooke was doing okay, assuming the man who passed was her father. The housekeeper gently corrected me—he was actually Mr. Cooke’s father, not hers.

I thanked her and left quietly.

So… Jackson wouldn’t be at prom night.

Annabella and I were at the clothing store, searching for the perfect outfits for prom. She was bursting with excitement, practically bouncing from rack to rack, while I… not so much. I tried to match her energy, but my mood just wasn’t there. She checked out all sorts of gowns—long, short, sparkly, dramatic. Then I saw it. The dress.

It was stunning. A black, off-shoulder, mermaid-tail gown that looked like it had been made for a queen. It was elegant, bold, and so beautiful that I couldn’t take my eyes off it. But when I checked the price tag, my heart dropped. It was expensive—way out of my range.

Annabella noticed my stare and asked if I liked the gown. I nodded, then quickly added that it was too expensive for me. But she just smiled and told me I should take it. I looked at her, shocked. Was she serious?

She told me not to worry—her dad had given her his express card and told her to get whatever she wanted. And if getting the gown her best friend adored was part of that, then so be it. “It’s not too much,” she said. “You deserve to shine.”

I was speechless. I hugged her tightly and whispered a heartfelt thank you. That moment meant more to me than she would ever know. We purchased everything we needed and headed home.

The day of prom finally arrived. But instead of feeling excited, I was moody. I sat in my room, staring into space, unsure of how I felt. That was when someone knocked on my door.

“Come in,” I said.

To my surprise, it was Christina.

That was strange. She never came to my room.

She smiled softly and walked in, sitting beside me on the bed. “Are you okay?” she asked.

I blinked, caught off guard. Christina? Asking if I was okay? That had to be a first.

“I’m fine,” I replied. “Why are you asking?”

She looked at me seriously and said she had noticed my mood lately, how I didn’t seem happy. Then she asked if it was because of college. She told me not to worry, that I’d get in. That I was a genius, and any college would be lucky to have me.

“Wow,” I said. “Christina cares about me. That’s a shocker.”

She laughed. “Of course I do. You’re my sister.”

Something warm stirred in my chest. I reached for her hand and gave it a squeeze. “Thanks. Really. I’ll be okay.”

She stood up with a smile. “You should be excited. It’s prom day.”

“I am,” I said, though my tone didn’t quite match. “Just a bit moody. I’ll get there.”

With one last smile, she left the room.

Today… might actually be a blessed day.

Evening came, and I was getting ready for prom. I had my laptop open, following a makeup tutorial step by step—because, honestly, I had no clue what I was doing. Kind of embarrassing, but it was what it was. I was in the middle of trying to blend my foundation when there was a knock on my door.

The twins had already left, so I turned to see who it was. To my surprise, it was Mom.

Joy surged through me. I dropped everything and ran to hug her tightly. “What are you doing here?” I asked, beaming. “Weren’t you supposed to be at work?”

She smiled and cupped my face. “There’s no way I’d miss my daughter’s prom night. I’m here to support you.”

I laughed, genuinely grateful. “I actually really needed that.”

She looked at the screen and raised an eyebrow. “What are you doing?”

“Trying to do my makeup,” I muttered, embarrassed.

She laughed. “And where did you suddenly gain this ‘insight’?”

“YouTube,” I confessed.

She rolled her eyes playfully. “You need to unsubscribe immediately.”

She sat me down and took over. Watching her work with my face and hair was like watching a magician at her craft. When she finished, I stared at my reflection, stunned. I barely recognized myself. I looked… beautiful. Elegant. Glowing.

“Mom,” I said in awe, “were you a makeup artist before?”

She laughed. “Sweetheart, I have a lot of hidden talents.”

“Apparently.”

She smiled and helped me into my dress. When I turned to face her, her eyes welled up with tears.

“You look like a goddess. A queen,” she whispered.

I smiled shyly at her reaction, heart fluttering.

“Go show yourself to Billy,” she said. “He’s downstairs waiting.”

I descended the stairs carefully, and there he was—Billy, standing with a bouquet of flowers in hand. When he saw me, his face lit up.

“You look… wow,” he said softly, handing me the flowers and planting a gentle peck on my cheek.

“Thank you,” I replied, touched.

Just then, I heard the sound of a car horn outside. Annabella, I thought. It had to be her.

“I have to go!” I said, heading for the door.

But when I opened it, my breath caught in my throat.

Jackson.

He stood there, looking as handsome as ever, holding a bouquet of flowers. I was frozen, completely stunned.

“Hey, beautiful,” he said with that familiar smirk.

I opened my mouth to speak but nothing came out.

Behind me, my mom peeked out the door and her face lit up. “Oh my God, you two look amazing together!” she exclaimed. “I need a picture!”

“Mom… really?” I said, cheeks burning.

“Yes, right now!”

We posed, awkward but smiling. My head was still spinning. Jackson was here? Why?

Then she insisted on a solo photo of just me, and I obliged. Once she was satisfied, she clapped her hands and gave us the green light.

Jackson reached for my hand and led me to his car. He opened the backseat door like a true gentleman. I stepped in and saw his driver behind the wheel.

“Good evening,” I said politely.

Jackson slid in beside me and nodded to the driver. “We can go.”

As the car pulled away, I sat there, still dazed, trying to process everything.

Where the hell is Annabella? I thought.