Carly still had her whole life ahead of her, but for now, the prom seemed to be the biggest thing. Despite their financial struggles, her mother and grandma had saved some money for the dress of her dreams. However, she decided to prioritize the needs of others over her personal happiness after a single bus ride. Life had never been particularly simple for the family. Due to their lack of resources, they regularly had to make concessions in order to get by.
Despite their financial struggles, the three of them shared a close bond that made the tough times a bit more bearable. They were in love, and Carly felt that their love was everything. But that was not how today was. Carly felt the buzz of anticipation in the air. She had been quietly fantasized of dressing gorgeously for prom in order to feel like she belonged, even though she had not mentioned it much.
Carly attempted to hide her grief, knowing that her family was not able to buy anything similar, while all the others at school were talking about their extravagant costumes and planning. But this morning, something amazing happened. Dina and Holly beckoned Carly into the kitchen, both of them beaming. The smell of freshly brewed coffee permeated the space, and the window’s natural light added to the pleasant atmosphere. With dazzling eyes, Dina motioned Carly to take a seat. “We have been saving up, even if it is not much, and we want you to have something special.”
Carly blinked in surprise as her grandmother slipped an envelope over the table toward her. When she opened it out of curiosity, she saw many banknotes carefully nestled within. Breath seized in her throat. It was not huge, but it was more than enough to buy a gorgeous gown. She looked up at the two women who had done everything in their ability to make her feel special, and her eyes were filled with tears of thankfulness.
“Thank you, Mom. “Thank you, Grandma,” Carly remarked in a tearful voice. That you handled this for me astounds me. Holly reached out to shake hands politely with Carly. “My darling, you deserve it,” she said with a kind smile. “Go now and look for an outfit that really gives you a princess-like feeling.” Carly immediately got ready and departed to take the bus to the nearby clothing shop, full of joy and excitement.
She felt like the happiest girl alive, her fingers tightly balling the money. Though she had no idea what was going to happen, she was anticipating and filled with excitement for the occasion. She was already visualizing the perfect dress that would make her prom night unforgettable. The bus rattled over the well-traveled bumpy roads as Carly sat toward the front, holding the packet of cash her mother and grandmother had given her. Her heart raced at the thought of choosing something beautiful, something that would make her feel like a princess even for one evening.