Which is something I haven’t done since middle school.
I think about skipping prom all together…
But that will just make things worse.
If Justina tells everyone my secret…
Better to face the music now rather than later.
So after I force myself to get ready…
And put on the glimmering red dress and heels that I’ve been so excited to wear…
I stare at myself in the mirror.
But I don’t feel beautiful.
I’m student council president…
And just got into the college of my dreams…
But unbeknownst to everyone…
I’m hiding a dirty secret.
My phone rings and I see that it’s Simon…
But I don’t have the energy to talk to him.
I dragged him into my mess…
And even though he says he doesn’t…
How can he not resent me?
I care about him more than anyone…
But somehow, I’ve lost him too.
I don’t even know what to say to him…
So I send him to voicemail.
My mom walks in a few minutes later.
Mom
Oh honey, you look beautiful!
Mom
That dress is perfect on you.
I put a hand on my bloated stomach.
She shoots me a strange look…
Mom
What time is Leon picking you up?
I look away, unable to meet her gaze.
Maura
He, um, broke up with me.
Maura
I’m going to prom alone.
Admitting it out loud to her brings tears to my eyes…
And I cover my face with my hands.
Mom
Oh Maura honey, I’m so, so sorry.
She walks over and pulls me into a hug.
Mom
Breaking up with you before prom…
Wondering if I should just fess up to everything right now.
Even if she were mad at me…
I’d probably feel a lot better.
But just as I lean back, ready to spill the beans…
I wonder who it could be?
Mom
Are you expecting someone?
For a second, I wonder if it’s Leon.
Mom
Let me see who’s at the door.
I wipe my face as my mom moves toward the doorway.
Mom
Finish getting ready and come downstairs.
Mom
Date or not, I want a picture of you looking so perfect in that dress.
She sails out of the room…
And I take a minute to compose myself.
I look in the mirror one more time.
She would too if she knew the truth.
I head downstairs a few minutes later…
And when I see who’s at the door…
My eyes widen with shock.
Maura
What are you doing here?
I look back and forth between her and my mom…
Worried this is some kind of ambush.
Did she tell my mom about my pregnancy?
My mom, however, is smiling.
Mom
Looks like you’re not going to prom alone, after all.
Justina
I figured since we both didn’t have dates…
Justina
We might as well go together.
Wondering if I heard her right.
Mom
Let me go grab my camera and get a photo.
Once she leaves the room…
I shoot Justina a suspicious look.
Maura
What are you really doing here?
Maura
I know you’re going to prom with Leon.
My mom comes back with her camera.
Justina and I pose for a few photos…
I’m not sure I smiled for any of them.
We say our goodbyes and head to Justina’s car…
And once the door is closed…
Maura
Where did you get these?!
Justina
A few months ago…
Justina
I made a trip out to California to visit my aunt.
Justina
And she gave me a few packs.
Maura
But why? Just in case?
Justina lets loose a heavy sigh.
Justina
I was pregnant too.
Justina looks at me, waiting for me to ask…
Justina
He dumped me when I told him.
Justina
Just like he did to you.
Her eyes are soft when she turns to me.
Justina
I knew something was up when he came begging for a prom date earlier this week.
Maura
But after what he did to you…
Justina
I never actually planned to go with him.
Justina
But I said yes so he wouldn’t ask anyone else.
Justina
And then I dumped him last minute so he’d be left without a date.
I shake my head, still confused.
Maura
I don’t understand.
Maura
You made it seem like you were going to tell everyone about me.
Justina shoots me her signature wicked smirk.
Justina
I can see now why you’d think that…
Justina
But, I was talking about standing up Leon.
Maura
Then why didn’t you just tell me?
Maura
Why all the secrecy and mysterious texts?
Justina
I was working up the courage to tell you…
Justina
You and I have never been friends.
Justina
It’s scary to tell someone that big of a secret.
Justina
You never know who you can trust with something like that around here.
Maura
I don’t know what to say.
Maura
But thank you for this.
Maura
I have no idea how I’ll ever repay you.
Justina
Oh, and my aunt is available to chat if you have questions…
Justina
All you have to do is call her.
She hands me a slip of paper with a phone number on it.
Waves of relief wash over me.
Maura
I’ll call her first thing tomorrow.
Maura
I might even be able to enjoy prom now…
She grins and starts the car.
Justina
Hell yeah we will!
When we get to prom and walk into the gym side by side…
Everyone stops and stares.
Justina and I are the last pair anyone would expect to see together.
For the first time in days…
I feel like everything is going to be okay.
Even seeing Leon twerking on the dance floor with Tamara Longo doesn’t bother me.
Justina spots him as well.
Justina
Let’s teach him a lesson.
We start whispering and walking toward him.
When he sees us together, he frowns.
But I speak before he can.
Maura
You might want to find a new dance partner, Tamara…
Maura
I know this from experience…
Maura
But Leon gets tired quickly.
Maura
And don’t be surprised if he makes you do all the work!
And I’m happy to see his cheeks turning red.
Justina
Yeah, and he doesn’t last very long either.
Justina
Usually less than a minute or so.
Leon’s bright red face hardens.
Leon
So you two are suddenly friends now? Is that it?
Maura
We realized we had a lot in common.
Justina levels him with a nasty glare.
Justina
A lot of the same regrets, that’s for sure.
Justina and I link arms and walk off.
Justina
Okay, that might have been mean….
Justina
But it was awesome!
Maura
Or actually I won’t screw him, ever again!
She laughs and grabs my hand.
Justina
Come on, let’s dance!
She leads me to the middle of the dance floor…
And for the next four songs…
Sweaty and parched, I walk over the refreshments table to grab some punch…
And lots of people thank me for putting together a great prom.
Word spreads about Stanford too…
And for the first time, the well-wishes I get don’t make me feel like an imposter.
With those pills in my purse…
I feel like I have my future back.
I feel like I’m allowed to be optimistic again.
So when Simon comes up to me…
I pull him into a giant hug.
Maura
I’ve been looking for you.
Simon
I’ve been looking for you too.
Simon
I feel bad about yesterday.
Simon
How are you feeling?
Maura
We should talk but…
Maura
But I have some great updates.
Maura
And for the first time…
Maura
I feel like everything is going to be okay.
But I notice he’s blushing.
Simon
Look, there’s something I want to talk to you about.
But the principal suddenly taps me on my shoulder.
Principal
Time to announce prom king and queen.
Principal
Mic is all set for you.
Feeling light on my feet.
But as I ascend the stage steps and approach the mic…
I realize everyone is laughing and pointing…
I spot Justina rushing toward me.
We lock eyes and she mouths - “YOUR DRESS!”
And that’s when I see it.
A large bloody stain by my crotch.
Paige’s loud voice rings through the crowd.
Paige
Wait, how do you have your period?
Paige
Aren’t you pregnant?
