Chapter 1 The Worst Prom Night Ever - 1

-Corrine-

“Let’s break up.”

The bass of the EDM music thumps through the speakers. Its voice was so booming I wasn’t sure what Daniel Harris, my boyfriend, was saying.

I frowned while giving him an awkward grin. “What did you say, babe?!” I asked, half shouting.

Daniel didn’t smile with me. His expression was so serious that I felt stupid with my attitude. His nostrils flared for a moment before he snorted. “Let’s break up, Corrine Harmon!”

Daniel shouted so loudly, together with a pause of silence before the music changed.

Everyone at the prom tonight turned to glare at us and I felt heat radiate from my neck and spread to the veins in my face.

“What?” My voice was squeaky like I was choking. I was still trying to laugh and thought Daniel was just joking. I took his arm and wrapped mine around it, then laughed as I pulled him off the dance floor.

My friends were still following me and Daniel with their gaze until the music started again and they got distracted.

Now we’re standing in a dark corner of the hall and Daniel jerks his hand away, begging me to let go.

He straightened his wrinkled sleeves as he stood with his back to me. That’s when I realized he wasn’t kidding.

“Babe?” call me carefully. “Did I do you wrong? I—I will do anything—“

He turned around. Our eyes met, and he stared at me. “Yes, you did,” he hissed through gritted teeth.

“Wh—what did I do?” I clenched my hands beside my body. My heart was pounding waiting for his answer while remembering the time we spent together the past few weeks.

There’s nothing wrong, I thought. I gladly gave up my virginity when he asked for it last month. And I was happy to pay for his car’s modifications when he complained about the lack of money for it.

“You love me too much,” Daniel said. “I’m sick of your attitude towards me.”

Cheers rang from the center of the hall and I looked over my shoulder to see what was happening. One of the alumni was singing while undressing and showing off his six-pack abs.

When I looked back at Daniel, he was busy on his phone, and I was waiting.

“Daniel,” I called when he still didn’t put his phone in his shirt pocket and instead laughed while looking at the screen. “Daniel, look at me.”

Daniel looked up, and the laugh disappeared from his face. “What?” he asked curtly. “Am I not clear enough?”

“B—but… we’ve been together for a year and I even chose the same major as you at the university—”

“I didn’t ask for it,” Daniel cut me off. “I’m not your husband. Why are you following me around? Your presence only bothers me.”

I was stunned by his words.

All this time, he always said he loved me and he could not imagine his life without me. Daniel is the sweetest boyfriend I ever had and suddenly he changed, right on our graduation night.

Or maybe I just didn’t notice all along. What is wrong with us?

“Now, get out of my sight. I’m sick of seeing you.” After saying that, Daniel just walked away from my presence.

I froze in place for a moment until the laughter from a group of girls passing by made me flinch and I blinked. Unnoticed, tears streamed down my cheeks.

I rubbed it with the back of my hand while half running out of the hall. I don’t want anyone to see me like this after we got the award as the most romantic senior year couple just half an hour ago.

I passed through a side door, choking on sobs that kept my chest tight. The passage at the side of the hall led me to a garden bordering the woods.

There was no one here, and I immediately spat out my tears, even though I didn’t scream. I just sob. My lungs and throat ache, and my vision is blurry. I squatted down and buried my face into my turquoise mermaid dress. I’ve been preparing this dress since three months ago, imagining spending a beautiful and hot prom night with Daniel.

Tonight was hot for me, but it was all because of the tears and hurt, not because of what I hoped would happen.

The prom was still going on in there, but my spirits were completely gone. All I want now is to go home and let out my cry to my heart’s content in my room.

I reached into my purse and grabbed my cell phone, dialed up my older brother, Trevor, and texted him.

Pick me up. Now.

The reply came shortly after.

What happened to Daniel? Is he drunk on Kool-aid?

I laughed in the middle of my tears when I read the reply message from Trevor. I typed quickly and sent a reply.

No. I’ll tell you when we meet.

Looked like Trevor knew what was going on. He didn’t reply to my message but called me right away.

“Hey,” I greeted. My voice was hoarse from the rest of the crying, and I blew my nose to clear my breath.

“Are you crying?” he asked. “What happened? What did that bastard do to you?”

“He dumped me,” I said. It’s weird to say that and feel nothing. It was as if my heart had gone numb.

“I knew it. He’s just toying with you.” I could hear the anger in his voice and I felt happy knowing someone in my corner now. Trevor was the best brother in the world. “I’m not at home right now. I’ll pick you up, but you have to wait at least five minutes. Can you?”