An Enchanted Prom Night
by Olivia Appleton
Going to prom must be a part of every high school experience. That’s at least what everyone told me. I was planning on not attending prom because I’m not close with anyone in my class anymore. We all grew apart once I started dual enrollment and they started planning their college journeys. I have also become more independent throughout my senior year and I’m ready to graduate.
It wasn’t until my friend Sam convinced me to go with him. His main point was “you’ll regret it if you don’t go.” He wanted to go with me so I would not be alone, which made me feel 100 times better. So, I bought the tickets and a dress, planned my hair, and just like that I was ready to go.
Doing my makeup was fairly easy. I put on a pale blue eyeshadow to match my dress, lip gloss, and eyeliner. To finish the look off, I stuck a Bindi on my forehead to connect to my culture. I knew the mainly white crowd I would soon be surrounded by. I went to school with them for much of my life. I felt more like myself with the gems on my forehead, reminding everyone of my Indian roots.
Next was my hair appointment, done by one of my best friends. She braided it into a knot and clipped it with a crystal clip at the back of my head. I grew excited once she finished doing my hair. She reassured me that I was going to have a great time. She began to hype me up to the point where I was now looking forward to going. Even if I wasn’t going to stay long, I felt good about myself, which mattered the most to me.
When I got home, I quickly put on my dress. The dress was a light blue gown with sparkles covering every inch of fabric. When I looked in the mirror, I truly felt like a princess. An unfamiliar feeling, I remember smiling from ear to ear- my nerves disappeared because I looked beautiful.
When Sam and I got to prom, we already felt out of our element. The Wehquassett Beach Club was the fanciest place I have ever been to. The ceilings were high, the landscape was gorgeous, the workers were dressed nicely, and the food was good. When we saw everyone dressed up, I felt like I wasn’t at a school event anymore.
Still, we felt ostracized. Despite all the people I knew in my class, few even looked my way. For those I did talk with, it was nice to see each other for probably one of the last times until graduation. Sam and I didn’t stay for long. We knew deep down that this wasn’t our type of thing. We ended up staying for the grand march, pictures, dinner, and one song.
I think my biggest takeaway from this experience was that I can choose my own happiness. Even though I didn’t talk with people I once knew, I still felt good about myself. For once I dressed up in something that’s not a sweatshirt and sweat pants. Inside, I felt gorgeous, and no one could bring me down.
Photo taken by Monika Appleton
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